this is one of the quaintest restaurants in the area. The food is so delish, albeit a little pricey. But if you dont dine out much and you want to look forward to a treat, just save up for it. The helpings are so generous, one person could get a salad (ranging $5-$11) and then split the main course with your date. (ranging $9-$18; the meal, not the date) :) Once every couple of months is certainly doable!
(4)
Katherine P.
I loved this place! It's small, and fun. We called a half hour before we got there and still had to wait but I expected that, so we just had drinks at the bar. I would only suggest going if you have patience, and enjoy a few good drinks before dinner, because otherwise you're not going to enjoy it. The food is fantastic, we all enjoyed each of our dishes. It's a great date night restaurant!!!
(4)
Emily M.
Giuseppe's is one of my favorite places to eat in Columbus. The staff is always knowledgeable and very attentive. They change their wine list fairly often and always have a good selection of reasonably priced wine. My favorite dish is the Gamberi di scilla. It is delicious. Giuseppe's is great for people watching and is always crowded on a weekend night. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Megan M.
Delicious! We had the veal pasta with some kind of peas- it was wonderful, with a lot of rosemary flavoring. New fav place!
(5)
Paul F.
This is a pretty nice restaurant, and in fact it used to be much smaller before he bought out an adjacent storefront. So, my dinner started with the soup of the day, which today was ministrone. Unlike the canned variety, this had small chunks of vegetables and was of a very course texture. You could tell it was homemade. For my main course, i had their Gamberi Diavola. Spicy shrimp served over spaghetti, in other words. It contained over a half dozen fairly large shrimp and was delicious, and somewhat messy to eat. LOL I was in the mood for dessert but didn't see anything on their menu that turned me on. But a very good meal nonetheless!
(4)
Jon M.
Great fresh authentic Italian
(5)
David P.
The entrance is nondescript and easily missed, but everything else about this place seems great. The bread, wine, salads, pasta, seafood, and eggplant parmigiana we all had were great. The pricing was good and the service was excellent. While there was nothing on the menu or in the restaurant which makes it strikingly unique, the location plays that role. Guiseppe's is within walking distance of the Drexel movie theater, which is within walking distance of Jenni's ice cream. This holy triumvirate makes all three locations perfect for a great night out with friends.
(3)
Katherine P.
I loved this place! It's small, and fun. We called a half hour before we got there and still had to wait but I expected that, so we just had drinks at the bar. I would only suggest going if you have patience, and enjoy a few good drinks before dinner, because otherwise you're not going to enjoy it. The food is fantastic, we all enjoyed each of our dishes. It's a great date night restaurant!!!
(4)
Emily M.
Giuseppe's is one of my favorite places to eat in Columbus. The staff is always knowledgeable and very attentive. They change their wine list fairly often and always have a good selection of reasonably priced wine. My favorite dish is the Gamberi di scilla. It is delicious. Giuseppe's is great for people watching and is always crowded on a weekend night. I highly recommend it.
(5)
Ellen F.
Giuseppe's is a smaller restaurant with adorable authentic, Italian decor. It's apparent that many of the patron's are regulars, which gives it a nice warm, comfortable feeling. They don't take reservations for parties less than six, but you can all ahead, which I recommend. It's also a bit challenging to find the first time, especially in the dark. So try to give yourself a few extra minutes for that and parking. It's a terrific date option, very romantic...date number three, perhaps? They offer daily specials of entrees, soups and desserts. If the special isn't so special in your mind, the entree list is almost endless. The tomato basil soup has a nice balance of spice and flavor, but the bowl is a little big if you're planning for a salad and entree to follow. They do serve some fresh bread and olive oil after ordering. Our server was okay, a little off on the taboos of service, but a nice guy. If you have the opportunity, ask to be seated in Anna's section. She's a doll and will make everything just right.
(4)
Erica P.
After the first review, I had not planned on going back to this business. The manager contacted me and essentially asked for a "do over". Husband and I were in the area and decided to give this place another chance. Husband is a huge fan of the taste of the pizza. This time, we got our gluten free pizzas. They tasted great, and there as no negative body response. The server that we got was great too. You will have to wait for a table at this popular place, don't stop by if you are in a hurry.
(3)
Jenny B.
When dining at Giuseppe's, you almost feel like you're in Italy!! The servers, bussers, the owner, all Italian speaking Italian with their friends that come and dine at this cute little restaurant in Bexley. I had a wonderful meal here and the bread is hard to stop eating. One tip I will give is that if you get cold easily, try to ask them to not sit you by the door because it can get a little chilly up front in the winter time.
(4)
C M.
Great place. They couldn't have been nicer and the food was outstanding. Ravioli's delicious -pizza fab! Worth it !
(5)
David L.
Went here on a recommendation. Food was relatively OK however the attentiveness of the bartender waitstaff and hostess was borderline rude across the board. Bartender too busy playing music to care about empty customer glasses and hostess nowhere to be found half the time. Decent food but would recommend morettis if you want a more personalized experience.
(2)
Gwen W.
I noticed this restaurant on Yelp several years ago, thus was glad to finally try it out when friends picked it for their last meal in town before moving to Philadelphia. I noticed that it doesn't have the "best" of reviews - a lot of mixed experiences. However, after reading Giovanna's review, I was glad to join them! I love the simple, yet eclectic decor. The wooden wall behind the bar caught my eye! Cloth napkins. Fresh yellow rose bouquets on every table. Swanky and posh, but down to earth (no need for formal dress!). Oh, and their front patio is nice - great owning and flowers. It would be a plus if they could make it bigger. But, hey, no complaints! Nothing on the menu was jumping out, so I asked the waiter, nice polite gentleman btw, if they can concoct. Yes. Yay! So I went with the Gnoche, topped with veggies, mushrooms, chicken and their Alfredo sauce. The sauce was not what I was expecting. It was more... almost "tart". But not exactly. Not bad at all. And I know I'm just used to a more creamy, cheesy, get it out of the jar at Kroger kind, so this, in hind sight, was a great change of pace and flavor profile. The julienne-cut veggies and plenty of mushrooms were just icing on the cake! I can totally see myself coming back here - maybe not as much as I'd like because of the price points, but definitely a great special-occasion establishment!
(4)
Amy K.
Just went for our first time tonight. It was wonderful. It is small and busy but that did not detract from the meal. I had smoked chicken ravioli. It came with a delicious creamy white sauce. It was so good, and I wasn't even that hungry. My husband had a dish with red sauce and peppers and onions and agreed it was great. He ate it all. Chocolate cake for dessert ( it was my birthday after all) was dense and tasty. No real children's menu, but they can make various pasta types with sauces. My picky 10 year old gobbled hers up. The bill was reasonable at $76 for the three of us. We were seated immediately at 6 pm on a Saturday. Food came out super speedy. With two kids who would rather be at Wendy's that is appreciated! Our server asked if we had been there before and we said no. She then said she would help in any way possible to make our evening the best.
(5)
Mark H.
The food of Giuseppe's is excellent but the service is a bit uppity. The antipasto and carpaccio were excellent starters that were full of flavor. The red sauce in my pasta was packed with herbs and delicious. To me, the service just felt like he was proving the prestige of the restaurant instead of providing good service. Truly not a bad restaurant but I just didn't get the attitude of the server. I had a similar experience when I called the hostess for reservations and was told of the call ahead policy and then more-or-less hung up on. It just felt amateurish at the end of the evening.
(3)
Doo-Dah W.
One of my favorite places in Columbus. Pizza is my favorite in the city. The crust is light and crispy. The Da Scilia is my favorite. Bartender Sean is the best. Order once from him and he'll remember your preferences. Also, if there's not a drink on the menu that looks good to you, tell him what you're after and he'll whip up something perfect. Burrata, Seared Octopus, and Carpaccio are other stand-outs. If you've never been, go!
(5)
Jason S.
Giuseppe's is the bomb! When I want authentic Italy this is the place. Giuseppe is a masterful chef and great person. He goes out of his way to make us feel at home every time we visit. He all most always takes the time to visit our table to say hi and discuss the food. The staff has always been fun and taken great care of us. The food is amazing. I love the pappardelle and homemade sauce. The antipasto's are amazing. We have friends who don't like meat and Giuseppe created two special antipasto plates so there was no meat touching anything on one of them. My wife usually gets the seafood and has never been disappointed. Great bar as well. The bartender turned me on to my favorite summer cocktail, The Negroni. So good! We love sitting on the patio after dinner to have expresso and desert.
(5)
Dan P.
A friend of mine from Nationwide is from Italy so I asked where the best Italian Resturant was his immediate reply convinced me to check it out. Had the wedge salad and chicken parm not on the menu the pasta and sauce awesome. The chicken was delicious nice size and savory. I was very impressed and will definitely come back next time in town
(5)
Mark H.
Good food in an upscale setting. I would not be afraid to bring friends & family from out of town, show them not everything around here is meat & potatoes. Dinging it for the small portions for a large price. I don't mind the cost, just don't make it so small. Also, the seating was a little tight during a weekend dinner. Glad everyone used Dial.
(4)
Adi E.
I love the atmosphere. You feel like you're in a big city. The food is just ok. My second time here and just not impressed. Better this time than last. I had pepperoni pizza as appetizer. Pretty good but crust too thick. Then Mediterranean salad (really liked!). For my entree had gnocchi with chicken/olives/capers in a red sauce. I wasn't expecting a ragout and was disappointed. Chicken tasted old. My husband had spicy shrimp linguine in a cognac cream sauce. His was just ok. I like that they source locally and use free range chicken. Previous visit: I had veal Marsala sub veal for chicken and it tasted more like a beef stew flavor. Was very disappointed. I will go back for salad and soup and the atmosphere. Won't order an entree.
(3)
Nikki C.
My husband took me here for dinner on my birthday. I love pizza and this place had great reviews. We were both very unsatisfied and highly disappointed with the pizza. Thin, flimsy and not much taste or toppings and $18.00. The service was just ok. They seemed to be much more focused on their regulars. The seating is tight, they have crammed as many seats and tables in as possible. The people watching was the best part of our dining experience.
(2)
Markus B.
I went to Giuseppe's Ritrovo based on the comments here. Well, to me it is just another Italian restaurant. Solid dishes but nothing spectacular. The insalata caprese was nice but why dont you use fresh buffalo mozarella on it? If you serve the bread, you have to servce olive oil as well to swap the bread in it. The spaghetti amici was ok, I just missed the typical Italian seasonings and herbs in it. So, overall, if you want to eat Italian, it is a good location with a nice atmosphere but if you want to taste authentic Italian kitchen, look elsewhere.
(3)
Nick S.
Late on a Sunday night in August. SEVEN WORDS: Classy, Refined, Formally Casual, Northern Italian, Expensive. The Ambiance and Atmosphere are both stunning - You pass through a small patio which bustles with the intimate conversation between waiters and two-tops. Inside, it's a busy bistro with bussers skirting through a maze of tightly packed tables and conversation is boisterous yet not painful. We were quickly seated and served. I ordered the Carbonara on wheat pasta while my partner ordered eggplant in a red sauce. Our meals took a little long to arrive (20-25 minutes) . Although the wait was a little long (esp. for a small bistro), the food was very, very good. The pasta was a little overcooked *based on high standards), but both dishes were 4.5 on a five-scale. However.... The bill came (without appetizers or alcohol of any kind) and it was 42 dollars. Our server was pretty good, so we gave her the cusomary 8 USD / 19% tip and we were on our way. Would I return again? Sure, if I'm going to a Drexel movie and don't have the time for Olive Garden and am not in the mood for TAT's Home-Style / Great Value Brand of Italian.
(3)
Giovanna A.
Giuseppe's is my favorite place for business lunches and dinners, probably have been there at least ten times, great service each and every time. By great service I don't mean having a particularly entertaining waiter or bartender, but the unintrusive type of service where there is not a lot of interaction with the server other than when initially placing the order, maybe asking a few questions about menu items, such as getting a dinner item in a lunch portion, etc. but always having refills and everything you need without having to ask and/or without much interruption to the conversation. I read some of the other reviews and was a little surprised by some of the vibe issues, the Bexley elite judgement issues. I say a little because I am somewhat oblivious so it is quite possible that it's there and I just never noticed. I frankly have never asked myself what folks at other tables thought of me or of anything for that matter, so if anyone ever expended any energy giving me the evil eye there it must have been a pretty frustrating effort on their part. If I had noticed such a thing I probably would find it quite amusing! As far as food goes, everything I have tried here was delicious, my favorites being the beet salad, the spinach salad with pignoli nuts, gamberi diavola (spicy!), and last but not least, probably my favorite gnocchi in the city, which is made to order with any sauce you choose. The wine list is fantastic, as are their cocktails. Other huge pluses for Giuseppe's: they locally source, their chicken is free range, almost anything on the menu can be requested as gluten free, and there are plenty of choices for our vegetarian friends, making it a great choice for an eclectic group. They have a small but really nice patio, inside the acoustics are perfect, even when packed I have never found it to be loud. I will go back many times, I am sure, and highly recommend trying it or trying it again!
(5)
Keida M.
Another incredible evening at Giuseppe's! Of special note, while my friend and I were at the bar before being sat at our table, I happened to notice that Sean (the aforementioned fab and handy bartender) is ALSO handsome! And watch out ladies, he has an even raspier voice than the Trivago guy! ~~~~~ So I have seen a few reviews on here complaining about it seeming like a party at Giuseppe's that they aren't a part of. I won't presume to know the circumstances of these peoples experiences, but I will relate mine: I am pretty much known by the second or third time I frequent anywhere, especially a special place like Giuseppe's. The main reason is because I make an effort to get to know everyone that comes up to me on the first time of my visit. I ask their name, about what they do in their free time, their families, etc. I am a curious person, and show interest in their lives. When I walk out my door, I don't look at people as my help, because at the end of the day, we are all someones help. And when I return to a place, I ask them about their lives, in detail. And this goes from the owner to the busboy. Everyone is important to me. In all, I am saying that one must make an effort first. If I want instant affirmation, I will go to Panera down the street, or to a Ground Round. Or a Foot Locker for that matter. I am used to living in cities where the best clubs and restaurants make you work a little to get the secret handshake. We have a culture here in Cbus that needs to be shed. It's the assumption that you are a winner, just for showing up. It's a really shallow expectation. We don't make relationships in 5 minutes. I hate to break the news, but the gal serving you at Panera doesn't give a shit about you. She cares about her $7.25/hr job and not getting fired by a manager who insists on her smiling and over-greeting everyone who walks in the door, because Panera wants to move rolls. It's not about relationships, it's about rolls. Giuseppe's is a different kind of place. Giuseppe is creating a space for fostering relationships, set upon the tapestry of his love of food and fellowship. If you want to feel like you are part of the family at Giuseppe's (or anywhere else including Panera), be patient, be curious, and be persistent. It's worth the effort, believe me.
(5)
Bryant M.
I've been in Bexley for over two years and *finally* checked this place out! Some friends and I were looking for a night cap and dessert late on a Saturday night, and Giuseppe's popped right up on the Yelp app. The bartender stopped us as we entered let us know that only the bar was open, so we headed over to the bar and cozied in. The bartender was fantastic. He was a wonderful balance of nice and sarcastic. The drinks were all good, and most of us liked our desserts. By most, I mean everyone but me. I ordered the gluten-free chocolate cake, and it was fine... just not great. But kudos for having a GF dessert! I think my biggest issue with Giuseppe's is actually pretty hard to articulate. The whole place just seems very clique-y and like a cool kids club... and I was *not* one of the cool kids. I know this might not make any sense, but all four of us felt like this! Nobody was rude to us, but we definitely got the feeling that we didn't belong. I'm not gonna let this stop me from going back to try dinner though! Every place deserves a second chance.
(3)
Nga B.
If I could give this place no stars I would. We came in on a quiet Thursday evening. There were 3 tables at 8 pm. The hostess was friendly and sat us immediately. Unfortunately it stops there. We waited between 5-10 minutes. Not a single person greeted us or acknowledged our presence. We sat there as we watched the servers chit chat. We decided to get up and leave. As we were leaving another hostess asked what our problem was. We told her. We did not get an apology. She stood there looking at the servers with her mouth wide open. Instead of watching her catch flies in her mouth we continued to walk out. Horrible service. Note: I have been a server and been in the industry for many years. I am not very picky, but I do like to be acknowledged. If it was busy or a server was swamped someone could have at least came over and offered water or an excuse as to why no one served us.
(1)
S F.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Cbus, mainly due to their fantastic red sauce. I've been ~5-10x/year the past 5 years and have never had a bad experience. Very good price as well for a quality meal experience. Service is always professional, albeit slow when they're packed but that's expected to a degree. I am never in a rush here, as eating is more of an event rather than a quick dinner. My wife and I typically spend a couple hours minimum. She is Italian herself, and is one of her favorite places to go. Salads have always been fresh. Main courses always terrific. Pizza is fantastic with a crisp crust and plentiful toppings. Grab some grappa to finish the eve :) Highly recommended on all fronts!
(5)
T K.
Hands down one of the best little "hidden gems" in Columbus (if not ohio). Service, atmosphere, foooood & libations are second to none. You are doing yourself a disservice by not going. Giuseppe is truly one of a kind and is insanely passionate. Just. Go.
(5)
Nancy P.
We just spent a lovely evening having dinner at Giuseppi's. It was delightful eating outside and having meals that were well-prepared and wonderfully presented. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately upon arrival. Throughout the evening the waitstaff was concerned about our welfare and satisfaction with the meal. One diners meal was too peppery and When the waitstaff was told about it they had the dish remade and it was we presented quickly. We definitely will return soon and bring our friends.
(4)
Shy E.
Love this place The Ambiance , the Food It's like your (Italian) mother's cooking Highly recommended any time And especially when it's a live music night
(5)
Brian B.
Always a great experience in both food and beverage. Not a place to go for craft beer, but nice wine selection and fabulous cocktail program.
(5)
Chrissy F.
everything is delicious ... i haven't had a cocktail i didn't love, a server who wasn't insanely attentive or a dish i didn't clean my plate with. if you're lucky enough to be there on osso buco special night -- NOTHING can compare. can't get enough!
(5)
Andrew C.
The food was good but average. Maybe a $13 plate......not $23. I anticipated a more rich and unique taste but it was a plate you can find at most italian restuarants.
(2)
Erica R.
Fantastic pasta. The best in the city. The service is a little slow but it isn't the type of place that you attend in a rush. The drinks are great and very nice atmosphere.
(4)
Raj V.
If I could I would give this zero stars. We were five minutes late for our reservations and were treated with much hostility. Our seat was given and the woman was vindictive to my mother for being late. No apologies were given. Life is too short to be around self-centered cruel.
(1)
Ashley J.
It's Italian, people. A pretty interesting spin on Italian. I guess this place is going for the old-school feel, which is cool, but it is a bit pricey for having a small menu. Their bar is awesome, but the food was not to do die for. Staff is pretty friendly and they are on point with refills and making sure everything is ok, but there is no way that this food should've cost over $35.
(2)
Harry H.
Dear friends, Avoid this den of inequity lest you wish to suffer an intestinal calamity. I must confess I entered this establishment with high hopes, only to have those hopes dashed in a most rude way. The waiting staff was snobbish and overly judgmental in my view, as if to suggest it was beyond my means to dine there. I let that slight pass, thought clearly I haven't forgotten it. To make a long story short my wine was corked, my steak overdone, my tiramisu rancid, and my bill far too large for the quality I received. Would that I could, I would shutter this place immediately, bar the owners from opening another such establishment, and strike it from my memory forevermore. Avoid the misery, dear friends, and dine elsewhere. Sincerely, H.Hinkle
(1)
Randy M.
