Tuscany Pizza and Grill — Restaurant in Gulf Shores

My family has gone here a few times traveling to Gulf Shores and Orange Beach…unfortunately this most recent experience was very disappointing. I have worked in the service industry as a waitress and bartender for 9+ years so I know what’s acceptable service and what is not. I really hate giving 1 star reviews, but this experience required a review.

Our server seemed to give off the impression that she was somewhat new. So I am giving her a little bit of a break here. I understand people need to learn and understand how to navigate the rather tricky restaurant industry . But she was EXTREMELY quiet and hard to hear / understand. I imagine she is fairly new to the industry because she didn’t seem very confident or knowledgeable about the menu. She didn’t seem to grasp the importance of attention to detail and attentiveness warranted while waitressing. Guests shouldn’t have to ASK for more refills. They should just be brought or topped off with the exception on an alcoholic beverage or cocktail. Water, iced tea, sodas, etc…. Should be replenished throughout the dining experience. Customers are paying $3 for sodas and teas so refills are an absolute must. We shouldn’t have to ask for them.

We ordered the charcuterie board to start (which was $28) it was highly disappointing. They gave us 8 crackers for 3 people with numerous toppings. How does that work? The math isn’t matching. But it gets worse! The apple slices still had seeds in them…the 8 crackers were stale… and a few of the cheeses didn’t have any taste at all. It seemed like it was premade and wrapped in Saran Wrap and prepped ahead of time… why else would the crackers be stale? There’s other restaurants with charcuterie boards that would put this one to shame. Not worth $28. Do not recommend.

My mother and father ordered the Caprese salad. The tomatoes were as hard as rocks and nearly impossible to eat.

At the end of the meal, I let our waitress know about the tomatoes on the Caprese salad and those were removed from the bill. They offered to remake it with cherry tomatoes…which by that point, everyone in the group was pretty much over the experience and ready to leave.

I also let our waitress know about the charcuterie board and how the crackers were stale and the other issues I mentioned. Yet they didn’t take that off the bill or offer a discount. I didn’t expect that but felt they needed to know. Otherwise how could they know to fix it?

But generally if there is a complaint or an overall bad experience with customers, a manager or key holder will stop by and check in on the table. Nobody ever stopped by to apologize or offer any sort of assistance / explanation for things. It’s odd to not see a manager on duty doing table touches to ensure the dining experience is enjoyable. That is a big red flag.

Sometimes all it takes is some excellent communication. The restaurant business isn’t for everyone and it’s tough. It requires thick skin and the ablity to communicate effectively and efficiently. Being able to understand people and ask those tough questions. But the carelessness and lack of attention to detail exuded by this restaurant, was disappointing. We left hungry and unsatisfied. We won’t be back.

Go to the Cobalt restaurant in Orange Beach. They...

I will focus mainly on one thing. Their napkins are 4" x 8". Let me make that clear: four inches by eight inches. I have never, ever been in a restaurant that thinks a 4" x 8" napkin is adequate until now. Tissues are larger.

Let's face it. Most people have laps. Those people with laps invariably have laps that are larger than 4" x 8".

I suggest, that if you plan to eat here, you bring a stapler or binder clips so that you can put together a napkin that will cover your lap. I suppose you could stitch something together with a needle and thread if used carefully.

Or better yet, go to a restaurant that is not so incredibly cheap and ignorant of what a customer requires as a BASIC amenity.

This is laughable. Unbelievable. Ridiculous. Insane and inane. Incongruous. Arrogant. Stupid.

Remarkably, they provide a knife and fork in a special carrier which is sort of nice, but why they put their money into those instead of BASIC FREAKING NAPKINS is unbelievable.

A few other things: Most of their meals are served in casseroles. They are attractive and it is nice to think each meal is prepared separately. But, after half an hour or so, all of it will be finally cooled to a point that it is edible. Meanwhile the whole experience can be rather boring as one waits. And plays with napkins.

There are any number of Italianish restaurants in the Gulf Shores area with full sized napkins and great food. I find no reason to return to Tuscany.

Little tidbits: The waiter didn't ask if we wanted desserts and presented us with the bill. I was looking forward to a pistachio cannoli, but it wasn't worth saying anything. The second beer one member of our party requested never arrived. Two of us were served water without asking, the other two were on their own.

I am known for taking home leftovers from restaurants. I got about a third of the way through the eggplant, got tired of waiting for it to cool and decided it was best left at the restaurant as it wasn't particularly appealing.

I took home breadsticks which were quite good.

Buh-bye.

Edit: I see the owner has responded saying dinner napkins are available upon request. We very clearly asked if there were regular napkins available and were very clearly told they were not; the only napkins were those in the holder on the table. This response was from the waiter who we know has worked there for several years, not the waiter who acted like he was on a time-out, or doing community service, or wanting to be anywhere but there as he dragged his feet across the floor while...

I recently had the opportunity to dine at this Italian restaurant, and I must say, it was an absolute delight for my taste buds. The experience left me craving for more and I cannot wait to visit again.

Let's start with the highlight of my meal – the lasagna. It was out of this world! The layers of pasta were cooked to perfection, holding together the most flavorful combination of rich tomato sauce, creamy cheese, and perfectly seasoned ground beef. Every bite was a burst of Italian goodness. The lasagna was served piping hot, straight from the oven, ensuring the cheese was gooey and melted just right. Without a doubt, it was the best lasagna I've ever had.

Equally impressive was the salmon dish I ordered. Cooked to a heavenly flakiness, the salmon just melted in my mouth. The dish was expertly seasoned, bringing out the natural flavors of the fish without overpowering it. The combination of the salmon and the savory accompaniments was a match made in culinary heaven.

The talented chefs at this Italian restaurant truly know how to create a memorable dining experience. The quality of the ingredients used in both dishes was evident, as well as the skillful preparation and presentation. The service was impeccable, with attentive and knowledgeable staff making sure I had everything I needed.

If you are craving authentic Italian cuisine, this restaurant is a must-visit. Whether you choose to indulge in the mouthwatering lasagna or savor the exquisite salmon, your taste buds will thank you. I can confidently say that this restaurant has made it to the top of my list for Italian dining...