Scali Ristorante & Deli

This is perhaps the only ethnic (Italian, French etc...) ristorante that we have been to that had absolutely no garlic, onion or even food aromas, it was almost sterile. The lasagna that I had was okay but the sauce tasted as if it was pure tomato sauce with very little if any spices added. The pasta seemed wet and over cooked and was slimey to the point of the lasagna falling apart as the fork was cutting it. My better half and my daughter had the spaghetti, again the same tasteless sauce and the meatballs were okay, but again bland. The service was so-so with the servers running around and not really listening or paying attention to their patrons. The prices were high in relation to both the serving size as well as the quality. I cant see where all the ratings are coming from hence the title The Emperors New Clothes. This establishment is in need of Chef Ramsay. more

Me and the girls went to lunch today, and tried Scali from an recomendation from an co- work. We loved it!!! The food was great, we met the family who runs the operation, and the decor was nice. I will be back sometime in the future. Thanks for a great lunch!!! more

ONE CAN GO 2 MILES IN ITALY AND THE FOOD WILL CHANGE. IT' LIKE BEING BORN AND RAISED IN A SCILIAN FAMILY IN MAINE AND COMING TO SCALIS TO EAT. THE FOOD IN SICILY IS QUITE DIFFERENT FORM THE NORTHERN PART OF ITALY.. HERE LIES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A GREAT MEAL AT SCALI'S (NORTHERN CUISINE) AND EATING AT AN ITALIAN RESTURANT THAT HAS A SICILIAN CUISINE. THE LIGHT SAUCE IS ALL THEY HAVE IN NORTHERN ITALY. THE MARANA IS A SCICILIAN CREATION. THE REAL SCICILIAN SAUCE IS NORMALLY LOADED WITH THE HEAD OF A CHICKEN, HOOVES OF A PIG, CHICKEN FEET, ETC. SCALI'S MAKES A SCILIAN TYPE MARANA WITHOUT THE UNEATDIBLES BUT IT ISN'T VERY GOOD. HOWEVER, THE LIGHT SAUCE IS DELICIOUS, ESPECIALLY WITH GNOCHI AND MEATBALLS.. more

I had heard that this place was so good. I believe it is over priced for what one gets. This restaurant is trying to act like a big city restaurant in the suburbs. It is in an area where it has much competition. The TAT is much better and one definitely gets a great meal there for the money. I would have rather have gone down the street to Olive Garden and felt my money went further. Will not go back. Also surprised about the 5 star reviews. more

I dinned at this resturant just last night and I will tell you that it was amazing. The service was top notch and the food was authentic Italian. The only other Italian place that even matches this resturant is a place I visited in Greece. \r Let me just tell you that this resturant is a must try and you wont be disappointed. You will try and keep this little secret for yourself but you will do nothing but brag about this little Italian wonder. Pros: GREAT FOOD AND SERVICE Cons: Hard to find more

Amazing food I went with two girlfriends and we each had something different so we could share. Everything was amazing. The owner and staff were very great. I wish I lived in OHIO so I could frequent this place. :) Pros: wonderful food and staff more

Scali's has an extensive menu. They make a good pasta sauce and the dishes are delicious. The staff is attentive and plesant. more

Don't let the outside appearance fool you, a great place waits inside! Great atmosphere and fantastic authentic Italian fare! Don't even consider a Saturday evening without a reservation! As for Anthony Capretta's recent review, he must have been in on a VERY BAD night or he's way off the mark! I'll give him that there is one male on the wait staff that could sharpen his delivery skills, but by and large they are friendly and professional, especially Helen, she's the best! Scali's if our first pick for a special night out and we have NEVER been disappointed! I highly recommend Scali's!\r \r Pros: Great authentic food Cons: Off beat location more

My partner and I have traveled extensively across the States--we love finding authentic ethnic restaurants. Being Italian myself, I am no stranger to fine Italian cuisine. After reading several good reviews about this establishment, my partner and I decided to drop in on a busy Saturday Night (July 19, 2008). Although the outside appearance of the building is somewhat drab--we decided to venture in. We were greeted by the owner's wife who was very pleasant and promptly seated at a cozy little wall table. The dining room was busy and the ambiance nice. The male server at our table had the personality of a wet sponge with absolutely no flair at all. With a robotic reading of specials from his notes, the waiter obviously had no formal training at a fine dining establishment. We ordered several items in order to test the waters. The house wine was delicious as was Mama Scali's Southern Italian wedding Zuppa ($3.25). From there it went down hill fast. The homemade bread brought to the table was obviously not baked the same day--and the house salads ordered with crumbled bleu cheese arrived with no bleu cheese and store bought Italian salad dressing. We ordered Ravioli Alla Florentine ($13.95); Breaded Veal Scallopine ($17.95); and Brascioli ($17.75). To begin, the tomatoe sauce was runny and flavorless--the ravioli served numbered only 6! with a crude goopy mozarella and spinach filling. The Veal was tender, but the breading absolutely bland--a far cry from the Southern Italian restaurants in Cleveland, Ohio. And the Brascioli...not bad, but not excellent either. So...there we were $75 later wondering why anyone would rave about this place? Although grandma Scali did make a brief appearance in the dining room, upon leaving, I noticed what appeared to be college students running the kitchen--I guess it's gotten to be too much for Mama Scali--and it shows. more