Great food, service, and atmosphere, but that bar was phenomenal! Every drink made from scratch. I knew it was a good sign when I sat at the bar and saw the row of assorted bitters lining it. The bartenders were busy mulling fruit and assorted ingredients. The old fashion was incredible. Call a half hour before you show up and you'll beat the wait.
(5)
Melinda V.
This is a great local Italian place! Service is always excellent. The owners are very aware of what is happening in their establishment and keep things running smoothly while being friendly with customers. I love the food! Delicious, great prices and manageable portions! The atmosphere is very European, friendly and relaxed. You have the ability to take your time with food and conversation, no worries about getting rushed out the door.
(5)
Meg K.
This place had been talked up quite a bit, so I was excited to take my man here for his birthday. The staff and service were very kind if not overworked (there were several long waits for things like drink orders/getting the check) but that is certainly not their fault, that's a management issue. Our server was more than adequate and our cocktails were good. We ordered two pasta dishes- the smoked chicken ravioli and the fettucine gastrove. The fettucine smelled exactly like a Lean Cuisine, which I tried to put out of my head. The flavor was just blah- the vegetables were indistinguishable from one another and the sauce could have come out of a jar. It had an inconsistent texture and was tossed with overcooked chicken and some basil and garlic. I will say that the pasta was perfectly cooked. The smoked chicken ravioli was just too sweet for me, though I don't have much experience with smoked meat so I don't know if it tends to be sweeter or if this was due to this particular recipe. For dessert, we shared a tartufo chicolate which I thought was just fine, and the birthday boy really liked. It has zabaglione cream, gelato, and is dusted with cocoa powder, so there are a lot of different flavors and textures. Presentation is nice and simple. Overall, I'm glad we tried this place but we won't be back- it's just too much money for unexciting and inconsistent food.
(2)
Prashant V.
We had a reservation for a table of 9 at 7. After parking, we walked in at 7.02. Instead of seating us, they gave the table to someone else. Apology? No. The miserable lady at the front of house said "you can stay or you can go". No apology, no accommodation. If you want to be treated like crap before being seated, waste your money and time here. Otherwise, walk up and down the street for many more options, where I'm sure your business will be welcome.
(1)
Ralph B.
My wife and I discovered Giseppe's a couple months ago and have been back four times. Friends that used to live in Bexley invited us the first time to join the for happy hour. Their happy hour menu is a nice offering of items at great prices, and a good way to try out this restaurant. The food quality is quite good, solid four stars. They have, and I have tried their pizzas, which are very good, gnocchi, spaghetti and meatballs, and my wife has tried some other choices. All are very tasty and we have not had a bad selection. I really like their service staff. They all have personalities and act like they really care about providing a good dining experience and knowing their menu. It can be a bit crowded at times, but that also gives it a good vibe. Did I mention, there is a Graeter's right across the street?
(4)
Steve R.
Great little place in Bexley. Great service and the food is remarkable. I have had almost everything on the menu and have not been disappointed yet. Family atmosphere, great place to take the family, and they do accommodate kids. Their pizza is out of this world and they do accommodate Gluten Free allergies. Wonderful place.
(5)
Christina C.
Oh, happy lunch! They had me at $6 lunch martinis. It's a beautiful thing when there's a menu of more than 10 to choose from, too. And all sounded perfect! Pomegranate. Espresso. Grape. And my choice - the pear. Yumms! For some reason I've drive past this place a dozen times but never even batted an eye.. until today, and it's definitely a "hells yes" to coming back. I've been craving a Caprese salad, and bam - there it was on the menu and it was delicious. Moving on to my veggie calzone - zing! I was diggin' the wood fired oven crisp! However, what put me over the edge was the dessert menu. I couldn't decide! I could taste every one of the options just by reading the descriptions. After many agonizing minutes, the Tartufo Chiocolato (chocolate gelato and hazelnuts with a zabaglione center) was my final choice and let's just say... well, it was so amazing I'm left speechless.
(4)
Liz M.
Good, with potential for more stars! Our reservation was promptly honored. That was nice! (The website states they do not take reservations, but, in fact, they do.) The space is well decorated and feels inviting. We especially loved the bar. We were seated at a tiny two top, which would have been OK, but the other tables around us were so close, it may as well have been communal seating. Even the staff had difficulty maneuvering between tables. It was plain awkward! I'm not sure if extra seating was added to accommodate for Valentine's or if that's the norm. If it's normal. It'd be more comfortable to be seated at the bar. Our waiter was OK. He was pretty attentive, but also, not attentive. Like, he came by often, but didn't care if we were having a good meal. Or he'd clear the empty glasses, but leave the plates. He also didn't offer cheese for on our meals when I saw others getting it. If that helps gage the service we got. Bread service was OK. They serve you an individual ciabatta roll from a basket to your bread plate and deliver a fresh herb butter. I have had better, but as far as bread and butter goes, I like it all. I ordered prosecco and the boyfriend a reisling. Brought promptly with an ample pour, rightfully so, as no glass of wine was under $7. I ordered the asparagus ravioli that was very good with a toasted almond pasta. I'd never had anything like it before.The filing was perfectly seasoned to compliment the mild cheese sauce with ample, but not overwhelming aparagus flavor. The unfresh winter tomatoes garnish ruined the dish overall with their harsh yucky flavor. I'd request those off in the winter. Also, the sauce had a hint of uncooked wine. Like they added it, but didn't cook it long enough to get the alcohol off. A product of a busy evening I guessed as my boyfriend's Veal Marsala was in the same boat. With perfectly al dente pasta and tender veal the dish was overshadowed by runny undercooked sauce. Of course, not horrible, just not the best. I think these mistakes were minor and easily fixable if they'd been less busy. But, then again, no excuse for it, really. So, that's all. No apps, no dessert, as soon as we declined dessert we immediately had our check. $56 total was a little on the high side, but also, not unusual for that type of meal. However, in this price point, Giuseppe's would not be my top choice. Will I be back? Yes! Why? I think Pizza and drinks at the bar for happy hour is where it's at!!
(3)
Kathryn K.
Soooo, the bartender recommended the short ribs, which I ordered, but I'm pretty certain that what was on my plate was chuck roast. It was delicious chuck roast, but I have been eating both short ribs and pot roast for eons and I've never seen short ribs that looked like these ones. Short ribs typically don't arrive at the table as a large, unformed hunk of meat that takes up half the plate. But chuck roast does!
(3)
Julie H.
The best Italian food in Ohio! What a great atmosphere and the food is to die for. I highly recommend this restaurant for fun dining!
(5)
David S.
Our group of 4 waited over 15 minutes late on a Friday evening to be seated. OK, we DIDN'T have reservations. Once seated, the service was slow and she was not very apologetic. Drinks were also slow in coming from the bar. The Dirty Martini wasn't even dirty and had to be sent back for another go around. I ordered the Caprese Salad for a starter and the Meat Lasagna as my entree. I never did receive the Caprese Salad. Once I brought this to the server's attention, there was only a quick "I'm sorry", and off she went. The meat lasagna entree finally appeared after I sat through my guests eating their soups and salad while I awaited the phantom Caprese Salad that never materialized. The cheese in the lasagna was virtually nonexistent and the noodles had the consistency of wet bread. It as disappointing to try to eat through half the portion before finally giving up. I think that a can of Chef Boyardee Lasagna from the nearby Kroger's would have been a better choice and much tastier that this slop that was served. I left the restaurant hungry and $ 60.00 lighter for a lousy meal and poor service. I'm sorry to have to say that, as I carefully thought about that before writing this review. This might be a "hoity toity" place, but in the future, my money my guests and I will go to better eating establishments that make their customers a priority and their food better than one would get at a drive through. What a shame, I thought that Bexley finally had a restaurant the caliber of the Monk. Sadly, it appears that Giuseppe's Ritrovo is not even in the same league.
(1)
Zeta P.
One of our favorite nights out. Do yourself a favor and order drinks from their superstar bartender Travis for a treat you won't soon forget!
(5)
Michael G.
I want to like this place since I love Italian and most everyone I know loves the place. Plus, Bexley needs it; there is not much in fine dining in 43209. However, food is pedestrian and the pricing is out of sight. Especially the wine. Service is spotty (but they did look good doing their job). As usual, the rez time was not honored, about 20 minutes off. I'll be a lunch goer, but not for dinner any more, too many better Italian to spend time in.
(2)
Sarah L.
We tried Giuseppe's for Valentine's Day. With the holiday it was packed but the bartender kept everyone happy. Their bar is excellent! We had their fagioli with shrimp and tomatoes as an appetizer and it quite good, though very small for the price. We split calzones and veal marsala and both were delicious, though we don't pay these prices at other restaurants in Columbus that are on par with Giuseppes. We shared a spumoni bombe and while the strawberry, pistachio and chocolate gelattos tasted wonderful, the dessert was rock hard and we spent several ungainly minutes trying to stab into it with our spoons and hands. Service was not attentive, but that could be because of how busy they were. I would gladly come back for the bar service and appetizers. My review would increase dramatically if Giueseppe's altered their direction-either more elevated flavors to match their current prices or reducing the cost to match the quality.
(3)
Sanford R.
By far the best restaurant in Columbus. Amazing Italian food with a great bar. Wonderful atmosphere. Check it out. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Ann S.
This was the hubby's suggestion because he'd had good panini's there for lunch. The hostess put us in the back right in front of the kitchen. (Smells underarms...do I o-ffend?) I got the meat lasagna (my standard when trying a new italian restaurant) and he got the smoked chicken ravioli. The roll they bring you beforehand was pretty standard but the basil/chive butter they give is really good. We felt really awkward because it was about 5pm-ish and there were a ton of servers all standing around staring at you as you eat or talk. It made for a very awkward dining experience. Oh yeah and we both got water and it was *terrible*....WATER. There was some funky undertone and we thought it was the glass. We mentioned it to the server to see if we could get new glasses and she said "oh our water is horrible here." Okay, it wasn't just us. When the meals arrived, I cut off a piece of mine and vice versa for the other to try and I liked his ravioli alot. He took a bite of my lasagna gave this knowing smile and said it was good. I knew something was up. I took a bite and I swear to you if someone had blindfolded me and fed this to me, I would've said I was eating Chef-Boy-Ardee's Beef Ravioli. I mean from the texture to the taste to the smell it was like they popped open a can of that stuff and made it into a lasagna. I shook my head because this was the 2nd bad meal of the day and it just figured. We got the bill and it was $32 which would be okay if I hadn't felt like I just ate canned pasta and since I know I can get that at Kroger for a buck, I felt like I overpaid by $14. He might go back with co-workers during lunch hours but I won't be back.
(2)
John B.
Visiting daughter in Bexley and we finally got around to dining here. Sat evening with three adults and a 6yo. Be sure to call ahead. Service was prompt and waiter was knowledgeable. Took drink order, salads and then main course. Must try the Three Cheese Ravioli!! Fantastic. Wife had asparagus ravioli which was excellent. Daughter had penne with smoked salmon in a vodka sauce. Another plate of excellence. All meals served piping hot. Only thing from 5 stars, wait for dinner to be served. Not overwhelmingly busy but a tad long in serving. But will be sure to visit again.
(4)
Megan M.
Delicious! We had the veal pasta with some kind of peas- it was wonderful, with a lot of rosemary flavoring. New fav place!
(5)
Paul F.
This is a pretty nice restaurant, and in fact it used to be much smaller before he bought out an adjacent storefront. So, my dinner started with the soup of the day, which today was ministrone. Unlike the canned variety, this had small chunks of vegetables and was of a very course texture. You could tell it was homemade. For my main course, i had their Gamberi Diavola. Spicy shrimp served over spaghetti, in other words. It contained over a half dozen fairly large shrimp and was delicious, and somewhat messy to eat. LOL I was in the mood for dessert but didn't see anything on their menu that turned me on. But a very good meal nonetheless!
(4)
Jon M.
Great fresh authentic Italian
(5)
David P.
The entrance is nondescript and easily missed, but everything else about this place seems great. The bread, wine, salads, pasta, seafood, and eggplant parmigiana we all had were great. The pricing was good and the service was excellent. While there was nothing on the menu or in the restaurant which makes it strikingly unique, the location plays that role. Guiseppe's is within walking distance of the Drexel movie theater, which is within walking distance of Jenni's ice cream. This holy triumvirate makes all three locations perfect for a great night out with friends.
(3)
John C.
My opinion of Giuseppe's is mixed. When my husband called to make our reservation, the person who answered was extremely gruff and inhospitable. We were a party of ten and the person staffing the phone seemed unwilling to accommodate us, even though we were calling with plenty of notice. Eventually, he agreed to seat us together, but seemed to imply that he was doing US a favor. Not a very good first impression. When we arrived, we did have a moderate wait before our table was ready (about 15 minutes), but we were seated together. Our waiter, Sean, was very good. There were times when he wasn't as available as we would have liked, but it seemed that he was working too many tables, as were most of the other wait staff. He did his best. Sean was good at recommending wines that pleased everyone at the table. I have the Silver Palm Cabernet. It was a very nice table wine. I had the Bruschetta, which was crisp and flavorful. My main course was the Fettuccine Calebrese, also an excellent choice. Others in our party were equally satisfied with their choices. Walking into this restaurant, I was ready to give it a 2-star rating because of our initial experience on the phone, but the food and Sean's dedication to our table made it a 4-star rating. Make no mistake, the management needs to attend to managing all aspects of the experience, specifically, their phone etiquette and their staffing levels. Had there been a amiable person at the phone and a better ratio of servers to tables, I probably would have given this 5 stars.
(4)
Amrita V.
There are few restaurants that I can recall having left a worse taste in my mouth, especially considering I never tasted the food. We had reservations for a large party and were made to wait for allegedly being 2 minutes late. The hostess made no apologies, and whats more shifted the blame to us. We were given the option: "You can stay or you can leave." This rude & bitter hostess made that decision extremely easy.
(1)
Daniel W.
Guiseppe's is a neighborhood joint with big city class. The proprietors Guiseppe and Vesna Mangano have been serving up classic Italian and creative cuisine for over a decade. Their wine selection is excellent. The bar staff is helpful at choosing a new favorite. Guiseppe's pizzas are a favorite and can be made with whole wheat dough. An Italian restaurant without great pasta would be sin! There is no offending the Pope with their infallible selection of dishes. Most can be prepared gluten free at request. I have been coming to Guiseppe's regularly. They continue to change up their menu with seasonal dishes and fresh ideas. Don't run across the street for Graeter's ice cream. The desert menu in this hotspot is meant to satisfy any craving.Tiramisu is made on the premises. If that is not your pleasure, ask if they have any cannoli. This rare treat never disappoints.
(5)
Douglas C.
This is our favorite place to eat. The owners of the restaurant are so involved and always go the extra mile to make sure you and your guests have a memorable experience. As for the food... It is always good. Some days they are great. The veal parm is out of this world and if the Lamb is the special, get it. Being an 09'er it is nice to have a fabulous place in my neighborhood.
(5)
Steve F.
Fantastic restaurant...worth the drive every time!
(4)
Manolo E.
I agree with a prior reviewer. It is cold in here, poor temperature regulation and it is awfully noisy, not just from the noise of other guests but also the music, nothing in the room absorbs sound. The food, on the other hand, is quite good and service also has that European panache with waiters who have personality and professionalism. Would recommend but this is not a place for a romantic dinner, it is a lively, noisy place to meet friends or make friends at the bar.
(3)
Steven H.
Tasty Italian upscale dining in the heart of downtown Bexley. Mostly a local crowd. Sample a martini or exotic wine from their varied list. Recommended dishes include the large spiral pasta Tortiglioni or eggplant parm.
(4)
Vincent P.
Bland, uninteresting food, but pretty venue and crowd.
(2)
Ralph B.
My wife and I discovered Giseppe's a couple months ago and have been back four times. Friends that used to live in Bexley invited us the first time to join the for happy hour. Their happy hour menu is a nice offering of items at great prices, and a good way to try out this restaurant. The food quality is quite good, solid four stars. They have, and I have tried their pizzas, which are very good, gnocchi, spaghetti and meatballs, and my wife has tried some other choices. All are very tasty and we have not had a bad selection. I really like their service staff. They all have personalities and act like they really care about providing a good dining experience and knowing their menu. It can be a bit crowded at times, but that also gives it a good vibe. Did I mention, there is a Graeter's right across the street?
(4)
Steve R.
Great little place in Bexley. Great service and the food is remarkable. I have had almost everything on the menu and have not been disappointed yet. Family atmosphere, great place to take the family, and they do accommodate kids. Their pizza is out of this world and they do accommodate Gluten Free allergies. Wonderful place.
(5)
Christina C.
Oh, happy lunch! They had me at $6 lunch martinis. It's a beautiful thing when there's a menu of more than 10 to choose from, too. And all sounded perfect! Pomegranate. Espresso. Grape. And my choice - the pear. Yumms! For some reason I've drive past this place a dozen times but never even batted an eye.. until today, and it's definitely a "hells yes" to coming back. I've been craving a Caprese salad, and bam - there it was on the menu and it was delicious. Moving on to my veggie calzone - zing! I was diggin' the wood fired oven crisp! However, what put me over the edge was the dessert menu. I couldn't decide! I could taste every one of the options just by reading the descriptions. After many agonizing minutes, the Tartufo Chiocolato (chocolate gelato and hazelnuts with a zabaglione center) was my final choice and let's just say... well, it was so amazing I'm left speechless.
(4)
Liz M.
Good, with potential for more stars! Our reservation was promptly honored. That was nice! (The website states they do not take reservations, but, in fact, they do.) The space is well decorated and feels inviting. We especially loved the bar. We were seated at a tiny two top, which would have been OK, but the other tables around us were so close, it may as well have been communal seating. Even the staff had difficulty maneuvering between tables. It was plain awkward! I'm not sure if extra seating was added to accommodate for Valentine's or if that's the norm. If it's normal. It'd be more comfortable to be seated at the bar. Our waiter was OK. He was pretty attentive, but also, not attentive. Like, he came by often, but didn't care if we were having a good meal. Or he'd clear the empty glasses, but leave the plates. He also didn't offer cheese for on our meals when I saw others getting it. If that helps gage the service we got. Bread service was OK. They serve you an individual ciabatta roll from a basket to your bread plate and deliver a fresh herb butter. I have had better, but as far as bread and butter goes, I like it all. I ordered prosecco and the boyfriend a reisling. Brought promptly with an ample pour, rightfully so, as no glass of wine was under $7. I ordered the asparagus ravioli that was very good with a toasted almond pasta. I'd never had anything like it before.The filing was perfectly seasoned to compliment the mild cheese sauce with ample, but not overwhelming aparagus flavor. The unfresh winter tomatoes garnish ruined the dish overall with their harsh yucky flavor. I'd request those off in the winter. Also, the sauce had a hint of uncooked wine. Like they added it, but didn't cook it long enough to get the alcohol off. A product of a busy evening I guessed as my boyfriend's Veal Marsala was in the same boat. With perfectly al dente pasta and tender veal the dish was overshadowed by runny undercooked sauce. Of course, not horrible, just not the best. I think these mistakes were minor and easily fixable if they'd been less busy. But, then again, no excuse for it, really. So, that's all. No apps, no dessert, as soon as we declined dessert we immediately had our check. $56 total was a little on the high side, but also, not unusual for that type of meal. However, in this price point, Giuseppe's would not be my top choice. Will I be back? Yes! Why? I think Pizza and drinks at the bar for happy hour is where it's at!!
