Vinny's Ristorante — Restaurant in Friday Harbor

We were on the island for a wedding and the night before we wanted to grab some dinner. Unfortunately, this was the only place still serving food until 9 p.m. – an Italian restaurant. Since we are originally from Italy and love to cook ourselves, we were skeptical, but decided to give it a try.

When we walked in, we were greeted by a young lady who, unfortunately, didn’t come across as very welcoming. We ordered our meals, but the experience went downhill quickly:

The Linguine Alfredo was overcooked and mushy.

The Pasta Puttanesca and Spaghetti Marinara were just as soft and far from al dente.

The Eggplant Parmesan had a texture closer to a rubber tire than a dish.

On top of that, the air conditioning was blasting so strongly that it felt freezing at our table. Even after asking several times if it could be turned down a bit, nothing changed.

Normally, I’m strongly against food waste and always finish my plate — but in this case, it was just impossible. We were six people, and despite our best efforts, we had to send half the food back. We didn’t say anything to the staff, because the other guests seemed to be enjoying themselves, and we assumed they simply had no comparison to authentic Italian food.

That said, we still ended up having a wonderful evening — trying to figure out how food could be made to taste like nothing had us laughing until we cried.

Our tip: Even 5,000 miles away from Italy, there are plenty of great cookbooks like Il Cucchiaio d’Argento that can help elevate the kitchen and the experience for guests. We sincerely wish the restaurant all the best — and thank you for the cultural exchange. Rarely have we laughed this...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Vinny's Ristorante in the picturesque San Juan Islands, and it was nothing short of a culinary delight. The ambiance at Vinny's is warm and inviting, with rustic decor that exudes a cozy charm. Dimmed lights and soft music set the perfect tone for a relaxed and intimate dining experience. The staff at Vinny's Ristorante truly understands the art of hospitality. Attentive without being intrusive, the service was impeccable. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu, offering helpful recommendations and ensuring a seamless dining experience. Vinny's Ristorante is a gem in the San Juan Islands dining scene. From the moment you step through the door, you are welcomed into a world of flavors that transport you to Italy. The combination of exquisite cuisine, charming ambiance, and impeccable service make Vinny's The libations at Vinny's are nothing short of spectacular. The cocktail menu boasts an array of expertly crafted drinks that not only complement the cuisine but stand out as stars in their own right. The bartenders at Vinny's have mastered the art of mixology, delivering drinks that are not only amazing in flavor but pack a delightful punch. Whether you're a local or a visitor to the San Juan Islands, Vinny's Ristorante is a culinary destination worth discovering. Prepare to be enchanted by the tastes of Italy in this...

Overall not bad. I had the chicken Marsala, my husband had the mushroom risotto and for appetizer we had the garlic prawns. I was very very impressed with the prawns. The sauce was amazing. The kick of the garlic and the capers was absolutely superb. I was so impressed that I could dip bread into the sauce and eat it just like that l, even spoon it into the mouth. I was really impressed with the prawns and was looking forward to the entree but I was not impressed with the Marsala. The sauce was on the sweet side which was new. The noodles were just noodles nothing impressive and the asparagus had a crunch and was not chewy which is good. The chicken on the other hand had practically no flavor and was only enhanced by the sauce. Take away the sauce and the chicks had no internal flavor.

My husband risotto was great. Good flavor, good Parmesan kick and very creamy. Super yummy.

Overall good food. Kiddos to the person who made the garlic prawns. Those were fantastic ...

Service was nice - gave you space. Overall ambience was a little noisy but it's an Italian restaurant so what can you expect. The lights on the ceiling were...