Dining here feels a bit like stepping into a time capsule — and I mean that affectionately. This traditional Italian restaurant seems to have opened its doors when the Willard Avenue high-rises were first built some 50+ years ago… and proudly decided that no further updates were necessary. The décor, the menu, even the overall vibe appear wonderfully unchanged — aside from the prices, of course, which have kept up with modern times just fine. The place could probably use a refresh (new chairs might squeak a little less, and a coat of paint wouldn’t hurt), but there’s also something charming about its determination to resist trends. The owners clearly have a loyal following, largely made up of longtime neighborhood residents from the nearby towers — and judging by the steady crowd, they’re doing just fine without reinventing themselves. On the evening we visited, the spacious dining room was about half full, with many guests enjoying live klezmer music performed by enthusiastic local talent (note: there’s a $10 per person entertainment fee — think of it as dinner and a show). The menu reflects the overall mood: classic, traditional, no culinary plot twists. We ordered about as conventionally as possible — calamari, caprese, lasagna, and Chianti — and once the food arrived, it was perfectly decent and satisfying. No surprises, but no disappointments either. The only real challenge was time. Our simple order took over an hour to reach the table. Apparently, authenticity extends to the pacing of a long, leisurely European evening. Unfortunately, there was no explanation or apology for the delay, which made the wait feel longer than it needed to. All in all, this is a place for those who appreciate nostalgia, live music, and a steady, old-school atmosphere. If you’re looking for trendy plating, fusion experiments, or lightning-fast service, this may not be your spot. But if you’re in the mood for a little culinary time travel — and have nowhere urgent to be — it might just charm you.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
Serena Dalzell
It’s too dark and I can’t tell if it’s a restaurant I was scared to go in
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Dawson Nash
TASTY Italian food, good portions, all at a fair price. Old world charm prevails along with A+ service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Peter Hirsch
Great food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kyle Sullivan
Old school Italian resto with a cozy bar. The staff are very friendly and the food is excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
AVNER KOLDARO
The food was so so wine selection terrible. The entertainment was mediocre Saturday night. The restaurant was empty overall poor Environment I don’t think we’re coming back
Thomas A. Stallone Sr
go to for meetings and group meetings. private room and free parking on street and at building. Service was a little slow but waiter remembers past orders. I usually take part of meal to go. Appetizers are always good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Patricia Warne
Great pizza and great service!
Abby Rael
Ok but pricy
Helen Petrozzola
As someone who grew up with real Italian food, Alfio's felt like stepping into a delicious memory. The service was outstanding--attentive and genuinely caring, always present but never hovering. You could tell the staff really takes pride in making you feel at home.
Now, the food- incredible. It brought me right back to the flavors of my childhood. We started with the prosciutto and mozzarella rolls, which were out of this world--salty, creamy, and the perfect opener. Then came a white pizza that absolutely nailed the balance of cheese, garlic, and pesto. Every bite was rich without being over the top. My partner had the chicken piccata and savored every last bite.
Portions were just right--satisfying without being overwhelming. The kind of meal where you're full but still excited to take the last bites home for later.
And the old-world charm of the place was cozy and inviting, with that kind of vibe that makes you want to linger a little longer and plan your next visit before you've even paid the check. We did just that!
Highly recommend for anyone craving quality Italian food, top-notch service, and very reasonable prices.
if anyone gives the food over a 3 star, you have no self worth or standards for quality. everything was covered in butter, salt and cheese. bread was store bought, my wife is happy they had gluten free pasta. I think we will stick to avoiding Italian restaurants again. not worth the calories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
R F
I ordered a pizza and a Caesar salad for lunch pickup. When I got it home, I found the salad completely wilted mush. Inedible. They sold me a salad from yesterday. I guess because I was picking it up, they put money over quality standards. I cooked at restaurants for years and would never have tried to pawn off this swill on a paying customer. The pizza was fine but come on, guys!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Laura
Decent Italian restaurant. Great pizza. Friendly and talkative people running this restaurant. Give it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lee Maynard
Dinner and we end up sick that same night with gastrointestinal issues. Something not quite right in the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
Carol Esser
I was there with a large group. The food was good, and it was nice to have our own area.
