Garibaldi of Garner — Restaurant in Clayton

I don’t leave reviews, I just don’t. Maybe it’s because I’m lazy, or maybe I just don’t ever feel the need to. Probably the lazy part. Except for tonight. And before you base your experiences on other individuals’s Google reviews (like I do when I choose a place), please go try Garibaldi Trattoria.

And to the people who are saying “that’s too expensive,” just remember that this is NOT Olive Garden so prepare to pay for quality food!

Guys and gals, I’m not exaggerating when this place has some of the best food in the town of Garner/Clayton.

Here’s what we had:

We had the Mozzarella Luna as an appetizer. The breading to cheese ratio was just enough. If you are coming here to think you are getting “cheese sticks,” you better heighten your expectations to the fullest degree. Served with a side of their homemade marinara (not that canned/jarred stuff from the Walmart shelves) it exceeded the expectations of anyone. As I was enjoying my first bite, the owner of the establishment took notice of my expression as pure joy and ecstasy washed over my face. You know you’re at a great restaurant when the owner comes to make sure you are enjoying the food instead of asking if it was good. Somehow, I knew that she knew that.

On a whim, I added garlic knots to our order. You might as well call these “pretzel knots” due to their size. Needless to say, we did not finish them at the restaurant, but they were very delicious.

For our entrees, my wife had the Fettuccine Alfredo. You see, my wife is Italian. She will base her opinion of the food by ordering the simplest menu item when it comes to their entrees. To her, that’s the Fettuccine. I was able to sample her entree and I was delighted to taste something so authentic that did not taste like paste/jarred sauce. I know I’ll be sad when I go to eat Fettuccine Alfredo from the jar at home because I’ll remember how good I had it. If you want her take on it, her words are: “Authentic and fresh.”

I never know what to get at an Italian restaurant, so my go-to is pizza. I had the Calabrese. Whenever we do pizza night from here on out, THIS will be the place that we order from forever. I myself always judge a pizza off of the crust. If I can eat the slice AND the crust, then you know that I’ll return. Again and again and again. Goodbye fast food Za!! Forever!!

Of course, we weren’t able to eat all the food there. So we did take the food home with us that we didn’t finish. We even took home dessert. We had the cannoli. I ate a whole cannoli, and it was sooooo creamy. Definitely didn’t have room for it earlier since everything was so filling.

Needless to say, we have enough for dinner tomorrow evening as well. We only spent $81.00. I don’t think I’ll give you a review on how it is reheated. I think I provided you with enough information to form your own opinion.

The parking lot was full when we were there at 5:30, but we were sat immediately and it WAS busy. I don’t recommend attempting to reserve a table via Google. It’s not that they won’t honor the reservation, I do believe Google doesn’t fully communicate with them to let them know that there are pending reservations. Either call for a reservation, or show up and wait. I hate waiting, but for this place here, I’ll practice patience. I can’t give you an honest review about wait times, but if the food is priced appropriately for the quality that you receive, then expect to wait for greatness. You’ll be glad you did! As for the wait while you’re seated, we received our appetizers in less than 7 minutes and our entrees about another 7 minutes after that time. Yes, it could be spaced out a bit more, but take into consideration that they don’t want the kitchen to get backed up. A little less room at your table, but understand that they also want to make sure that everyone has an opportunity to partake in this deliciousness. I’ve exceeded the number of characters for this review, so therefore I’ll end it here: Go try it, you’ll be...

Ok, when I go to a new restaurant I go with something traditional to me that is a baseline. Yes based on ALL the reviews I was so ready to try Garibaldi I love exploring food but not a foodie, absolutely adore pasta, breads, and sauces and knowing traditional Italian food differs from what we are accustomed to here in America, I chose to try the lasagna, a layered noodle, tomato sauce, cheese, ricotta or bechamel sauce and most likely meat in the red sauce so pretty easy and typical baked in a ceramic dish. So as we waited for the main dish we were given bread toasted ficcachia bread sprinkled with Parm and herbs with an oil to dip in very tasty, we had just the usual drinks tea or soda no adult drinks, the atmosphere was pretty even more so with the holidays, our waitress was great but I like to have a good time with them so I like when they have a great personality, the main course does take time but we were fine with that knowing it was all being cooked as we ordered, mine came as expected in an oblong white ceramic dish hot with gooey cheese and perks of red sauce, I placed my fork in it to slide it through the layers and cut a piece and I lifted it with the fork and it dripped with cheese and had the cheese pull as the heat escapes the lasagna that I just cut, I was so excited like the kid from Christmas story opening his gift, I ate my first piece with anticipation of noodles, cheese and the sweet tomato sauce, my mouth and brain were both confused, my mouth was not tasting what my brain had in mind, all I was tasting was an over load of cheese! No noodle no sauce, ok well maybe I just had that corner piece that was just extra cheesy! So went in for more again the same, the next the same what?! Where?! I could taste nothing but the bechamel and the mozzarella! Where was the meat in the sauce? Why could I not feel the al dente of the noodles? The plump tomato sauce? OMG! What am I missing? Did I order the wrong thing? I went back a second time with other family members one had the lasagna and she came away disappointed like me when I had it! But those who ordered the Marsala loved it! So does the lasagna need a tune up? Yes! I had the pizza the second go around...

This is definitely true Italian cuisine. Many of my in-laws live in Italy and I have been many times. This food was made from scratch and used real ingredients, not frozen or canned, but fresh, genuine ingredients! The entire meal presentation, from the moment you sit down, is authentic Italian-done. The bottle of pure, filtered water in the large bottle & glasses, the fresh, toasted French bread with extra virgin olive oil dip (with continual refills), the friendly conversation with the staff (Hi AL), it all took me right back to Italy.

While the prices are more than most other restaurants in the area, the quality of food, the quantity of food, the wonderful hospitality and the great design & decoration of the restaurant all make the price very worth it! Our waiter AL was awesome! He checked on us continually and we had very nice conversations with him throughout the meal....he made us feel like family instead of customers. And even though he talked to us, he never slowed and we could see him looking out for all of his other patrons the same way he did us. Way to go AL! A waitress also came and talked to us and asked if we had everything we needed and asked if we were enjoying the food. We didn't get her name, but she also treated us like family. That was very nice & refreshing to be treated so well at a restaurant these days.

The food was wonderful! I started with the Calamari Fritti, which was very lightly battered and seemed to be flash fried, which kept it from being greasy. It was very good! My mother and I both ordered the Veal Parmigiana with Penne pasta. The veal was very tender and lightly breaded and also appeared to be flash fried to prevent greasiness. The tomato basil sauce that covered it was definitely homemade and the mozzarella and Parmigiana cheese was pure cheese. The Penne pasta came on the side and was al dente, which gave it a great taste! It was also splashed with tomato basil sauce. It was more than we could eat, so we are so thankful we have leftovers to eat this great meal again!

I would give Garibaldi Trattoria more than 5 stars if I could. The only way to get more authentic Italian food would be to...