My wife and I have been going to Scali's now for two years. We eat there once every two weeks. We have taken a dozen friends there for dinner, and no one has been disappointed, ever. The Scali's make you feel at home, even if you have to wait a little bit to get in. (It is worth the wait.) - Make a reservation, or you might not get in at all. They are very popular. \r \r The food is incredible. Made fresh to order with every meal. Changes are welcomed, unlike many other places where charges are not worth the added cost, or not allowed at all. The portions are large enough for two people to share with a desert. Hint, hint? \r \r My wife and I love the home made bread, meatballs, lasagna, manicotti, and our favorite is the Tiramisu made fresh. (Cannoli is wonderful, but I am bias to the Tiramisu because of Judy).\r \r There is normally a daily appetizer special, and a couple entree specials which adds value over they normal menu. The specials are always fantastic, with a touch of extraordinary. No matter what you order, I promise you will not be disappointed. They offer a great accompaniment of wines (the wait staff is well versed to help you make a selection), and for those special occasions, the Chef/Owner Frank can pull a select wine from his private stock that will accompany your meal perfectly. \r \r In today?s day and age of restaurant chains and pre-packed meals heated in microwaves, Scali?s stands out for customer service, quality, customer satisfaction, and going the extra mile for taste. Scali's is a dinning experience, not just going out to dinner. Since money is an issue, Scali?s is perfect for any occasion. They have great price points for any budget. I couldn't believe the value in the menu, and neither will you once you tasted the food. I lived by the quote ?Cheap food isn?t good, and good food isn?t cheap?. Scali?s has made me change my thinkin\r \r The Johnson Family Pros: The Staff, cost, taste, options, and experience. Cons: Parking lot is shared and sometimes hard to find paring. Finding it, might be tough, but it is worth looking for. more

I've been coming here since 1993 and have never been dissapointed. The veal marsala is perfect; the mushroom appetizer is a meal to share by the whole table. Lately I have only gone with Frank's suggestions of the night. Mama Scali is the perfect host (sorry Judy); and Frank now has more time to roam the tables. Prices are very acceptable. His Italian wine list is growing with high quality and value driven. If you can find the place (in some regards I hope you don't!); it is a trip you will make again, from any part of town. Pros: always consistently great more

My wife and I have been going there since they opened in 1993. We lived just down the street.Not as often now as we would like tho! Judy ,Frank and family are just super wonderful people and do everything they can to make your dining experience exceptional. The wait staff is excellent. The food is not ""to die for"" but ""to Live For! "" ..seriously! Never had a bad experience. Everything is made to order , fresh and very good. I personally love the bread, and my favorite pasta dishes are Bowtie with Salmon and the Peasant Tortellini..mmmm. My wife loves the Manicotti and the Ravioli Florentine. \r Frank always has a few special dishes that are always wonderful.\r One last thing...Mama's Zuppa is incredible and she is such a delight!\r Pros: Fantastic Italian Food! Cons: Should be in a better location maybe..Hard to see from the road more

well.. first off i would like to say that Chris the waiter there is one fine man. He is gorgeous, and the best darn waiter i have ever had. But the food.. oh my gah is it amazing. The service there is very excpetional, and once when i went there i sat at the corner table and thought no one would pay attention to me.. nope. My Waitress made sure i was completly satisfied. I love this restuarant, and so should you. Cons: Parking. more

The owners of Scali go to great lengths to make you feel welcome and comfortable. They cook each order just right and the servers are all knowledgeable and courteous. If you ever get the chance to have the eggplant appetizer special, order two or three of them-it is the BEST thing in the world!!! Pros: Great food!! more

Absolutely the best Italian food available! Excellent service. Remarkable, mouth-watering food. Highly recommended!!!! Pros: It's all good! Cons: Nothing negative about this dining experience more

Scali's is our FAVORITE!! The service is always wonderful and the food is super delicious! Our only complaint is their location on the east side (but it is well worth our drive across town!). more

If I don't have the wedding soup at lunch at least once weekly I start to get the shakes. For truly great italian, this is the best in the city. Do yourself a favor and order the off menu specials on the weekends. Ask the owner Frank for a nice italian red wine that's not on the list. This restaurant is living proof that if you produce distinctly great food and service, the public will find you. Well worth a drive from any part of the city. more

Hidden between suburban bars and lounges in a strip mall, you might have overlooked or avoided it even having lived in the area for a while. This is certainly a mistake. I recently returned from a trip from Las Vegas, sadly my experience with service was poor. The service here was exceptional. As with many high-class restaurants, you did not even notice your beverage being refilled quite frequently. Food is quality, ambience is excellent considering the environment. You could not improve the environment much more considering the location. Food was supurb. Before you start thinking about going to TGIF down the road, try Scalis. Pros: Atmosphere, Food, Service Cons: Location, Size more

Scali is hands down the best Italian restaurant in Columbus. Mama Scali along with the rest of her family make the entire visit enjoyable everytime! The homemade raviolo florentine is the best I've ever had. This is my husband's and my most favorite restaurant! I'd highly recommend Scali to anyone who loves good Italian food! Divertiti!!! Pros: Fabulous food, Reasonable prices, Good atmosphere more

My wife and I dined here for the first time on 8/5/03. After having eaten lasagna,at many venues locally, this was the very best that I have ever eaten. Although the restaurant is a drive across town, we will make this trip often. Pros: Inexpensive, friendly atmosphere, large portions Cons: crowded more