Very good experience. Food and service were downtown quality. Applied Groupon credit even though there were just 2 of us and not the 4 required.
(4)
Holly L.
Came here on some non major holiday with a living social coupon. No where in sight did it mention that it could not be used on holidays. Needless to say I was not able to use my discount. That was nerve racking. It was a slow night but still seemed understaffed. The server was friendly enough and gave some suggestions although there wasn't too much that jumped out at me. The food was nothing spectacular. Way too many other places to try to bother coming back. It's a shame too, I live right down the road.
(2)
J R.
Stopped in here this past weekend for breakfast...the place was a bit under staffed. The staff they had was unfriendly at best! Food was served to us luke warm to cold...bacon was all stuck together on the plate....obviously it had been laying around for awhile for sure!! Had to wait for coffee as they had run out of cups......place was not even close to capacity with 4 tables around us empty. How do you run out of coffee cups??? When they found a cup and finally gave us coffee we should have ran it through a strainer first as there were more coffee grounds in the cup than coffee!! This was our 2nd bad experience at this restaurant...the first was take out for dinner and we chalked that up to maybe the experience would be better "in".....WRONG!! There won't be a third attempt. It's no Isabella's!!!!
(1)
Mal Z.
Went there with a Living Social coupon. Great place! Definitely fine dining but the atmosphere is very relaxed, not stuffy at all. Service was top notch- very friendly waiter. I had the delicious lobster ravioli and my husband had the salmon, which was great! We will definitely be back!
(5)
Mary J.
An uncomfortable experience, food was great but the waiter was blaming the kitchen for mistakes and spilling water on patrons. Perhaps Saturdays bring out the very loudest customers but it is unpleasant when you cannot hear your dinner companion speaking clearly. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary and hoped for our usual great experience but now am sadly contemplating a long absence.
From a gluten-free perspective: Unless I'm totally crazy and remembering incorrectly, I spoke to someone who I think is the owner, about a month before coming here about their gluten-free menu and whether or not they use separate utensils and preparation area for cooking their gluten-free items. I was assured that they do. I went here for my boyfriend's birthday and ordered a gluten-free pasta dish after asking if they use separate pots/water to cook the pasta with. The food was pretty good and it was actually my first time having gluten-free pasta out. The waitress was very nice, also. My boyfriend loved his meal. I, however, still got quite sick. I can tell when it's from gluten because it lasts for a long time. I don't know how my would have gotten cross-contaminated with gluten, but anyone with Celiac disease can tell you how a miniscule amount of gluten can make them sick for a week or more. Using the same utensils, colander, etc. are all sources of cross-contamination and maybe that happened here. In any case, I was disappointed by that and it makes me nervous to go back. They get three-stars though for the food in general, the amount of gluten-free options and the service.
Good food waitress was excellent the only negative was the desert besides that I will be back
(4)
Michele C.
I am not sure what the deal is with these recent negative reviews, but let me be clear - this restaurant is top notch. From the moment of your arrival, you are warmly welcomed by the owner himself and your patronage is sincerely valued. The servers at La Cucina are second to none; Paulie and Marissa in particular have made us feel like old friends since the first time we met. Honestly, the entire staff strives to make your visit a memorable event. The food is absolutely phenomenal! My husband raves about the Veal Parmesan, while I am inclined to indulge in the fabulous Beef Wellington - seriously, where can you find that on the menu everyday? With all of the dining options in RI, this is truely our favorite spot - the drinks are generous, the food is wonderful and the staff is second to none. If you are looking for a chain restaurant or cheap eats - this is not the place for you. However, if you are looking for a new place where you can relax and enjoy a fine Italian meal cooked to perfection you're going to love La Cucina.
(5)
Joe P.
Great dinning experience, Amanda our waitress was also great! The portions are large and the selections varied. The specials are also varied are are changed often. We always enjoy dining here.
(5)
Christine D.
La Cucina is a hidden diamond. Although it is open for breakfast, lunch ,and dinner, this reviewer has only experienced the dinners - with at least a dozen visits. The owner Karim, is always there to greet the dinner guests and aims to please throughout the evening The atmosphere is romantic, with food that can only be deemed as excellent. To start, their delicious pasta fagioli is a thoroughly filling and hearty soup that can easily become a major part of the meal. My husband and I have tried many different entrees and all have been most pleasing. Our favorite is the Pork Osso Buco which is tender, huge, and flavorful along with the risotto that is served with it. The bar is always teaming with people who are enjoying dinners as well as small plates and are chatting with each other. The friendliness and warmth make one want to return as often as possible. Various types of entertainment are also available on specific nights - our pick is Thursday night to listen to singer and entertainer, Tony Cerbo. Dining at LaCucina is a relaxing, pleasing experience. Don't miss it!!
