Excellent meals: a little on the higher price in the area but worth the extra budget.
Carol H.
Ordered risotto and was given a short- grained rice dish that was def not Arborio. Very little flavor. Friend's fettuccine Alfredo was solidly congealed on the plate. Crostini was okay but bread was not toasted. Very few people eating when we were there. Service was good, no complaints, but food needs to improve or business will suffer.
Olivia F.
The Basil Leaf Cafe was one of my favorite restaurants in Lawrence, and I previously was a frequent visitor. However, my most recent visit was well below my expectations, and it was nowhere near the quality it used to be. 2 out of the 3 of our dishes came out of the kitchen cold, and the third was lukewarm. I like al dente pasta, but the mac and cheese was chewy and very under done. The cheese sauce was also very thin and watery, and it had sunk to the bottom of the bowl off the pasta by the time it had reached our table. The cajun pasta was good, but I have had it several times in years past and it was considerably less flavorful than it used to be. Overall, our food was overpriced and underwhelming. I was excited when the restaurant moved locations, because the new location is beautiful. However, it seems as though it lost all of its small restaurant charm, and the quality has declined significantly. I would love to return if Basil Leaf can make a change and return to its previous food quality.
Tk P.
Ordered the Lasagna. It was cold. Sent it back. Everyone else was finished by the time it came back. Still not totally heated offered to comp dessert. The did comp the meal after all of us saying that was bs. They were going to give free dessert. On top of that it came with a side of Garlic Bread & they didn't bring that. Told them I wasn't trying to be an sob but come on
Pei-Hsuan Chen
Please don't call yourself the Italian restaurant if the pasta is cold and the risotto is so watery.I can definitely make this pasta using pesto I bought in the grocery store. Risotto is not made with the right kind of rice, not surprised it is soft and watery at the end. And the tiramisu obviously didn't use mascarpone and lady fingers. And it add the extra coca powder which is also weird.We went there with reservations on Sun dinner and we got into the seat 25 mins later than our reservation, and got charged $2/plate without noticing for we asked for a clean small plate for sharing our tiramisu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Steven Pierce
Best Italian in Lawrence. Service was great, very friendly. Location was fantastic. Food is always good. Portions did seem slightly smaller. Will be back?
Cajun penne was bland. Italian sausage was the only spice and it was definitely spicy...too spicy. Nice cafe atmosphere but food id give a 2.5/5
Annabelle Bitner
As a consistent patron at Basil Leaf, we’ve noticed a strong decline in their service. More importantly, their food is becoming increasingly more expensive, with smaller portions and inadequate taste. Ever since moving to the new location, I have had notes on everything we eat. Today in particular, I simply ordered 2 spaghetti and meatballs. The portions were halved from previous times, there was no bread included, and the food was awful. The meatballs were burnt and the pasta tasted as if it had been microwaved. For $38, I expect a lot more than oily, unflavored pasta.If Basil Leaf makes a big change, I’d be happy to try again. However, until they go back to the hospitality and incredible dishes they served at their old location, you’re better off just making it at home. Do better, Basil Leaf.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Roberto Larry
Two chicken Alfredo one with added shrimp “That’s the risk you take when ordering to go.”I got no chicken. That’s what was said to me on an order y’all messed up. Made me laugh tho.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo
Thomas Horn
My family and I had a great experience here. This was our first visit since they moved from their little spot on 9th St. The food was great and the service was great. I will say that the Chicken Alfredo was my favorite. Due to the real cheeses they used, it was flavorful until the last bite. The meal comes with garlic bread, so you don’t need to order the appetizer of them unless you really REALLY like garlic bread that much.
Terrible management. Came with a group of 8 for my birthday. We had a reservation but the manager seated another group at our table right before our reservation slot. They kept telling us a little longer.... We got a table 90 minutes after our reservation time. Some of my companions asked to speak to a manager three times and she NEVER so much as talked to us. They did give us free apps and desserts. Then one of the girls found a huge hair in their food. Still manager wouldn't even speak to them. I used to really love it here. Our server was fantastic. Most of the food was good. Horrible management. It really ruined the rest of the night and we had to change other plans.
Patrick Ptacek
Wow is all I can say. Food was amazing. Spices were perfect in my Cajun pasta. Brussel sprouts seasoned to perfection and old fashion was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Salad, Brussels Sprouts
Burak Korkmaz
No! Please why do people go there? No!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
Erica Magsam
My friend and I had an absolutely lovely experience at this restaurant! The staff were amazing and gave great food recommendations. Highly recommend coming here!
