Pompilio's Restaurant

Doesn't Recommend

dmad53

Joined 6 years ago

Wanted it to work, but a disappointment. My wife and I, my son, and our granddaughter went to Pompilio's on Fathers Day, and I really wanted this to work out, what with the "Rain Man" hype, and the fact that real "Italians'" have operated this establishment since it's inception. I had the sampler platter and my wife had the lasagna. The Italian sausage was fine, but the eggplant parmesan was limp and soupy. The lasagne was a real disappointment.....only pasta and ricotta, and everything was covered in marinara. The marinara was adequately seasoned, and caramalized, which is good. My son enjoyed his Manicotti.

Having a wife who is 1/2 Italian (her grandmother actually came over on the boat, so to speak) and who has sampled many authentic dishes throughout her life, I believe, makes her a pretty reliable source when it comes to this type of quisine. She was, however not impressed. I base my review only on the items we

ordered. In fairness, there may be better choices to be had on the menu. But with regards to lasagne, it really isn't a difficult thing to make.

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rsnurse45

Joined 6 years ago

Food was just average, expensive, small portions. I had not been to Pompillio's in many years, I had grown up in the area but had moved away, but when I had a chance to go back I thought it would be nice. We entered the restaurant and was seated the waitress brought bread and took our order most all items on the menu are sold individually . When the sodas were brought to the table they were in 8oz glass bottles, which I had not seen in a long time,(you must pay for each bottle you get , and if you are a person who drinks throughout your meal prepare to put out $6-8 dollars for your refreshments each!. The food arrived to the table promply, my italian meal was not on a plate but in a large soup bowl which I found odd, the food was OK nothing special and we did not drink with this meal, there was 3 of us on the check. The room which we were seated was like stepping back into the 50's so updating could be done.

After eating for which I was still hungry due to the portion sizes were anything but large we paid the bill which totaled $48.00 which I thought was extremely expensive and left. in my opinion if you are looking for good italian food with Newport on the Levy so close try there or even the Olive Garden would be much better, and less expensive!!!

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jenking1616

Joined 8 years ago

Wonderfully Traditional. This is excellent authentic italian food for a wonderful price. I grew up in the area, and have moved away. EVERY time I come home, I go to Pompilios. The meal portions are huge for price, but quality is not at all sacrificed.

Recommends

twogen1

Joined 8 years ago

A Visitors Treat. The food was terrific, the portions large and the service was surly and real Italian. One of the highlights of my vacation.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Enjoy local color, traditional Italian food and a warm atmosphere where everyone is treated like a regular.. The Scene
This may be the most truly "Cincinnatian" restaurant that isn't in Cincinnati. A warm, family atmosphere pervades the dining rooms (one non-smoking, the smaller one smoking). Photos from "Rain Man" hang from the walls, and everyone in the place is treated like a regular.

The Food
The fare is simple, affordable and delicious. Begin with eggplant Parmigiana, fried calimari, toasted ravioli, or the refreshing mozzarella a la Caprese (fresh mozzarella with tomatoes, capers and a drizzle of olive oil). Move on to traditional dishes like canneloni, chicken cacciatore, brasciuole, or chicken or veal Milanese. House favorites include shrimp Ronaldo (angel hair pasta with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, olives and feta cheese)and meaty lasagna. Portions are large and the presentation is simple. Inquire about dessert and a waitress comes back arms laden with plastic-wrapped treats, like "Spumoni-cheesecake-Snickers-chocolate suicide."

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twoforfood

Joined 10 years ago

Too much Hype. While the ambience is interesting and the prices fairly reasonable, why bother with this restaurant.

With so many excellent places to eat, particulalry Italian in the area, choose somewhere else. The food is incrediably mediocre, though the service is generally good. We only eat here when someone else insists.

Doesn't Recommend

scumlike

Joined 11 years ago

Bad Italian. Food was not good. Sauces bland and the bread was god-awful. Tasted super stale. We waited forever too. The atmosphere was okay though

Doesn't Recommend

ainot

Joined 10 years ago

Overrated. If you like Ragu, this is your place.

Food is mediocre at best. Atmosphere is not exactly the best.

Looking for good Italian in a superb atmosphere at a good price ... try Karlos Italian Bistro in Florence. Excellent bread, wonderful ice tea, and a Smoked Salmon Fettucine to die for.

Doesn't Recommend

satchelm

Joined 10 years ago

out of a can. Being new to the area, I searched high and low for authentic or close to authentic Italian food. I decided on Pompilio's and was pleased to see the number of people waiting to dine that night and took that as a positive sign. I can say that it was the worst Italian food I have had next to Chef-Boyardee out of a can. I ordered eggplant parmesan and tried desperatly to locate a morsel of eggplant in the dish and only found seeds. The pasta was chewy-not "al dente" and I had about a pound of sauce on a 1/2 pound size plate. Maybe it was a bad night, but I will not try it again.

Recommends

nramsey

Joined 11 years ago

Well Worth Your Trip. I first tried Pompilio's at Taste of Cincinnati and had to go there. The food is tremendous and the atmosphere makes you feel like you just stepped into the real Italy. They even have a large back yard and outdoor dining area with bocce courts. On my first trip the service was horrendous. We waited almost a half an hour for the server to bring our change back after we paid. I chalk this up to a them being busy or our server being incompetent. I'll definitely try it again for the food and atmosphere.