06/05/09

for you

by CSMobileUser

its good

11/25/08

Italian At Its Best

by PatriciaHasley

Fabulous food, very attentive serivce and a great value. I'm a flight attendante and I've traveled a lot in Italy and I know Lombardi's has truly outstanding Italian food. Great local ownership who gives back to the community. It's on top of my list for great Italian food.

• Pros: Great value, great wine selection, great food, and very friendly service
• Cons: I would like it to be nearer where I live

09/03/08

Standard on our list for affordable Italian food

by DinaK

I've been to Lombardi's five times and have never been disappointed. Twice I was with a large group for lunch and was pleasantly surprised by their service (I know serving a large group can be challenging). The other three times were for dinner, with one or two other guests. The baked ravioli is one of the best dishes I've ever had, as is the chicken parmesan. Their pizzas are good -- filling, good toppings, and a good value. I'd give their Caesar salad a B+. I also have to echo the thumbs-up on the $14 wine offerings. Parking is a bear, but it's downtown Ballard, so it's kind-of expected. It's on major bus routes, so that is always an option (especially with those $14 bottles of wine!). Lombardi's is a standard on our list for affordable Italian food with a nice atmosphere.

• Pros: Good food, good price, good atmosphere
• Cons: Parking, of course

08/04/08

Poor service on several visits.

by gmr3

Being in the neighborhood I have had several opportunities to give Lombardi's several chances. The food was OK each time but the service went from questionable to unforgivable. Perhaps the entire staff can not be criticized but I won't go back to see if my luck improves. The first few times some younger waiters were unfamiliar with the menu's offerings. Once an older gentleman really scored with a wine suggestion. However the LAST time I was there, a middle-aged balding man was extremely rude to me and my date when we asked to be seated in a pleasant area instead of the congested areas he had suggested. When we overheard him from the kitchen talking of those difficult customers (us), we decided to boycott this place for life.

• Pros: It's in Ballard
• Cons: Some staff is the downfall

01/25/08

Diamond in the Rough!!

by Mattlawrence

I have been to both Ballard and Issaquah - Live in Issaquah - have to echo everything that was said about the Ballard location but I want folks to know that I would, and have, taken a date to Issaquah - it is a little more intimate - nice lighting - nice decor and, while I am continually impressed with the menu, I have seen the service improve tremendously over the last year. It used to be a place we would go once in a while - now its our weekly date night. The staff and managers always seem to remember us, what we like, what table we like and we are treated like part of the family!

If you are on the east side it is definitely well worth the visit - Both stores have basically the same menu and the quality is equal! Check it out

• Pros: Ambience, Service, Food, Great Neighborhood Happy Hour too
• Cons: They have become so busy on the weekends you have to wait if you don't have reservations

01/21/08

best butternut sage ravioli I've ever eaten.

by Rhondavu

If you like garlic, this is surprisingly great food for the price!

Oil and roasted garlic is accompanied with fresh bread for each table. Nice caeser salad with garlicky dressing that doesn't overwhelm (although the store bought crutons do diminish the experience a bit).

The butternut squach ravioli was savory and rich without being overwhelming. I usually avoid this dish because it to served sweet (like pumpkin) or else it is too rich. Lombardi's squash was hearty and garlicky in a creamy sage sauce that struck the perfect balance of flavors.

Overall a good value. We will definitely eat here again!

• Pros: value, garlic, portions, food
• Cons: noise, tv, service

12/14/07

hidden gem!

by ksseattle

There's not a lot to Lombardi's to bring you in. It's really plain, cheap furniture, no decorations, hosts who are young and don't care, etc., but the food is terrific! I really enjoy my meals here. I wish they could offer bread to start.

04/05/07

Better than most italian restaurants I've been to

by jaimeh

I've been to Lombardi's in Ballard a few times. Each time I have been very satisfied with my meal. The chicken parm is excellent, and during the winter I had the winter pear salad which had this amazing cider vinagrette on it. I recently had the steak salad and I thought that it was pretty tasty too. I tried the spaghetti and meatballs, and it was good (really, who could mess up spaghetti?). Best of all they have $14 bottles of wine on Sunday-Tuesday! We were there recently for $14 bottle night and received a full story on the bottle of wine that we ordered which was very cool.

• Pros: Good food, $14 wine nights
• Cons: Street parking

11/12/06

Above average Italian fare

by c_koetting

Service here was great. There is a nice selection of mid-range wines, and a good liquor selection. The food is great, but a little overpriced. It's a great dining experience, but I suggest visiting on a weeknight. It has a much more relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere then. It is going through a bit of a musical identity crisis, but I'm really enjoying it!

11/11/06

Two Words: Olive Garden

by micpod

Short of the bartender delivering drinks at the drop of a hat, there was nothing impressive about Lombardi's, be it service, atmosphere, or food. If you are hungry and waiting on a reservation elsewhere it may make a great alternative, however, other than that, it's probably best to keep walking.

• Pros: Quick seating/drinks
• Cons: Slow service, little atmosphere, poor food.