801W Limberlost Drive Sp 64
Tucson, AZ 85705
Pima County
Phone: (520) 906-1402
Fax: unknownWebsite: no website on fileEmail: no email on fileHours: unknown
by Parker Zich on There's nothing "little" about Maggiano's Little Italy. The other night I was walking off the last remnants of a hangover at Phase II of the Domain and some friends and I decided to just "pop in" to what we thought was a quiet little Italian place. Walking in through the rotating door, you are now in a large foyer with a high ceiling and a large chandelier. For a moment, with the time change and the exhaustion, I could have sworn I was at a hotel downtown. Where's the bellman? The long hallway with the restrooms and the banquet room was throwing me off. To the side was a bar area. Had I had a few drinks there, I'd probably ask them to charge it to my room. Finally, I got my bearings and realized we were at a very elaborate restaurant. The hostess was VERY polite, and actually engaged in some small talk on the way to the table. We felt very welcome. We sat in a booth in the back part of the dining area right next to the huge pot with the reddish gladiolas. On the other side was a date in progress, where he was caressing her face (really? in public?) and from the way she was looking at him, you could practically hear her late-30's biological clock ticking wildly. Blech. Our waiter Reuben was one of the best waiters I've encountered in a while. He was genuinely friendly, and very knowledgeable about the menu (he told us he had taste-tasted everything over the course of a couple days, and he recommended his favorites). I had originally planned a light dinner, but instead I did a 360 and ordered the lobster carbonara; the others ordered spaghetti and meat sauce. Reuben explained that like old world Italy, if you order off the classic specials portion of the menu, you receive a second portion of whatever you'd like from that same menu to take home with you. My friend let me take her gnocchi home with me for later. (I ate it today for lunch. Yum!) The bread and olive oil were great; if I weren't so worn out, I would have loved to order some wine. Waiting for the meal, I got a good look at the place and was impressed. Sure the old cliches of red and white checkered table cloths with photos of Rome and New York were there, but I thought it was charming. It may have been the hangover, but there was just a little too much Sinatra for me at the moment. And I couldn't help but think back to that Mrs. Doubtfire scene where Robin William's gay brother transforms him into an old English broad when I heard "Luck Be A Lady". The food arrived, and I was loving the portion of lobster meat that came with the dish. Perfectly sauced, and the snow peas were sweet. Hearty portions all around. Reuben was attentive and checked up on us throughout. He explained we could go online and tell them about the service (I did, and gave him special props). I would have had dessert, but I was going to keel over. Watch out profiteroles--next time, you're mine. It was the little things about the restaurant that won me over. The cute dishes, the way the Parmesan cheese had a little doily underneath it, the swarthy, handsome waiter I saw pass by...I was really digging it. Next time, I'll come out for the full deal. The bar looks like a fun place to kill time, too. This restaurant is the definition of a fabulous "date place", as well as for families and special occasions. A lot of my out of town friends had raved about Maggiano's, and now I know why. On the way out, the concierge--er, hostess--bid us a good night. A strong four stars! I suspect if I write an update, it might become a fiver. Stay tuned!
by Leilani R. on I know it's a kinda bad fratty boy bar but you can't beat 50% off an entire bar for happy hour... sorry, you can't. Great place to meet up with your people - others don't bother you & everyone's trying to drink up their share of the 50% off. * Beer pong tables * Back library seating area * Good music on the jukebox
