Cinelli's Pizza

I have been to Cinelli's several times because of the practical location at North Hills. The food is alright (some dishes -- others are just greasy and upset my stomach), but the service is what I don't like, especially during our last visit. We went there before catching a movie, and we were all immediately, hm... distracted by the hostess's dress. It was unbelievably low-cut and flimsy; I felt very awkward for my dad. She was jiggling all over the place. When she turned around, we could all see perfectly the outline of her thong. For first-time customers, I cannot imagine that she would make a good first impression for the restaurant (besides with the male clientele of ages 13-22). What was the most distracting was the overall environment. Our waitress was actually quite sweet and attentive; however, we kept noticing this thin, dark-haired woman walking around with all these children in her arms. At first I was asking myself, ""Wow, she is a bit over-friendly with the client's children..."" We eventually learned that they were actually the woman herself's children -- three little girls who all had to be under the age of 5. They were loud and running around. It was entirely inappropriate for a restaurant. Turns out that the woman is the manager's wife, so I don't think the kids are going anywhere -- which means I won't be going back. more

What once was a wonderful restaurant back when the first Cinelli's opened in Durham years ago is now a sad story.... There is not one hint of authentic italian taste to the food rather, it reminded me of high school cafeteria quality. They have continued to ""downsize"" the menu over the years and I believe the ingredients as well. Besides the quality of food and ingredients to be exceptionally poor and tasteless, the professionalism of waitstaff and atmosphere are also severely lacking at this location. The waitstaff are not rude however, appear to not give a crap at all about the job or restaurant. I had a similar experience last year and thought I'd give Cinelli's one more try. I Can never go back again. Bar food has better taste and quality. I'm bummed since once upon a time the food was great. more

We were visiting North Hills this weekend and felt like having Italian for dinner. We had tickets for the NH theatre, so rather than go elsewhere, we decided to try Cinelli's. We had not visited Cinelli's before. I have to say that their red sauce seems to be designed for the taste of three year olds and their service reminds us of Waffle House. Given the more upscale image of the locale, we were expecting something better...WRONG. On the positive side, our order was taken promptly and delivered to us in a very reasonable amount of time. However, the female waitstaff was gossiping loudly enough for us all to hear much of the time we were there. Later they were carrying on their conversations from across the room. It was as if they didn't realize (or care) that we could all hear them...whether we wanted to or not. It was not a pleasant dining experience at all. The food was very so-so but the service was spectacularly poor. This is a great location and someone really ought to open up a nice Italian restaurant...or they could just fix this one. more

I had heard good things about this place and had some time to spare, so I ventured in about 4:30 on Saturday afternoon. The seating process seemed to be a bit difficult as the person telling the hostess where to seat me had to repeat her directions at least three times. Once seated a waitress appeared, took my drink order, then quickly came back with my drink and asked for my order. I wasn't ready at that point and asked for a few minutes. My waitress then disappeared. The other workers (all dressed for Halloween) were busy playing, laughing, joking and horsing around (except for the only male in the place who seemed to take his job seriously and was attentive to HIS customers). At one point the employees in the booth adjacent to mine were horsing around so much they ended up shoving my table almost knocking over my beverage. After several minutes and no waitress or anyone else acknowledging my presence I threw a dollar bill on the table to cover the cost of the tea and walked out. Also not acknowledged. more

I was really impressed, not only with the food, but with the attentive service we recieved. I as a parent, took myself and my children along with thirteen other young men to cinellis for lunch. The tables were set up when we got there and the service was great. The boys ordered pizza, while i ordered salmon bur blanc, both great. The attention to detail was impecable, salmon fresh and perfectly cooked. I would recommend this restaurant to anyone. Pros: best pizza and pasta in town more

My husband and boys went in after our basketball game and boys had pizza and loved it. My husband had chicken scrapiello and said it was the best chicken dish he has ever had maybe better than mine? and i had pollo christina was wonderful. The waitress Addylean said they just got a new chef and she talked with my boys, and made us feel like part of the family. Great place to take kids or go on a date. Pros: best italian food in town more

