Lugino's Review

[philmonaco]

Went Sunday Night the food was good, prices reasonable but the wait staff was totally inattentive. The restaurant was not at all busy and the staff probably outnumbered the patrons. Yet we waited 30 minutes from the time we finished our appetizer until we received our entree'.
I called today and spoke with Scott, who claimed to be a manager. I complimented the food but told him the wait staff needed better training.
Scott said he has 35 years of experience and did need any input from me.
I wasn't complaining but attempting to give him some insight from the customers perspective. This idiot was so rude and arrogant it is no mystery why the service in this place stinks.
Scott, you sir are no manager and your restaurant suffers you involvement.
It explains all the negative comments in this message board!

[njbchbum]

wasn't there a less than stellar manager at cody's named scott? hmmmmmmm

[graciegirl]

Wow.

[philmonaco]

If you look through the Talk of the Villages you will see I have been posting many times. Not sure what prompted you inquiry. My intent is shock the owners of this establishment to discover why their restaurant is failing.
I have lived in the Villages for several years. I am currently in my third home here.
I have not worked in the industry directly, however I have invested in two restaurant ventures, one independent, one chain. Both failed, not due to service or quality of product, but for site selections.
If you take the time to read through the reviews of Lugiano's , you will discover I am not alone in my criticism.
Furthermore, I publish my name. I do not hide behine a "nome de plume".
Therefore, I put a my name on the line, I frankly don't understand where you are coming from, perhaps you and Scott have a thing?

[angiefox10]

If you look through the Talk of the Villages you will see I have been posting many times. Not sure what prompted you inquiry. My intent is shock the owners of this establishment to discover why their restaurant is failing.
I have lived in the Villages for several years. I am currently in my third home here.
I have not worked in the industry directly, however I have invested in two restaurant ventures, one independent, one chain. Both failed, not due to service or quality of product, but for site selections.
If you take the time to read through the reviews of Lugiano's , you will discover I am not alone in my criticism.
Furthermore, I publish my name. I do not hide behine a "nome de plume".
Therefore, I put a my name on the line, I frankly don't understand where you are coming from, perhaps you and Scott have a thing?

It was meant as a joke. Not on you, but on some of the postings of late. The poster of that comment has a great sense of humor and I assure you she was being funny.

Th admin removed the post and all the posts relating to it.

You are correct.. the service is really bad! I ate there once with friends and anything that could go wrong did. After seeing all the postings, I won't go back until the reviews change.

I'm sorry you took offense. Accept my apologies for being a part of it.

[MSAMSA]

We ate at Lugino's last evening with friends. The restaurant was extremely crowded. The service and food were both excellent. Everyone enjoyed their meals and we weren't rushed even though they had a full house.

[Bobcuse]

Went Sunday Night the food was good, prices reasonable but the wait staff was totally inattentive. The restaurant was not at all busy and the staff probably outnumbered the patrons. Yet we waited 30 minutes from the time we finished our appetizer until we received our entree'.
I called today and spoke with Scott, who claimed to be a manager. I complimented the food but told him the wait staff needed better training.
Scott said he has 35 years of experience and did need any input from me.
I wasn't complaining but attempting to give him some insight from the customers perspective. This idiot was so rude and arrogant it is no mystery why the service in this place stinks.
Scott, you sir are no manager and your restaurant suffers you involvement.
It explains all the negative comments in this message board!

We waited to try Luigino's until they had hopefully resolved all of the normal issues restaurants experience when opening a new location. The initial startup reviews were a warning sign. So, last night we went there before 4:30 just to order a simple pizza and enjoy ourselves before the crowd arrived. The service was okay but we waited almost 30 minutes for a simple pizza with pepperoni/mushrooms and there were only two other couples in the restaurant. When the pizza arrived, it was so overcooked the bottom crust was pure black, and therefore it was crunchy and the taste was overwhelmingly a burnt taste. Not wanting to wait another 30 minutes, we did not request a replacement. Scott stopped by asking how everything was and we told him the pizza was burnt. His response was "we'll take care of that". He then told the pizza guy at the counter, "their pizza was burnt" and kept going. We were not looking for anything free, and that's exactly what we received....nothing. Scott told us to have a nice evening as we departed for the first and last time from Luigino's.

[buggyone]

I am kind of curious about what you wanted from the manager. You stated you did not ask for a replacement pizza from the server because yours was burned on the bottom. You mentioned the burned bottom to the manager and he told the pizza cook the bottom crust was burned - probably to caution him not burn anymore pizzas. You said you were not looking for anything free and you did not get a free pizza.

You did not say in your posting that you did not eat the pizza because it was burned on the bottom crust. If you had said to the manager or the server, "This pizza is burned black on the bottom and I cannot eat it because of the burned taste.", I am sure it would have been replaced with one that was cooked to your liking. However, if you had eaten most of the pizza when the manager came over, he is not going to comp your meal at that time.

[tpop1]

.
I called today and spoke with Scott, who claimed to be a manager. I complimented the food but told him the wait staff needed better training.
Scott said he has 35 years of experience and did need any input from me.