(3)
Nga B.
If I could give this place no stars I would. We came in on a quiet Thursday evening. There were 3 tables at 8 pm. The hostess was friendly and sat us immediately. Unfortunately it stops there. We waited between 5-10 minutes. Not a single person greeted us or acknowledged our presence. We sat there as we watched the servers chit chat. We decided to get up and leave. As we were leaving another hostess asked what our problem was. We told her. We did not get an apology. She stood there looking at the servers with her mouth wide open. Instead of watching her catch flies in her mouth we continued to walk out. Horrible service. Note: I have been a server and been in the industry for many years. I am not very picky, but I do like to be acknowledged. If it was busy or a server was swamped someone could have at least came over and offered water or an excuse as to why no one served us.
(1)
Vincent P.
Bland, uninteresting food, but pretty venue and crowd.
(2)
Manolo E.
I agree with a prior reviewer. It is cold in here, poor temperature regulation and it is awfully noisy, not just from the noise of other guests but also the music, nothing in the room absorbs sound. The food, on the other hand, is quite good and service also has that European panache with waiters who have personality and professionalism. Would recommend but this is not a place for a romantic dinner, it is a lively, noisy place to meet friends or make friends at the bar.
(3)
Steven H.
Tasty Italian upscale dining in the heart of downtown Bexley. Mostly a local crowd. Sample a martini or exotic wine from their varied list. Recommended dishes include the large spiral pasta Tortiglioni or eggplant parm.
(4)
David S.
Our group of 4 waited over 15 minutes late on a Friday evening to be seated. OK, we DIDN'T have reservations. Once seated, the service was slow and she was not very apologetic. Drinks were also slow in coming from the bar. The Dirty Martini wasn't even dirty and had to be sent back for another go around. I ordered the Caprese Salad for a starter and the Meat Lasagna as my entree. I never did receive the Caprese Salad. Once I brought this to the server's attention, there was only a quick "I'm sorry", and off she went. The meat lasagna entree finally appeared after I sat through my guests eating their soups and salad while I awaited the phantom Caprese Salad that never materialized. The cheese in the lasagna was virtually nonexistent and the noodles had the consistency of wet bread. It as disappointing to try to eat through half the portion before finally giving up. I think that a can of Chef Boyardee Lasagna from the nearby Kroger's would have been a better choice and much tastier that this slop that was served. I left the restaurant hungry and $ 60.00 lighter for a lousy meal and poor service. I'm sorry to have to say that, as I carefully thought about that before writing this review. This might be a "hoity toity" place, but in the future, my money my guests and I will go to better eating establishments that make their customers a priority and their food better than one would get at a drive through. What a shame, I thought that Bexley finally had a restaurant the caliber of the Monk. Sadly, it appears that Giuseppe's Ritrovo is not even in the same league.
(1)
Zeta P.
One of our favorite nights out. Do yourself a favor and order drinks from their superstar bartender Travis for a treat you won't soon forget!
(5)
Michael G.
I want to like this place since I love Italian and most everyone I know loves the place. Plus, Bexley needs it; there is not much in fine dining in 43209. However, food is pedestrian and the pricing is out of sight. Especially the wine. Service is spotty (but they did look good doing their job). As usual, the rez time was not honored, about 20 minutes off. I'll be a lunch goer, but not for dinner any more, too many better Italian to spend time in.
(2)
Sarah L.
We tried Giuseppe's for Valentine's Day. With the holiday it was packed but the bartender kept everyone happy. Their bar is excellent! We had their fagioli with shrimp and tomatoes as an appetizer and it quite good, though very small for the price. We split calzones and veal marsala and both were delicious, though we don't pay these prices at other restaurants in Columbus that are on par with Giuseppes. We shared a spumoni bombe and while the strawberry, pistachio and chocolate gelattos tasted wonderful, the dessert was rock hard and we spent several ungainly minutes trying to stab into it with our spoons and hands. Service was not attentive, but that could be because of how busy they were. I would gladly come back for the bar service and appetizers. My review would increase dramatically if Giueseppe's altered their direction-either more elevated flavors to match their current prices or reducing the cost to match the quality.
(3)
Sanford R.
By far the best restaurant in Columbus. Amazing Italian food with a great bar. Wonderful atmosphere. Check it out. You will not be disappointed!
(5)
Ann S.
This was the hubby's suggestion because he'd had good panini's there for lunch. The hostess put us in the back right in front of the kitchen. (Smells underarms...do I o-ffend?) I got the meat lasagna (my standard when trying a new italian restaurant) and he got the smoked chicken ravioli. The roll they bring you beforehand was pretty standard but the basil/chive butter they give is really good. We felt really awkward because it was about 5pm-ish and there were a ton of servers all standing around staring at you as you eat or talk. It made for a very awkward dining experience. Oh yeah and we both got water and it was *terrible*....WATER. There was some funky undertone and we thought it was the glass. We mentioned it to the server to see if we could get new glasses and she said "oh our water is horrible here." Okay, it wasn't just us. When the meals arrived, I cut off a piece of mine and vice versa for the other to try and I liked his ravioli alot. He took a bite of my lasagna gave this knowing smile and said it was good. I knew something was up. I took a bite and I swear to you if someone had blindfolded me and fed this to me, I would've said I was eating Chef-Boy-Ardee's Beef Ravioli. I mean from the texture to the taste to the smell it was like they popped open a can of that stuff and made it into a lasagna. I shook my head because this was the 2nd bad meal of the day and it just figured. We got the bill and it was $32 which would be okay if I hadn't felt like I just ate canned pasta and since I know I can get that at Kroger for a buck, I felt like I overpaid by $14. He might go back with co-workers during lunch hours but I won't be back.
(2)
Melinda V.
This is a great local Italian place! Service is always excellent. The owners are very aware of what is happening in their establishment and keep things running smoothly while being friendly with customers. I love the food! Delicious, great prices and manageable portions! The atmosphere is very European, friendly and relaxed. You have the ability to take your time with food and conversation, no worries about getting rushed out the door.
(5)
Erica R.
Fantastic pasta. The best in the city. The service is a little slow but it isn't the type of place that you attend in a rush. The drinks are great and very nice atmosphere.
(4)
Raj V.
If I could I would give this zero stars. We were five minutes late for our reservations and were treated with much hostility. Our seat was given and the woman was vindictive to my mother for being late. No apologies were given. Life is too short to be around self-centered cruel.
(1)
Andrew C.
The food was good but average. Maybe a $13 plate......not $23. I anticipated a more rich and unique taste but it was a plate you can find at most italian restuarants.
(2)
Jenny B.
When dining at Giuseppe's, you almost feel like you're in Italy!! The servers, bussers, the owner, all Italian speaking Italian with their friends that come and dine at this cute little restaurant in Bexley. I had a wonderful meal here and the bread is hard to stop eating. One tip I will give is that if you get cold easily, try to ask them to not sit you by the door because it can get a little chilly up front in the winter time.
(4)
John C.
My opinion of Giuseppe's is mixed. When my husband called to make our reservation, the person who answered was extremely gruff and inhospitable. We were a party of ten and the person staffing the phone seemed unwilling to accommodate us, even though we were calling with plenty of notice. Eventually, he agreed to seat us together, but seemed to imply that he was doing US a favor. Not a very good first impression. When we arrived, we did have a moderate wait before our table was ready (about 15 minutes), but we were seated together. Our waiter, Sean, was very good. There were times when he wasn't as available as we would have liked, but it seemed that he was working too many tables, as were most of the other wait staff. He did his best. Sean was good at recommending wines that pleased everyone at the table. I have the Silver Palm Cabernet. It was a very nice table wine. I had the Bruschetta, which was crisp and flavorful. My main course was the Fettuccine Calebrese, also an excellent choice. Others in our party were equally satisfied with their choices. Walking into this restaurant, I was ready to give it a 2-star rating because of our initial experience on the phone, but the food and Sean's dedication to our table made it a 4-star rating. Make no mistake, the management needs to attend to managing all aspects of the experience, specifically, their phone etiquette and their staffing levels. Had there been a amiable person at the phone and a better ratio of servers to tables, I probably would have given this 5 stars.
(4)
Amrita V.
There are few restaurants that I can recall having left a worse taste in my mouth, especially considering I never tasted the food. We had reservations for a large party and were made to wait for allegedly being 2 minutes late. The hostess made no apologies, and whats more shifted the blame to us. We were given the option: "You can stay or you can leave." This rude & bitter hostess made that decision extremely easy.
(1)
Ellen F.
Giuseppe's is a smaller restaurant with adorable authentic, Italian decor. It's apparent that many of the patron's are regulars, which gives it a nice warm, comfortable feeling. They don't take reservations for parties less than six, but you can all ahead, which I recommend. It's also a bit challenging to find the first time, especially in the dark. So try to give yourself a few extra minutes for that and parking. It's a terrific date option, very romantic...date number three, perhaps? They offer daily specials of entrees, soups and desserts. If the special isn't so special in your mind, the entree list is almost endless. The tomato basil soup has a nice balance of spice and flavor, but the bowl is a little big if you're planning for a salad and entree to follow. They do serve some fresh bread and olive oil after ordering. Our server was okay, a little off on the taboos of service, but a nice guy. If you have the opportunity, ask to be seated in Anna's section. She's a doll and will make everything just right.
(4)
Erica P.
After the first review, I had not planned on going back to this business. The manager contacted me and essentially asked for a "do over". Husband and I were in the area and decided to give this place another chance. Husband is a huge fan of the taste of the pizza. This time, we got our gluten free pizzas. They tasted great, and there as no negative body response. The server that we got was great too. You will have to wait for a table at this popular place, don't stop by if you are in a hurry.
(3)
Daniel W.
Guiseppe's is a neighborhood joint with big city class. The proprietors Guiseppe and Vesna Mangano have been serving up classic Italian and creative cuisine for over a decade. Their wine selection is excellent. The bar staff is helpful at choosing a new favorite. Guiseppe's pizzas are a favorite and can be made with whole wheat dough. An Italian restaurant without great pasta would be sin! There is no offending the Pope with their infallible selection of dishes. Most can be prepared gluten free at request. I have been coming to Guiseppe's regularly. They continue to change up their menu with seasonal dishes and fresh ideas. Don't run across the street for Graeter's ice cream. The desert menu in this hotspot is meant to satisfy any craving.Tiramisu is made on the premises. If that is not your pleasure, ask if they have any cannoli. This rare treat never disappoints.
(5)
Douglas C.
This is our favorite place to eat. The owners of the restaurant are so involved and always go the extra mile to make sure you and your guests have a memorable experience. As for the food... It is always good. Some days they are great. The veal parm is out of this world and if the Lamb is the special, get it. Being an 09'er it is nice to have a fabulous place in my neighborhood.
(5)
Steve F.
Fantastic restaurant...worth the drive every time!
(4)
Tony D.
Great spot .our first visit ...I have been searching for a place in Cbus that is authentic Italian . there are no carb choices for those who want them. The bar program is very good and they use high end ingredients The sign of a good Italian place is their list of Amaros and they have several. Go there
(4)
Andrew M.
Very cool bar area. It's definitely a Bexley socialista crowd and the parking is a real pain. But I have had lunch here twice and both times it was fantastic. The service is also very strong, which is something I particularly like. I've been eyeing their Veal Marsala, so that is definitely on my list.
(4)
Gwen W.
I noticed this restaurant on Yelp several years ago, thus was glad to finally try it out when friends picked it for their last meal in town before moving to Philadelphia. I noticed that it doesn't have the "best" of reviews - a lot of mixed experiences. However, after reading Giovanna's review, I was glad to join them! I love the simple, yet eclectic decor. The wooden wall behind the bar caught my eye! Cloth napkins. Fresh yellow rose bouquets on every table. Swanky and posh, but down to earth (no need for formal dress!). Oh, and their front patio is nice - great owning and flowers. It would be a plus if they could make it bigger. But, hey, no complaints! Nothing on the menu was jumping out, so I asked the waiter, nice polite gentleman btw, if they can concoct. Yes. Yay! So I went with the Gnoche, topped with veggies, mushrooms, chicken and their Alfredo sauce. The sauce was not what I was expecting. It was more... almost "tart". But not exactly. Not bad at all. And I know I'm just used to a more creamy, cheesy, get it out of the jar at Kroger kind, so this, in hind sight, was a great change of pace and flavor profile. The julienne-cut veggies and plenty of mushrooms were just icing on the cake! I can totally see myself coming back here - maybe not as much as I'd like because of the price points, but definitely a great special-occasion establishment!
(4)
Amy K.
Just went for our first time tonight. It was wonderful. It is small and busy but that did not detract from the meal. I had smoked chicken ravioli. It came with a delicious creamy white sauce. It was so good, and I wasn't even that hungry. My husband had a dish with red sauce and peppers and onions and agreed it was great. He ate it all. Chocolate cake for dessert ( it was my birthday after all) was dense and tasty. No real children's menu, but they can make various pasta types with sauces. My picky 10 year old gobbled hers up. The bill was reasonable at $76 for the three of us. We were seated immediately at 6 pm on a Saturday. Food came out super speedy. With two kids who would rather be at Wendy's that is appreciated! Our server asked if we had been there before and we said no. She then said she would help in any way possible to make our evening the best.
(5)
Mark H.
The food of Giuseppe's is excellent but the service is a bit uppity. The antipasto and carpaccio were excellent starters that were full of flavor. The red sauce in my pasta was packed with herbs and delicious. To me, the service just felt like he was proving the prestige of the restaurant instead of providing good service. Truly not a bad restaurant but I just didn't get the attitude of the server. I had a similar experience when I called the hostess for reservations and was told of the call ahead policy and then more-or-less hung up on. It just felt amateurish at the end of the evening.
(3)
Harry H.
Dear friends, Avoid this den of inequity lest you wish to suffer an intestinal calamity. I must confess I entered this establishment with high hopes, only to have those hopes dashed in a most rude way. The waiting staff was snobbish and overly judgmental in my view, as if to suggest it was beyond my means to dine there. I let that slight pass, thought clearly I haven't forgotten it. To make a long story short my wine was corked, my steak overdone, my tiramisu rancid, and my bill far too large for the quality I received. Would that I could, I would shutter this place immediately, bar the owners from opening another such establishment, and strike it from my memory forevermore. Avoid the misery, dear friends, and dine elsewhere. Sincerely, H.Hinkle
(1)
Randy M.
Great food, service, and atmosphere, but that bar was phenomenal! Every drink made from scratch. I knew it was a good sign when I sat at the bar and saw the row of assorted bitters lining it. The bartenders were busy mulling fruit and assorted ingredients. The old fashion was incredible. Call a half hour before you show up and you'll beat the wait.
(5)
Ashley J.
It's Italian, people. A pretty interesting spin on Italian. I guess this place is going for the old-school feel, which is cool, but it is a bit pricey for having a small menu. Their bar is awesome, but the food was not to do die for. Staff is pretty friendly and they are on point with refills and making sure everything is ok, but there is no way that this food should've cost over $35.
(2)
Kathryn K.
Soooo, the bartender recommended the short ribs, which I ordered, but I'm pretty certain that what was on my plate was chuck roast. It was delicious chuck roast, but I have been eating both short ribs and pot roast for eons and I've never seen short ribs that looked like these ones. Short ribs typically don't arrive at the table as a large, unformed hunk of meat that takes up half the plate. But chuck roast does!
(3)
Julie H.
The best Italian food in Ohio! What a great atmosphere and the food is to die for. I highly recommend this restaurant for fun dining!
(5)
Dan P.
A friend of mine from Nationwide is from Italy so I asked where the best Italian Resturant was his immediate reply convinced me to check it out. Had the wedge salad and chicken parm not on the menu the pasta and sauce awesome. The chicken was delicious nice size and savory. I was very impressed and will definitely come back next time in town
(5)
Mark H.
Good food in an upscale setting. I would not be afraid to bring friends & family from out of town, show them not everything around here is meat & potatoes. Dinging it for the small portions for a large price. I don't mind the cost, just don't make it so small. Also, the seating was a little tight during a weekend dinner. Glad everyone used Dial.
(4)
Doo-Dah W.
One of my favorite places in Columbus. Pizza is my favorite in the city. The crust is light and crispy. The Da Scilia is my favorite. Bartender Sean is the best. Order once from him and he'll remember your preferences. Also, if there's not a drink on the menu that looks good to you, tell him what you're after and he'll whip up something perfect. Burrata, Seared Octopus, and Carpaccio are other stand-outs. If you've never been, go!
(5)
Jason S.
Giuseppe's is the bomb! When I want authentic Italy this is the place. Giuseppe is a masterful chef and great person. He goes out of his way to make us feel at home every time we visit. He all most always takes the time to visit our table to say hi and discuss the food. The staff has always been fun and taken great care of us. The food is amazing. I love the pappardelle and homemade sauce. The antipasto's are amazing. We have friends who don't like meat and Giuseppe created two special antipasto plates so there was no meat touching anything on one of them. My wife usually gets the seafood and has never been disappointed. Great bar as well. The bartender turned me on to my favorite summer cocktail, The Negroni. So good! We love sitting on the patio after dinner to have expresso and desert.
(5)
Adi E.
I love the atmosphere. You feel like you're in a big city. The food is just ok. My second time here and just not impressed. Better this time than last. I had pepperoni pizza as appetizer. Pretty good but crust too thick. Then Mediterranean salad (really liked!). For my entree had gnocchi with chicken/olives/capers in a red sauce. I wasn't expecting a ragout and was disappointed. Chicken tasted old. My husband had spicy shrimp linguine in a cognac cream sauce. His was just ok. I like that they source locally and use free range chicken. Previous visit: I had veal Marsala sub veal for chicken and it tasted more like a beef stew flavor. Was very disappointed. I will go back for salad and soup and the atmosphere. Won't order an entree.
(3)
Nikki C.
My husband took me here for dinner on my birthday. I love pizza and this place had great reviews. We were both very unsatisfied and highly disappointed with the pizza. Thin, flimsy and not much taste or toppings and $18.00. The service was just ok. They seemed to be much more focused on their regulars. The seating is tight, they have crammed as many seats and tables in as possible. The people watching was the best part of our dining experience.
(2)
Markus B.
I went to Giuseppe's Ritrovo based on the comments here. Well, to me it is just another Italian restaurant. Solid dishes but nothing spectacular. The insalata caprese was nice but why dont you use fresh buffalo mozarella on it? If you serve the bread, you have to servce olive oil as well to swap the bread in it. The spaghetti amici was ok, I just missed the typical Italian seasonings and herbs in it. So, overall, if you want to eat Italian, it is a good location with a nice atmosphere but if you want to taste authentic Italian kitchen, look elsewhere.
(3)
Giovanna A.
