Crust Simply Italian Gilbert — Restaurant in Gilbert

Friend introduced me to this restaurant since I was visiting from out of state so I wasn't sure what to expect. The place looks clean and the atmosphere is what I would expect from a casual Italian restaurant. Decently lit with a big bar in the middle. I loved the look. Went on a Saturday night at 8pm and it wasn't crowded. (Not surprising considering the shopping center looks on the newer side.)

The food I ordered is amazing! There is a decent selection of pizza but the pasta section was calling my name. (I found the cost of their pasta dishes to be on the pricey side.) I love angel hair pasta so I ordered the Angel Hair Pomodoro and added shrimp. Not disappointed at all. It was so good I finished the whole dish. My friends ordered the Stramboli and the ravioli dish. My friend highly recommends the garlic knots. I tried it and fell in love. The use of fresh garlic was so good. Also ordered the calamari which has a spicy note to it so keep that in mind for those who does not like spicy food. My friend and I ordered 3 desserts to go - Nutella cheesecake, tirimasu, and canoli. The tirimasu had the right amount of espresso flavor in it in my opinion. The Nutella cheesecake on the other hand was disappointing to my friend. If almonds are not your thing, this dessert might not be for you. Also it's just a regular cheese cake with Nutella on top, not Nutella mixed into the cheesecake.

The service was decent. Our server was very nice but did give an air of "new server." We ordered our appetizers immediately but for some reason, our server decided to wait till we were completely done with the appetizers before getting our entree orders. This caused a bit of wait in between the appetizer and main course. When the server offered to refill water to one guest, they failed to ask the other guests if they wanted a refill as well. (Server walked away quickly before we could ask them to refill the other drinks.) I do have a pet peeve with the dessert menu. Housemade Limoncello was on there and I assumed it was a cake. The server didn't know it was an alcoholic shot until I think it was a manager who told them. Please specify if it's an alcolic drink on the dessert menu since you have a separate area for your cocktails. (Limoncello is one of my favorite liqueur but if I see it on a dessert menu with no description, I'm going to assume...

I visited this bar a couple of weeks ago with my two brothers to celebrate an engagement. We arrived about an hour before closing and took seats at the bar, expecting a decent experience. Instead, we were met with some of the most unprofessional and downright hostile service I've ever encountered.

The bartender—who was an absolute drama queen—threw a tantrum when my brother politely pointed out that his French fries had clearly been sitting in the window too long and were soggy. Instead of addressing the concern like a professional, he got defensive and combative. Then, as if that wasn’t enough, he went out of his way to stir up conflict by falsely accusing us of being rude to the couple sitting next to us.

To make matters worse, the man sitting beside us—clearly enjoying the bartender’s performance—decided to chime in, flexing that he was a cop and smugly warning us to “tread lightly, or else.” He even made a pointed remark about how we’d be getting home, as if he was some sort of power-tripping authority figure trying to intimidate us. Absolutely pathetic.

Management eventually approached us to ask if there was a “problem.” At that point, we made it clear that there was no issue—we were simply leaving and never coming back. The bartender, meanwhile, continued playing the poor, mistreated victim, despite being the one instigating the entire ordeal. As someone who has spent over 5 years serving and bartending in the industry, I can confidently say that this individual is not cut out for the job. Too emotional.

If you're looking for a bar where you can relax and enjoy good service, this is...

Appetizer Symphony: We started with a shared plate of Mussel, featuring an array of fresh Mussel flavor, and along with grilled bread drizzled with fragrant olive oil. Each bite was a symphony of textures and flavors, showcasing the freshness and quality of the ingredients. Pasta Perfection: For my main course, we opted for Lobster Ravioli out of the House Special list and also ordered Linguine White Calm Sauce. The pasta was cooked al dente, perfectly capturing the rich ragù made with meats. The earthy, complex flavors were balanced beautifully by a hint of herbs and a generous dusting of Parmigiano Reggiano. Pizza Paradise: My companion couldn't resist the allure of the wood-fired pizza. He ordered the big size of Uncle Louie, a classic combination of pepperoni, mozzarella, and a touch of Basil. The thin, crispy crust was blistered to perfection, holding the flavorful toppings without ever getting soggy. Service with a Smile: Throughout the evening, our waitress's attentiveness and knowledge of the menu were impeccable. She made us feel truly welcomed and ensured our experience was perfect. Price Point: thus restaurant offered high quality of the ingredients, the great portions, and the exceptional service justified the price tag. This restaurant is a gem I wouldn't hesitate to recommend. It offers a genuine taste of Italy, warm hospitality, and a beautiful ambiance, making it ideal for a romantic dinner, a night out with friends, or a solo indulgence. Rating: 5...