IMHO This is the primary reason for restaurant issues in TV...
absentee owners with help like this.
It permeates all aspects of any establishment; food, service, cleanliness, etc.

They open and close in succession!:undecided:

[Bobcuse]

I am kind of curious about what you wanted from the manager. You stated you did not ask for a replacement pizza from the server because yours was burned on the bottom. You mentioned the burned bottom to the manager and he told the pizza cook the bottom crust was burned - probably to caution him not burn anymore pizzas. You said you were not looking for anything free and you did not get a free pizza.

You did not say in your posting that you did not eat the pizza because it was burned on the bottom crust. If you had said to the manager or the server, "This pizza is burned black on the bottom and I cannot eat it because of the burned taste.", I am sure it would have been replaced with one that was cooked to your liking. However, if you had eaten most of the pizza when the manager came over, he is not going to comp your meal at that time.

I think you missed the point I was trying to make (but apparently didn't). Forget my comment about not getting anything free (which, as I said, we didn't want). We tried this Italian restaurant for the first time and the food delivery was very slow, especially for a pizza when there were no customers in the place, and the pizza was badly burnt after it finally arrived. The manager was informed and offered no apology nor did he attempt in any way to encourage the customer to give them another chance. We all get a bad meal here and there, but almost without exception, the manager apologizes and asks if he/she can do anything to make up for the error. My post is only intended to inform the readers of our experience, which does seem to be similar to the majority of all posts about this establishment unfortunately. We have lived here for 10 years and recall many fond memories of eating regularly at this location when it was Augustines. This place is a joke compared to Augustines.

[Aloha]

It seems as if some people are trying this place just to see if it is really as bad as some of the reviews here.

Well, I have heard enough. From the number of complaints, this should be a RED Flag that this restaurant has some serious problems that need to addressed. Perhaps the improvements will be made, but maybe not. I guess time will tell.

[pauld315]

From what I have read on this place from before and now, the situation will not get better until they replace most of the staff. Unfortunate, but it will probably not be around in another year anyway the way it is going otherwise.

[hedoman]

It's a shame that they aren't "IT" as that location could really become the "upscale" locale. I don't think even McDonalds or Burger King could get passing reviews here. But it is fair to say that these posts (and other threads) are actual experiences from real people.....

We have been lucky for the past 4 months that we have lived as FROGS as we have not experienced some of the horrors posted here

[gongoozler]

Those who have had a problem with this restaurant should contact the home office in Orlando . . . I'm sure they are not aware about these service issues.

[billds567]

Went reluctanly, with a gift certificate, last week. We had two dishes that were very good and one mediocre. Eugene, our waiter was very good. You never know !

[scrapple]

Bummer! I was hoping this would be a good place. I've also heard from dear friends the same complaints posted here. I still might try a pizza, just to be sure.

[chuckinca]

Our group of six stopped there tonight for drinks after the Simon and Garfunkle tribute show at the Church in the Square.

Good service, price of drinks was in line with other places, a few tables were having pizzas that look good and started at $8 or $9 for a small cheese.


.

[Golf-Tinker]

Yesterday, DH and I enjoyed an early dinner prior to the "Scarborough Faire" concert at the Church on the square. Jean who is a great cook had chicken marsala. Said it was the best she's had in The Villages. I had lobster-crab ravioli. Also excellent. Attentive service, perfect drinks, great food, all at a more than reasonable price. Not certain what else you might ask for.

As we drove past on the way home after the concert (which by the way no doubt brought many memories for the sold-out audience -- did not see Chuck's group), noticed that the restaurant had a line at the door and appeared to be doing quite well. Looks as if it will be here for some time.

Jim

[PaPaLarry]

Weve had our 3rd Pizza from there. Everytime it was great!!! Two weeks ago we had Veal Parmesian, and the veal was NOT chewy. Overall, I just think they are new and there will be problems, But food is delicious. I had worse service at Bonifay, but food was good there too.

[walterray]

Second visit and as we generally do, we ate at the bar. We received excellent service from the bartenders and enjoyed the live entertainment (young fellow who had an Elvis Costello look playing guitar). My wife and I each had the veal piccata which came with caesar salads for $18 which were very good. The house white wine was good and reasonably priced. A gentleman who I believe was the manager stopped to ask us how everything was. We gave hime positive feedback.

We do like the place and hope they do continue to improve in the areas that have been mentioned in these posts. It would be great to have a successful restaurant in that location.

[gerryann]

Tonight is our last night in TV for a while. We decided to try the only restaurant that we haven't tried...so we went to Lugino's this evening. The food was great. We had 4-cheese ravioli and lobster and crab ravioli. The service was absolutely terrible!! The waiter's, host's, food runner's (bus boy's)...basically everyone was running around like chicken's with their head's off. A real mess. I've never seen anything like it. They weren't terribly busy...(political rally at the other square) and chilly out, so only 2 tables sitting outside. They're were a lot of people who at first didn't appear to be working there, who all of a sudden were seating tables, then someone else was doing the seating, then the waiter's were seating people, then the bus boy's starting seating people. The bus boys were doing a terrible job attempting to clean the tables. Everyone was sent to dirty tables. At times the front was ignored and people were coming in (in wheel chairs and walkers) and seating themselves......What a mess! Really too bad! But as I said, the food was good. Unfortunately, the food alone can't keep this place afloat.

