DeNuzio's

I have eaten at Luigi's a number of times over the last 8 years. It is always excellent, and each time excedes my expectations. I have taken friends who beg to go back again. I have attended 3 or 4 of the ""cooking classes"" that are always fun. They aren't meant to be a 4 course dinner, just a sampling. My friends who go to the cooking classes with me have told others how much fun they are and now we have a group wanting to go this fall. Ignore the bad reviews, sometimes only angry people comment. This place is the best Italian Food in Seattle! Pros: Fun friendly atmosphere and fabulous food Cons: the location is a little tough to get to sometimes more

We also had a radio station promotion valued at $360.00- for a cooking class for 8. What a joke! It was described as 4 course famoulous meal. Instead we received a small cup of soup, one pork chop, and a banana for dessert. The guests were complaining how hungry they were, but Luigi didn't bring anymore food. We didn't receive a salad, pasta, vegetable, or even bread to curve our appetite. The bill came, and in addition to the ""valued"" $360.00- he charged us another $398.00 for wine, tax, and of Luigi's tip! I was appalled and complained, but felt like they were nothing but bullies. It was deceiptful and dishonest to believe that our meal was valued at $750.00!!! We literally were served a cup of soup, a pork chop, a banana, and wine for an absurd amount of money. We too had the same situation as other reviewers- Luigi brought wine that was never ordered, and charged us for it. I will NEVER be back, nor will any of our guests who came that evening. Pros: location Cons: everything else more

We arrived at Luigi?s Grotto for lunch with some good friends from out of town. As this was their first time in Seattle, we thought we?d take them for some authentic Italian. Atmosphere was good at best. The waiter (Luigi?) seated all 7 of us and asked what we wanted to drink. He returned with 3 sodas (cans), three glasses containing a single ounce of substandard wine (watered down), and one beer. We were asked if we had any dietary restrictions (3 vegetarians, 3 carnivores, and 1 vegan). We waited for menus. Instead we were served parmesan bread ? roughly a bite per person. Then came salad. We assumed this was part of the appetizer and ate and talked while we waited for menus. Luigi appears again with a platter of perciatelli with vegetables and a 5? pizza. No meat for our carnivore friends, no choice of entree. Despite the pathetic portions of pasta offered and our ravenous hunger, we were unable to eat much more than a bite or two. The pasta was fresh, but flavorless; the broccoli (mostly woody unpalatable stem chunks) was undercooked; the zucchini and eggplant were overcooked, and the tomato pieces tasted canned. We all sensed that we were being served leftovers. The pizza was fair, but was hardly enough for one person as an appetizer, much less an entree for 7 and we questioned why it was given to us at all. I tried several more times to flag down ?Luigi? to enquire about the cost, but he pretended to be too busy (this despite the fact that we were the only customers he had). We were served a bowl of ice cream and the pasta was taken away and replaced by the bill. $196.00 ($28 per person!) for food that was far from fresh or original. ?Luigi? was thoughtful enough to calculate in a 20% tip for himself. Total bill: $237 for LUNCH. Poor service and food my Sicilian grandfather would have been ashamed of. Avoid Luigi?s Grotto at all costs?because ?all costs? is exactly what they charge. Pros: Ambience is ok. Cons: Price, Quality and Quatity of Entree, Misleading Pricing to the point of Dishonesty. more

I have always had an amazing time at this venue and the cooking class. It's fun, entertaining and worth the $50 (wine included!). They have cooking classes monthly and my friends and I always try to make it a point to be there. Fun, great food, and atmosphere. Pros: Unique Cooking Class Cons: Parking more

6 of us went to Luigi's expecting a great evening of wine, food and to learn how to cook Italian from Luigi himself. This was a package promo($180) from a radio station. First, the entrance to the grotto - really named DeNunzios-is steep stairs to a Seattle underground restaurant. Luigi himself was at the bar and welcomed us. However he pointed us to a waiter who took us to a table for 6. A waiter took our drink order - the absolute worst martini my husband has ever had - watered down w/2 types of gin?! The rest of us shared a carafe of Chianti. for $20. Luigi brought another caraffe of wine without being asked. Luigi's waitstaff was ever present and seemed eager to assist. Luigi did cook at the table on a portable cooking table & stove. ...but never did we get an opportunity to cook as the promo had promised. We were served excellent bread and salad and, disappointingly, a serving of Luigi's mac and cheese and ONE chicken drumstick each! The food was good, the servings miniscule. The gentlemen in our party were stunned when our check arrived as they were still hungry-expecting more food to be prepared and served. We were given 6 Hersey kisses with the check and Luigi disappeared. Our waiter(s) gave us the check for $148 and we were shocked to see an extra charge for a carafe of Chianti which we did not order We had prepaid $180 for the dinner and was stunned to get this additional charge which came from Sales tax and 18% gratuity on $300 he said was the value of the meal in addition to $40 for 2 carafes of wine, one not ordered and a $7 martini . Is it legal to charge tax on inflated value instead of the actual charge? When the credit card charge was brought back ,the writing plainly looked like $198. The waiter said it was just his bad writing. I feel sure that the charge would have shown as $198. Stay away unless you like to feel cheated at the end of an evening. This is the worst experience I have ever had in a restaurant more

Luigi's Grotto is perfect for that special night. If you're in on one of the nights Luigi is there, let him know how much you're looking to spend then let him work his magic... you won't regret it! Pros: specially prepared meals catered to what you & your guests want Cons: parking can be rough more

