Massimi's Ristorante & Catering

I stumbled into Massimi's tonight (Fri 2-17-07)....I came in with my husband not expecting much (it is located in a strip mall right next to an auto dealership) but immediately on walking in I was in love... the atmosphere was quaint, cute, romantic and comfortable. I was completely underdressed...not that this is an establishment that you need to be formal for but I was in a big sweatshirt and leggins... (we had no intention of eating out...the mood just took us while on errands) and still I was greeted graciously by what I'm assuming is the owner. The service was pleasant, prompt and not overdone...the food was amazing...I think I read people thought the portions were small...well if you are used to the family size american-italian crud(for lack of a better word) out there then I see what you mean...but if you enjoy good food prepared well with care and want a good meal then you couldn't do better. BTW, If you are a gnocchi fan...yay!..the gnocchi is real housemade potato dumplings...haven't had gnocchi this well done since I was in Italy. And they have such a wonderful Bolognese! My only complaint would be a wish for a bigger wine list. Pros: Well done food obviously prepared with pride Cons: Wine list could be better. more

We went to Massismi's during lunch today and are leaving with a horrible taste in our mouth. We sat for over 30 minutes waiting to order with our waitress minding her own time while we waited. We finally got our food, and it was good but very low in quantity. As we were finishing, there was a couple that entered with their baby. They asked if they had a highchair, which he angrily said no and was cursing at them under his breath because of the crying. We then asked to split the bill since there were only 4 of us which the waitress replied 'you need to learn proper etiquette and tell us before the meal' and she walks off. We sit there in awe. As we were about to leave, we said "your service was very poor and we will never come back'. He replied 'oh really, where do you work?' and we informed him which he replied 'I know your boss and I am going to tell him!' which made no sense. As we were walking away, he was yelling at us and following us out the door. We have never experienced such poor and unprofessional behavior in any restaurant we have ever attended. ***WARNING IF YOU WANT TO BE VERBALLY ATTACKED AND HAVE THE WORST SERVICE YOU HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED MASSISMI'S IS YOUR PLACE**** I can now say you have all been warned! Pros: Food is good but you dont get to taste very much of it with the small portions Cons: Everything else that goes into a meal including price more

I've discovered Max before moving to the area and myself been Italian sometime I miss my country's food. I should say the food is good, sometime too Americanized but good. The environment is very bad, Max is loosing his patient and the customers start disappearing. I was shocked to find the place empty on a Friday night at 8PM. If you've been in Italy you know that Italian are very loud and un-polite, but this is US and you have to get use to the "fake it to make it" system especially in the restaurant business. I'm sorry for you Max but soon you will be alone.... SO YOU ARE AWARE, THE EXPERIENCE IN THIS PLACE IS ALL IN ONE FOOD AND BEHAVIORS...... Pros: Good food, lot's of parking, Cons: expensive, Max is rude and loud more

I recommended your restaurant to our work group for lunch we had only 8 people but you treated us awful. I hope the young man you are training as a waiter today does not pick up your lagging service and unfriendly hospitality. 1) Your restaurant appeared to need our business, but you did not seem friendly (especially for billing your restaurant as authentic Italian). 2) You should ask anyone who comes in that is larger than a group of two if they want separate checks , especially during lunch on a weekday. 3) You should never argue with a guest over what they ordered. Others heard what the guest ordered but the older waiter argued about what the guest ordered when he served the incorrect entrée. Apologize for the misunderstanding and serve what they ordered. 4) The food was tasty but not worth going back for the embarrassment. Pros: Tasty food, small portions Cons: Very unfriendly service and hospitality makes the food taste less than it should be so what ever this is worth I cannot recommend anything really positive. more

We were surprised and delighted to find this gem of a restaurant. It's where you'd least expect it, marooned in a strip mall amidst two garrish auto dealerships. The restaurant's ambience is a pleasant surprise, chic but not too-chic, right here on the Eastside! We've sampled several dishes now, but i still don't have one to recommend; it depends on your taste really. The creamy, clean, and French-like Northern Italian cuisine is a welcome change from the ubiquitous "family-style" Italian restaurants who mistakenly equate Southern cuisine with sloppiness. Pros: Ambience, Eastside-accessible, Free parking Cons: Glaring auto dealership lights more

My parents, grandparents & aunts & uncles, came to America from Palermo, Sicily in the 1940s and every meal was a majestic exploration in the collective art of Italian cuisine that they practiced daily. Up till now, after learning how to cook myself, my family and I never went to any Italian restaurants until we discovered Massimis. Every sauce is outstanding, the dishes are powerful, salads and desserts are served on chilled plates, every bite will be followed by another, you will want to lick your plate clean! My husband & I recommend everything! The Ossobucco when available, the Salmon Picatta, Chicken Marsala and any pasta, especially the Spinach Ravioli & Linguine Scampi. The servers are polite and love seeing you have a great time. Hopefully you find a night when the owner/chef Max is on duty, like mentioned before you will be blown away by this colorful Italian character. more

