41 replies to this topic

[Folsom_Fam]

We went to Visconti Ristorante's new location in Folsom for the first time a few weeks ago.
The overall restaurant atmosphere was good. There were quite a number of tables filled, but not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy your conversation. We went around 830pm with our 2 children. We were greeted by a man who I believe is the owner as soon as we walked through the door. Quite a nice person, he was very animated with the kids. Our server, took about 10 minutes to get to us. Now, it really wasn't that busy and after looking at the menu prices, I was expecting a bit better service. A simple I'll be with you in a minute would have gone far. Our busser was exceptional though. He brought us waters, refilled the glasses and took away plates right away. When we finally got our server to our table, we made sure we ordered everything right away.

My kids had the chicken fettucine ($6.99 + $4.00 for chicken) and the other had spaghetti & meatballs ($6.99) & 2 drinks ($2.50 each). We ordered calamari for our appetizer ($13.99). My husband & I ordered their Pollo Parmigiana ($16.99) and Pollo Marsala ($17.99). We also ordered 2 drinks from the bar... The calamari was just okay, it was a large sized portion and fed all 4 of us. Just your basic battered calamari, nothing fancy. Our dinner was also just okay. I honestly could say that I could cook the dinner we ordered just as good if not better (and for way cheaper). Portion size was the biggest plus with their meals. That doesn't apply to their bar though. For the price of their dirty martini ($8.50) and the price of the specialty coffee drink I had ($9.00), I was expecting something more in size.

After we finished our dinner... It took another 15+ minutes to get our bill. Our busser probably had come over more times during the evening that our server did. After spending approximately $100 for dinner, we all concluded (kids included), that that was our last visit to Visconti's. I'd rather spend my $100 at the Bidwell St. Bistro in Folsom or Sienna Restaurant or Bistro 33 in El Dorado Hills for better quality food, drink & service.

[Jolene]

We went to Visconti Ristorante's new location in Folsom for the first time a few weeks ago.
The overall restaurant atmosphere was good. There were quite a number of tables filled, but not so crowded that you couldn't enjoy your conversation. We went around 830pm with our 2 children. We were greeted by a man who I believe is the owner as soon as we walked through the door. Quite a nice person, he was very animated with the kids. Our server, took about 10 minutes to get to us. Now, it really wasn't that busy and after looking at the menu prices, I was expecting a bit better service. A simple I'll be with you in a minute would have gone far. Our busser was exceptional though. He brought us waters, refilled the glasses and took away plates right away. When we finally got our server to our table, we made sure we ordered everything right away.

My kids had the chicken fettucine ($6.99 + $4.00 for chicken) and the other had spaghetti & meatballs ($6.99) & 2 drinks ($2.50 each). We ordered calamari for our appetizer ($13.99). My husband & I ordered their Pollo Parmigiana ($16.99) and Pollo Marsala ($17.99). We also ordered 2 drinks from the bar... The calamari was just okay, it was a large sized portion and fed all 4 of us. Just your basic battered calamari, nothing fancy. Our dinner was also just okay. I honestly could say that I could cook the dinner we ordered just as good if not better (and for way cheaper). Portion size was the biggest plus with their meals. That doesn't apply to their bar though. For the price of their dirty martini ($8.50) and the price of the specialty coffee drink I had ($9.00), I was expecting something more in size.

After we finished our dinner... It took another 15+ minutes to get our bill. Our busser probably had come over more times during the evening that our server did. After spending approximately $100 for dinner, we all concluded (kids included), that that was our last visit to Visconti's. I'd rather spend my $100 at the Bidwell St. Bistro in Folsom or Sienna Restaurant or Bistro 33 in El Dorado Hills for better quality food, drink & service.

Right, but if you mention your horrible service to the owner and let him know that you won't be back, he will simply motion to his full restaurant and tell you that "He's not really worried about it." True story, happened to us when we went to celebrate my dad's birthday a few years ago. We've never been back and obviously, they are having no problems, since they were able to move locations. I'm just glad that none of my money has funded them. Crappy service. Crappy response. No excuse for it.

[ambrno33]

We've been once and won't be going back again either. Service was fine, but I could make way better Italian food at my house for way cheaper... much rather spend money on dinner somewhere else.

[tigerlily6]

Toooo salty

[Bill Z]

I like Visconti's.

I feel I get good service.

I like the food.

And the fact they get so crowded, tells me I'm not the only one pleased with their establishment.

[ducky]

I like Visconti's, too. I just don't go there expecting fast-food service.