Giuseppe's is my favorite place for business lunches and dinners, probably have been there at least ten times, great service each and every time. By great service I don't mean having a particularly entertaining waiter or bartender, but the unintrusive type of service where there is not a lot of interaction with the server other than when initially placing the order, maybe asking a few questions about menu items, such as getting a dinner item in a lunch portion, etc. but always having refills and everything you need without having to ask and/or without much interruption to the conversation. I read some of the other reviews and was a little surprised by some of the vibe issues, the Bexley elite judgement issues. I say a little because I am somewhat oblivious so it is quite possible that it's there and I just never noticed. I frankly have never asked myself what folks at other tables thought of me or of anything for that matter, so if anyone ever expended any energy giving me the evil eye there it must have been a pretty frustrating effort on their part. If I had noticed such a thing I probably would find it quite amusing! As far as food goes, everything I have tried here was delicious, my favorites being the beet salad, the spinach salad with pignoli nuts, gamberi diavola (spicy!), and last but not least, probably my favorite gnocchi in the city, which is made to order with any sauce you choose. The wine list is fantastic, as are their cocktails. Other huge pluses for Giuseppe's: they locally source, their chicken is free range, almost anything on the menu can be requested as gluten free, and there are plenty of choices for our vegetarian friends, making it a great choice for an eclectic group. They have a small but really nice patio, inside the acoustics are perfect, even when packed I have never found it to be loud. I will go back many times, I am sure, and highly recommend trying it or trying it again!
(5)
C M.
Great place. They couldn't have been nicer and the food was outstanding. Ravioli's delicious -pizza fab! Worth it !
(5)
David L.
Went here on a recommendation. Food was relatively OK however the attentiveness of the bartender waitstaff and hostess was borderline rude across the board. Bartender too busy playing music to care about empty customer glasses and hostess nowhere to be found half the time. Decent food but would recommend morettis if you want a more personalized experience.
(2)
John B.
Visiting daughter in Bexley and we finally got around to dining here. Sat evening with three adults and a 6yo. Be sure to call ahead. Service was prompt and waiter was knowledgeable. Took drink order, salads and then main course. Must try the Three Cheese Ravioli!! Fantastic. Wife had asparagus ravioli which was excellent. Daughter had penne with smoked salmon in a vodka sauce. Another plate of excellence. All meals served piping hot. Only thing from 5 stars, wait for dinner to be served. Not overwhelmingly busy but a tad long in serving. But will be sure to visit again.
(4)
Keida M.
Another incredible evening at Giuseppe's! Of special note, while my friend and I were at the bar before being sat at our table, I happened to notice that Sean (the aforementioned fab and handy bartender) is ALSO handsome! And watch out ladies, he has an even raspier voice than the Trivago guy! ~~~~~ So I have seen a few reviews on here complaining about it seeming like a party at Giuseppe's that they aren't a part of. I won't presume to know the circumstances of these peoples experiences, but I will relate mine: I am pretty much known by the second or third time I frequent anywhere, especially a special place like Giuseppe's. The main reason is because I make an effort to get to know everyone that comes up to me on the first time of my visit. I ask their name, about what they do in their free time, their families, etc. I am a curious person, and show interest in their lives. When I walk out my door, I don't look at people as my help, because at the end of the day, we are all someones help. And when I return to a place, I ask them about their lives, in detail. And this goes from the owner to the busboy. Everyone is important to me. In all, I am saying that one must make an effort first. If I want instant affirmation, I will go to Panera down the street, or to a Ground Round. Or a Foot Locker for that matter. I am used to living in cities where the best clubs and restaurants make you work a little to get the secret handshake. We have a culture here in Cbus that needs to be shed. It's the assumption that you are a winner, just for showing up. It's a really shallow expectation. We don't make relationships in 5 minutes. I hate to break the news, but the gal serving you at Panera doesn't give a shit about you. She cares about her $7.25/hr job and not getting fired by a manager who insists on her smiling and over-greeting everyone who walks in the door, because Panera wants to move rolls. It's not about relationships, it's about rolls. Giuseppe's is a different kind of place. Giuseppe is creating a space for fostering relationships, set upon the tapestry of his love of food and fellowship. If you want to feel like you are part of the family at Giuseppe's (or anywhere else including Panera), be patient, be curious, and be persistent. It's worth the effort, believe me.
(5)
Bryant M.
I've been in Bexley for over two years and *finally* checked this place out! Some friends and I were looking for a night cap and dessert late on a Saturday night, and Giuseppe's popped right up on the Yelp app. The bartender stopped us as we entered let us know that only the bar was open, so we headed over to the bar and cozied in. The bartender was fantastic. He was a wonderful balance of nice and sarcastic. The drinks were all good, and most of us liked our desserts. By most, I mean everyone but me. I ordered the gluten-free chocolate cake, and it was fine... just not great. But kudos for having a GF dessert! I think my biggest issue with Giuseppe's is actually pretty hard to articulate. The whole place just seems very clique-y and like a cool kids club... and I was *not* one of the cool kids. I know this might not make any sense, but all four of us felt like this! Nobody was rude to us, but we definitely got the feeling that we didn't belong. I'm not gonna let this stop me from going back to try dinner though! Every place deserves a second chance.
(3)
Nick S.
Late on a Sunday night in August. SEVEN WORDS: Classy, Refined, Formally Casual, Northern Italian, Expensive. The Ambiance and Atmosphere are both stunning - You pass through a small patio which bustles with the intimate conversation between waiters and two-tops. Inside, it's a busy bistro with bussers skirting through a maze of tightly packed tables and conversation is boisterous yet not painful. We were quickly seated and served. I ordered the Carbonara on wheat pasta while my partner ordered eggplant in a red sauce. Our meals took a little long to arrive (20-25 minutes) . Although the wait was a little long (esp. for a small bistro), the food was very, very good. The pasta was a little overcooked *based on high standards), but both dishes were 4.5 on a five-scale. However.... The bill came (without appetizers or alcohol of any kind) and it was 42 dollars. Our server was pretty good, so we gave her the cusomary 8 USD / 19% tip and we were on our way. Would I return again? Sure, if I'm going to a Drexel movie and don't have the time for Olive Garden and am not in the mood for TAT's Home-Style / Great Value Brand of Italian.
(3)
S F.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Cbus, mainly due to their fantastic red sauce. I've been ~5-10x/year the past 5 years and have never had a bad experience. Very good price as well for a quality meal experience. Service is always professional, albeit slow when they're packed but that's expected to a degree. I am never in a rush here, as eating is more of an event rather than a quick dinner. My wife and I typically spend a couple hours minimum. She is Italian herself, and is one of her favorite places to go. Salads have always been fresh. Main courses always terrific. Pizza is fantastic with a crisp crust and plentiful toppings. Grab some grappa to finish the eve :) Highly recommended on all fronts!
(5)
T K.
Hands down one of the best little "hidden gems" in Columbus (if not ohio). Service, atmosphere, foooood & libations are second to none. You are doing yourself a disservice by not going. Giuseppe is truly one of a kind and is insanely passionate. Just. Go.
(5)
Nancy P.
We just spent a lovely evening having dinner at Giuseppi's. It was delightful eating outside and having meals that were well-prepared and wonderfully presented. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately upon arrival. Throughout the evening the waitstaff was concerned about our welfare and satisfaction with the meal. One diners meal was too peppery and When the waitstaff was told about it they had the dish remade and it was we presented quickly. We definitely will return soon and bring our friends.
(4)
Shy E.
Love this place The Ambiance , the Food It's like your (Italian) mother's cooking Highly recommended any time And especially when it's a live music night
(5)
Brian B.
Always a great experience in both food and beverage. Not a place to go for craft beer, but nice wine selection and fabulous cocktail program.
(5)
Chrissy F.
everything is delicious ... i haven't had a cocktail i didn't love, a server who wasn't insanely attentive or a dish i didn't clean my plate with. if you're lucky enough to be there on osso buco special night -- NOTHING can compare. can't get enough!
(5)
Brian L.
We walked in on a Thursday evening without a reservation, and they were able to seat us right away. I ordered the Classic Caesar Salad, which was unfortunately not that classic or Caesar--the dressing was lacking and the leaves didn't seem fresh. The presentation was nice though. For my entree, I had the Terra Pizza which looks rather large but is actually manageable since it's thin crust. If you come with a large appetite, you'll be able to finish. While a little dry, it was overall pretty satisfying. I haven't had much luck with pizza in general (they all seem severely lacking in marinara sauce), so maybe I'm just going through a life change in terms of my taste buds. Service was fantastic, and the ambiance is nice. The walls features French artwork by Lorenzo, which is described somewhere on his website ( lorenzo-eroticolor.com ) as an "attempt to rewrite a mythology of the XXth century situated somewhere between Hollywood's Golden Age, Sexploitation and Pop Art." I think that's the most apt description. Anyway, I'd like to give it another chance, but I'll probably try something different next time.
(3)
Brandon A.
I had heard negative things from a friend but my wife and I decided to check it out anyway. From the start, we received condescending looks from the patrons and staff. It was apparent rather quickly that we didn't belong in that establishment. Our waitress proceeded to watch the World Cup instead of taking our orders. The food wasn't bad but also wasn't anything memorable. It gave us both indigestion.
(2)
Jeff G.
When my kids were growing up, I always told them to at least try things before saying they didn't like them, so it was in that spirit that I have tried Giuseppe's a total of 4 times now and each time have left mostly disappointed. I live in Bexley, as do many of my friends and it would be great to frequent this place because it's so close, but honestly the last time I was there with two of my friends, one of my friends who had ordered the same thing as me leaned over and said, "Does this sauce remind you of..." "Chef Boyardee?" I asked. "Yes!" was his reply. Ok, they have good wines and the service is good. Maybe a place to hang out? Possibly, if you don't mind the condescending stares of the Bexley "elite" as they size you up and try to determine if you belong. Hey, I gave it a shot! 4 shots, in fact. From now on, I think I'll pass.
(2)
Ashley C.
I enjoyed a lunch at Giuseppe's with three co-workers. We were seated right away and enjoyed excellent service throughout our lunch. My water and coffee were never empty. I ordered the spinach lasagna and it was excellent. My co-worker ordered the meat lasagna and tried them both. She preferred the spinach lasagna. My only caution is the lunch-sized raviolis. You only get four raviolis! That's hardly enough. The lunch prices were reasonable and the food and service was excellent. I would highly recommend Giusepe's Ritrovo. Now, I want to go back for dinner!
(4)
Anne F.
Food was good - super small portions. I got 4 chicken ravioli for not a cheap price. Also weird hours. Would not return.
(2)
Mad G.
Wow. A reservation made a month in advance still isn't enough to get yourself into this ridiculous establishment. Our large party had a reservation for 7pm. We showed up at 7:02 and were told there were no tables available. Then we were told that another large party showed up "on time" and were therefore seated before us. We were also told that if we hadn't been late that our table would have been ready. Call me crazy, but as far as I know, most restaurants will take reservations up to 10-15 minutes past the selected time. Finally, this extremely rude "hostess" told us plainly that we "could stay or go." The choice we were so generously offered was obvious. It's too bad we are forced to review this place with 1 star.
(1)
Andy B.
Excellent ambience, excellent food, great wine selection. Family owned and indicative of it in terms of a close knit feel to the service and aura. The diablo sauce is fantastic and any dish could be asked to make it with that sauce upon request to the chef/owner. The lamb chops are a must , as is the lobster ravioli. Yes, sometimes they are extremely busy on weekends and it is tough to get in or get 'top notch service', but that's because they are so good! and...still they try their hardest. Recommend instead going on a M-T-W and chatting with the chef, asking for some off-menu items and truly enjoying what they have to offer.
(5)
A T.
Based upon several visits for both lunch and dinner, I think the food is generally good, but the service is the most listless and disinterested that I've experienced in Columbus. This has been an issue almost every time that I've been here, so not attributable to a specific server. There is better Italian and much better service at many other places in Columbus.
(2)
Ben L.
I really enjoyed this place. I lived in NYC for 5 years, and this place definitely reminded me of a higher end family owned Italian restaurants in NY... Soho specifically. Not overly design/contemporary but "high end" materials, etc. throughout. Food was fantastic and menu was unique and diverse. You could definitely tell that the chef was hands on with it's creation as everything had a nice twist to it. The Bruschetta was some of the best I have ever had... second maybe only to my mothers (and that is saying a lot). Why am I only giving it a 4?... Service was above average but not great. The host was disinterested in my wife and I walking in, and (to no fault of their own), there was noisy road work/construction going on right outside their door. We will definitely be returning.
(4)
Carol C.
I really like this place. Reminds me of an Italian eatery in New York--and that is saying a LOT for Columbus. GREAT, the BEST beet salad. They have some great drinks. Delicious sauce and creative dishes... Small place, the service is touch and go, sometimes great, sometimes I feel like I'm putting somebody out--but not enough to stop us from going, since the food is quite good. I would and have recommended AND taken out-of-town guests here. Fun!
(4)
Corey T.
For the cost, this was the most boring and plain dish I've ever had. I got the lamb shank, and it was just meat drenched in what tasted like the cafeteria gravy you got on your meatloaf in highschool. Will not return until I see the reviews get considerably better.
(2)
Meg K.
This place had been talked up quite a bit, so I was excited to take my man here for his birthday. The staff and service were very kind if not overworked (there were several long waits for things like drink orders/getting the check) but that is certainly not their fault, that's a management issue. Our server was more than adequate and our cocktails were good. We ordered two pasta dishes- the smoked chicken ravioli and the fettucine gastrove. The fettucine smelled exactly like a Lean Cuisine, which I tried to put out of my head. The flavor was just blah- the vegetables were indistinguishable from one another and the sauce could have come out of a jar. It had an inconsistent texture and was tossed with overcooked chicken and some basil and garlic. I will say that the pasta was perfectly cooked. The smoked chicken ravioli was just too sweet for me, though I don't have much experience with smoked meat so I don't know if it tends to be sweeter or if this was due to this particular recipe. For dessert, we shared a tartufo chicolate which I thought was just fine, and the birthday boy really liked. It has zabaglione cream, gelato, and is dusted with cocoa powder, so there are a lot of different flavors and textures. Presentation is nice and simple. Overall, I'm glad we tried this place but we won't be back- it's just too much money for unexciting and inconsistent food.
(2)
Prashant V.
We had a reservation for a table of 9 at 7. After parking, we walked in at 7.02. Instead of seating us, they gave the table to someone else. Apology? No. The miserable lady at the front of house said "you can stay or you can go". No apology, no accommodation. If you want to be treated like crap before being seated, waste your money and time here. Otherwise, walk up and down the street for many more options, where I'm sure your business will be welcome.
(1)
Brian L.
We walked in on a Thursday evening without a reservation, and they were able to seat us right away. I ordered the Classic Caesar Salad, which was unfortunately not that classic or Caesar--the dressing was lacking and the leaves didn't seem fresh. The presentation was nice though. For my entree, I had the Terra Pizza which looks rather large but is actually manageable since it's thin crust. If you come with a large appetite, you'll be able to finish. While a little dry, it was overall pretty satisfying. I haven't had much luck with pizza in general (they all seem severely lacking in marinara sauce), so maybe I'm just going through a life change in terms of my taste buds. Service was fantastic, and the ambiance is nice. The walls features French artwork by Lorenzo, which is described somewhere on his website ( lorenzo-eroticolor.com ) as an "attempt to rewrite a mythology of the XXth century situated somewhere between Hollywood's Golden Age, Sexploitation and Pop Art." I think that's the most apt description. Anyway, I'd like to give it another chance, but I'll probably try something different next time.
(3)
Brandon A.
I had heard negative things from a friend but my wife and I decided to check it out anyway. From the start, we received condescending looks from the patrons and staff. It was apparent rather quickly that we didn't belong in that establishment. Our waitress proceeded to watch the World Cup instead of taking our orders. The food wasn't bad but also wasn't anything memorable. It gave us both indigestion.
(2)
Jeff G.
When my kids were growing up, I always told them to at least try things before saying they didn't like them, so it was in that spirit that I have tried Giuseppe's a total of 4 times now and each time have left mostly disappointed. I live in Bexley, as do many of my friends and it would be great to frequent this place because it's so close, but honestly the last time I was there with two of my friends, one of my friends who had ordered the same thing as me leaned over and said, "Does this sauce remind you of..." "Chef Boyardee?" I asked. "Yes!" was his reply. Ok, they have good wines and the service is good. Maybe a place to hang out? Possibly, if you don't mind the condescending stares of the Bexley "elite" as they size you up and try to determine if you belong. Hey, I gave it a shot! 4 shots, in fact. From now on, I think I'll pass.
(2)
Ashley C.
I enjoyed a lunch at Giuseppe's with three co-workers. We were seated right away and enjoyed excellent service throughout our lunch. My water and coffee were never empty. I ordered the spinach lasagna and it was excellent. My co-worker ordered the meat lasagna and tried them both. She preferred the spinach lasagna. My only caution is the lunch-sized raviolis. You only get four raviolis! That's hardly enough. The lunch prices were reasonable and the food and service was excellent. I would highly recommend Giusepe's Ritrovo. Now, I want to go back for dinner!
(4)
Anne F.
Food was good - super small portions. I got 4 chicken ravioli for not a cheap price. Also weird hours. Would not return.
(2)
Mad G.
Wow. A reservation made a month in advance still isn't enough to get yourself into this ridiculous establishment. Our large party had a reservation for 7pm. We showed up at 7:02 and were told there were no tables available. Then we were told that another large party showed up "on time" and were therefore seated before us. We were also told that if we hadn't been late that our table would have been ready. Call me crazy, but as far as I know, most restaurants will take reservations up to 10-15 minutes past the selected time. Finally, this extremely rude "hostess" told us plainly that we "could stay or go." The choice we were so generously offered was obvious. It's too bad we are forced to review this place with 1 star.
(1)
Andy B.
Excellent ambience, excellent food, great wine selection. Family owned and indicative of it in terms of a close knit feel to the service and aura. The diablo sauce is fantastic and any dish could be asked to make it with that sauce upon request to the chef/owner. The lamb chops are a must , as is the lobster ravioli. Yes, sometimes they are extremely busy on weekends and it is tough to get in or get 'top notch service', but that's because they are so good! and...still they try their hardest. Recommend instead going on a M-T-W and chatting with the chef, asking for some off-menu items and truly enjoying what they have to offer.
(5)
A T.
Based upon several visits for both lunch and dinner, I think the food is generally good, but the service is the most listless and disinterested that I've experienced in Columbus. This has been an issue almost every time that I've been here, so not attributable to a specific server. There is better Italian and much better service at many other places in Columbus.
(2)
Ben L.
I really enjoyed this place. I lived in NYC for 5 years, and this place definitely reminded me of a higher end family owned Italian restaurants in NY... Soho specifically. Not overly design/contemporary but "high end" materials, etc. throughout. Food was fantastic and menu was unique and diverse. You could definitely tell that the chef was hands on with it's creation as everything had a nice twist to it. The Bruschetta was some of the best I have ever had... second maybe only to my mothers (and that is saying a lot). Why am I only giving it a 4?... Service was above average but not great. The host was disinterested in my wife and I walking in, and (to no fault of their own), there was noisy road work/construction going on right outside their door. We will definitely be returning.
(4)
Carol C.
I really like this place. Reminds me of an Italian eatery in New York--and that is saying a LOT for Columbus. GREAT, the BEST beet salad. They have some great drinks. Delicious sauce and creative dishes... Small place, the service is touch and go, sometimes great, sometimes I feel like I'm putting somebody out--but not enough to stop us from going, since the food is quite good. I would and have recommended AND taken out-of-town guests here. Fun!
(4)
Corey T.
