Sam's Ristorante — Restaurant in Defiance Township

Date night gem. We had an amazing date night at Sam’s, but don't get me wrong this restaurant is easily family friendly or large event. High Chairs, booster seats, booths were seen (if you know you know) let's start off, the garlic bread was brought to the table (included) it was hot and thick sliced. Next salads were crisp cold lettuce (iceburg) with cheese and a light delightful Italian dressing (also included), this salad was perfect- not too heavy, cold and refreshing. We indulged in the $6 a glass wine specials cupcake moscato and Cabernet, we asked what was fresh bottles and the server was happy to check and open fresh. We got the fried mushrooms and they were a delight, crunchy well seasoned breading and served on a harty marinara which worked great for the garlic bread ($10). Our main dishes we each shared, chicken carbonara and chicken Marsala. The carbonara sauce was spot on with bacon and peas and a rich golden color from the egg, I was pleased. Portion sizes were perfect. Chicken in both dishes were tender and cooked well. I tasted a breading of sorts on the chicken Marsala chicken but this seemed soggy from the sauce and perhaps needed more, but the sauce and mushrooms were beefy and smooth on perfectly cooked linguine. ($20-25 per entre) after another round of wine we finished with desert limoncello cake and tiramisu ($8 each) both were a perfect finish, light and moist, not overly sweet in any way, paired well with our wine selections. This was our first visit and will not be our last. Staff was amazing, the chef even came out to say hello. I was thrilled to see Sunday dinner hours offered. There was a wonderful kids menu awaiting any family. Quality, humility, cozy,...

My family use to love Sam's but the last time we went which was December 27 it was terrible! The wait staff was very slow even though there was less then 20 people in the place and they had plenty of servers. We didn't get any bread with our meal, they gave me water instead of lemonade and then was shocked when I told them, they forgot my daughter's fries when she ordered the spaghetti and meat ball. The meatball had the texture of wet cat food and cat food would have tasted better then that! The sauce was sweet and no other flavor, the cheapest sauce you buy at a store would have probably tasted better. My husband ordered the seafood ravioli he got 3 ravioli and so much sauce it looked like he ordered soup and the quality of the ingredients for a $24 was imitation lobster and crab and like 2 shrimp, it was terrible! I ordered the veal piccata and the pasta that came with it looked like it was reheated and tasted just as bad as it looked with the same flavorless sweet sauce. Then the amount of food my son got on his plate for kids chicken and fries wouldn't fill up a one year old it was like 10 fries and the world's smallest 2 pieces of chicken I had ever seen. Regular chicken nuggets would have been bigger. It was such a let down compared to the usual. We won't be back it was so bad and we use to be eat here regularly but this experience with the amount of money they charged its not...

What a fabulous meal...for each of us. We'll likely make this a regular dinner night out. The fried mushrooms were absolutely delicious. The creamy Italian house dressing was a surprising treat. The sausage Bolognese was exactly what my husband was craving. My salmon piccata with linguini was just the way I like it. And my mother's salmon with linguini & mushrooms in a deliciously creamy yet light Alfredo sauce will be my next choice. Topping it off were the homemade tiramisu & pistachio ice cream we shared for dessert. If go back just for a dessert night out they were both that good. And Sam & his staff are treasures. Can't wait for our next...