Mike's Kitchen — Restaurant in Cranston

Overall: The food was decent, not great but reasonably priced. The servers are slow and terrible which is surprising with the amount of waitresses they had working. Also, if you go be prepared that it is cash only (I didn't see an ATM, maybe there was one and I missed it). Make sure you check the hours online because they are not normal hours for a typical restaurant. I don't think I would go again because there are much better Italian restaurants literally right around the corner (Marchetti's, etc.). Below is the detailed breakdown of our experience as well as how I think they can improve.

Format/Situation: The drinks are on a separate bill from your food (pretty sure they do that so you tip more) which is just weird. We came in 9/5/18 a little after 5 PM, the restaurant was at most half full.

Food: Decent, reasonable priced for the quality and portion. Both of us enjoyed the food but it isn't the best Italian food in RI like some of the other reviews say.

Service: There are multiple servers working every table: Bus Boy: He clears the tables and drops off bread when you sit down. He keeps walking around the restaurant continuously in case someone needs more bread. He did his simplistic job very well. Drink Waitress: She only serves drinks, she forgot to get my drink (literally her only job), so I had to ask a second time to get it. Both times I asked were before our food was served and I got it about 15 minutes after we received our food. When we paid the drink bill of $4 with a $10 bill, she brought back 6 $1 bills clearly trying to increase the chances of getting a higher tip. And she waited at our table until we tipped her which I thought was unprofessional. Definitely did not do a good job and her position is pretty pointless. Server: She took our food order and brought the food over relatively quickly. When we were clearly done eating, we waited well over 10 minutes for the food bill until I asked the bus boy for the bill. 10 minutes later, still no bill, so I walked up to our server who was casually talking to the other servers about her kids for the bill. Took her another 10 minutes to bring the bill over. She didn't apologize for the wait, just dropped it off on the table and walked away. She did a bad job overall.

Ways to Improve: 1.) I am assuming they are only a cash restaurant, two bills (food & drink), and multiple servers per table because it is an older place trying to keep it's tradition going which I get but that is a huge turn off to most customers. Since credit cards are easier and used much more than cash now a days. Most of my friends don't even carry cash. 2.) Only have 1 server for the table, you only need 1 bus boy for the whole restaurant since it is so small. They aren't doing much to begin with so it is pointless and not efficient to have one food server and one drink server. 3.) Only have 1 bill, the drink waitress isn't doing much of anything so there is no reason to have a separate bill for it, just combine them and then the customer can tip everyone on 1 bill. 4.) Improve the overall service, the waitresses are too laid back and need to be much more attentive. They would not last long if they were working at other restaurants. 5.) Should have descriptions on their menus. I know most people know what the majority of the entries are but everything should be included. I got the Tortellini Alfredo which came with peas that weren't on the menu. I didn't mind but if I didn't like peas, I would be pretty annoyed that I would have to remove them. If the description was on the menu, the customer could easily ask...

I just like to say that I had the calamari in the red sauce and it was awesome I was able to take half of it home to have another meal and I recommend Mike's kitchen to all my friends and family and I'm going to come back and have one of your stuffed artichokes so I give Mike's kitchen my own five gold star survey and as my dad who just recently passed away always said to me was when I accomplished something in your case really great food you would say job well done so I know where you are I went there before it was Mike's kitchen and it was the VFW Post and I believe it still is but the food is excellent thank you very much I shall enjoy more meals from your establishment and I will pass around to my family and friends of a great place to go and that's Mike's kitchen thank you very much to the hostess the wages and waitresses on the cook I'm making some of the best food I've ever eaten so thank you very much Mike's kitchen and the whole crowd you all deserve a job well done in my own five gold star survey thank you John DeBiasio...

My sister and I went to Mike’s last night for the first time. My sister was visiting from Vermont and wanted some “good veal”. We headed to Twin Oaks but it was closed. I googled “good italian in Cranston”and Mike’s came up. It did not disappoint!!! When we arrived we asked several regulars what was good. They all said everything!! They were right. We both had veal that was to die for. The portions were huge. I got takeout for my family: stuffed sole florentine and chicken parm both excellent. We ate at the bar and the bartender, Jill, was so friendly and responsive. Two things to know before going: cash only and if you sit at the bar you have to get food from a waitress NOT the bartender. We were both excited about this hidden gem and will...