Pietro's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Grand Rapids

We discovered Pietro's in Maps while trying to figure out what struck our fancy for dinner back in September 2022. After reviewing the menu and the menu prices, we decided to check it out. When we arrived there toward the tail end of their dinner hours, we noted to the Hostess that we were from an hour or so away and that we were extremely hungry. We were then sat at one of the coziest booths in the Bar area, which was quaintly decorated like an Italian villa, complete with cobalt blue-tiled wooden tables and vibrant terrazzo floor tiles. Our jovial and helpful server that evening ironically happened to be a former Lansing resident, who gave us the walkthrough on the menu, with a few suggestions. We opted the split the two samplers - Lasagne di Pietro & Fettuccine Michael and the Northern Combo (Fettucine Alfredo, Lasagne di Pietro, one Meatball and one Italian sausage) - and an order of Italian Spring Rolls in Basil Plus Sauce. The Spring Rolls were awesome along with the Basil Plum Sauce - the flavours were so complementary and balanced with good quality ingredients. Each offering within each of the samplers were divine. We were SO full from finishing just one sampler plate that we took the other sampler home, which was just as filling the next day. The total bill for the samplers and the appetizer was surprising quite affordable. We were so impressed that we had to take my Mother-in-Law back here for a surprise dinner before experiencing the John Ball Zoo Lantern Festival in mid-May 2023.

My Mother-in-Law absolutely squeaked when she arrived in front Pietro's, saying that this was one of her favourite places to dine during her teacher continuing education conferences in the late 80's/early 90's. She had regretted that she did not eat at Pietro's often due to the sticker-shock of the menu items back then. During our dinner with her, we essentially ordered the same thing back in September as full entrees. We split the Italian Egg Rolls, the Lasagne di Pietro and the Fettuccine Michael between her, my husband, and me. She also had the same fantastic reaction to the food like we did. The service was just as exemplary as our previous visit. And the price points of the menu items were more than reasonable for my MIL that she is NOW planning on returning back to Pietro's with her boyfriend soon.

Overall, with wonderful server and great, reasonably-priced food, Pietro's Italian Restaurant is now one of our go-to restaurants when we are in...

I'm giving a three, based on my experience. But that is not true for the rest of my group, most of whom would rate a 1 star. I would not recommend this place for large parties. We booked a back room in advance. When I got there I was impressed to see printed menus especially for us. What I did not really like was those menus had four options as to what we could order. Lasagna, steak, chicken, tilapia. Top of the menu said salad and bread is included. Sat for a solid half hour after getting drinks before getting bread. Told when ordering entrées salad is not included, it's a $3 charge. Alright. Least they told us, even though the menu they printed for us said otherwise. One of the other tables at my party was not told this so they got a surprise on their bills. I ordered a steak. Rare. I repeated, really rare. Attached picture is some cut pieces of the steak. Charred on one side and closer to medium well than rare, but I didn't have time to send it back . Veggies and potatoes were good though. The waitress at my table was lovely and I regret not catching her name to compliment her. The waitress at one of our other tables was not so great. As I was leaving I heard her come up to the table, which already was unhappy being charged for the salad, and "apologize" for not being attentive, because she had other tables and was busy. She may have meant well but came off very defensive. That transitioned to aggressive after some back and forth. Ended up talking to the manager getting his meal comped because of service, low quality of food off an already limited menu, and the issue with not being told the salad was extra. Overall, maybe good for families, but not for groups. And judging by the treatment we received after bringing issues to management, we will not be returning. Food ** Service ** for me, * for others Atmosphere *...

This is a review of the restaurant, but more specifically, their family style 5 course dinner experience.

Pietro's is warm, inviting, and smells of fresh bread when you walk in. I go to this restaurant 2-3 times every year with my family and everytime we have the same excellent server. Alija, does a great job, is accomodating, kind, and prompt. If you are looking for a solid, satisfying meal, with all the pillars of consistency, this restaurant will give it to you. Their recipes are not always the most exciting or adventurous, but that's not what they specialize in. Pietro's is all about home, Italy, quality, nice presentation, and being the place you want to return to for remembering special times because you feel like you are in excellent hands. We tried the 5 course family style meal today and it was delicious, well timed, and leisurely. They started off with drinks, salads, and appetizers. We had a cherry salad (which was shockingly great as I dont typically like cherry anything), a garden salad, fresh rolls from their ovens (I sometimes just go there to buy rolls... so good), meat balls with Italian cheeses, and spinach dip (seriously good dip) with Italian seasoned flat bread. The spin dip was my favorite... I think. It was all great, so it's hard to say. Then they served us a round of entrees and pasta: bowtie alfredo, lasagna, well dressed salmon, rosemary chicken. As simple as it sounds, I think the lasagna was my favorite, while the salmon was a close second. Next came dessert of lemon cake with raspberry sauce, and their classic hit, tiramisu. I sit and ponder about this restaurant sometimes because I usually seek exciting new places with flavor experiences that I am stunned by, but with Pietro's that is not why you go. You go because it's comfortable and dependable, like home, and you always...