Luigi's Grotto is a slice of Italian heaven in Pioneer Square. Unlike the overcrowded restaurant next door, the Grotto offers an ambiance for either a romantic dining experience or a group outting. Because the restaurant is in Underground Seattle, it has a rustic European feel. They have a piano player that keeps the background music light, yet enjoyable for the dining experience. Start your meal with the most amazing bruchetta in this town, and finish it off with an authentic tiramisu or cannoli. Having been to the Grotto twice with groups of friends, I have had the pleasure of trying several of the delectable entrees. Try the penne putanesca or the fresh gnocchi for a dining experience that will make you come back for more. Every dish I have tried has been fresh and full of flavor - and NEVER greasy. The Italian wines are incredible additions to the meal. As is in the European tradition, the wait staff will not rush you through your meal, nor force you out the door for the next patron. You will have to ask for your bill, because they would let you stay all night if you wanted. Personally, I see this as a benefit not a deterrant. Also, don't expect to be served ""caffe americano"" (i.e. drip coffee). If you want coffee with your cannoli, it WILL be espresso, in a small cup, super strong and not at all decaffinated! Luigi's Grotto is a refreshing piece of Italy right in our home town! more

the only word i can use to describe how i felt when i left luigi's was 'bamboozled' - i purchased three drinks and my tab before tip was 44.00. the service was pleasant enough, but that was ridiculous - especially considering how watered down the drinks were. when i asked management about it (ahem, children of luigi) i was told that it was so high because pioneer square taxes were high. ridiculous! Pros: semi-attentive staff Cons: , overexpensive, deceptive more

Before I beging the onslaught of complaints I would like to point out that my chicken Fettuccine was tasty...and it should have been for the cost. First off, when you walk in the overwhelming ""musty"" smell will almost make you turn around and walk right out the door. However the ambience is nice so you stand it. On this particular day the service was nice and the food was rather good. It is really nice to have someone there reading your mind and offering all of these appetizers (I.E. Bruschetta, Salad, Garlic bread, etc.) but as soon as you get the bill...watch out!!! We were completely and utterly Shanghai'd!!! To be charged $2.50 for a refill of flat cola is obsurd. $21 for Bruschetta...cmon!! Dont Go!!! You will just get mad!!! Pros: good fettuccine Cons: , highly overpriced, deceiving waitress more

The Grotto can't make it's mind up as to what it wants to be. On the one hand, it seems authentic with the proprietor waltzing around shaking hands and announcing dinner specials with flair. On the other, tacky smooth jazz accompanies ungraceful service and bland food. The value is poor in relation to the quality of our dinner experience here. Pros: underground Cons: overrated more

Immediately, the ambience welcomes you into the Grotto, and warm mellow Jazz floated out of the Vino Room Lounge. Welcomed into the dining room, we find a menu of traditional Italian with some more creative dishes, all reasonably priced. Portions are generous, and service is friendly. The air here is of authenticity. Luigi greeted guests, and found time to chat with some. Visiting the Grotto is like visiting a friend's house. No pretentousness here. It is welcoming, comfortable and satisfying. Pros: Ambience, Live Jazz offered, Inexpensive more

I must say, what started out as a lovely evening, ended in frustration. Not only did we have to get our silverware from neighboring empty tables, but we also had to ask for just about everything else as well. We felt more like nusiances rather than patrons. What was even more frustrating was that the restaurant was more than half empty, so the long waits and bad service seemed unnecessary. After it was all said and done, I vowed never to return to this restaurant ever again. In fact, I would even go as far as to say it was the worst service I have had in Seattle area. Pros: Nice Decor more

I went to Luigi's on advice from a friend that went there 2 years ago. Maybe things were great then, but not now. The food was overpriced, awful and not how it was described on the menu AT ALL. I had 2 bites and that did it for me. The waiter was nowhere to be found. Luigi was too busy waiting on a large group next to us (I can only imagine how much that meal was). We complained to the waiter once he did appear to drop off the check. He acted like we wouldnt dare not like the food & basically did nothing. So, we paid and I purposely left my ""leftovers"" in the ladies room to make a point. DONT GO TO LUIGI'S!!! Pros: Romantic Cons: Nasty Food, BAD service, Too Pricey more

You can order off the menu or have Luigi's prepare something special to your liking. The food is consistently exquisite and the surroundings comforting and fun. Luigi is a delight as is the rest of his staff. This is the best Italian food in Seattle! Pros: Great food, Great service, Excellent value more

I had been to Luigis before and had a great experience. I recently went back for my birthday and had a NIGHTMARE experience. Luigi himself delivers food to your table to ""taste"", opens bottles of wine NOT on request..and you will be charged for the stuff. We ordered one thing (the pork) and the rest was just brought to our table for us to ""try""....our bill was close to $600!!! for 7 people. EXTREMELY unexpected. I definately will not be back there and neither will everyone I told of our nightmare evening. It has great food, good atmosphere..but he is very tricky! Pros: Fun, Romantic setting Cons: expensive, $$$$, unexpected more

As you descend into Seattle's historic underground neighborhood you enter a romantic, candlelit enclave, and are greeted in Italian by Luigi himself (his picture is painted on the marquis outside the building). Luigi offers to serve you several entrees which you might mistake as ""sampler-style"" dining, but he will charge you full price for each entree, so be careful! He is a great host, though, and his personality adds warmth to the entire experience. We had a warm calamari and spinich appetizer (this was fantastic -- highly recommended!!) a ravioli entree (really poor taste, had to send it back, which Luigi happily switched for a better-tasting dish) and a chicken/pine-nut dish over pasta (spicy goodness in the sauce, but the pasta was definitely over-cooked). Overall, we'll go back for the atmosphere, the great management, the character and stick to ordering ""easy"" pastas and the calamari. Pros: romantic atmosphere, luigi adds character!, calamari is wonderful Cons: overcooked pasta, bad tasting ravioli, parking in pioneer sq more