Dining here feels a bit like stepping into a time capsule — and I mean that affectionately. This traditional Italian restaurant seems to have opened its doors when the Willard Avenue high-rises were first built some 50+ years ago… and proudly decided that no further updates were necessary. The décor, the menu, even the overall vibe appear wonderfully unchanged — aside from the prices, of course, which have kept up with modern times just fine.
The place could probably use a refresh (new chairs might squeak a little less, and a coat of paint wouldn’t hurt), but there’s also something charming about its determination to resist trends. The owners clearly have a loyal following, largely made up of longtime neighborhood residents from the nearby towers — and judging by the steady crowd, they’re doing just fine without reinventing themselves.
On the evening we visited, the spacious dining room was about half full, with many guests enjoying live klezmer music performed by enthusiastic local talent (note: there’s a $10 per person entertainment fee — think of it as dinner and a show).
The menu reflects the overall mood: classic, traditional, no culinary plot twists. We ordered about as conventionally as possible — calamari, caprese, lasagna, and Chianti — and once the food arrived, it was perfectly decent and satisfying. No surprises, but no disappointments either.
The only real challenge was time. Our simple order took over an hour to reach the table. Apparently, authenticity extends to the pacing of a long, leisurely European evening. Unfortunately, there was no explanation or apology for the delay, which made the wait feel longer than it needed to.
All in all, this is a place for those who appreciate nostalgia, live music, and a steady, old-school atmosphere. If you’re looking for trendy plating, fusion experiments, or lightning-fast service, this may not be your spot. But if you’re in the mood for a little culinary time travel — and have nowhere urgent to be — it might just charm you.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 3
It’s too dark and I can’t tell if it’s a restaurant I was scared to go in
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
TASTY Italian food, good portions, all at a fair price. Old world charm prevails along with A+ service.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and service
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Old school Italian resto with a cozy bar. The staff are very friendly and the food is excellent.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
The food was so so wine selection terrible. The entertainment was mediocre Saturday night. The restaurant was empty overall poor Environment I don’t think we’re coming back
go to for meetings and group meetings. private room and free parking on street and at building. Service was a little slow but waiter remembers past orders. I usually take part of meal to go. Appetizers are always good.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 5
Great pizza and great service!
Ok but pricy
As someone who grew up with real Italian food, Alfio's felt like stepping into a delicious memory. The service was outstanding--attentive and genuinely caring, always present but never hovering. You could tell the staff really takes pride in making you feel at home.
Now, the food- incredible. It brought me right back to the flavors of my childhood. We started with the prosciutto and mozzarella rolls, which were out of this world--salty, creamy, and the perfect opener. Then came a white pizza that absolutely nailed the balance of cheese, garlic, and pesto. Every bite was rich without being over the top. My partner had the chicken piccata and savored every last bite.
Portions were just right--satisfying without being overwhelming. The kind of meal where you're full but still excited to take the last bites home for later.
And the old-world charm of the place was cozy and inviting, with that kind of vibe that makes you want to linger a little longer and plan your next visit before you've even paid the check. We did just that!
Highly recommend for anyone craving quality Italian food, top-notch service, and very reasonable prices.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
if anyone gives the food over a 3 star, you have no self worth or standards for quality.
everything was covered in butter, salt and cheese. bread was store bought, my wife is happy they had gluten free pasta. I think we will stick to avoiding Italian restaurants again. not worth the calories.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 2
Service: 4
I ordered a pizza and a Caesar salad for lunch pickup. When I got it home, I found the salad completely wilted mush. Inedible. They sold me a salad from yesterday. I guess because I was picking it up, they put money over quality standards. I cooked at restaurants for years and would never have tried to pawn off this swill on a paying customer. The pizza was fine but come on, guys!
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 1
Service: 1
Decent Italian restaurant. Great pizza. Friendly and talkative people running this restaurant. Give it a try!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Dinner and we end up sick that same night with gastrointestinal issues. Something not quite right in the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 1
Service: 2
I was there with a large group. The food was good, and it was nice to have our own area.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
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