For the cost, this was the most boring and plain dish I've ever had. I got the lamb shank, and it was just meat drenched in what tasted like the cafeteria gravy you got on your meatloaf in highschool. Will not return until I see the reviews get considerably better.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Kathleen V.
this is one of the quaintest restaurants in the area. The food is so delish, albeit a little pricey. But if you dont dine out much and you want to look forward to a treat, just save up for it. The helpings are so generous, one person could get a salad (ranging $5-$11) and then split the main course with your date. (ranging $9-$18; the meal, not the date) :) Once every couple of months is certainly doable!
(4)Katherine P.
I loved this place! It's small, and fun. We called a half hour before we got there and still had to wait but I expected that, so we just had drinks at the bar. I would only suggest going if you have patience, and enjoy a few good drinks before dinner, because otherwise you're not going to enjoy it. The food is fantastic, we all enjoyed each of our dishes. It's a great date night restaurant!!!
(4)Emily M.
Giuseppe's is one of my favorite places to eat in Columbus. The staff is always knowledgeable and very attentive. They change their wine list fairly often and always have a good selection of reasonably priced wine. My favorite dish is the Gamberi di scilla. It is delicious. Giuseppe's is great for people watching and is always crowded on a weekend night. I highly recommend it.
(5)Megan M.
Delicious! We had the veal pasta with some kind of peas- it was wonderful, with a lot of rosemary flavoring. New fav place!
(5)Paul F.
This is a pretty nice restaurant, and in fact it used to be much smaller before he bought out an adjacent storefront. So, my dinner started with the soup of the day, which today was ministrone. Unlike the canned variety, this had small chunks of vegetables and was of a very course texture. You could tell it was homemade. For my main course, i had their Gamberi Diavola. Spicy shrimp served over spaghetti, in other words. It contained over a half dozen fairly large shrimp and was delicious, and somewhat messy to eat. LOL I was in the mood for dessert but didn't see anything on their menu that turned me on. But a very good meal nonetheless!
(4)Jon M.
Great fresh authentic Italian
(5)David P.
The entrance is nondescript and easily missed, but everything else about this place seems great. The bread, wine, salads, pasta, seafood, and eggplant parmigiana we all had were great. The pricing was good and the service was excellent. While there was nothing on the menu or in the restaurant which makes it strikingly unique, the location plays that role. Guiseppe's is within walking distance of the Drexel movie theater, which is within walking distance of Jenni's ice cream. This holy triumvirate makes all three locations perfect for a great night out with friends.
(3)Katherine P.
I loved this place! It's small, and fun. We called a half hour before we got there and still had to wait but I expected that, so we just had drinks at the bar. I would only suggest going if you have patience, and enjoy a few good drinks before dinner, because otherwise you're not going to enjoy it. The food is fantastic, we all enjoyed each of our dishes. It's a great date night restaurant!!!
(4)Emily M.
Giuseppe's is one of my favorite places to eat in Columbus. The staff is always knowledgeable and very attentive. They change their wine list fairly often and always have a good selection of reasonably priced wine. My favorite dish is the Gamberi di scilla. It is delicious. Giuseppe's is great for people watching and is always crowded on a weekend night. I highly recommend it.
(5)Ellen F.
Giuseppe's is a smaller restaurant with adorable authentic, Italian decor. It's apparent that many of the patron's are regulars, which gives it a nice warm, comfortable feeling. They don't take reservations for parties less than six, but you can all ahead, which I recommend. It's also a bit challenging to find the first time, especially in the dark. So try to give yourself a few extra minutes for that and parking. It's a terrific date option, very romantic...date number three, perhaps? They offer daily specials of entrees, soups and desserts. If the special isn't so special in your mind, the entree list is almost endless. The tomato basil soup has a nice balance of spice and flavor, but the bowl is a little big if you're planning for a salad and entree to follow. They do serve some fresh bread and olive oil after ordering. Our server was okay, a little off on the taboos of service, but a nice guy. If you have the opportunity, ask to be seated in Anna's section. She's a doll and will make everything just right.
(4)Erica P.
After the first review, I had not planned on going back to this business. The manager contacted me and essentially asked for a "do over". Husband and I were in the area and decided to give this place another chance. Husband is a huge fan of the taste of the pizza. This time, we got our gluten free pizzas. They tasted great, and there as no negative body response. The server that we got was great too. You will have to wait for a table at this popular place, don't stop by if you are in a hurry.
(3)Jenny B.
When dining at Giuseppe's, you almost feel like you're in Italy!! The servers, bussers, the owner, all Italian speaking Italian with their friends that come and dine at this cute little restaurant in Bexley. I had a wonderful meal here and the bread is hard to stop eating. One tip I will give is that if you get cold easily, try to ask them to not sit you by the door because it can get a little chilly up front in the winter time.
(4)C M.
Great place. They couldn't have been nicer and the food was outstanding. Ravioli's delicious -pizza fab! Worth it !
(5)David L.
Went here on a recommendation. Food was relatively OK however the attentiveness of the bartender waitstaff and hostess was borderline rude across the board. Bartender too busy playing music to care about empty customer glasses and hostess nowhere to be found half the time. Decent food but would recommend morettis if you want a more personalized experience.
(2)Gwen W.
I noticed this restaurant on Yelp several years ago, thus was glad to finally try it out when friends picked it for their last meal in town before moving to Philadelphia. I noticed that it doesn't have the "best" of reviews - a lot of mixed experiences. However, after reading Giovanna's review, I was glad to join them! I love the simple, yet eclectic decor. The wooden wall behind the bar caught my eye! Cloth napkins. Fresh yellow rose bouquets on every table. Swanky and posh, but down to earth (no need for formal dress!). Oh, and their front patio is nice - great owning and flowers. It would be a plus if they could make it bigger. But, hey, no complaints! Nothing on the menu was jumping out, so I asked the waiter, nice polite gentleman btw, if they can concoct. Yes. Yay! So I went with the Gnoche, topped with veggies, mushrooms, chicken and their Alfredo sauce. The sauce was not what I was expecting. It was more... almost "tart". But not exactly. Not bad at all. And I know I'm just used to a more creamy, cheesy, get it out of the jar at Kroger kind, so this, in hind sight, was a great change of pace and flavor profile. The julienne-cut veggies and plenty of mushrooms were just icing on the cake! I can totally see myself coming back here - maybe not as much as I'd like because of the price points, but definitely a great special-occasion establishment!
(4)Amy K.
Just went for our first time tonight. It was wonderful. It is small and busy but that did not detract from the meal. I had smoked chicken ravioli. It came with a delicious creamy white sauce. It was so good, and I wasn't even that hungry. My husband had a dish with red sauce and peppers and onions and agreed it was great. He ate it all. Chocolate cake for dessert ( it was my birthday after all) was dense and tasty. No real children's menu, but they can make various pasta types with sauces. My picky 10 year old gobbled hers up. The bill was reasonable at $76 for the three of us. We were seated immediately at 6 pm on a Saturday. Food came out super speedy. With two kids who would rather be at Wendy's that is appreciated! Our server asked if we had been there before and we said no. She then said she would help in any way possible to make our evening the best.
(5)Mark H.
The food of Giuseppe's is excellent but the service is a bit uppity. The antipasto and carpaccio were excellent starters that were full of flavor. The red sauce in my pasta was packed with herbs and delicious. To me, the service just felt like he was proving the prestige of the restaurant instead of providing good service. Truly not a bad restaurant but I just didn't get the attitude of the server. I had a similar experience when I called the hostess for reservations and was told of the call ahead policy and then more-or-less hung up on. It just felt amateurish at the end of the evening.
(3)Doo-Dah W.
One of my favorite places in Columbus. Pizza is my favorite in the city. The crust is light and crispy. The Da Scilia is my favorite. Bartender Sean is the best. Order once from him and he'll remember your preferences. Also, if there's not a drink on the menu that looks good to you, tell him what you're after and he'll whip up something perfect. Burrata, Seared Octopus, and Carpaccio are other stand-outs. If you've never been, go!
(5)Jason S.
Giuseppe's is the bomb! When I want authentic Italy this is the place. Giuseppe is a masterful chef and great person. He goes out of his way to make us feel at home every time we visit. He all most always takes the time to visit our table to say hi and discuss the food. The staff has always been fun and taken great care of us. The food is amazing. I love the pappardelle and homemade sauce. The antipasto's are amazing. We have friends who don't like meat and Giuseppe created two special antipasto plates so there was no meat touching anything on one of them. My wife usually gets the seafood and has never been disappointed. Great bar as well. The bartender turned me on to my favorite summer cocktail, The Negroni. So good! We love sitting on the patio after dinner to have expresso and desert.
(5)Dan P.
A friend of mine from Nationwide is from Italy so I asked where the best Italian Resturant was his immediate reply convinced me to check it out. Had the wedge salad and chicken parm not on the menu the pasta and sauce awesome. The chicken was delicious nice size and savory. I was very impressed and will definitely come back next time in town
(5)Mark H.
Good food in an upscale setting. I would not be afraid to bring friends & family from out of town, show them not everything around here is meat & potatoes. Dinging it for the small portions for a large price. I don't mind the cost, just don't make it so small. Also, the seating was a little tight during a weekend dinner. Glad everyone used Dial.
(4)Adi E.
I love the atmosphere. You feel like you're in a big city. The food is just ok. My second time here and just not impressed. Better this time than last. I had pepperoni pizza as appetizer. Pretty good but crust too thick. Then Mediterranean salad (really liked!). For my entree had gnocchi with chicken/olives/capers in a red sauce. I wasn't expecting a ragout and was disappointed. Chicken tasted old. My husband had spicy shrimp linguine in a cognac cream sauce. His was just ok. I like that they source locally and use free range chicken. Previous visit: I had veal Marsala sub veal for chicken and it tasted more like a beef stew flavor. Was very disappointed. I will go back for salad and soup and the atmosphere. Won't order an entree.
(3)Nikki C.
My husband took me here for dinner on my birthday. I love pizza and this place had great reviews. We were both very unsatisfied and highly disappointed with the pizza. Thin, flimsy and not much taste or toppings and $18.00. The service was just ok. They seemed to be much more focused on their regulars. The seating is tight, they have crammed as many seats and tables in as possible. The people watching was the best part of our dining experience.
(2)Markus B.
I went to Giuseppe's Ritrovo based on the comments here. Well, to me it is just another Italian restaurant. Solid dishes but nothing spectacular. The insalata caprese was nice but why dont you use fresh buffalo mozarella on it? If you serve the bread, you have to servce olive oil as well to swap the bread in it. The spaghetti amici was ok, I just missed the typical Italian seasonings and herbs in it. So, overall, if you want to eat Italian, it is a good location with a nice atmosphere but if you want to taste authentic Italian kitchen, look elsewhere.
(3)Nick S.
Late on a Sunday night in August. SEVEN WORDS: Classy, Refined, Formally Casual, Northern Italian, Expensive. The Ambiance and Atmosphere are both stunning - You pass through a small patio which bustles with the intimate conversation between waiters and two-tops. Inside, it's a busy bistro with bussers skirting through a maze of tightly packed tables and conversation is boisterous yet not painful. We were quickly seated and served. I ordered the Carbonara on wheat pasta while my partner ordered eggplant in a red sauce. Our meals took a little long to arrive (20-25 minutes) . Although the wait was a little long (esp. for a small bistro), the food was very, very good. The pasta was a little overcooked *based on high standards), but both dishes were 4.5 on a five-scale. However.... The bill came (without appetizers or alcohol of any kind) and it was 42 dollars. Our server was pretty good, so we gave her the cusomary 8 USD / 19% tip and we were on our way. Would I return again? Sure, if I'm going to a Drexel movie and don't have the time for Olive Garden and am not in the mood for TAT's Home-Style / Great Value Brand of Italian.
(3)Giovanna A.
Giuseppe's is my favorite place for business lunches and dinners, probably have been there at least ten times, great service each and every time. By great service I don't mean having a particularly entertaining waiter or bartender, but the unintrusive type of service where there is not a lot of interaction with the server other than when initially placing the order, maybe asking a few questions about menu items, such as getting a dinner item in a lunch portion, etc. but always having refills and everything you need without having to ask and/or without much interruption to the conversation. I read some of the other reviews and was a little surprised by some of the vibe issues, the Bexley elite judgement issues. I say a little because I am somewhat oblivious so it is quite possible that it's there and I just never noticed. I frankly have never asked myself what folks at other tables thought of me or of anything for that matter, so if anyone ever expended any energy giving me the evil eye there it must have been a pretty frustrating effort on their part. If I had noticed such a thing I probably would find it quite amusing! As far as food goes, everything I have tried here was delicious, my favorites being the beet salad, the spinach salad with pignoli nuts, gamberi diavola (spicy!), and last but not least, probably my favorite gnocchi in the city, which is made to order with any sauce you choose. The wine list is fantastic, as are their cocktails. Other huge pluses for Giuseppe's: they locally source, their chicken is free range, almost anything on the menu can be requested as gluten free, and there are plenty of choices for our vegetarian friends, making it a great choice for an eclectic group. They have a small but really nice patio, inside the acoustics are perfect, even when packed I have never found it to be loud. I will go back many times, I am sure, and highly recommend trying it or trying it again!
(5)Keida M.
Another incredible evening at Giuseppe's! Of special note, while my friend and I were at the bar before being sat at our table, I happened to notice that Sean (the aforementioned fab and handy bartender) is ALSO handsome! And watch out ladies, he has an even raspier voice than the Trivago guy! ~~~~~ So I have seen a few reviews on here complaining about it seeming like a party at Giuseppe's that they aren't a part of. I won't presume to know the circumstances of these peoples experiences, but I will relate mine: I am pretty much known by the second or third time I frequent anywhere, especially a special place like Giuseppe's. The main reason is because I make an effort to get to know everyone that comes up to me on the first time of my visit. I ask their name, about what they do in their free time, their families, etc. I am a curious person, and show interest in their lives. When I walk out my door, I don't look at people as my help, because at the end of the day, we are all someones help. And when I return to a place, I ask them about their lives, in detail. And this goes from the owner to the busboy. Everyone is important to me. In all, I am saying that one must make an effort first. If I want instant affirmation, I will go to Panera down the street, or to a Ground Round. Or a Foot Locker for that matter. I am used to living in cities where the best clubs and restaurants make you work a little to get the secret handshake. We have a culture here in Cbus that needs to be shed. It's the assumption that you are a winner, just for showing up. It's a really shallow expectation. We don't make relationships in 5 minutes. I hate to break the news, but the gal serving you at Panera doesn't give a shit about you. She cares about her $7.25/hr job and not getting fired by a manager who insists on her smiling and over-greeting everyone who walks in the door, because Panera wants to move rolls. It's not about relationships, it's about rolls. Giuseppe's is a different kind of place. Giuseppe is creating a space for fostering relationships, set upon the tapestry of his love of food and fellowship. If you want to feel like you are part of the family at Giuseppe's (or anywhere else including Panera), be patient, be curious, and be persistent. It's worth the effort, believe me.
(5)Bryant M.
I've been in Bexley for over two years and *finally* checked this place out! Some friends and I were looking for a night cap and dessert late on a Saturday night, and Giuseppe's popped right up on the Yelp app. The bartender stopped us as we entered let us know that only the bar was open, so we headed over to the bar and cozied in. The bartender was fantastic. He was a wonderful balance of nice and sarcastic. The drinks were all good, and most of us liked our desserts. By most, I mean everyone but me. I ordered the gluten-free chocolate cake, and it was fine... just not great. But kudos for having a GF dessert! I think my biggest issue with Giuseppe's is actually pretty hard to articulate. The whole place just seems very clique-y and like a cool kids club... and I was *not* one of the cool kids. I know this might not make any sense, but all four of us felt like this! Nobody was rude to us, but we definitely got the feeling that we didn't belong. I'm not gonna let this stop me from going back to try dinner though! Every place deserves a second chance.
(3)Nga B.
If I could give this place no stars I would. We came in on a quiet Thursday evening. There were 3 tables at 8 pm. The hostess was friendly and sat us immediately. Unfortunately it stops there. We waited between 5-10 minutes. Not a single person greeted us or acknowledged our presence. We sat there as we watched the servers chit chat. We decided to get up and leave. As we were leaving another hostess asked what our problem was. We told her. We did not get an apology. She stood there looking at the servers with her mouth wide open. Instead of watching her catch flies in her mouth we continued to walk out. Horrible service. Note: I have been a server and been in the industry for many years. I am not very picky, but I do like to be acknowledged. If it was busy or a server was swamped someone could have at least came over and offered water or an excuse as to why no one served us.
(1)S F.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Cbus, mainly due to their fantastic red sauce. I've been ~5-10x/year the past 5 years and have never had a bad experience. Very good price as well for a quality meal experience. Service is always professional, albeit slow when they're packed but that's expected to a degree. I am never in a rush here, as eating is more of an event rather than a quick dinner. My wife and I typically spend a couple hours minimum. She is Italian herself, and is one of her favorite places to go. Salads have always been fresh. Main courses always terrific. Pizza is fantastic with a crisp crust and plentiful toppings. Grab some grappa to finish the eve :) Highly recommended on all fronts!
(5)T K.
Hands down one of the best little "hidden gems" in Columbus (if not ohio). Service, atmosphere, foooood & libations are second to none. You are doing yourself a disservice by not going. Giuseppe is truly one of a kind and is insanely passionate. Just. Go.
(5)Nancy P.
We just spent a lovely evening having dinner at Giuseppi's. It was delightful eating outside and having meals that were well-prepared and wonderfully presented. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately upon arrival. Throughout the evening the waitstaff was concerned about our welfare and satisfaction with the meal. One diners meal was too peppery and When the waitstaff was told about it they had the dish remade and it was we presented quickly. We definitely will return soon and bring our friends.
(4)Shy E.
Love this place The Ambiance , the Food It's like your (Italian) mother's cooking Highly recommended any time And especially when it's a live music night
(5)Brian B.
Always a great experience in both food and beverage. Not a place to go for craft beer, but nice wine selection and fabulous cocktail program.
(5)Chrissy F.
everything is delicious ... i haven't had a cocktail i didn't love, a server who wasn't insanely attentive or a dish i didn't clean my plate with. if you're lucky enough to be there on osso buco special night -- NOTHING can compare. can't get enough!
(5)Andrew C.
The food was good but average. Maybe a $13 plate......not $23. I anticipated a more rich and unique taste but it was a plate you can find at most italian restuarants.
(2)Erica R.
Fantastic pasta. The best in the city. The service is a little slow but it isn't the type of place that you attend in a rush. The drinks are great and very nice atmosphere.
(4)Raj V.
If I could I would give this zero stars. We were five minutes late for our reservations and were treated with much hostility. Our seat was given and the woman was vindictive to my mother for being late. No apologies were given. Life is too short to be around self-centered cruel.
(1)Ashley J.
It's Italian, people. A pretty interesting spin on Italian. I guess this place is going for the old-school feel, which is cool, but it is a bit pricey for having a small menu. Their bar is awesome, but the food was not to do die for. Staff is pretty friendly and they are on point with refills and making sure everything is ok, but there is no way that this food should've cost over $35.
(2)Harry H.