(5)
Ace D.
I can't comment on the lunch or dinner, but i've been here multiple times for breakfast and the food is always great. good sized plate of food for a great price. service is always on point. the atmosphere is very homey.
(4)
Christie C.
Our first trip was for breakfast on a Friday morning. The food was fantastic. We opted for eggs with grilled English muffins and hash browns. Seasoned and cooked perfectly, we will be back.
(5)
Paul B.
We went here for a family dinner on a recent weekend. We were very impressed with La Cucina. It is my understanding that this restaurant opened in May. I think that things are off to a good start. Most of us sampled a variety of veal dishes. I went for the Saltimboca which was fabulous. The veal was buttery and tender and the prosciutto was a nice salty complement. My wife loved the Veal Sorentina, veal layered with ricotta and eggplant. My brother's Marsala was excellent, and mom's veal rolled with mozzarella and mushrooms was also a big hit. The sauces on all of the meals were terrific. It was a sad moment when my dish went empty. The waitstaff was knowledgeable and friendly. The owner was present and was touring the dining room surveying his customers. The only knocks keeping me from giving 5 starts is that the veggies were cool, at least on my dish. It also seemed to take longer then I wished for the food to come to the table....but hey, I was hungry. We will definitely be back.
(4)
Randy L.
My wife and I went for breakfast, the food was good but the service made it down right horrible. All we wanted was more napkins and a glass of water, the waitress couldn't be bothered. She not once asked how was everything!!
(2)
Sharon B.
La Cucina has become one of our very favorite restaurants in the northern RI area (and in general). Often, we come here once a week for dinner. We are always greeted warmly by Karim, the owner, and Julie the bartender and have become friends with both. They are exceptionally hospital, warm, and accomodating to their guests. I observe this in them ( and the waitstaff I have observed) with all patrons and not just "regulars" like ourselves. We always sit at the bar and have had so many lively and lovely conversations with the other bar patrons, as well as enjoy live entertainment on many nights. The food is amazing, with Hudson in the kitchen serving up nightly specials to compliment the already wide array of plates on the menu. Calamari with two dipping sauces and Clams Casino are always a favorite appetizer, although we will mix it up with Hudson's specials as well: mushroom polenta, shrimp bruschetta, the most amazing snail salad I have ever had - tender and sweet. Perfect. Try the Osso Bucco, the Chicken a la Hudson, the crispy duck, the braised sirloin, the salmon w/ shrimp in a cream sauce, any of the pastas.... really, everything. And enjoy :)
(5)
Jonny B.
me & my s-daughter was driving to dinner at chelos, while sitting at the red light we saw la cucina, so we figured we try it, we walked in and was told they was closed for a party, we was about to walk out and the owner walked over & said it was fine. well i am very picky when it comes to food, everything was excellent, we started off with the bacon wrapped scallops & mozzarella triangles, best mozz. tri ever, dinner was great too, chicken marsala & penne vodka, prices are fair too, i would def. go back.
(5)
Pablo S.
one star lost for how many times the servers bumped my chair. otherwise, phenomenal. drinks were tempered in their severity by the server's willingness to accommodate individual preference. absolutely professional and helpful service all around. friendly and comfortable, this place really measured up as a restaurant i'll be happy to give repeat business. the osso bucco special was fucking heavenly. i had to step back for a minute to avoid spontaneous orgasm. my girlfriend's swordfish had it's high and low points, but my experience was one of pure edible bliss. perfect al dente asparagus and a forceful, bold risotto accompanied my 'fall off the bone' shank. i literally paused between bites to 'rachael ray' over every mouthful. not the most economical meal i've eaten, but well worth the price for the outstanding execution and brilliant service.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes 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.
Lee B.
Very good experience. Food and service were downtown quality. Applied Groupon credit even though there were just 2 of us and not the 4 required.
(4)Holly L.
Came here on some non major holiday with a living social coupon. No where in sight did it mention that it could not be used on holidays. Needless to say I was not able to use my discount. That was nerve racking. It was a slow night but still seemed understaffed. The server was friendly enough and gave some suggestions although there wasn't too much that jumped out at me. The food was nothing spectacular. Way too many other places to try to bother coming back. It's a shame too, I live right down the road.
(2)J R.
Stopped in here this past weekend for breakfast...the place was a bit under staffed. The staff they had was unfriendly at best! Food was served to us luke warm to cold...bacon was all stuck together on the plate....obviously it had been laying around for awhile for sure!! Had to wait for coffee as they had run out of cups......place was not even close to capacity with 4 tables around us empty. How do you run out of coffee cups??? When they found a cup and finally gave us coffee we should have ran it through a strainer first as there were more coffee grounds in the cup than coffee!! This was our 2nd bad experience at this restaurant...the first was take out for dinner and we chalked that up to maybe the experience would be better "in".....WRONG!! There won't be a third attempt. It's no Isabella's!!!!
