Abrusci's Italian Restaurant

09/23/09

Food is EXCELLENT! SERVICE has gone down hill!

by EricaVB at Citysearch

I wouldn't say my husband and I are "regulars" so to speak, we live in the mountains, but we do stop by Abrusci's when we come to Denver, at least once a month. So I would describe us as return costumers.

We have always loved the food and atmosphere, but recently had a very discouraging experience. When I saw the other reviews, I felt like I had to add my two cents in.We came in for dinner a few weeks ago, early, because we were on our way home, and it was so beautiful we sat on the patio. Two other tables were sat after us and were greeted well before us by another waiter. Finally, our waitress arrived. She threw bread down, and with out so much as a greeting asked us what we wanted. We ordered as another table was sat, she left without a word and that was the last time she spoke to us till the end of the meal. She spent the next half an hour chatting LOUDLY with the new table (who apparently she knew) using FOUL language and DIRTY HUMOR. The whole patio kept staring at her, I think others were as uncomfortable as we were.

Another waitress brought our food, refilled our drinks, even asked us if we wanted more bread or cheese. Our waitress did nothing. My husband had a problem with his pasta but ate it anyway since no one ever came back to check on us. We sometimes caught a glimpse of our Waitress through the glass door playing with other employees in the entrance way. We could always HEAR her when someone opened the door to the patio.

We sat forever with empty plates and I finally got up to use the restroom before we left. My husband was fuming by this point and flagged down the other waiter on the patio and asked if he could find our check. As I passed threw the bar to the restroom, I saw our server sitting at the bar DRINKING with other costumers. When told she needed to give us our check, she commented "We could wait!" I was FURIOUS. She was going on about how much she hated the job and wanted to do other things. I COMPLETELY AGREE. We finally got a check and were in such a hurry had to leave. My husband plans to email Steve and complain. If you go to Abrusci's, you will love the food, but request one of the boys to wait on you, or even the pretty girl who teaches Soccer or the Pregnant girl. Both have waited on us and are very sweet. If it's a messy looking, Dark haired girl who is loud and rude, demand another Waitress!

• Pros: Fantastic Food and Great Prices!
• Cons: Terrible Service

08/06/09

Good to bad

by egilman at Citysearch

I've gone to Abrusci's off and on the past couple of years. At the beginning, both the service and food were good.

The last few times, however, the quality has gone downhill. One of the servers is loud and obnoxious, and can be heard from anywhere in the restaurant. This has happened the past each time I was there. As a customer, I've felt like I was more of an after thought and my servers seemed like they were bothered to have me there. And this is when they haven't been busy. They are more interested in socializing with each other.

I will be sending this to the manager as well.

• Pros: food was okay
• Cons: obnoxious service

06/09/09

Where's ZERO Stars?

by mtfzkl at Citysearch

I have just returned home from the worst Italian meal I have eaten in recent memory,with a dining experience to match. Literally every part of our meal was poor. When we were seated, we had requested a high chair and after waiting for 5 minutes, I finally had to go get one myself.

It was downhill from there.

Our waitress wasn't even organized enough to be able to tell the difference between Coke and Mr. Pibb- we had to "sip and see".

In terms of the food, the Calamari was extremely overdone and every single entree'- no exaggeration- was overcooked. The "carmelized Pancetta" were tiny hard salty lumps that completely ruined the Alfredo sauce, my pasta was mushy and my son's Chicken Parmigiana dry and tough. My wife had the Chicken Alfredo and the sauce was so poorly executed that it began separating and the chicken, like every other single meat this night, was horribly overcooked and chewy, flavorless and dry.

Needless to say, we did not order dessert.

To worsen an already awful experience, our waitress did not bat an eye or offer anything other than an apology when I shared with her, rather politely, how badly executed our meal was.

I understand a kitchen having an off night, but when every single facet is not just sub-par, but awful, it's time to re-assess your staff.

My family eats out about 3x a week and we were looking forward to a nice local Italian Restaurant to frequent, but unfortunately, that restaurant is not Abrusci's and, as I wrote on my receipt: "We will not be back."

Ever.

• Pros: none to speak og
• Cons: everything