And I guess I'm not as good a cook as others here because I can't do as well at home. I love their eggplant parmesean or Pollo Visconti. Even if I could make food just like whatever restaurant I'm at, I usually go out because I don't feel like cooking and washing dishes. That's what I'm paying the little bit extra for.

[Dave Burrell]

I wanted to like Visconti's more, I really did. The family is always so nice and personal, but a good restaurant needs to be a lot more then that..

I personally preferred their old location, it seemed so much more family oriented there (maybe because it was smaller and off the main drag?)- now it feels like with the new higher prices and fancier setup (and new attitude) its geared more towards the affluent from EDH? and they seem to have forgotten their roots and the people who made them what they are.

I don't want to sound so negative, I do like the new place and their food is ok (just not great), it just does not feel the same and as its been noted numerous times, the service seems to have gone downhill and its unfortunate they don't care about that. To hear a restaurant owner say they don't care about poor service is very crappy in my book and I won't support any place that does that, even if they did have super great food.

IMO, service (in addition to quality food) are the main reasons I go out and spend the money instead of cooking at home, because I can cook just as good as they do - its just nice to go out sometimes instead of cooking for hours and doing kitchen cleanup at home.

Plus I really can't justify spending over $100 on pasta dishes and a few drinks that are just ok - and putting up with poor service.... that's a serious pet peeve of mine, poor service always gets a place black listed by me.... I won't put up with it.... and its just not worth spending buck$ to put up with it.

Course it doesn't matter what any of us think, we're just a few people with opinions and they have tons of other customers who will replace us and keep the place packed. Again, I don't mean to sound so negative, they really aren't that bad and they're obviously doing something right to be so packed all the time, I just have a huge pet peeve about good service and I'm probably ranting on about it too much d'oh (its a bad habit)

[curiousity]

Toooo salty

curious, my spouse thinks it's too sweet

[folsom500]

After spending approximately $100 for dinner, we all concluded (kids included), that that was our last visit to Visconti's. I'd rather spend my $100 at the Bidwell St. Bistro in Folsom or Sienna Restaurant or Bistro 33 in El Dorado Hills for better quality food, drink & service.

$100 for a dinner for 4 ?? Guess I am out of touch - We have wonderful dinners for 2 for a full week including wine, beer and appetizers for just over $100. And our dinner serving portions could be for 4. Oh and we also have all our lunch and breakfasts for that same just over $100 per week. I would never spend $100 on a dinner...

[Inwit]

I like Visconti's, too. I just don't go there expecting fast-food service.

And I guess I'm not as good a cook as others here because I can't do as well at home. I love their eggplant parmesean or Pollo Visconti. Even if I could make food just like whatever restaurant I'm at, I usually go out because I don't feel like cooking and washing dishes. That's what I'm paying the little bit extra for.

I can make some pretty darn good Italian myself (at least my family thinks so), but there really is a wide variation in just your basic marinara sauces. So it's really hard to say what is better, it's all up to what your pallate prefers. How sweet? How much garlic? How much Oregano and other herbs? Spicy or not? Me, I like a sweet, garlicky & spicy marinara sauce (some might call it an arrabbiata), whether it's over meatballs & spaghetti noodles or in a lasagne or used with spinach, meat, & cheese stuffed Cannelloni. I also like lots of mushrooms in my sauce.

[Howdy]

We went a year ago and won't be going back. We had gone to their old location on a couple different occasions, but the new one with the poor service and average food is not first on out list.

[simplicyn]

We haven't even been to the new location. We're longtime Folsom residents and I recall back in the day when their Fettucinni Alfredo recipe all of a sudden went from a rich, thick & creamy sauce (as it's supposed to be) to thin, watery and no flavor. When I'd inquired as to whether it was a different cook or if they'd changed the recipe Mr. Visconti stated nothing was different and that was how the dish was. No apology or offer to get me something else, etc.

On top of that, I'm irritated by any "italian" place that has ONLY "powdered style" (aka Kraft) parmesan at the table and not fresh grated cheese.

[Deb aka Resume Lady]

We haven't even been to the new location. We're longtime Folsom residents and I recall back in the day when their Fettucinni Alfredo recipe all of a sudden went from a rich, thick & creamy sauce (as it's supposed to be) to thin, watery and no flavor. When I'd inquired as to whether it was a different cook or if they'd changed the recipe Mr. Visconti stated nothing was different and that was how the dish was. No apology or offer to get me something else, etc.

On top of that, I'm irritated by any "italian" place that has ONLY "powdered style" (aka Kraft) parmesan at the table and not fresh grated cheese.

UGH! I agree 1,000%.

We went once, the service was slow, and the food was mediocre at best. We never went back.