[RichieLion]

I went to Luigino's the first time last night with guests. I had the prime rib special, which was a 12 oz. prime rib with potatoes and vegetables for $14. My wife had ravioli, my guests had a stuffed pork chop and the other also had the prime rib. We loved our meal.

Our server was great. He's an person of color from Atlanta and he was terrific. His name is Jimmy Lee and I would request his section when you go. He's that good.

I had a great experience, but still want to try their red sauce to make a good assessment.

[chuckinca]

You coulda just said his name and he was a great server.


.

[hedoman]

You coulda just said his name and he was a great server.
.

Don't be so sensative......sheesh Just sayin.....

Like the Tuskegge Pilot said to his white pilot/peer "When you get mad you turn red, when you are jealous you turn green and when you are a coward you are yellow and YOU call us "colored"? Redtails a MUST see movie

[Yorio]

We still haven't been to Lugino though we love good Italian food. We don't need to spend that kind of money and be disappointed. The reviews here are still mixed so we'll wait until we return in the fall. In the meantime, we'll happily go to Palmer or Lopez to have value for money food. We haven't been to Havana for the same reason as above. We did go to Johnny Rockets trusting the new management and thought things were back to better days.

[charlie49]

'You coulda just said his name and he was a great server.'

When was the last time someone referred to a waiter as the 'white guy?'

A person may also say we got paired up with a black guy for golf, but, never say we got paired up with a white guy.

It is ironic that the original post used 'person of color' in awareness of being politically correct.

The comment points out a very subtle, and unintentional, difference in the way people communicate about race.

Charlie

[natickdan]

We've been there several times and after enjoying a great lunch, then a great dinner, last evening we tried their pizza...which proved to be yet another excellent choice!

[RichieLion]

You coulda just said his name and he was a great server.


.

'You coulda just said his name and he was a great server.'

When was the last time someone referred to a waiter as the 'white guy?'

A person may also say we got paired up with a black guy for golf, but, never say we got paired up with a white guy.

It is ironic that the original post used 'person of color' in awareness of being politically correct.

The comment points out a very subtle, and unintentional, difference in the way people communicate about race.

Charlie

Only mentioned his race because it was vital to his description for interested parties to notice him. I might have said my server was a short guy who was excellently groomed. I don't think if you were sitting at a table you would have had as easy a time of locating him, but it would have been also correct.

I might describe Chuck as the guy who feels himself a better person because he criticizes people who notice the skin tone of another, regardless of the motivation of that person. I don't know if people would be able to pick him out with that description, but it's no less accurate.

I do identify caucasian people on their skin tone sometimes as being "very tan", or "pasty white" or "freckled" or some other adjective that might identify that person to another.

It's the intent Chuck. Really, get a life.

[EdV]

Richie, your post would have been more meaningful without that last sentance.

[RichieLion]

Only mentioned his race because it was vital to his description for interested parties to notice him. I might have said my server was a short guy who was excellently groomed. I don't think if you were sitting at a table you would have had as easy a time of locating him, but it would have been also correct.

I might describe Chuck as the guy who feels himself a better person because he criticizes people who notice the skin tone of another, regardless of the motivation of that person. I don't know if people would be able to pick him out with that description, but it's no less accurate.

I do identify caucasian people on their skin tone sometimes as being "very tan", or "pasty white" or "freckled" or some other adjective that might identify that person to another.

It's the intent Chuck. Really, get a life.

Richie, your post would have been more meaningful without that last sentance.

It was a well deserved retort, in my opinion. You are also entitled to yours, but I stand by mine.

[chuckinca]

Ditto


.

[EdV]

It was a well deserved retort, in my opinion. You are also entitled to yours, but I stand by mine.

Yes, it was a well deserved retort, without the need for the closing invalidation.

[RichieLion]

Yes, it was a well deserved retort, without the need for the closing invalidation.

invalidation??????..........the sensitivity displayed is a bit much. Again, only my opinion, but......

[EdV]

invalidation??????..........the sensitivity displayed is a bit much. Again, only my opinion, but......

3806 of them at this point.:beer3:

[Moderator]

OK, enough of the personal bickering. If it continues, these posts will be removed. You can continue your discussions via PM.

Let's return to the topic of Luigino's restaurant food/service experiences.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Moderator

[Chief X]

So...my fiancee and I have been to Luigino's 3 times now. All three visits and dining experiences were very nice. Great service, Great food and good times. In-fact, on the 2nd visit, the owner gave us a tour of the kitchen and showed us that most everything is made on the spot. The kitchen was very clean, which to me, is well worth dining there. Have you seen kitchens in some restaurants?

Regardless, I for one would never -not visit- a restaurant based on another man's (or woman's) opinion. It would be like skipping a movie because someone else said it was not worth watching. Everyone has their own opinions!

My opinion? I love to eat!