This restaurant was a huge disappointment. The food seems to be heated up frozen (nothing tasted or seemed fresh), the staff seems to be plucked from a near by high school. I sat in a booth on a busy friday night, and I felt like i was eating with the loud family of five at the booth directly adjacent to my own. there are no barriers between these tables. it took forever to get a simple salad with grilled chicken, and no one seemed to know anything about the menu or about the wine. this is not true italian food, it is more american microwaved italian food. the decor is also bland and tasteless... I would NEVER recommend this place to anyone... one star is too good for Cinelli's. Pros: Flavor, Presentation and price Cons: parking at north hills more

Cinelli's should stick with the classics and forgo trying innovative pizza ideas. The Mexican Pizza was basically a hamburger pizza without any kind of sauce for the base, cheese, and raw tomatoes and lettuce. They don't use enough taco seasoning so it is very bland. I don't think there was any on mine. Otherwise the pizzas are very good and I will definitely go back for regular pizzas. Oh, and the high school staff likes to shout across the room letting the other know what kind of tip they received from departed diners. Pros: Good pizza crust Cons: Mexican pizza, immature waitstaff more

Went here for lunch and had the basil tomato pizza- can't remember the name. Pizza was good but more importantly I had their tiramisu for dessert. OMG can't wait to go back! Pros: Authentic cuisine more

We just moved to Raleigh from Apex, where we had several great pizza/Italian takeout places, including NY Pizza, Johnny's, and Dominic's. We're looking for a good pizza place here, and we'd heard of Assagio's and Cinelli's. Since Cinelli's was slightly cheaper than Assagio's, we thought we'd give it a try. Especially since they boast ""real New York pizza."" Also, reviewers seem to like it so much. Well, we ordered an ""XL pizza,"" garlic knots, and fries. Their idea of an XL pizza is a joke. It wasn't even an 18"" pizza, which tells me that they're trying to charge the most amount of money for the least amount of cost to them. The pizza was doughy and undercooked. Furthermore, the crust was thick like many of these clown joints down here, such as Papa John's. The garlic knots were totally stale, undercooked, with barely any garlic at all. I ate one bite of one and threw the rest away. The fries was the only satisfactory item, but it's difficult to screw up pre-packaged fries. I definitely do not recommend this place. Onwards to Assagio's... Pros: They have lots of locations Cons: Their food is subpar more

I went to Cinelli's on a Monday night with my girlfriend and spent 15 minutes driving around North Hills mall to find a parking spot. I finally got to Cinelli's and was very impressed by the whole decor and the real tasting Italian food. I suggest the tortellini carbonara or the great tasting pizza! Pros: Food Cons: Parking more

Good pizza, i didn't have anything else on the menu but the pie was excellent and the manager ""jason"" i think his name, he was really helpful. Thanks again i'll deffinately come back. Pros: Pizza Cons: atmosphere more

Have been in here a few times and have loved the food....the service is average and the actual restaurant itself is nice, nothing too fancy. If you appreciate good italian food though I would recommend this place, or maybe getting take-out! Pros: food Cons: parking more

After waiting over 20 minutes, therefore being late to my movie, and not even receiving my food ever. I must give Cinelli's at North Hills in Raleigh NC an F for service. May go Back, However doubtful. Pros: ? Cons: poor service more

This is a true Italian Pizzeria! Pasta Fagioli, New York Pizza, Beer, Wine and all priced very afordable. Very family friendly with tables that could accomodate our large party. Perfect for before or after the movies. Service was great, fast pase kept them on their toes, but weren't pushy. Would highly recomend and will be a new regular. Pros: Friendly Cons: Parking more

I think judging by the atmosphere and menu that I could have enjoyed dining at Cinelli's but after hearing some of the badmouthing of other restaurants that went on in there I realized that this was not a place to which I cared to spend my money. It is truely a shame that the common respect that so many people in the same business share together is not felt or exhibited by the owner(s) of Cinelli's. Perhaps they should learn from the restaurants they badmouth and they would have lines at their door as well. Cons: disrespect for others more

If you want to get ""Americanized Italian"" go to Cinellis. It's your typical pizza place with calzone, subs, etc.. The food is OK, but there is nothing unusual about the menu. It you want authenticity in your Italian, and something unique that you won't find at any neighborhood pizza place, I recommend going across the street to Vivace. There you'll find classy Italian that is similar to what you would find throughout the regions of Italy. If you want New York Italian, Cinellis may be a good choice for you. Pros: casual, inexpensive Cons: Same old Italian more

Suprised Pros: service Cons: parking more