[ndrsn]

Great! If some of you don't like Luigino's then we will not have trouble getting in--we love the food, the service has been friendly, and we always talk to the owner--it's really gourmet Italian Food. They also take reservations.

[Berylann]

So you were not happy with your experience. Have you never been critized for anything and hoped for another chance to prove that you are basically acceptable and will build on whatever you need to do to get major approval from whoever? Get in the real world.

[Indydealmaker]

Originally Posted by Berylann

So you were not happy with your experience. Have you never been critized for anything and hoped for another chance to prove that you are basically acceptable and will build on whatever you need to do to get major approval from whoever? Get in the real world.

Your comment "get in the real world" is way out of context relative to the volume of less than favorable reviews in this thread. Minimizing others' reviews is not a good way to make friends among your neighbors. Try giving your own review as a basis for comparison and discussion.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Original thread dates back to Dec. 2011.

Bill

[golf2140]

Originally Posted by Bill-n-Brillo

Original thread dates back to Dec. 2011.

Bill

Bill,

Is it me or do all these folks just jump to conclusions before checking the post?

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Originally Posted by golf2140

Bill,

Is it me or do all these folks just jump to conclusions before checking the post?

I think some people miss the fact that sometimes it's a "revived" older thread. I know I do that on occasion, especially if several other members have already commented.

Bill

[billethkid]

Originally Posted by 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!!!

The rent is no higher here than in most other similar commercial settings.
Would one conclude the successful, reasonable priced eateries have a lower rent? Of course not.

The rent has nothing to do with an eating establishments failure to deliver what pleases the customer. It is so easy...good food....reasonable prices....good help....clean......good service.....management who cares.....very easy!

Btk

[Uncle Tom]

Originally Posted by CBarkley

I don't know if all the bad press is filtered out, but 5 of us went there on Sunday Nov 20th before seeing a show at Church on the Square. We made a 4:00pm reservation and by 5:50pm we were entirely disgusted and trying to get our bill. First off we ordered drinks and an appetizer which although rather slow, we finally did get our wine and mozzarella sticks. Then a good hour later our entrees showed up. Two of us that ordered the crab and Lobster Ravioli...four rubbery, uncooked, cold naked pasta discs with barely a tablespoon of bland sauce in the middle were the first to call foul. These where not editable, and the waitress and manager were very good at disappearing. Once we finally got one it was so late there was nothing they could have fixed to serve as replacement. So we went without dinner that night. When finally getting the manager to see what was served to us, he said he only hears compliments and never complaints (selective listening skills?) while looking at us like we had some nerve to not eat what was placed before us. I could go on about the other dishes and the lousy service plus this rude manager, but I just want fellow Villagers to know that this place was really let down. I say, "Next!" for the next future incoming restaurant to replace this failure.

I been here since 88 and have known many resturant owners, and I have seen them come and go. The manager that you speak of is now gone, and we like it because there is no crowd, and they are an upscale place with prices to go along with it. People fail to realize the square, any square here is not low rent district. This resturant you speak of pays over $15,000.00 a month plus a percentage of their gross sales to The Villages. So your not going to get Golden Corral prices here. Im a business man here and its not fair to wish for any business to fail. I say give them another chance, before there is another empty business boarded up on the square. (we still support the place)

[Karaoke Junkie]

3 of us went to Louigino's after Church on the Square. My brandy Manhattan , not a call brand) was unremarkable except for the price - $7!!! Our 14" pizza, which took forever, was burnt black over the entire bottom. This inedible masterpiece cost $18. Never again.

[casita37]

Not defending the restaurant....we're on the "never go back" list, too....however...$7.00 for a manhattan seems about right to me. I regularly pay $7, or MORE, for a glass of wine, and just a couple of weeks ago I paid $12.00 for a cosmopolitan (upscale boutique type restaurant where the well drinks are top shelf). Outside of the country clubs, and a few all day happy hour places, booze is expensive!!

[kimball]

Originally Posted by Uncle Tom

I been here since 88 and have known many resturant owners, and I have seen them come and go. The manager that you speak of is now gone, and we like it because there is no crowd, and they are an upscale place with prices to go along with it. People fail to realize the square, any square here is not low rent district. This resturant you speak of pays over $15,000.00 a month plus a percentage of their gross sales to The Villages. So your not going to get Golden Corral prices here. Im a business man here and its not fair to wish for any business to fail. I say give them another chance, before there is another empty business boarded up on the square. (we still support the place)

First: There is nothing upscale about this joint. Second: Perhaps what you mean to say is that if the Villages charged reasonable rents and did not need a % of gross sales (which do little more than add to the billions they already have) then we might have a built in incentive for good restaurants to provide good meals to residents. As for The Golden Corral, I wouldn't eat there if it was free. Why is it that halfway decent places tend to choose locations just outside the borders of TV. ( Carabba's, Outback, Polly's Pantry, Longhorn, The Cotillion and the planned new Italian Restaurant on 301 called Chefs of Napoli).

[Bill32]

Originally Posted by kimball

First: There is nothing upscale about this joint. Second: Perhaps what you mean to say is that if the Villages charged reasonable rents and did not need a % of gross sales (which do little more than add to the billions they already have) then we might have a built in incentive for good restaurants to provide good meals to residents. As for The Golden Corral, I wouldn't eat there if it was free. Why is it that halfway decent places tend to choose locations just outside the borders of TV. ( Carabba's, Outback, Polly's Pantry, Longhorn, The Cotillion and the planned new Italian Restaurant on 301 called Chefs of Napoli).

Obvious good points

[alicehelen]

We tried Luigino's 3 times in 1 1/2 years, each time hoping the service or food would improve - NOT! I am so disappointed that every new restaurant here, (especially Italian ones!) are AWFUL! But they stay in business because most people in The Villages tolerate bad to mediocre food, I am convinced, because they go where you can get the most food for the cheapest price, & especially if they can get cheap liquor (wine, beer, etc). A lot of these places (Luigino's, Red Sauce, Toscani's & the newest AWFUL place, Mezza Luna) I think, do not really know what good Italian food is. Very very sad, because these places stay in business instead of us getting some better restaurants that may charge a little more, but it's worth it to go there! We went to Mezza Luna last night - got there at 7, ordered at 7:10, and at 8:00, still hadn't gotten our food or even a bread basket. Also, at 7:50, they put a sign outside that said "Kitchen is Closed!" So, my guess is, we would have never gotten out food. Terribly slow wait staff, TERRIBLE wine list - NO ITALIAN red wines on it (this is an Italian restaurant?!) except for bad Bolla which is their house wine I guess! There was no management in sight to even complain to & everyone was running around like chickens without heads! We finally got up & left!

[Bonny]

Been to Mezza Luna 4 times and love it !

[Skip]

Originally Posted by alicehelen

We went to Mezza Luna last night - got there at 7, ordered at 7:10, and at 8:00, still hadn't gotten our food or even a bread basket. Also, at 7:50, they put a sign outside that said "Kitchen is Closed!" So, my guess is, we would have never gotten out food. Terribly slow wait staff, TERRIBLE wine list - NO ITALIAN red wines on it (this is an Italian restaurant?!) except for bad Bolla which is their house wine I guess! There was no management in sight to even complain to & everyone was running around like chickens without heads! We finally got up & left!

Heard the same complaints from our friends that went there. The kitchen was very very slow with the food. Wow! I thought these people were experienced. No management around? That IS A PROBLEM.

Thanks for the info.

Skip