Luisa's Cucina Italiana — Restaurant in Chestertown

I have been wanting to try this restaurant for awhile, I decided to go tonight just my toddler and I for a mommy and me date. When I entered the hostess was warm and inviting and explained that they didn’t have any available tables at the moment because they were doing reservations only. I was more than understanding. She then proceeded to tell me I could head to the side room where the to go orders are picked up and if there was an open table it’s first come first serve, same menu and service and someone would be right with us. To my surprise there was an open table. My toddler and I sat down and waited patiently for someone to come to the table. I kept him busy with a book and made eye contact with the server for the small room several times. After 15 minutes of no contact from anyone within the wait staff I chose to leave. I’m eight months pregnant, I was really looking forward to trying to food at this restaurant and I wanted a special night with my sweet boy before he’s no longer an only child. The fact that no one even bothered to say anything really turned me off and I won’t be back. I would have even been happy with a “hey we’re super busy but here’s a menu and I’ll be with you guys as soon as I can”. I stopped by the hostess station on my way out and explained the wait and lack of a simple acknowledgment and halfway through my conversation she rolled her eyes and walked away. I’ve served most of my adult life, I understand hectic busy nights. I was kind and understanding and just wanted to let someone know this situation wasn’t ideal for a super pregnant, hormonal woman with a two year old. Proceeded to cry my hormones out in the car and drove an hour away where my little man and I had amazing service and a...

Fairly typical Italian menu with better than average food. The wood-fired pizza is really what makes this place stand out. It's only available certain days though, so check before you go if that's what you're looking for. Normal pizza is always available. Also look for Paul at the bar, known for his fancy cocktails. I've never been seated in the room in the back, but it looks like a completely different and much less pleasant restaurant in there, more like a cafeteria than the very pleasant ambiance out front. The menu says that they source much of their meat from local farms, so I asked about the veal. The server confirmed that it's from St. Brigid's, about 15 miles away, so I ordered it with a clear conscience (I wouldn't have otherwise). The owner of St. Brigid's is a friend of mine, so I mentioned it to her later. She was surprised, and said that Luisa's hadn't ordered anything from her in more than a year. Something...

My meal was absolutely terrible. In retrospect, I really should have sent it back. There was so much sauce, I couldn’t see the pasta in it. I had to ask for a separate bowl so I could pick out the pasta and eat it, which they gave me. Disgusting. Had I been the waitress, I would have apologized and insisted on taking it back to the kitchen. The rest of my party’s food looked fine. I tend to think the only reason this place is so popular is that there isn’t any other Italian restaurant around. Anywhere else, this place would be considered mediocre. Overpriced, fake Italian food. Note: Please keep in mind the very small parking lot and the $5 “sharing fee” on the menu. I can forgive the former, but not the latter. This didn’t apply to us, but you should be able to purchase and eat whatever you want at a restaurant and it’s none of their business if you want to share....