Sadly, I have to edit my review. We've been many times, the food's excellent but the service was REALLY bad. The waiters are friendly, but the owner served us tonight. He was friendly until my mom asked for butter (for the bread). He was very rude and pointed at the olive oil, saying they don't use butter. The waiters have provided butter before, so it was surprising. It's fine if you don't want to serve it, but why get so angry?? After that, the evening went downhill. Service was downright frosty. The staff brought us our food and didn't ask if we liked it. After plates were cleared, we waited 10 minutes before my husband finally put his Amex on the table. A bill was brought by the owner without comment, no dessert offered. Really disappointed. We've been loyal customers and we're sad to have such a rude experience. Pros: Good price, Excellent food Cons: Bad service, Strip-mall ambience more

We love this place! Talented chef and relaxing, cozy ambience in an unexpected location. The servers and owner are always friendly and helpful...refreshingly so. Couldn't recommend just one entree...they're all so good! LOVE their vanilla creme brulee. Pros: relaxing atmosphere, free parking, great service Cons: n/a, n/a, n/a more

i just found it a bit suspicious there were four rave reviews written on the same day after someone had posted a negative one more

For our anniversary, I wanted a restaurant that wasn't too loud or too crowded, or pay some overpriced tab for a 'view' restaurant with miniscule portions. The staff is helpful and friendly, the wine list extensive, and the place is quiet...and dimly lit...and very, very romantic. We shared a bottle of chianti, then hubby had the Rigatoni, Sausage and Eggplant and raved...I had the spaghetti Carbonara with Pancetta and nearly swooned. It's been a long time since either of us has cleaned our plates at a restaurant, we've both become so picky!! We left without trying the homemade Creme Brulee because we were so stuffed, but promised we'd try it next time. Two fabulous entrees, a bottle of wine, and a romantic two hours was just under $75 with tip. You can't go wrong with this place... at least give it a try! You also might be pleasantly suprised! Pros: great food, value, great service Cons: None more

The food is so good, great wine list, service is very good and the decor is wonderful. It's easy to get to, right off I-90, and lots of free parking. Great upscale casual restaurant--you really need to try it! You'll go back! more

Osso buco and the pear and gorgonzola ravioli both outstanding. And don't miss the desserts! Pros: service, food, parking more

I am shocked by the previous review. I have been here several times and am always amazed by the quality of food and service. The Pear and Gorgonzola ravioli is amazing and the deserts are as good as you will find anywhere. A great wine list, as well. Be sure to talk to Max, the chef/owner...he is quite a personality. Pros: Food, Service more

My wife, family and friends have dined at Massimi's several times now. For me, the experience has always been wonderful. My understanding is that Max, the chef and owner, has a history of succesful culinary ventures, and this new restaurant is no exception. It showcases his considerable skills at preparing fine northern Italian cuisine. Each visit, from start to finish, has been a great dining experience. more

After meeting Max, the owner and chef at Massimi's, it all came together for me. My experience in this restaurant was really complimented by the fact that its owner cared about his patrons and their enjoyment of his culinary creations. The appetizer (the antipasto) and the salad (the caprese, with fresh dungeness and mango in russian dressing) were absolutely fabulous. Our entrees, lasagna and veal piccata, were also delicious and just the right amount of food. Max, upon discovering the wine he had served us had turned slightly, removed the bottle from the table and came back with new one. You aren't going to find that just anywhere. This restaurant is DEFINITELY worth trying. THe food and service, along with the atmoshpere is superb. I know I'll be going back. more

The chef is a genius in my opinion. The food is very creative and flavorful. The desserts are artistic and delicious creations. I will definitely be making this restaurant a place I will go to again and again. It will be on my top ten list! Pros: service, atmosphere, food more

The whole experience was a waste of money. The evening began with a great host and then went downhill. We were seated and after very long wait (only 2 other tables were filled), our server asked for our order. Just as I was about to give my order, someone yelled his name and he took off. Pretty rude. He eventually came back. We got our food which was plain. The salad was wilting and the entree tasted like it was from the microwave. At one point, a server came up to us with parmesan cheese but we had to inform him it was the other table that had requested it. At the end, we got our bill which was huge for the quality of food received. Never again will I go there and I have strongly advised others to stay away as well. Pros: parking Cons: everything else more