Dear friends, Avoid this den of inequity lest you wish to suffer an intestinal calamity. I must confess I entered this establishment with high hopes, only to have those hopes dashed in a most rude way. The waiting staff was snobbish and overly judgmental in my view, as if to suggest it was beyond my means to dine there. I let that slight pass, thought clearly I haven't forgotten it. To make a long story short my wine was corked, my steak overdone, my tiramisu rancid, and my bill far too large for the quality I received. Would that I could, I would shutter this place immediately, bar the owners from opening another such establishment, and strike it from my memory forevermore. Avoid the misery, dear friends, and dine elsewhere. Sincerely, H.Hinkle
(1)Randy M.
Great food, service, and atmosphere, but that bar was phenomenal! Every drink made from scratch. I knew it was a good sign when I sat at the bar and saw the row of assorted bitters lining it. The bartenders were busy mulling fruit and assorted ingredients. The old fashion was incredible. Call a half hour before you show up and you'll beat the wait.
(5)Melinda V.
This is a great local Italian place! Service is always excellent. The owners are very aware of what is happening in their establishment and keep things running smoothly while being friendly with customers. I love the food! Delicious, great prices and manageable portions! The atmosphere is very European, friendly and relaxed. You have the ability to take your time with food and conversation, no worries about getting rushed out the door.
(5)Meg K.
This place had been talked up quite a bit, so I was excited to take my man here for his birthday. The staff and service were very kind if not overworked (there were several long waits for things like drink orders/getting the check) but that is certainly not their fault, that's a management issue. Our server was more than adequate and our cocktails were good. We ordered two pasta dishes- the smoked chicken ravioli and the fettucine gastrove. The fettucine smelled exactly like a Lean Cuisine, which I tried to put out of my head. The flavor was just blah- the vegetables were indistinguishable from one another and the sauce could have come out of a jar. It had an inconsistent texture and was tossed with overcooked chicken and some basil and garlic. I will say that the pasta was perfectly cooked. The smoked chicken ravioli was just too sweet for me, though I don't have much experience with smoked meat so I don't know if it tends to be sweeter or if this was due to this particular recipe. For dessert, we shared a tartufo chicolate which I thought was just fine, and the birthday boy really liked. It has zabaglione cream, gelato, and is dusted with cocoa powder, so there are a lot of different flavors and textures. Presentation is nice and simple. Overall, I'm glad we tried this place but we won't be back- it's just too much money for unexciting and inconsistent food.
(2)Prashant V.
We had a reservation for a table of 9 at 7. After parking, we walked in at 7.02. Instead of seating us, they gave the table to someone else. Apology? No. The miserable lady at the front of house said "you can stay or you can go". No apology, no accommodation. If you want to be treated like crap before being seated, waste your money and time here. Otherwise, walk up and down the street for many more options, where I'm sure your business will be welcome.
(1)Ralph B.
My wife and I discovered Giseppe's a couple months ago and have been back four times. Friends that used to live in Bexley invited us the first time to join the for happy hour. Their happy hour menu is a nice offering of items at great prices, and a good way to try out this restaurant. The food quality is quite good, solid four stars. They have, and I have tried their pizzas, which are very good, gnocchi, spaghetti and meatballs, and my wife has tried some other choices. All are very tasty and we have not had a bad selection. I really like their service staff. They all have personalities and act like they really care about providing a good dining experience and knowing their menu. It can be a bit crowded at times, but that also gives it a good vibe. Did I mention, there is a Graeter's right across the street?
(4)Steve R.
Great little place in Bexley. Great service and the food is remarkable. I have had almost everything on the menu and have not been disappointed yet. Family atmosphere, great place to take the family, and they do accommodate kids. Their pizza is out of this world and they do accommodate Gluten Free allergies. Wonderful place.
(5)Christina C.
Oh, happy lunch! They had me at $6 lunch martinis. It's a beautiful thing when there's a menu of more than 10 to choose from, too. And all sounded perfect! Pomegranate. Espresso. Grape. And my choice - the pear. Yumms! For some reason I've drive past this place a dozen times but never even batted an eye.. until today, and it's definitely a "hells yes" to coming back. I've been craving a Caprese salad, and bam - there it was on the menu and it was delicious. Moving on to my veggie calzone - zing! I was diggin' the wood fired oven crisp! However, what put me over the edge was the dessert menu. I couldn't decide! I could taste every one of the options just by reading the descriptions. After many agonizing minutes, the Tartufo Chiocolato (chocolate gelato and hazelnuts with a zabaglione center) was my final choice and let's just say... well, it was so amazing I'm left speechless.
(4)Liz M.
Good, with potential for more stars! Our reservation was promptly honored. That was nice! (The website states they do not take reservations, but, in fact, they do.) The space is well decorated and feels inviting. We especially loved the bar. We were seated at a tiny two top, which would have been OK, but the other tables around us were so close, it may as well have been communal seating. Even the staff had difficulty maneuvering between tables. It was plain awkward! I'm not sure if extra seating was added to accommodate for Valentine's or if that's the norm. If it's normal. It'd be more comfortable to be seated at the bar. Our waiter was OK. He was pretty attentive, but also, not attentive. Like, he came by often, but didn't care if we were having a good meal. Or he'd clear the empty glasses, but leave the plates. He also didn't offer cheese for on our meals when I saw others getting it. If that helps gage the service we got. Bread service was OK. They serve you an individual ciabatta roll from a basket to your bread plate and deliver a fresh herb butter. I have had better, but as far as bread and butter goes, I like it all. I ordered prosecco and the boyfriend a reisling. Brought promptly with an ample pour, rightfully so, as no glass of wine was under $7. I ordered the asparagus ravioli that was very good with a toasted almond pasta. I'd never had anything like it before.The filing was perfectly seasoned to compliment the mild cheese sauce with ample, but not overwhelming aparagus flavor. The unfresh winter tomatoes garnish ruined the dish overall with their harsh yucky flavor. I'd request those off in the winter. Also, the sauce had a hint of uncooked wine. Like they added it, but didn't cook it long enough to get the alcohol off. A product of a busy evening I guessed as my boyfriend's Veal Marsala was in the same boat. With perfectly al dente pasta and tender veal the dish was overshadowed by runny undercooked sauce. Of course, not horrible, just not the best. I think these mistakes were minor and easily fixable if they'd been less busy. But, then again, no excuse for it, really. So, that's all. No apps, no dessert, as soon as we declined dessert we immediately had our check. $56 total was a little on the high side, but also, not unusual for that type of meal. However, in this price point, Giuseppe's would not be my top choice. Will I be back? Yes! Why? I think Pizza and drinks at the bar for happy hour is where it's at!!
(3)Kathryn K.
Soooo, the bartender recommended the short ribs, which I ordered, but I'm pretty certain that what was on my plate was chuck roast. It was delicious chuck roast, but I have been eating both short ribs and pot roast for eons and I've never seen short ribs that looked like these ones. Short ribs typically don't arrive at the table as a large, unformed hunk of meat that takes up half the plate. But chuck roast does!
(3)Julie H.
The best Italian food in Ohio! What a great atmosphere and the food is to die for. I highly recommend this restaurant for fun dining!
(5)David S.
Our group of 4 waited over 15 minutes late on a Friday evening to be seated. OK, we DIDN'T have reservations. Once seated, the service was slow and she was not very apologetic. Drinks were also slow in coming from the bar. The Dirty Martini wasn't even dirty and had to be sent back for another go around. I ordered the Caprese Salad for a starter and the Meat Lasagna as my entree. I never did receive the Caprese Salad. Once I brought this to the server's attention, there was only a quick "I'm sorry", and off she went. The meat lasagna entree finally appeared after I sat through my guests eating their soups and salad while I awaited the phantom Caprese Salad that never materialized. The cheese in the lasagna was virtually nonexistent and the noodles had the consistency of wet bread. It as disappointing to try to eat through half the portion before finally giving up. I think that a can of Chef Boyardee Lasagna from the nearby Kroger's would have been a better choice and much tastier that this slop that was served. I left the restaurant hungry and $ 60.00 lighter for a lousy meal and poor service. I'm sorry to have to say that, as I carefully thought about that before writing this review. This might be a "hoity toity" place, but in the future, my money my guests and I will go to better eating establishments that make their customers a priority and their food better than one would get at a drive through. What a shame, I thought that Bexley finally had a restaurant the caliber of the Monk. Sadly, it appears that Giuseppe's Ritrovo is not even in the same league.
(1)Zeta P.
One of our favorite nights out. Do yourself a favor and order drinks from their superstar bartender Travis for a treat you won't soon forget!
(5)Michael G.
I want to like this place since I love Italian and most everyone I know loves the place. Plus, Bexley needs it; there is not much in fine dining in 43209. However, food is pedestrian and the pricing is out of sight. Especially the wine. Service is spotty (but they did look good doing their job). As usual, the rez time was not honored, about 20 minutes off. I'll be a lunch goer, but not for dinner any more, too many better Italian to spend time in.
(2)Sarah L.
We tried Giuseppe's for Valentine's Day. With the holiday it was packed but the bartender kept everyone happy. Their bar is excellent! We had their fagioli with shrimp and tomatoes as an appetizer and it quite good, though very small for the price. We split calzones and veal marsala and both were delicious, though we don't pay these prices at other restaurants in Columbus that are on par with Giuseppes. We shared a spumoni bombe and while the strawberry, pistachio and chocolate gelattos tasted wonderful, the dessert was rock hard and we spent several ungainly minutes trying to stab into it with our spoons and hands. Service was not attentive, but that could be because of how busy they were. I would gladly come back for the bar service and appetizers. My review would increase dramatically if Giueseppe's altered their direction-either more elevated flavors to match their current prices or reducing the cost to match the quality.
(3)Sanford R.
By far the best restaurant in Columbus. Amazing Italian food with a great bar. Wonderful atmosphere. Check it out. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Ann S.
This was the hubby's suggestion because he'd had good panini's there for lunch. The hostess put us in the back right in front of the kitchen. (Smells underarms...do I o-ffend?) I got the meat lasagna (my standard when trying a new italian restaurant) and he got the smoked chicken ravioli. The roll they bring you beforehand was pretty standard but the basil/chive butter they give is really good. We felt really awkward because it was about 5pm-ish and there were a ton of servers all standing around staring at you as you eat or talk. It made for a very awkward dining experience. Oh yeah and we both got water and it was *terrible*....WATER. There was some funky undertone and we thought it was the glass. We mentioned it to the server to see if we could get new glasses and she said "oh our water is horrible here." Okay, it wasn't just us. When the meals arrived, I cut off a piece of mine and vice versa for the other to try and I liked his ravioli alot. He took a bite of my lasagna gave this knowing smile and said it was good. I knew something was up. I took a bite and I swear to you if someone had blindfolded me and fed this to me, I would've said I was eating Chef-Boy-Ardee's Beef Ravioli. I mean from the texture to the taste to the smell it was like they popped open a can of that stuff and made it into a lasagna. I shook my head because this was the 2nd bad meal of the day and it just figured. We got the bill and it was $32 which would be okay if I hadn't felt like I just ate canned pasta and since I know I can get that at Kroger for a buck, I felt like I overpaid by $14. He might go back with co-workers during lunch hours but I won't be back.
(2)John B.
Visiting daughter in Bexley and we finally got around to dining here. Sat evening with three adults and a 6yo. Be sure to call ahead. Service was prompt and waiter was knowledgeable. Took drink order, salads and then main course. Must try the Three Cheese Ravioli!! Fantastic. Wife had asparagus ravioli which was excellent. Daughter had penne with smoked salmon in a vodka sauce. Another plate of excellence. All meals served piping hot. Only thing from 5 stars, wait for dinner to be served. Not overwhelmingly busy but a tad long in serving. But will be sure to visit again.
(4)Megan M.
Delicious! We had the veal pasta with some kind of peas- it was wonderful, with a lot of rosemary flavoring. New fav place!
(5)Paul F.
This is a pretty nice restaurant, and in fact it used to be much smaller before he bought out an adjacent storefront. So, my dinner started with the soup of the day, which today was ministrone. Unlike the canned variety, this had small chunks of vegetables and was of a very course texture. You could tell it was homemade. For my main course, i had their Gamberi Diavola. Spicy shrimp served over spaghetti, in other words. It contained over a half dozen fairly large shrimp and was delicious, and somewhat messy to eat. LOL I was in the mood for dessert but didn't see anything on their menu that turned me on. But a very good meal nonetheless!
(4)Jon M.
Great fresh authentic Italian
(5)David P.
The entrance is nondescript and easily missed, but everything else about this place seems great. The bread, wine, salads, pasta, seafood, and eggplant parmigiana we all had were great. The pricing was good and the service was excellent. While there was nothing on the menu or in the restaurant which makes it strikingly unique, the location plays that role. Guiseppe's is within walking distance of the Drexel movie theater, which is within walking distance of Jenni's ice cream. This holy triumvirate makes all three locations perfect for a great night out with friends.
(3)John C.
My opinion of Giuseppe's is mixed. When my husband called to make our reservation, the person who answered was extremely gruff and inhospitable. We were a party of ten and the person staffing the phone seemed unwilling to accommodate us, even though we were calling with plenty of notice. Eventually, he agreed to seat us together, but seemed to imply that he was doing US a favor. Not a very good first impression. When we arrived, we did have a moderate wait before our table was ready (about 15 minutes), but we were seated together. Our waiter, Sean, was very good. There were times when he wasn't as available as we would have liked, but it seemed that he was working too many tables, as were most of the other wait staff. He did his best. Sean was good at recommending wines that pleased everyone at the table. I have the Silver Palm Cabernet. It was a very nice table wine. I had the Bruschetta, which was crisp and flavorful. My main course was the Fettuccine Calebrese, also an excellent choice. Others in our party were equally satisfied with their choices. Walking into this restaurant, I was ready to give it a 2-star rating because of our initial experience on the phone, but the food and Sean's dedication to our table made it a 4-star rating. Make no mistake, the management needs to attend to managing all aspects of the experience, specifically, their phone etiquette and their staffing levels. Had there been a amiable person at the phone and a better ratio of servers to tables, I probably would have given this 5 stars.
(4)Amrita V.
There are few restaurants that I can recall having left a worse taste in my mouth, especially considering I never tasted the food. We had reservations for a large party and were made to wait for allegedly being 2 minutes late. The hostess made no apologies, and whats more shifted the blame to us. We were given the option: "You can stay or you can leave." This rude & bitter hostess made that decision extremely easy.
(1)Daniel W.
Guiseppe's is a neighborhood joint with big city class. The proprietors Guiseppe and Vesna Mangano have been serving up classic Italian and creative cuisine for over a decade. Their wine selection is excellent. The bar staff is helpful at choosing a new favorite. Guiseppe's pizzas are a favorite and can be made with whole wheat dough. An Italian restaurant without great pasta would be sin! There is no offending the Pope with their infallible selection of dishes. Most can be prepared gluten free at request. I have been coming to Guiseppe's regularly. They continue to change up their menu with seasonal dishes and fresh ideas. Don't run across the street for Graeter's ice cream. The desert menu in this hotspot is meant to satisfy any craving.Tiramisu is made on the premises. If that is not your pleasure, ask if they have any cannoli. This rare treat never disappoints.
(5)Douglas C.
This is our favorite place to eat. The owners of the restaurant are so involved and always go the extra mile to make sure you and your guests have a memorable experience. As for the food... It is always good. Some days they are great. The veal parm is out of this world and if the Lamb is the special, get it. Being an 09'er it is nice to have a fabulous place in my neighborhood.
(5)Steve F.
Fantastic restaurant...worth the drive every time!
(4)Manolo E.
I agree with a prior reviewer. It is cold in here, poor temperature regulation and it is awfully noisy, not just from the noise of other guests but also the music, nothing in the room absorbs sound. The food, on the other hand, is quite good and service also has that European panache with waiters who have personality and professionalism. Would recommend but this is not a place for a romantic dinner, it is a lively, noisy place to meet friends or make friends at the bar.
(3)Steven H.
Tasty Italian upscale dining in the heart of downtown Bexley. Mostly a local crowd. Sample a martini or exotic wine from their varied list. Recommended dishes include the large spiral pasta Tortiglioni or eggplant parm.
(4)Vincent P.
Bland, uninteresting food, but pretty venue and crowd.
(2)Ralph B.
My wife and I discovered Giseppe's a couple months ago and have been back four times. Friends that used to live in Bexley invited us the first time to join the for happy hour. Their happy hour menu is a nice offering of items at great prices, and a good way to try out this restaurant. The food quality is quite good, solid four stars. They have, and I have tried their pizzas, which are very good, gnocchi, spaghetti and meatballs, and my wife has tried some other choices. All are very tasty and we have not had a bad selection. I really like their service staff. They all have personalities and act like they really care about providing a good dining experience and knowing their menu. It can be a bit crowded at times, but that also gives it a good vibe. Did I mention, there is a Graeter's right across the street?
(4)Steve R.
Great little place in Bexley. Great service and the food is remarkable. I have had almost everything on the menu and have not been disappointed yet. Family atmosphere, great place to take the family, and they do accommodate kids. Their pizza is out of this world and they do accommodate Gluten Free allergies. Wonderful place.
(5)Christina C.
Oh, happy lunch! They had me at $6 lunch martinis. It's a beautiful thing when there's a menu of more than 10 to choose from, too. And all sounded perfect! Pomegranate. Espresso. Grape. And my choice - the pear. Yumms! For some reason I've drive past this place a dozen times but never even batted an eye.. until today, and it's definitely a "hells yes" to coming back. I've been craving a Caprese salad, and bam - there it was on the menu and it was delicious. Moving on to my veggie calzone - zing! I was diggin' the wood fired oven crisp! However, what put me over the edge was the dessert menu. I couldn't decide! I could taste every one of the options just by reading the descriptions. After many agonizing minutes, the Tartufo Chiocolato (chocolate gelato and hazelnuts with a zabaglione center) was my final choice and let's just say... well, it was so amazing I'm left speechless.
(4)Liz M.
Good, with potential for more stars! Our reservation was promptly honored. That was nice! (The website states they do not take reservations, but, in fact, they do.) The space is well decorated and feels inviting. We especially loved the bar. We were seated at a tiny two top, which would have been OK, but the other tables around us were so close, it may as well have been communal seating. Even the staff had difficulty maneuvering between tables. It was plain awkward! I'm not sure if extra seating was added to accommodate for Valentine's or if that's the norm. If it's normal. It'd be more comfortable to be seated at the bar. Our waiter was OK. He was pretty attentive, but also, not attentive. Like, he came by often, but didn't care if we were having a good meal. Or he'd clear the empty glasses, but leave the plates. He also didn't offer cheese for on our meals when I saw others getting it. If that helps gage the service we got. Bread service was OK. They serve you an individual ciabatta roll from a basket to your bread plate and deliver a fresh herb butter. I have had better, but as far as bread and butter goes, I like it all. I ordered prosecco and the boyfriend a reisling. Brought promptly with an ample pour, rightfully so, as no glass of wine was under $7. I ordered the asparagus ravioli that was very good with a toasted almond pasta. I'd never had anything like it before.The filing was perfectly seasoned to compliment the mild cheese sauce with ample, but not overwhelming aparagus flavor. The unfresh winter tomatoes garnish ruined the dish overall with their harsh yucky flavor. I'd request those off in the winter. Also, the sauce had a hint of uncooked wine. Like they added it, but didn't cook it long enough to get the alcohol off. A product of a busy evening I guessed as my boyfriend's Veal Marsala was in the same boat. With perfectly al dente pasta and tender veal the dish was overshadowed by runny undercooked sauce. Of course, not horrible, just not the best. I think these mistakes were minor and easily fixable if they'd been less busy. But, then again, no excuse for it, really. So, that's all. No apps, no dessert, as soon as we declined dessert we immediately had our check. $56 total was a little on the high side, but also, not unusual for that type of meal. However, in this price point, Giuseppe's would not be my top choice. Will I be back? Yes! Why? I think Pizza and drinks at the bar for happy hour is where it's at!!
