Kokopelli Winery & Bistro

I used to think the Spaghetti Co. was the worst insult ever thrown at food...then I went to Kokopelli.\r bad food\r bad service\r disgusting wine\r The ""lasagna"" was a cold brick of unmelted cheese and some kind of artificial noodles. The ""gravy"" seemed canned. The fish..salmon..was undercooked..frozen..not fresh. \r An Italian joint with no bread, olive oil, butter, salt, or pepper on the table.\r Complaining to the so-called manager got us an indifferent stare. The waiter didn't know squat. all in all one of the worst experiences ever. I happen to collect wine and know something about it. I can tell you, there is NO such thing as a good AZ wine...forget it!\r These people should be ridden out of town on a rail. If it were not for tourists and native Arizonans (they don't know squat about good food) this place would sink.\r Ironically, the excellent sushi restaurant right next to Koko went out of biz.\r Anyone giving this place a positive rating has probably been brought up on bread and water..or is one of the owners.\r STAY AWAY!!!\r \r Ben,\r Chandler more

My wife and 3 family relatives dined here tonight. We sat ouside by the heaters where we were aware live entertainment was provided. 3 of us ordered the ""Grandma Jo's lasagna"" on the basis of our waiter's recommendation that it was like a ""slice of heaven"" The other entrees were the salmon while my wife had the penne pesto. The time to wait for a waiter to take our drink orders, take our meal orders, and any follow up were completely absurd and disrespectful. By the time 4 of us had nearly completed our meals, my wife's penne pesto finally arrived after 2 requests for service. \r \r By the way, NO Italian bread, olive oil or butter EVER placed on the table up front EVEN when we requested it. HELLO??? Anyone listening??\r \r Folks, I have LIVED and WORKED in Italian restaurants in NYC, grown up in Italian neighborhoods throughout NYC and dined up and down the boot in Italy. The preparation and the serving of food is a sacred RELIGION. It better be of high quality and the service even better.\r \r In my entire life I never have experienced a more miserable and disrespectful dining experience. The young male waiter was awful and incompetent. Requests for the manager were neglected and when she arrived, she was basically aloof. Any dignified restauranteur worth their salt would have been apologetic, provided a few discounted meals, and desserts for all. A meager dessert to ONLY my wife was mentioned. 30 minuteds later, nothing!! \r \r The ""slice of heaven"" lasagna you ask? Very poor texture, limp and served cold. Good thing my folks are dead cause if they were alive, or if this place was situated in NY, there'd be LOUD complaints. But here in Arizona, we are fed crap and are too embarrassed to say anything. If you owners were too busy to accomodate the dinner crowd cause of some festival earlier in the day, well then you need to HIRE more attendants and FAR more competent ones than what I saw tonight. As further proof.\r EVERY wine had the SAME basic floral characterless taste..from white to red they were too similar to distinguish. There is no way of knowing how this place rose to such prominence. Of course, this IS Arizona..it’s not known for its discriminating dining clientele. Just look at the popularity of Domino’s Pizza\r \r In Italian we have an old Neapolitan saying about a place like Kokopelli Winery that when you leave you know you'll never go back or recommend to anyone again: ""La Croce Nera!!"" Translation: The Black Cross!!!\r more

The food was terrible. Maybe the wine is good, just don't eat the food and if you do, make sure you're drunk and a garbage can is within reach. Pros: the car is never far Cons: the food & the service more

My friend and I recently ate here with our two children. We had been walking around the shops and decided to get something to eat. It was in the later afternoon and they were not busy at all. We sat outside and the waitress acted very put-out that we were there. At first we thought we were imagining it but my friend and I both asked each other, ""is she being rude?"" Yes! She also charged us more for an item than was listed on the menu. When I pointed this out to her, her answer was that they had changed the menu prices but hadn't actually changed them on the menu. When I asked if she was still going to charge us the higher price, even though that isn't what it states on the menu.....she said ""yes"" and walked away. I have been a server/bartender for over 10 years and have never encountered service and attitude like this. I've also never left a poor tip but in this case I had to. Bummer. Pros: in a cute area Cons: We received poor service with a bad attitude more

I have never sent a plate back, but the dry and flavorless chicken was terrible as was the side of rice and beans. Made the mistake of ordering something else. The shrimp mango salad also had no real taste. It was very sweet and I guess it was shrimp. My husband's BBQ tasted like tobasco. We had a mushroom starter filled with crab, mystery meat?. The sauce on top had no taste, think it was suppoed to be a bernaise. These people should not be serving this mediocre food, so beware\r \r Should have realized the food was really bad, when people beside me ate very little of theirs. Pros: in quaint downtown Chandler Cons: terrible food more

Long time reader, first time poster. However after reading starlightjulian's post I had to comment. He/she must be talking about a different restaurant then the one that we go to. My wife and I drive 15+ miles from Tempe to eat at their Chandler location whenever we want a special place with excellent food (very reasonable prices) where we can take our time and NOT BE rushed. If you want quick, chain service with pridictable food I am sure that you will pass at least one Olive Garden on your drive to Kokopelli's. If you want to go someplace where you will remember what you had for your meal for the rest of the week, try this place! It is a jewel in Chandler.\r \r My suggestion go for lunch and start with the Bruschetta. Then have either Turkey or Salmon (my favorite) Panini and salad. Save room and split a desert or enjoy a coffee! For the first timer get the wine sampler and your server will help you pick the wine. CAUTION: you will likely find one or more of the sample wines so good that you will take home a bottle or case. If you are a hard core wine critic I am sure you could describe the wines and their pros and cons - I just know that they taste good. You will find yourself wanting to go back every month - more often if you live closer. A must go place for out of town visitors (even if they are not wine drinkers) who think that Phoenix only has national chains that they can eat at any city that they visit.\r \r Next time you are looking for a special place for 25 - 75 such as a wedding rehersal dinner, large family get together etc plan ahead and book a private/semi-private party. Everyone will enjoy themselves and feel at home. Everyone will stay the evening and be there until they close - and talk about the event for years to come. Pros: Good Tasting Italian Food, Intimate Relaxed Atmosphere Cons: They Don't have one Closer in Tempe more

Although owners Dennis and Melissa are very friendly, I've resolved not to visit to eat anymore. Service is very slow, even on weekdays and even during slow lunch times! The dinner entrees are nothing spectacular--food is on the bland side. The Kobe burger was pretty tasty; however, I think the blue cheese crumbles was the cause of its success (and so easily replicated at home). The bread pudding is good, however. I like the dessert wine selections (Muscat Canneli, Gewurtztraminer, Sweet Lucy). If you're looking for value, you won't find it here. This place is trying too hard to be upscale, and I do not think the food offerings can live up to the hype. The live music leaves much to be desired, as well.\r \r Watch out when paying. Dennis has overcharged me not once, but twice! Pros: good wine Cons: Terribly slow staff; bland food more