(1)Mal Z.
Went there with a Living Social coupon. Great place! Definitely fine dining but the atmosphere is very relaxed, not stuffy at all. Service was top notch- very friendly waiter. I had the delicious lobster ravioli and my husband had the salmon, which was great! We will definitely be back!
(5)Mary J.
An uncomfortable experience, food was great but the waiter was blaming the kitchen for mistakes and spilling water on patrons. Perhaps Saturdays bring out the very loudest customers but it is unpleasant when you cannot hear your dinner companion speaking clearly. We were celebrating our wedding anniversary and hoped for our usual great experience but now am sadly contemplating a long absence.
(3)Jessica S.
I was here with a friend for lunch. The décor is pretty nice, though the parrot statue in the corner is a tad odd. Our server was very nice. We arrived at 1pm. The lunch options were lacking. There were 2 pages of breakfast and 1 page of lunch stuff with minimal, so so options. Why do both the alfredo and bolognese come with spaghetti instead of the usual noodles that go with them? We both got ceasar salads and we shared a penne ala vodka. They were nice about separating the pancetta and hot peppers and putting it only on my half in a separate bowl since my friend does not eat them, though they forgot to put the spinach in hers. The pancetta and peppers were a nice touch but we both found the vodka sauce very bland. I did not love the ceasar dressing also, and my coffee was weak. I hate to be so harsh because the woman was very nice but the food just wasn't that great. The three stars is for the décor and the service. The website also really needs some work. No hours listed, the lunch tab is there but is empty. I assumed maybe it was the same as the dinner menu and planned accordingly but apparently it is not. It tells you to like their facebook page for specials and when you click on it there is no actual facebook page. The About Us page has no actual story on it, same with the La Cucina dinner tab. They show a picture of pizza, which they don't even offer according to the online menu. very weird and not very professional site.
(3)Amanda M.
From a gluten-free perspective: Unless I'm totally crazy and remembering incorrectly, I spoke to someone who I think is the owner, about a month before coming here about their gluten-free menu and whether or not they use separate utensils and preparation area for cooking their gluten-free items. I was assured that they do. I went here for my boyfriend's birthday and ordered a gluten-free pasta dish after asking if they use separate pots/water to cook the pasta with. The food was pretty good and it was actually my first time having gluten-free pasta out. The waitress was very nice, also. My boyfriend loved his meal. I, however, still got quite sick. I can tell when it's from gluten because it lasts for a long time. I don't know how my would have gotten cross-contaminated with gluten, but anyone with Celiac disease can tell you how a miniscule amount of gluten can make them sick for a week or more. Using the same utensils, colander, etc. are all sources of cross-contamination and maybe that happened here. In any case, I was disappointed by that and it makes me nervous to go back. They get three-stars though for the food in general, the amount of gluten-free options and the service.
(3)Johanna R.
We bought a Groupon to La Cucina. The food was good, but the waiter and manager on duty that night gave us an awful time about our Groupon. To make a long story short, we inadvertently bought one for 4 people, and we were only two. And instead of finding a quick resolution to this, the staff scorned and scolded us in front of other patrons about it. They basically said the appetizer, alcohol beverages, entrée, and dessert we had that night were not enough for us to use the Groupon, and they made us feel like we were asking for a hand out. This was my birthday dinner and it ended super unpleasantly. I was so embarrassed! I sure didn't sign up for this and unfortunately, got more than I bargained for.
(1)JOHN P.
Good food waitress was excellent the only negative was the desert besides that I will be back
(4)Michele C.
I am not sure what the deal is with these recent negative reviews, but let me be clear - this restaurant is top notch. From the moment of your arrival, you are warmly welcomed by the owner himself and your patronage is sincerely valued. The servers at La Cucina are second to none; Paulie and Marissa in particular have made us feel like old friends since the first time we met. Honestly, the entire staff strives to make your visit a memorable event. The food is absolutely phenomenal! My husband raves about the Veal Parmesan, while I am inclined to indulge in the fabulous Beef Wellington - seriously, where can you find that on the menu everyday? With all of the dining options in RI, this is truely our favorite spot - the drinks are generous, the food is wonderful and the staff is second to none. If you are looking for a chain restaurant or cheap eats - this is not the place for you. However, if you are looking for a new place where you can relax and enjoy a fine Italian meal cooked to perfection you're going to love La Cucina.
(5)Joe P.