(3)Nga B.
If I could give this place no stars I would. We came in on a quiet Thursday evening. There were 3 tables at 8 pm. The hostess was friendly and sat us immediately. Unfortunately it stops there. We waited between 5-10 minutes. Not a single person greeted us or acknowledged our presence. We sat there as we watched the servers chit chat. We decided to get up and leave. As we were leaving another hostess asked what our problem was. We told her. We did not get an apology. She stood there looking at the servers with her mouth wide open. Instead of watching her catch flies in her mouth we continued to walk out. Horrible service. Note: I have been a server and been in the industry for many years. I am not very picky, but I do like to be acknowledged. If it was busy or a server was swamped someone could have at least came over and offered water or an excuse as to why no one served us.
(1)Vincent P.
Bland, uninteresting food, but pretty venue and crowd.
(2)Manolo E.
I agree with a prior reviewer. It is cold in here, poor temperature regulation and it is awfully noisy, not just from the noise of other guests but also the music, nothing in the room absorbs sound. The food, on the other hand, is quite good and service also has that European panache with waiters who have personality and professionalism. Would recommend but this is not a place for a romantic dinner, it is a lively, noisy place to meet friends or make friends at the bar.
(3)Steven H.
Tasty Italian upscale dining in the heart of downtown Bexley. Mostly a local crowd. Sample a martini or exotic wine from their varied list. Recommended dishes include the large spiral pasta Tortiglioni or eggplant parm.
(4)David S.
Our group of 4 waited over 15 minutes late on a Friday evening to be seated. OK, we DIDN'T have reservations. Once seated, the service was slow and she was not very apologetic. Drinks were also slow in coming from the bar. The Dirty Martini wasn't even dirty and had to be sent back for another go around. I ordered the Caprese Salad for a starter and the Meat Lasagna as my entree. I never did receive the Caprese Salad. Once I brought this to the server's attention, there was only a quick "I'm sorry", and off she went. The meat lasagna entree finally appeared after I sat through my guests eating their soups and salad while I awaited the phantom Caprese Salad that never materialized. The cheese in the lasagna was virtually nonexistent and the noodles had the consistency of wet bread. It as disappointing to try to eat through half the portion before finally giving up. I think that a can of Chef Boyardee Lasagna from the nearby Kroger's would have been a better choice and much tastier that this slop that was served. I left the restaurant hungry and $ 60.00 lighter for a lousy meal and poor service. I'm sorry to have to say that, as I carefully thought about that before writing this review. This might be a "hoity toity" place, but in the future, my money my guests and I will go to better eating establishments that make their customers a priority and their food better than one would get at a drive through. What a shame, I thought that Bexley finally had a restaurant the caliber of the Monk. Sadly, it appears that Giuseppe's Ritrovo is not even in the same league.
(1)Zeta P.
One of our favorite nights out. Do yourself a favor and order drinks from their superstar bartender Travis for a treat you won't soon forget!
(5)Michael G.
I want to like this place since I love Italian and most everyone I know loves the place. Plus, Bexley needs it; there is not much in fine dining in 43209. However, food is pedestrian and the pricing is out of sight. Especially the wine. Service is spotty (but they did look good doing their job). As usual, the rez time was not honored, about 20 minutes off. I'll be a lunch goer, but not for dinner any more, too many better Italian to spend time in.
(2)Sarah L.
We tried Giuseppe's for Valentine's Day. With the holiday it was packed but the bartender kept everyone happy. Their bar is excellent! We had their fagioli with shrimp and tomatoes as an appetizer and it quite good, though very small for the price. We split calzones and veal marsala and both were delicious, though we don't pay these prices at other restaurants in Columbus that are on par with Giuseppes. We shared a spumoni bombe and while the strawberry, pistachio and chocolate gelattos tasted wonderful, the dessert was rock hard and we spent several ungainly minutes trying to stab into it with our spoons and hands. Service was not attentive, but that could be because of how busy they were. I would gladly come back for the bar service and appetizers. My review would increase dramatically if Giueseppe's altered their direction-either more elevated flavors to match their current prices or reducing the cost to match the quality.
(3)Sanford R.
By far the best restaurant in Columbus. Amazing Italian food with a great bar. Wonderful atmosphere. Check it out. You will not be disappointed!
(5)Ann S.
This was the hubby's suggestion because he'd had good panini's there for lunch. The hostess put us in the back right in front of the kitchen. (Smells underarms...do I o-ffend?) I got the meat lasagna (my standard when trying a new italian restaurant) and he got the smoked chicken ravioli. The roll they bring you beforehand was pretty standard but the basil/chive butter they give is really good. We felt really awkward because it was about 5pm-ish and there were a ton of servers all standing around staring at you as you eat or talk. It made for a very awkward dining experience. Oh yeah and we both got water and it was *terrible*....WATER. There was some funky undertone and we thought it was the glass. We mentioned it to the server to see if we could get new glasses and she said "oh our water is horrible here." Okay, it wasn't just us. When the meals arrived, I cut off a piece of mine and vice versa for the other to try and I liked his ravioli alot. He took a bite of my lasagna gave this knowing smile and said it was good. I knew something was up. I took a bite and I swear to you if someone had blindfolded me and fed this to me, I would've said I was eating Chef-Boy-Ardee's Beef Ravioli. I mean from the texture to the taste to the smell it was like they popped open a can of that stuff and made it into a lasagna. I shook my head because this was the 2nd bad meal of the day and it just figured. We got the bill and it was $32 which would be okay if I hadn't felt like I just ate canned pasta and since I know I can get that at Kroger for a buck, I felt like I overpaid by $14. He might go back with co-workers during lunch hours but I won't be back.
(2)Melinda V.
This is a great local Italian place! Service is always excellent. The owners are very aware of what is happening in their establishment and keep things running smoothly while being friendly with customers. I love the food! Delicious, great prices and manageable portions! The atmosphere is very European, friendly and relaxed. You have the ability to take your time with food and conversation, no worries about getting rushed out the door.
(5)Erica R.
Fantastic pasta. The best in the city. The service is a little slow but it isn't the type of place that you attend in a rush. The drinks are great and very nice atmosphere.
(4)Raj V.
If I could I would give this zero stars. We were five minutes late for our reservations and were treated with much hostility. Our seat was given and the woman was vindictive to my mother for being late. No apologies were given. Life is too short to be around self-centered cruel.
(1)Andrew C.
The food was good but average. Maybe a $13 plate......not $23. I anticipated a more rich and unique taste but it was a plate you can find at most italian restuarants.
(2)Jenny B.
When dining at Giuseppe's, you almost feel like you're in Italy!! The servers, bussers, the owner, all Italian speaking Italian with their friends that come and dine at this cute little restaurant in Bexley. I had a wonderful meal here and the bread is hard to stop eating. One tip I will give is that if you get cold easily, try to ask them to not sit you by the door because it can get a little chilly up front in the winter time.
(4)John C.
My opinion of Giuseppe's is mixed. When my husband called to make our reservation, the person who answered was extremely gruff and inhospitable. We were a party of ten and the person staffing the phone seemed unwilling to accommodate us, even though we were calling with plenty of notice. Eventually, he agreed to seat us together, but seemed to imply that he was doing US a favor. Not a very good first impression. When we arrived, we did have a moderate wait before our table was ready (about 15 minutes), but we were seated together. Our waiter, Sean, was very good. There were times when he wasn't as available as we would have liked, but it seemed that he was working too many tables, as were most of the other wait staff. He did his best. Sean was good at recommending wines that pleased everyone at the table. I have the Silver Palm Cabernet. It was a very nice table wine. I had the Bruschetta, which was crisp and flavorful. My main course was the Fettuccine Calebrese, also an excellent choice. Others in our party were equally satisfied with their choices. Walking into this restaurant, I was ready to give it a 2-star rating because of our initial experience on the phone, but the food and Sean's dedication to our table made it a 4-star rating. Make no mistake, the management needs to attend to managing all aspects of the experience, specifically, their phone etiquette and their staffing levels. Had there been a amiable person at the phone and a better ratio of servers to tables, I probably would have given this 5 stars.
(4)Amrita V.
There are few restaurants that I can recall having left a worse taste in my mouth, especially considering I never tasted the food. We had reservations for a large party and were made to wait for allegedly being 2 minutes late. The hostess made no apologies, and whats more shifted the blame to us. We were given the option: "You can stay or you can leave." This rude & bitter hostess made that decision extremely easy.
(1)Ellen F.
Giuseppe's is a smaller restaurant with adorable authentic, Italian decor. It's apparent that many of the patron's are regulars, which gives it a nice warm, comfortable feeling. They don't take reservations for parties less than six, but you can all ahead, which I recommend. It's also a bit challenging to find the first time, especially in the dark. So try to give yourself a few extra minutes for that and parking. It's a terrific date option, very romantic...date number three, perhaps? They offer daily specials of entrees, soups and desserts. If the special isn't so special in your mind, the entree list is almost endless. The tomato basil soup has a nice balance of spice and flavor, but the bowl is a little big if you're planning for a salad and entree to follow. They do serve some fresh bread and olive oil after ordering. Our server was okay, a little off on the taboos of service, but a nice guy. If you have the opportunity, ask to be seated in Anna's section. She's a doll and will make everything just right.
(4)Erica P.
After the first review, I had not planned on going back to this business. The manager contacted me and essentially asked for a "do over". Husband and I were in the area and decided to give this place another chance. Husband is a huge fan of the taste of the pizza. This time, we got our gluten free pizzas. They tasted great, and there as no negative body response. The server that we got was great too. You will have to wait for a table at this popular place, don't stop by if you are in a hurry.
(3)Daniel W.
Guiseppe's is a neighborhood joint with big city class. The proprietors Guiseppe and Vesna Mangano have been serving up classic Italian and creative cuisine for over a decade. Their wine selection is excellent. The bar staff is helpful at choosing a new favorite. Guiseppe's pizzas are a favorite and can be made with whole wheat dough. An Italian restaurant without great pasta would be sin! There is no offending the Pope with their infallible selection of dishes. Most can be prepared gluten free at request. I have been coming to Guiseppe's regularly. They continue to change up their menu with seasonal dishes and fresh ideas. Don't run across the street for Graeter's ice cream. The desert menu in this hotspot is meant to satisfy any craving.Tiramisu is made on the premises. If that is not your pleasure, ask if they have any cannoli. This rare treat never disappoints.
(5)Douglas C.
This is our favorite place to eat. The owners of the restaurant are so involved and always go the extra mile to make sure you and your guests have a memorable experience. As for the food... It is always good. Some days they are great. The veal parm is out of this world and if the Lamb is the special, get it. Being an 09'er it is nice to have a fabulous place in my neighborhood.
(5)Steve F.
Fantastic restaurant...worth the drive every time!
(4)Tony D.
Great spot .our first visit ...I have been searching for a place in Cbus that is authentic Italian . there are no carb choices for those who want them. The bar program is very good and they use high end ingredients The sign of a good Italian place is their list of Amaros and they have several. Go there
(4)Andrew M.
Very cool bar area. It's definitely a Bexley socialista crowd and the parking is a real pain. But I have had lunch here twice and both times it was fantastic. The service is also very strong, which is something I particularly like. I've been eyeing their Veal Marsala, so that is definitely on my list.
(4)Gwen W.
I noticed this restaurant on Yelp several years ago, thus was glad to finally try it out when friends picked it for their last meal in town before moving to Philadelphia. I noticed that it doesn't have the "best" of reviews - a lot of mixed experiences. However, after reading Giovanna's review, I was glad to join them! I love the simple, yet eclectic decor. The wooden wall behind the bar caught my eye! Cloth napkins. Fresh yellow rose bouquets on every table. Swanky and posh, but down to earth (no need for formal dress!). Oh, and their front patio is nice - great owning and flowers. It would be a plus if they could make it bigger. But, hey, no complaints! Nothing on the menu was jumping out, so I asked the waiter, nice polite gentleman btw, if they can concoct. Yes. Yay! So I went with the Gnoche, topped with veggies, mushrooms, chicken and their Alfredo sauce. The sauce was not what I was expecting. It was more... almost "tart". But not exactly. Not bad at all. And I know I'm just used to a more creamy, cheesy, get it out of the jar at Kroger kind, so this, in hind sight, was a great change of pace and flavor profile. The julienne-cut veggies and plenty of mushrooms were just icing on the cake! I can totally see myself coming back here - maybe not as much as I'd like because of the price points, but definitely a great special-occasion establishment!
(4)Amy K.
Just went for our first time tonight. It was wonderful. It is small and busy but that did not detract from the meal. I had smoked chicken ravioli. It came with a delicious creamy white sauce. It was so good, and I wasn't even that hungry. My husband had a dish with red sauce and peppers and onions and agreed it was great. He ate it all. Chocolate cake for dessert ( it was my birthday after all) was dense and tasty. No real children's menu, but they can make various pasta types with sauces. My picky 10 year old gobbled hers up. The bill was reasonable at $76 for the three of us. We were seated immediately at 6 pm on a Saturday. Food came out super speedy. With two kids who would rather be at Wendy's that is appreciated! Our server asked if we had been there before and we said no. She then said she would help in any way possible to make our evening the best.
(5)Mark H.
The food of Giuseppe's is excellent but the service is a bit uppity. The antipasto and carpaccio were excellent starters that were full of flavor. The red sauce in my pasta was packed with herbs and delicious. To me, the service just felt like he was proving the prestige of the restaurant instead of providing good service. Truly not a bad restaurant but I just didn't get the attitude of the server. I had a similar experience when I called the hostess for reservations and was told of the call ahead policy and then more-or-less hung up on. It just felt amateurish at the end of the evening.
(3)Harry H.
Dear friends, Avoid this den of inequity lest you wish to suffer an intestinal calamity. I must confess I entered this establishment with high hopes, only to have those hopes dashed in a most rude way. The waiting staff was snobbish and overly judgmental in my view, as if to suggest it was beyond my means to dine there. I let that slight pass, thought clearly I haven't forgotten it. To make a long story short my wine was corked, my steak overdone, my tiramisu rancid, and my bill far too large for the quality I received. Would that I could, I would shutter this place immediately, bar the owners from opening another such establishment, and strike it from my memory forevermore. Avoid the misery, dear friends, and dine elsewhere. Sincerely, H.Hinkle
(1)Randy M.
Great food, service, and atmosphere, but that bar was phenomenal! Every drink made from scratch. I knew it was a good sign when I sat at the bar and saw the row of assorted bitters lining it. The bartenders were busy mulling fruit and assorted ingredients. The old fashion was incredible. Call a half hour before you show up and you'll beat the wait.
(5)Ashley J.
It's Italian, people. A pretty interesting spin on Italian. I guess this place is going for the old-school feel, which is cool, but it is a bit pricey for having a small menu. Their bar is awesome, but the food was not to do die for. Staff is pretty friendly and they are on point with refills and making sure everything is ok, but there is no way that this food should've cost over $35.
(2)Kathryn K.
Soooo, the bartender recommended the short ribs, which I ordered, but I'm pretty certain that what was on my plate was chuck roast. It was delicious chuck roast, but I have been eating both short ribs and pot roast for eons and I've never seen short ribs that looked like these ones. Short ribs typically don't arrive at the table as a large, unformed hunk of meat that takes up half the plate. But chuck roast does!
(3)Julie H.
The best Italian food in Ohio! What a great atmosphere and the food is to die for. I highly recommend this restaurant for fun dining!
(5)Dan P.
A friend of mine from Nationwide is from Italy so I asked where the best Italian Resturant was his immediate reply convinced me to check it out. Had the wedge salad and chicken parm not on the menu the pasta and sauce awesome. The chicken was delicious nice size and savory. I was very impressed and will definitely come back next time in town
(5)Mark H.
Good food in an upscale setting. I would not be afraid to bring friends & family from out of town, show them not everything around here is meat & potatoes. Dinging it for the small portions for a large price. I don't mind the cost, just don't make it so small. Also, the seating was a little tight during a weekend dinner. Glad everyone used Dial.
(4)Doo-Dah W.
One of my favorite places in Columbus. Pizza is my favorite in the city. The crust is light and crispy. The Da Scilia is my favorite. Bartender Sean is the best. Order once from him and he'll remember your preferences. Also, if there's not a drink on the menu that looks good to you, tell him what you're after and he'll whip up something perfect. Burrata, Seared Octopus, and Carpaccio are other stand-outs. If you've never been, go!
(5)Jason S.
Giuseppe's is the bomb! When I want authentic Italy this is the place. Giuseppe is a masterful chef and great person. He goes out of his way to make us feel at home every time we visit. He all most always takes the time to visit our table to say hi and discuss the food. The staff has always been fun and taken great care of us. The food is amazing. I love the pappardelle and homemade sauce. The antipasto's are amazing. We have friends who don't like meat and Giuseppe created two special antipasto plates so there was no meat touching anything on one of them. My wife usually gets the seafood and has never been disappointed. Great bar as well. The bartender turned me on to my favorite summer cocktail, The Negroni. So good! We love sitting on the patio after dinner to have expresso and desert.
(5)Adi E.
I love the atmosphere. You feel like you're in a big city. The food is just ok. My second time here and just not impressed. Better this time than last. I had pepperoni pizza as appetizer. Pretty good but crust too thick. Then Mediterranean salad (really liked!). For my entree had gnocchi with chicken/olives/capers in a red sauce. I wasn't expecting a ragout and was disappointed. Chicken tasted old. My husband had spicy shrimp linguine in a cognac cream sauce. His was just ok. I like that they source locally and use free range chicken. Previous visit: I had veal Marsala sub veal for chicken and it tasted more like a beef stew flavor. Was very disappointed. I will go back for salad and soup and the atmosphere. Won't order an entree.
(3)Nikki C.
My husband took me here for dinner on my birthday. I love pizza and this place had great reviews. We were both very unsatisfied and highly disappointed with the pizza. Thin, flimsy and not much taste or toppings and $18.00. The service was just ok. They seemed to be much more focused on their regulars. The seating is tight, they have crammed as many seats and tables in as possible. The people watching was the best part of our dining experience.
(2)Markus B.
I went to Giuseppe's Ritrovo based on the comments here. Well, to me it is just another Italian restaurant. Solid dishes but nothing spectacular. The insalata caprese was nice but why dont you use fresh buffalo mozarella on it? If you serve the bread, you have to servce olive oil as well to swap the bread in it. The spaghetti amici was ok, I just missed the typical Italian seasonings and herbs in it. So, overall, if you want to eat Italian, it is a good location with a nice atmosphere but if you want to taste authentic Italian kitchen, look elsewhere.
(3)Giovanna A.