Excellent meals: a little on the higher price in the area but worth the extra budget.
Ordered risotto and was given a short- grained rice dish that was def not Arborio. Very little flavor. Friend's fettuccine Alfredo was solidly congealed on the plate. Crostini was okay but bread was not toasted. Very few people eating when we were there. Service was good, no complaints, but food needs to improve or business will suffer.
The Basil Leaf Cafe was one of my favorite restaurants in Lawrence, and I previously was a frequent visitor. However, my most recent visit was well below my expectations, and it was nowhere near the quality it used to be. 2 out of the 3 of our dishes came out of the kitchen cold, and the third was lukewarm. I like al dente pasta, but the mac and cheese was chewy and very under done. The cheese sauce was also very thin and watery, and it had sunk to the bottom of the bowl off the pasta by the time it had reached our table. The cajun pasta was good, but I have had it several times in years past and it was considerably less flavorful than it used to be. Overall, our food was overpriced and underwhelming. I was excited when the restaurant moved locations, because the new location is beautiful. However, it seems as though it lost all of its small restaurant charm, and the quality has declined significantly. I would love to return if Basil Leaf can make a change and return to its previous food quality.
Ordered the Lasagna. It was cold. Sent it back. Everyone else was finished by the time it came back. Still not totally heated offered to comp dessert. The did comp the meal after all of us saying that was bs. They were going to give free dessert. On top of that it came with a side of Garlic Bread & they didn't bring that. Told them I wasn't trying to be an sob but come on
Please don't call yourself the Italian restaurant if the pasta is cold and the risotto is so watery.I can definitely make this pasta using pesto I bought in the grocery store. Risotto is not made with the right kind of rice, not surprised it is soft and watery at the end. And the tiramisu obviously didn't use mascarpone and lady fingers. And it add the extra coca powder which is also weird.We went there with reservations on Sun dinner and we got into the seat 25 mins later than our reservation, and got charged $2/plate without noticing for we asked for a clean small plate for sharing our tiramisu.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 1
Service: 4
Best Italian in Lawrence. Service was great, very friendly. Location was fantastic. Food is always good. Portions did seem slightly smaller. Will be back?
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine, Tortellini Cordon Bleu
Cajun penne was bland. Italian sausage was the only spice and it was definitely spicy...too spicy. Nice cafe atmosphere but food id give a 2.5/5
As a consistent patron at Basil Leaf, we’ve noticed a strong decline in their service. More importantly, their food is becoming increasingly more expensive, with smaller portions and inadequate taste. Ever since moving to the new location, I have had notes on everything we eat. Today in particular, I simply ordered 2 spaghetti and meatballs. The portions were halved from previous times, there was no bread included, and the food was awful. The meatballs were burnt and the pasta tasted as if it had been microwaved. For $38, I expect a lot more than oily, unflavored pasta.If Basil Leaf makes a big change, I’d be happy to try again. However, until they go back to the hospitality and incredible dishes they served at their old location, you’re better off just making it at home. Do better, Basil Leaf.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 3
Two chicken Alfredo one with added shrimp “That’s the risk you take when ordering to go.”I got no chicken. That’s what was said to me on an order y’all messed up. Made me laugh tho.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo
My family and I had a great experience here. This was our first visit since they moved from their little spot on 9th St. The food was great and the service was great. I will say that the Chicken Alfredo was my favorite. Due to the real cheeses they used, it was flavorful until the last bite. The meal comes with garlic bread, so you don’t need to order the appetizer of them unless you really REALLY like garlic bread that much.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fettuccine Alfredo
Restaurantji Recommends
Great menu, always good.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Terrible management. Came with a group of 8 for my birthday. We had a reservation but the manager seated another group at our table right before our reservation slot. They kept telling us a little longer.... We got a table 90 minutes after our reservation time. Some of my companions asked to speak to a manager three times and she NEVER so much as talked to us. They did give us free apps and desserts. Then one of the girls found a huge hair in their food. Still manager wouldn't even speak to them. I used to really love it here. Our server was fantastic. Most of the food was good. Horrible management. It really ruined the rest of the night and we had to change other plans.
Wow is all I can say. Food was amazing. Spices were perfect in my Cajun pasta. Brussel sprouts seasoned to perfection and old fashion was perfect.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: House Salad, Brussels Sprouts
No! Please why do people go there? No!
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 2
Service: 2
My friend and I had an absolutely lovely experience at this restaurant! The staff were amazing and gave great food recommendations. Highly recommend coming here!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tortellini Cordon Bleu