Great dinning experience, Amanda our waitress was also great! The portions are large and the selections varied. The specials are also varied are are changed often. We always enjoy dining here.
(5)Christine D.
La Cucina is a hidden diamond. Although it is open for breakfast, lunch ,and dinner, this reviewer has only experienced the dinners - with at least a dozen visits. The owner Karim, is always there to greet the dinner guests and aims to please throughout the evening The atmosphere is romantic, with food that can only be deemed as excellent. To start, their delicious pasta fagioli is a thoroughly filling and hearty soup that can easily become a major part of the meal. My husband and I have tried many different entrees and all have been most pleasing. Our favorite is the Pork Osso Buco which is tender, huge, and flavorful along with the risotto that is served with it. The bar is always teaming with people who are enjoying dinners as well as small plates and are chatting with each other. The friendliness and warmth make one want to return as often as possible. Various types of entertainment are also available on specific nights - our pick is Thursday night to listen to singer and entertainer, Tony Cerbo. Dining at LaCucina is a relaxing, pleasing experience. Don't miss it!!
(5)Ace D.
I can't comment on the lunch or dinner, but i've been here multiple times for breakfast and the food is always great. good sized plate of food for a great price. service is always on point. the atmosphere is very homey.
(4)Christie C.
Our first trip was for breakfast on a Friday morning. The food was fantastic. We opted for eggs with grilled English muffins and hash browns. Seasoned and cooked perfectly, we will be back.
(5)Paul B.
We went here for a family dinner on a recent weekend. We were very impressed with La Cucina. It is my understanding that this restaurant opened in May. I think that things are off to a good start. Most of us sampled a variety of veal dishes. I went for the Saltimboca which was fabulous. The veal was buttery and tender and the prosciutto was a nice salty complement. My wife loved the Veal Sorentina, veal layered with ricotta and eggplant. My brother's Marsala was excellent, and mom's veal rolled with mozzarella and mushrooms was also a big hit. The sauces on all of the meals were terrific. It was a sad moment when my dish went empty. The waitstaff was knowledgeable and friendly. The owner was present and was touring the dining room surveying his customers. The only knocks keeping me from giving 5 starts is that the veggies were cool, at least on my dish. It also seemed to take longer then I wished for the food to come to the table....but hey, I was hungry. We will definitely be back.
(4)Randy L.
My wife and I went for breakfast, the food was good but the service made it down right horrible. All we wanted was more napkins and a glass of water, the waitress couldn't be bothered. She not once asked how was everything!!
(2)Sharon B.
La Cucina has become one of our very favorite restaurants in the northern RI area (and in general). Often, we come here once a week for dinner. We are always greeted warmly by Karim, the owner, and Julie the bartender and have become friends with both. They are exceptionally hospital, warm, and accomodating to their guests. I observe this in them ( and the waitstaff I have observed) with all patrons and not just "regulars" like ourselves. We always sit at the bar and have had so many lively and lovely conversations with the other bar patrons, as well as enjoy live entertainment on many nights. The food is amazing, with Hudson in the kitchen serving up nightly specials to compliment the already wide array of plates on the menu. Calamari with two dipping sauces and Clams Casino are always a favorite appetizer, although we will mix it up with Hudson's specials as well: mushroom polenta, shrimp bruschetta, the most amazing snail salad I have ever had - tender and sweet. Perfect. Try the Osso Bucco, the Chicken a la Hudson, the crispy duck, the braised sirloin, the salmon w/ shrimp in a cream sauce, any of the pastas.... really, everything. And enjoy :)
(5)Jonny B.
me & my s-daughter was driving to dinner at chelos, while sitting at the red light we saw la cucina, so we figured we try it, we walked in and was told they was closed for a party, we was about to walk out and the owner walked over & said it was fine. well i am very picky when it comes to food, everything was excellent, we started off with the bacon wrapped scallops & mozzarella triangles, best mozz. tri ever, dinner was great too, chicken marsala & penne vodka, prices are fair too, i would def. go back.
(5)Pablo S.
one star lost for how many times the servers bumped my chair. otherwise, phenomenal. drinks were tempered in their severity by the server's willingness to accommodate individual preference. absolutely professional and helpful service all around. friendly and comfortable, this place really measured up as a restaurant i'll be happy to give repeat business. the osso bucco special was fucking heavenly. i had to step back for a minute to avoid spontaneous orgasm. my girlfriend's swordfish had it's high and low points, but my experience was one of pure edible bliss. perfect al dente asparagus and a forceful, bold risotto accompanied my 'fall off the bone' shank. i literally paused between bites to 'rachael ray' over every mouthful. not the most economical meal i've eaten, but well worth the price for the outstanding execution and brilliant service.
(4)