Italian Grotto

I would not recommend this restaurant to my worst enemy! My wife and I were tourists last week in Scottsdale and happened to stumble into this place. We were seated and ordered our meals, I had the canneloni and my wife ordered the ceasar salad, which she asked if they could put grilled chicken on. The waiter said no problem and we received our dinner sometime later. In addition to the food being very bland, the problem started when we received our check.\r \r I was astonished to see that they had charged $20.00 for the salad, which was on the menu for $7.00.\r Doing the math, they had charged $13.00 to add chicken. Well, I have traveled extensively and have never been charged $20.00 for a chicken ceasar salad anywhere, even at a 5 star resort, which this place is far from being. \r \r I asked our waiter politely if we could speak to a manager, he informed us that the owner was there and we could speak to him, we said perfect.\r \r Well, when the owner ( Gary ) came to our table, he sat down and I never even got a chance to explain my problem, he immediately became extremely rude, abusive and indignant to my wife and I. He began swearing and told us to pay what we wanted, he didn't care. His language was extremely strong and offensive, in front of all of his customers. \r \r We were astonished and I told him that since he had an attitude like that we wouldn't pay anything! He said he was going to call the police and it got really ugly after that. He must have been drunk or something. I have never in my life been treated this way by the owner or manager of any establishment anywhere. \r \r Bottom line is that a person like Gary, does not deserve to have any customers patronize his establishment, he deserves to lose this business. I hope you will not suffer the same treatment as my wife and I did should you decide to go there, but I highly suggest you don't. It has left a very bad taste about Scottsdale in our mouths! Cons: Rude, Abusive, Indignant, Drunk Owner more

I've been a customer of Italian Grotto for 5 years now, until tonight. My boyfriend and I walked up and noticed it was very busy. The owner was the host. My b-friend went inside and politely asked for a table. He barely replied ""as soon as the other couple leaves"". He walked away for a few minutes, and then came back and didn't say anything as we were both still standing there. So my boyfriend asked him again if there is a table ready. The very rude-no-people-skills owner then looked right at me and pointed (as mentioned in another review) at my face and said, ""can you tell your boyfriend to stop bothering me, I told him that he can have a table as soon as the other table of two leaves"". Who does he think he is, The Grinch that Stole X-mas? He sounded like a 5 year old brat! Then, my b-friend told the owner that he's been a customer a long time and we're local here. Right before he was going to ask how long the wait would be again, the owner looked at both of us and got up in our face and said "" I'm the owner here, I've had this place for 30 years and now you guys can't eat here anymore!"" So, leave now!"" I was completely shocked, I never expected that! It was so sudden and RUDE and selfless. Maybe I come from a more traditional backround. My family is in the restaurant business for over 30 years themselves, and they never once turned away a customer. He's damn lucky to have that restaurant with the way that he treats his guests. He may get lucky next time he treats someone like that, the consequences could go very bad. Grotto is busy when it's season, but other than that, it's as a dead as a cemetery. The only reason why I go there is to have the linguini with clams, although all four restaurants that my family owns make it way much better. It was just nice to go to a place once in a while that wasn't always my family's, where I could get something somewhat similar tasting. Owner should get help for his alcoholism and attitude! He's a miserable guy! Cons: Americanized Italian Food, Owner very rude more

Per the waiters recomendation I had the veal Carolina. The entire plate was very bland and had little flavor. I was by myself so I sat and therefore didn't have to wait like all the others did who arrived before and after me. I think I would have been even more dissapointed if I would have had to wit for this generic tasting food. On the plus side, the waitstaff and bar tender were great, and watching the manager (owner?) get drunk and try to hold converstations with people, proved great entertainment for me and the other business traveler eating at the bar. Pros: location Cons: bland food more

I can truly say we had a terrible experience at this restaurant that forever left a bad taste in my mouth. I don't usually write reviews but people should be warned about this place! My father and his friend came in for baseball spring training and we made a reservation at Italian Grotto. We arrive on time - no tables were available. The host was incredibly rude (probably one of the owners) and treated us like crap. My dad politely explained that we had made a reservation. ""Well nothings open,"" the host snapped, ""so if you don't like it, you can leave."" I am not kidding!! We were kind of shocked, as we went out of our way to try this place (and walk there in the rain). We asked how long the wait was and he estimated maybe 30 minutes. We left. Avoid!! Cons: Rudeness more

All was OK until I opened the menu. The menu had grease spots, and have second thoughts about staying. The first course came yet no bread was in the table. Well, I asked if they have any yet sadly the whole restaurant did not have any, even if the time was only 7:36pm. The soup I had with my entre was Campbell's Tomato soup with big chunks of zucchini and cabbage.Wait a sec. I though it was Minestrone??? Ok, let say we ate out first course, the main have to be great...""not quite so"" my fettucini primavera was more like fetuccini inverno morto. The vegetables were not cooked more over they all were winter items such as zucchini, yellow squash and Broccoli (sysco) that were showing some signs of better times. At this time the bread showed up in a bag of Frys. Just safe your money... OK!! Pros: Server, Runquist Barbera, by the glass Cons: Menu, Managers, Chef more

I have been eating at Italian Grotto for over seven years and have never had anything but an enjoyable dining experiance. The owner and staff always go out of their way to do everything possible to make sure everything is perfect. I have dined all over the world and can assure you that this is a great place to eat! Pros: food, service, Bar more

I was at the Italian Grotto with 7 people. We were having a great time- excellent food, the service staff was friendly, fun, atmosphere was great. That was all until the manager arrived. He came over to our table and said he was about to start his dinner business and we should ""go about our business"". One of my friends didn't understand what he meant and he pointed at her (finger right in her face) in the RUDEST tone and said ""If you don't understand, ask her"" (to another friend). We were all shocked as we had been having a lot of fun, meeting a lot of people, and spending a lot of money. He proceeded to make more rude comments in a loud voice until we left the restaurant. I'm surprised the owner stays in business with an attitude like that. Pros: service staff, food, atmosphere Cons: manager, manager, manager more

This place is a very unique eating establishment.............The atmosphere is great and very lively, especially during Spring Training. I have met many different people from all walks of sports and other areas who frequent this place. Many baseball deals have been cooked up in the ""back"" booths as well as contracts being negotiated there. The food is good and the kitchen will accomodate most of your culinary wishes. The head chef, Diana, puts out a very good menu. The owner, Gary, is a one-of-a-kind individual, who grew up in the Bronx. He is no nonsense person, who will accomodate you in a grand style. He has been known to be a little cranky when customers complain too much about problems that they usually have created themselves (being late for a reservation, being very early and still demanding seating immediately, etc.). The staff is great and is very helpful. I have eaten there about 20 times over the past 3-4 years and will happily return. Pros: atmosphere, good food, good staff more

The host&owner could be best described by either smarmy or swarthy. 2 servers were unabashedly sarcastic to each person in my party. Dark and smokey, the music was so loud conversation was difficult. asking whether it would be alright to turn the music down slightly, one server said smart-a88edly: ""Louder? Did you say louder?"" He went away for a moment, then came back and said ""How's that?"" He'd actually turned it up. My favorite: the same server asked if he could remove my plate. When I acknowledged, he pushed it back in front of me like a taunt or a joke. Service was good; but the attitude was bad. More like bizarre. Good wine list. Had the feeling other clients dabbled in more than tobacco and alcohol. Incidentally, I took up the owner on his recommendation of their signature dish: Veal Carolina. The fat on it was actually crunchy. Pros: Lively, Great art on walls Cons: Rude, Snotty, Bizarre - bad kind more