[Boudicca]

I've resisted posting anything about Luigino's, since eating there, soon after they opened. There is another thread on the forum, where comments are very good, so I felt that perhaps I was too critical.

However, our experience was almost exactly as yours, including the cold pasta and disappearing servers. We did send the pasta back [eventually], but the replacement was burnt and hard around the edges; basically inedible. We were a party of 4 and the other dishes were mediocre, but none were hot on arrival.

we all wanted to try the ravioli (5.00 pm) and it was "sold out".... we were astounded that an Italian restaurent would be sold out of a mainstay. From there it was downhill all the way and a mirror image of the above. sigh

[natickdan]

After reading the reviews, my wife and I decided to take my brother and his wife to Luigino's and we all thought the food was outstanding. I'm not sure if we lowered our expectations because of some of the reviews, but they definately earned another visit from us and, hopefully, many more.

[bkcunningham1]

My husband and I ate there tonight for the first time. It was good. Not the best Italian I've had, but we'll go back. We both agreed that Pasta Faire in Belleview is hands-down better food. Carrabbas is better service and food, but is still nice to have a different place to eat available for residents.

[duffysmom]

We had a lovely lunch today, we sat outside in the sun and enjoyed our food as well as great service. Had the eggplant rolletini(?) over angel hair pasta.

[bkcunningham1]

I gave the spaghetti with meat sauce and meatballs a try for my first meal there tonight. I really like the taste of the sauce and the taste of the meatballs. The meatballs were just on the verge of being rubbery. Our server was good. She started out being really good but she sort of disappeared at the end of the service and left us waiting for refills. She came back and apologized. It wouldn't keep us from going back though. Like I said, the sauce was very good.

[ceejay]

We had an early evening late night snack (only in The Villages)!

Eggplant rollitini, fried calamari and pizza. All very good. We definitely enjoyed the food.

The service, on the other hand, was absolutely horrible. Our server was a young man, obviously new on the job. He kept aplogizing profusely (no drinks, no bread, no drinks) and it really wasn't very busy at all. We honestly did not see him 60% of the time we were there. Only God know where he disappeared to!


I knew, after reading all the restaurant posts on TOTV, that I MUST talk to the Manager, and I told him so. He replied that of course, he understands.

However, after 15 minutes of conversation with our menfolk, during which they all became best buds, we left the restaurant. We, with our bellies full and he, with his best tip of the night.

So, I must say that we did enjoy our evening that night. And we will go back.

[Wspfld]

I too was excited about a new "Italian" restaurant opening. The food was terrable! I know all about portion control but 1 TBSP of sauce, which was tastless, really? The chicken was dry and over cooked.
Won't go back. And the prices, are they kidding? I don't mind paying for a good meal but this place is a joke.

[angiefox10]

Service was sooooo bad!!!!!

We waited for the server to come out. When he did, he was pleasant and took our drink orders. He then brought us water and we waited and waited and waited for our drinks.

He then left and we waited for him to return so we could place our food order.

FINALLY..... he came back and took our food order.

Again.... we waited, and waited. *sigh* salad arrives.

Finally, he brings our food order. Well... Not all our orders. All but one. We waited to eat until everyone was served so I really couldn't tell you if the food was served hot. FINALLY, they brought out the last plate and it was the wrong order!

They had to then cook her food. She shared her husbands dinner while she waited for her order.

In the meantime our drinks were empty and no waiter to be seen to bring us a drink.

I really could go on because the saga does continue, but I think you get the gist of our evening.

My food was very flavorful. But the service was so bad, I think I will do a wait and see to see if the reviews get better before I try it again.

[ceejay]

Originally Posted by angiefox10

Service was sooooo bad!!!!!

We waited for the server to come out. When he did, he was pleasant and took our drink orders. He then brought us water and we waited and waited and waited for our drinks.

He then left and we waited for him to return so we could place our food order.

FINALLY..... he came back and took our food order.

Again.... we waited, and waited. *sigh* salad arrives.

Finally, he brings our food order. Well... Not all our orders. All but one. We waited to eat until everyone was served so I really couldn't tell you if the food was served hot. FINALLY, they brought out the last plate and it was the wrong order!

They had to then cook her food. She shared her husbands dinner while she waited for her order.

In the meantime our drinks were empty and no waiter to be seen to bring us a drink.

I really could go on because the saga does continue, but I think you get the gist of our evening.

My food was very flavorful. But the service was so bad, I think I will do a wait and see to see if the reviews get better before I try it again.

Sounds like we shared the same server. Guess he hasn't improved any since we were there. What a shame....

[bkcunningham1]

I wonder why the servers disappear? I wouldn't think twice about it but it happened to so many other people I trust who post on ToTV. What is the issue here?

[The Village Girl]

To get everyone to a restaurant.

Have you ever noticed how when there is a bad review, everyone wants to check it out for themselves.

Guilty as charged. Service was bad!

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by The Village Girl

To get everyone to a restaurant.

Have you ever noticed how when there is a bad review, everyone wants to check it out for themselves.

Guilty as charged. Service was bad!

Did the service start out pretty good and then the waitstaff disappeared? I thought the food tasted okay. Nothing to write home about, but decent enough to go back. BTW, we will go back to give it another try anyway. If the waitress disappears thd next time we go, I'll mention this thread to the manager.

[Penguin]

When I was visiting in November we went to Red Sauce restaurant in the square at Lake Sumter. Good pasta.

[pauld315]

Italian food is so subjective to what one is used to. I grew up in an area that was populated by a lot of first generation Italian-Americans. As such, I ate some very good Italian food all my life, whether it was when I was visiting at a neighbor's home or going out to one of the many small, family owned Italian restaurants in my hometown. I moved to NC and there was a guy on the radio there that was just talking up a new Italian restaurant that had opened in the area. (They were not even advertisers on the station). We went there and were severely disappointed. Very bland and tasteless compared to what I had grown up with and how good this guy had said this place was. Then I found out the guy on the radio grew up in Georgia and really had no idea what good Italian food should taste like. I think that is the reason you see such varying reviews of the food at this restaurant and Red Sauce is that Villagers come from all over and have different levels of experience with Italian and other ethnic foods. However, service is another thing. We can all recognize poor service. I have not been to this restaurant but after reading these reviews it sounds like they have some really good and some really poor servers. That is a management issue that they need to address quickly. Bad service will kill any restaurant whether or not the food is good. I think everyone needs to give them a little time to get their legs under them. I would say that if they still have these same problems in another 6 months or so then they won't last very long. I will try it when we come back in the spring.

[MLBellis]

We also did not have a good visit. I think their prices are too high $11 for a bowl of pasta $4 extra for three meatballs....my take is that The Villages charge too high of a rent there....but look at the past history of that space...They all failed & I think this one will too!!!