Giuseppe's is my favorite place for business lunches and dinners, probably have been there at least ten times, great service each and every time. By great service I don't mean having a particularly entertaining waiter or bartender, but the unintrusive type of service where there is not a lot of interaction with the server other than when initially placing the order, maybe asking a few questions about menu items, such as getting a dinner item in a lunch portion, etc. but always having refills and everything you need without having to ask and/or without much interruption to the conversation. I read some of the other reviews and was a little surprised by some of the vibe issues, the Bexley elite judgement issues. I say a little because I am somewhat oblivious so it is quite possible that it's there and I just never noticed. I frankly have never asked myself what folks at other tables thought of me or of anything for that matter, so if anyone ever expended any energy giving me the evil eye there it must have been a pretty frustrating effort on their part. If I had noticed such a thing I probably would find it quite amusing! As far as food goes, everything I have tried here was delicious, my favorites being the beet salad, the spinach salad with pignoli nuts, gamberi diavola (spicy!), and last but not least, probably my favorite gnocchi in the city, which is made to order with any sauce you choose. The wine list is fantastic, as are their cocktails. Other huge pluses for Giuseppe's: they locally source, their chicken is free range, almost anything on the menu can be requested as gluten free, and there are plenty of choices for our vegetarian friends, making it a great choice for an eclectic group. They have a small but really nice patio, inside the acoustics are perfect, even when packed I have never found it to be loud. I will go back many times, I am sure, and highly recommend trying it or trying it again!
(5)C M.
Great place. They couldn't have been nicer and the food was outstanding. Ravioli's delicious -pizza fab! Worth it !
(5)David L.
Went here on a recommendation. Food was relatively OK however the attentiveness of the bartender waitstaff and hostess was borderline rude across the board. Bartender too busy playing music to care about empty customer glasses and hostess nowhere to be found half the time. Decent food but would recommend morettis if you want a more personalized experience.
(2)John B.
Visiting daughter in Bexley and we finally got around to dining here. Sat evening with three adults and a 6yo. Be sure to call ahead. Service was prompt and waiter was knowledgeable. Took drink order, salads and then main course. Must try the Three Cheese Ravioli!! Fantastic. Wife had asparagus ravioli which was excellent. Daughter had penne with smoked salmon in a vodka sauce. Another plate of excellence. All meals served piping hot. Only thing from 5 stars, wait for dinner to be served. Not overwhelmingly busy but a tad long in serving. But will be sure to visit again.
(4)Keida M.
Another incredible evening at Giuseppe's! Of special note, while my friend and I were at the bar before being sat at our table, I happened to notice that Sean (the aforementioned fab and handy bartender) is ALSO handsome! And watch out ladies, he has an even raspier voice than the Trivago guy! ~~~~~ So I have seen a few reviews on here complaining about it seeming like a party at Giuseppe's that they aren't a part of. I won't presume to know the circumstances of these peoples experiences, but I will relate mine: I am pretty much known by the second or third time I frequent anywhere, especially a special place like Giuseppe's. The main reason is because I make an effort to get to know everyone that comes up to me on the first time of my visit. I ask their name, about what they do in their free time, their families, etc. I am a curious person, and show interest in their lives. When I walk out my door, I don't look at people as my help, because at the end of the day, we are all someones help. And when I return to a place, I ask them about their lives, in detail. And this goes from the owner to the busboy. Everyone is important to me. In all, I am saying that one must make an effort first. If I want instant affirmation, I will go to Panera down the street, or to a Ground Round. Or a Foot Locker for that matter. I am used to living in cities where the best clubs and restaurants make you work a little to get the secret handshake. We have a culture here in Cbus that needs to be shed. It's the assumption that you are a winner, just for showing up. It's a really shallow expectation. We don't make relationships in 5 minutes. I hate to break the news, but the gal serving you at Panera doesn't give a shit about you. She cares about her $7.25/hr job and not getting fired by a manager who insists on her smiling and over-greeting everyone who walks in the door, because Panera wants to move rolls. It's not about relationships, it's about rolls. Giuseppe's is a different kind of place. Giuseppe is creating a space for fostering relationships, set upon the tapestry of his love of food and fellowship. If you want to feel like you are part of the family at Giuseppe's (or anywhere else including Panera), be patient, be curious, and be persistent. It's worth the effort, believe me.
(5)Bryant M.
I've been in Bexley for over two years and *finally* checked this place out! Some friends and I were looking for a night cap and dessert late on a Saturday night, and Giuseppe's popped right up on the Yelp app. The bartender stopped us as we entered let us know that only the bar was open, so we headed over to the bar and cozied in. The bartender was fantastic. He was a wonderful balance of nice and sarcastic. The drinks were all good, and most of us liked our desserts. By most, I mean everyone but me. I ordered the gluten-free chocolate cake, and it was fine... just not great. But kudos for having a GF dessert! I think my biggest issue with Giuseppe's is actually pretty hard to articulate. The whole place just seems very clique-y and like a cool kids club... and I was *not* one of the cool kids. I know this might not make any sense, but all four of us felt like this! Nobody was rude to us, but we definitely got the feeling that we didn't belong. I'm not gonna let this stop me from going back to try dinner though! Every place deserves a second chance.
(3)Nick S.
Late on a Sunday night in August. SEVEN WORDS: Classy, Refined, Formally Casual, Northern Italian, Expensive. The Ambiance and Atmosphere are both stunning - You pass through a small patio which bustles with the intimate conversation between waiters and two-tops. Inside, it's a busy bistro with bussers skirting through a maze of tightly packed tables and conversation is boisterous yet not painful. We were quickly seated and served. I ordered the Carbonara on wheat pasta while my partner ordered eggplant in a red sauce. Our meals took a little long to arrive (20-25 minutes) . Although the wait was a little long (esp. for a small bistro), the food was very, very good. The pasta was a little overcooked *based on high standards), but both dishes were 4.5 on a five-scale. However.... The bill came (without appetizers or alcohol of any kind) and it was 42 dollars. Our server was pretty good, so we gave her the cusomary 8 USD / 19% tip and we were on our way. Would I return again? Sure, if I'm going to a Drexel movie and don't have the time for Olive Garden and am not in the mood for TAT's Home-Style / Great Value Brand of Italian.
(3)S F.
My favorite Italian restaurant in Cbus, mainly due to their fantastic red sauce. I've been ~5-10x/year the past 5 years and have never had a bad experience. Very good price as well for a quality meal experience. Service is always professional, albeit slow when they're packed but that's expected to a degree. I am never in a rush here, as eating is more of an event rather than a quick dinner. My wife and I typically spend a couple hours minimum. She is Italian herself, and is one of her favorite places to go. Salads have always been fresh. Main courses always terrific. Pizza is fantastic with a crisp crust and plentiful toppings. Grab some grappa to finish the eve :) Highly recommended on all fronts!
(5)T K.
Hands down one of the best little "hidden gems" in Columbus (if not ohio). Service, atmosphere, foooood & libations are second to none. You are doing yourself a disservice by not going. Giuseppe is truly one of a kind and is insanely passionate. Just. Go.
(5)Nancy P.
We just spent a lovely evening having dinner at Giuseppi's. It was delightful eating outside and having meals that were well-prepared and wonderfully presented. We had a reservation and we were seated immediately upon arrival. Throughout the evening the waitstaff was concerned about our welfare and satisfaction with the meal. One diners meal was too peppery and When the waitstaff was told about it they had the dish remade and it was we presented quickly. We definitely will return soon and bring our friends.
(4)Shy E.
Love this place The Ambiance , the Food It's like your (Italian) mother's cooking Highly recommended any time And especially when it's a live music night
(5)Brian B.
Always a great experience in both food and beverage. Not a place to go for craft beer, but nice wine selection and fabulous cocktail program.
(5)Chrissy F.
everything is delicious ... i haven't had a cocktail i didn't love, a server who wasn't insanely attentive or a dish i didn't clean my plate with. if you're lucky enough to be there on osso buco special night -- NOTHING can compare. can't get enough!
(5)Brian L.
We walked in on a Thursday evening without a reservation, and they were able to seat us right away. I ordered the Classic Caesar Salad, which was unfortunately not that classic or Caesar--the dressing was lacking and the leaves didn't seem fresh. The presentation was nice though. For my entree, I had the Terra Pizza which looks rather large but is actually manageable since it's thin crust. If you come with a large appetite, you'll be able to finish. While a little dry, it was overall pretty satisfying. I haven't had much luck with pizza in general (they all seem severely lacking in marinara sauce), so maybe I'm just going through a life change in terms of my taste buds. Service was fantastic, and the ambiance is nice. The walls features French artwork by Lorenzo, which is described somewhere on his website ( lorenzo-eroticolor.com ) as an "attempt to rewrite a mythology of the XXth century situated somewhere between Hollywood's Golden Age, Sexploitation and Pop Art." I think that's the most apt description. Anyway, I'd like to give it another chance, but I'll probably try something different next time.
(3)Brandon A.
I had heard negative things from a friend but my wife and I decided to check it out anyway. From the start, we received condescending looks from the patrons and staff. It was apparent rather quickly that we didn't belong in that establishment. Our waitress proceeded to watch the World Cup instead of taking our orders. The food wasn't bad but also wasn't anything memorable. It gave us both indigestion.
(2)Jeff G.
When my kids were growing up, I always told them to at least try things before saying they didn't like them, so it was in that spirit that I have tried Giuseppe's a total of 4 times now and each time have left mostly disappointed. I live in Bexley, as do many of my friends and it would be great to frequent this place because it's so close, but honestly the last time I was there with two of my friends, one of my friends who had ordered the same thing as me leaned over and said, "Does this sauce remind you of..." "Chef Boyardee?" I asked. "Yes!" was his reply. Ok, they have good wines and the service is good. Maybe a place to hang out? Possibly, if you don't mind the condescending stares of the Bexley "elite" as they size you up and try to determine if you belong. Hey, I gave it a shot! 4 shots, in fact. From now on, I think I'll pass.
(2)Ashley C.
I enjoyed a lunch at Giuseppe's with three co-workers. We were seated right away and enjoyed excellent service throughout our lunch. My water and coffee were never empty. I ordered the spinach lasagna and it was excellent. My co-worker ordered the meat lasagna and tried them both. She preferred the spinach lasagna. My only caution is the lunch-sized raviolis. You only get four raviolis! That's hardly enough. The lunch prices were reasonable and the food and service was excellent. I would highly recommend Giusepe's Ritrovo. Now, I want to go back for dinner!
(4)Anne F.
Food was good - super small portions. I got 4 chicken ravioli for not a cheap price. Also weird hours. Would not return.
(2)Mad G.
Wow. A reservation made a month in advance still isn't enough to get yourself into this ridiculous establishment. Our large party had a reservation for 7pm. We showed up at 7:02 and were told there were no tables available. Then we were told that another large party showed up "on time" and were therefore seated before us. We were also told that if we hadn't been late that our table would have been ready. Call me crazy, but as far as I know, most restaurants will take reservations up to 10-15 minutes past the selected time. Finally, this extremely rude "hostess" told us plainly that we "could stay or go." The choice we were so generously offered was obvious. It's too bad we are forced to review this place with 1 star.
(1)Andy B.
Excellent ambience, excellent food, great wine selection. Family owned and indicative of it in terms of a close knit feel to the service and aura. The diablo sauce is fantastic and any dish could be asked to make it with that sauce upon request to the chef/owner. The lamb chops are a must , as is the lobster ravioli. Yes, sometimes they are extremely busy on weekends and it is tough to get in or get 'top notch service', but that's because they are so good! and...still they try their hardest. Recommend instead going on a M-T-W and chatting with the chef, asking for some off-menu items and truly enjoying what they have to offer.
(5)A T.
Based upon several visits for both lunch and dinner, I think the food is generally good, but the service is the most listless and disinterested that I've experienced in Columbus. This has been an issue almost every time that I've been here, so not attributable to a specific server. There is better Italian and much better service at many other places in Columbus.
(2)Ben L.
I really enjoyed this place. I lived in NYC for 5 years, and this place definitely reminded me of a higher end family owned Italian restaurants in NY... Soho specifically. Not overly design/contemporary but "high end" materials, etc. throughout. Food was fantastic and menu was unique and diverse. You could definitely tell that the chef was hands on with it's creation as everything had a nice twist to it. The Bruschetta was some of the best I have ever had... second maybe only to my mothers (and that is saying a lot). Why am I only giving it a 4?... Service was above average but not great. The host was disinterested in my wife and I walking in, and (to no fault of their own), there was noisy road work/construction going on right outside their door. We will definitely be returning.
(4)Carol C.
I really like this place. Reminds me of an Italian eatery in New York--and that is saying a LOT for Columbus. GREAT, the BEST beet salad. They have some great drinks. Delicious sauce and creative dishes... Small place, the service is touch and go, sometimes great, sometimes I feel like I'm putting somebody out--but not enough to stop us from going, since the food is quite good. I would and have recommended AND taken out-of-town guests here. Fun!
(4)Corey T.
For the cost, this was the most boring and plain dish I've ever had. I got the lamb shank, and it was just meat drenched in what tasted like the cafeteria gravy you got on your meatloaf in highschool. Will not return until I see the reviews get considerably better.
(2)Meg K.
This place had been talked up quite a bit, so I was excited to take my man here for his birthday. The staff and service were very kind if not overworked (there were several long waits for things like drink orders/getting the check) but that is certainly not their fault, that's a management issue. Our server was more than adequate and our cocktails were good. We ordered two pasta dishes- the smoked chicken ravioli and the fettucine gastrove. The fettucine smelled exactly like a Lean Cuisine, which I tried to put out of my head. The flavor was just blah- the vegetables were indistinguishable from one another and the sauce could have come out of a jar. It had an inconsistent texture and was tossed with overcooked chicken and some basil and garlic. I will say that the pasta was perfectly cooked. The smoked chicken ravioli was just too sweet for me, though I don't have much experience with smoked meat so I don't know if it tends to be sweeter or if this was due to this particular recipe. For dessert, we shared a tartufo chicolate which I thought was just fine, and the birthday boy really liked. It has zabaglione cream, gelato, and is dusted with cocoa powder, so there are a lot of different flavors and textures. Presentation is nice and simple. Overall, I'm glad we tried this place but we won't be back- it's just too much money for unexciting and inconsistent food.
(2)Prashant V.
We had a reservation for a table of 9 at 7. After parking, we walked in at 7.02. Instead of seating us, they gave the table to someone else. Apology? No. The miserable lady at the front of house said "you can stay or you can go". No apology, no accommodation. If you want to be treated like crap before being seated, waste your money and time here. Otherwise, walk up and down the street for many more options, where I'm sure your business will be welcome.
(1)Brian L.
We walked in on a Thursday evening without a reservation, and they were able to seat us right away. I ordered the Classic Caesar Salad, which was unfortunately not that classic or Caesar--the dressing was lacking and the leaves didn't seem fresh. The presentation was nice though. For my entree, I had the Terra Pizza which looks rather large but is actually manageable since it's thin crust. If you come with a large appetite, you'll be able to finish. While a little dry, it was overall pretty satisfying. I haven't had much luck with pizza in general (they all seem severely lacking in marinara sauce), so maybe I'm just going through a life change in terms of my taste buds. Service was fantastic, and the ambiance is nice. The walls features French artwork by Lorenzo, which is described somewhere on his website ( lorenzo-eroticolor.com ) as an "attempt to rewrite a mythology of the XXth century situated somewhere between Hollywood's Golden Age, Sexploitation and Pop Art." I think that's the most apt description. Anyway, I'd like to give it another chance, but I'll probably try something different next time.
(3)Brandon A.
I had heard negative things from a friend but my wife and I decided to check it out anyway. From the start, we received condescending looks from the patrons and staff. It was apparent rather quickly that we didn't belong in that establishment. Our waitress proceeded to watch the World Cup instead of taking our orders. The food wasn't bad but also wasn't anything memorable. It gave us both indigestion.
(2)Jeff G.
When my kids were growing up, I always told them to at least try things before saying they didn't like them, so it was in that spirit that I have tried Giuseppe's a total of 4 times now and each time have left mostly disappointed. I live in Bexley, as do many of my friends and it would be great to frequent this place because it's so close, but honestly the last time I was there with two of my friends, one of my friends who had ordered the same thing as me leaned over and said, "Does this sauce remind you of..." "Chef Boyardee?" I asked. "Yes!" was his reply. Ok, they have good wines and the service is good. Maybe a place to hang out? Possibly, if you don't mind the condescending stares of the Bexley "elite" as they size you up and try to determine if you belong. Hey, I gave it a shot! 4 shots, in fact. From now on, I think I'll pass.
(2)Ashley C.
I enjoyed a lunch at Giuseppe's with three co-workers. We were seated right away and enjoyed excellent service throughout our lunch. My water and coffee were never empty. I ordered the spinach lasagna and it was excellent. My co-worker ordered the meat lasagna and tried them both. She preferred the spinach lasagna. My only caution is the lunch-sized raviolis. You only get four raviolis! That's hardly enough. The lunch prices were reasonable and the food and service was excellent. I would highly recommend Giusepe's Ritrovo. Now, I want to go back for dinner!
(4)Anne F.
Food was good - super small portions. I got 4 chicken ravioli for not a cheap price. Also weird hours. Would not return.
(2)Mad G.
Wow. A reservation made a month in advance still isn't enough to get yourself into this ridiculous establishment. Our large party had a reservation for 7pm. We showed up at 7:02 and were told there were no tables available. Then we were told that another large party showed up "on time" and were therefore seated before us. We were also told that if we hadn't been late that our table would have been ready. Call me crazy, but as far as I know, most restaurants will take reservations up to 10-15 minutes past the selected time. Finally, this extremely rude "hostess" told us plainly that we "could stay or go." The choice we were so generously offered was obvious. It's too bad we are forced to review this place with 1 star.
(1)Andy B.
Excellent ambience, excellent food, great wine selection. Family owned and indicative of it in terms of a close knit feel to the service and aura. The diablo sauce is fantastic and any dish could be asked to make it with that sauce upon request to the chef/owner. The lamb chops are a must , as is the lobster ravioli. Yes, sometimes they are extremely busy on weekends and it is tough to get in or get 'top notch service', but that's because they are so good! and...still they try their hardest. Recommend instead going on a M-T-W and chatting with the chef, asking for some off-menu items and truly enjoying what they have to offer.
(5)A T.
Based upon several visits for both lunch and dinner, I think the food is generally good, but the service is the most listless and disinterested that I've experienced in Columbus. This has been an issue almost every time that I've been here, so not attributable to a specific server. There is better Italian and much better service at many other places in Columbus.
(2)Ben L.
I really enjoyed this place. I lived in NYC for 5 years, and this place definitely reminded me of a higher end family owned Italian restaurants in NY... Soho specifically. Not overly design/contemporary but "high end" materials, etc. throughout. Food was fantastic and menu was unique and diverse. You could definitely tell that the chef was hands on with it's creation as everything had a nice twist to it. The Bruschetta was some of the best I have ever had... second maybe only to my mothers (and that is saying a lot). Why am I only giving it a 4?... Service was above average but not great. The host was disinterested in my wife and I walking in, and (to no fault of their own), there was noisy road work/construction going on right outside their door. We will definitely be returning.
(4)Carol C.
I really like this place. Reminds me of an Italian eatery in New York--and that is saying a LOT for Columbus. GREAT, the BEST beet salad. They have some great drinks. Delicious sauce and creative dishes... Small place, the service is touch and go, sometimes great, sometimes I feel like I'm putting somebody out--but not enough to stop us from going, since the food is quite good. I would and have recommended AND taken out-of-town guests here. Fun!
(4)Corey T.
For the cost, this was the most boring and plain dish I've ever had. I got the lamb shank, and it was just meat drenched in what tasted like the cafeteria gravy you got on your meatloaf in highschool. Will not return until I see the reviews get considerably better.
(2)