Ponza Italian Kitchen & Pizza

Why is the angry hostess on her cell phone. There are only 3 tables here. The service was truly unacceptable! If I could give less than 1 star I would.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 4

Service: 1

The staff was friendly and the food was delicious.
I highly recommend it.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

My husband, son and I truly enjoyed our dinner at Penza tonight! My husband and son had pasta dishes, and both were delicious- the ingredients were fresh, and the food came out piping hot!
I had a roasted cauliflower wedge with pesto sauce and mixed veggies- and it was so yummy!! The veggies were all fresh too.
Yummy hot bread and butter - was served as well.
All in all- I highly recommend Ponza!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

After a rough start to our night at another restaurant, **Ponza** came through and completely saved the evening! The moment we walked in, the energy was on point — welcoming, lively, and full of good vibes. We were greeted right away and seated comfortably, and unlike our last stop, *everything* we needed was already on the table: silverware, napkins, and actual attention. 🙌

And let’s talk about the food — **delicious**. Every bite hit. Fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented. You could tell they take real pride in the kitchen here.

To top it all off, there was a **live band** playing, and it brought the whole atmosphere to life. It felt like we stumbled into a hidden gem where the music, food, and service all came together perfectly. This is the kind of spot where you leave full, happy, and low-key already planning your return.

Ponza, thank you for making us feel seen, served, and satisfied. Y’all understood the assignment!

Awful decision we made by going to this place. Please save your money and go somewhere else where the spaghetti won’t be overcooked, the 7 dollars you pay extra for grill chicken on your salad is not paper thin and hard. Awful experience we got our food but never the drinks we ordered the waiter was trying to keep up with all the tables but it was just him taking care of everything.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 2

Food took over 1 hour after ordering 🤔

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 4

Service: 1

Do not go to Sunday brunch. As reference, this is my first impression of the restaurant since this was the first time I had been here. I arrived with my girlfriend after being excited to enjoy the Brunch buffet and Jazz advertised across their website and several social media platforms.

I have never liked the way the front of the restaurant looks. Everytime I pass it on Connecticut Ave, it always seems cluttered. This was the case when we arrived and were greeted by some rusty canister of I assume some type of gas, a Home Goods shopping cart sitting near the front door from its store location next door, and just a strange outdoor style altogether. Not really a dealbreaker in any way, but don't expect it to be nice.

We walked in, sat down and were handed Dinner menus (this was Sunday at 11:45 AM) and I was confused. After waiting ~10 minutes for the waitress (who seemed like the only person staffed in the dining area AND bar) came back, we were informed that they do not have a brunch buffet and have not since before COVID. Attached in a screenshot of their menu straight from their website on the day I am writing this.If that is true, they have not updated their menu in ~5 YEARS. We were both disappointed.

But not as disappointed as finding out that the live Jazz which they usually have was canceled. This is basically the only reason we came and instead of any type of jazz over the speakers they played pop music that comprised songs used on TikTok (we are both 26, we know what we are talking about with this). The music selection seemed very lazy and not anything you would expect for an Italian restaurant which took itself seriously.

The waitress then needed to check if brunch was still a thing and to find a single menu (we literally did not get our own brunch menu each). This menu was very short and very disappointing. Some of it seemed like it should belong on a children's menu like the Nutella Pizza (which we ordered, but I will get to that) which ended up being very plain and did not seem quite high quality. It could barely be considered a meal and it did not excite either of us. I got the steak and eggs which was fine. Not great, just fine.

When my girlfriend ordered a mimosa, the waitress came back and said they were out of orange juice. Out of orange juice... during a brunch... when we were one of two parties (the only other people in the restaurant was a small family). Then we overheard the waitress say, as she handed a patron at the other table a lemonade, that that was the last glass of lemonade... what is going on? Why doesn't the kitchen have ingredients? My girlfriend ordered a different drink and one of the chefs went to get orange juice so she eventually got it, and it was again, just fine. The other drink was good according to her.

The Nutella pizza, which my girlfriend ordered with bananas, had a sough that was very chewy and really hard to bite through. And it was cold which we were not exactly expecting. Not room temperature, slightly cold. The bananas also somehow tasted like artificial banana flavoring. I don't know if they were just too ripe, but it was not good. I tried a bite and I did not and will not eat more of it.

The whole vibe of the restaurant seemed weird and off. It was not good. I probably will not be going back, especially for brunch, until I am confident that the atmosphere, food, service, and just how put together the restaurant is, is better. Suffice it to say, we were excited, and very disappointed.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 4

Wonderful experience.
Great Eggplant Parm Dinner!
Brussel Sprouts a must try!!!
Live band on a Saturday night!

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

The moment I had put the food in my mouth, I started levitating and flying across the entire restaurant. 5 star experience and would recommend.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 4

Very good food. Good customer service. Elegant. Friendly.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

The young lady that took care of us was very nice and attentive. She was the best part of the meal and the reason I didn't give one star. The food was not good at all. I had the chicken scarparella. I order this whenever I see it on the menu and this was the worst I have had. My wife had the gnocci with sausage and broccoli which also was not good. The broccoli was obviously frozen and the sausage overcooked and tasteless.

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 1

Service: 5

I really love this restaurant. I've been 3 times and they have been consistent with such friendly and attentive staff, their sauce is fantastic! I'm gluten free and am hooked on the pasta Primavera. My mom has had soup and salad, ravioli and penne and meatballs. Haven't been disappointed with anything. Sundays they have a great band from 12-3. We really have good things all around to say about it.

Parking: Big lot

Kid-friendliness: Many gluten free options

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Crispy Brussel Sprouts, Pasta Primavera, Meatball Parmigiana

Finally made it here! Loved it

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Calamari Fritti, Pizza

Me and my friend got food poisoning from here. The band was on fire that nite.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 1

Service: 4

Loving it

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5