Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in Lexington

I am Italian, I love Italian, THIS IS NOT ITALIAN. If I could give this place negative stars I would. I ate there this evening and if you think this is the best anything, let alone Italian, I would never take a restaurant recommendation from you. My boyfriend and I arrived later in the evening for what we hoped to be the best Italian we've had to date while living in Lexington. We were seated promptly, in "the lounge", which is just the couple of tables next to the bar. That's fine. What wasn't fine was the "live jazz" we were treated to which was a guy with a couple saxophones playing over a polyphonic outdated soundtrack. Which, perfectly matched the decor. After perusing the over priced and standard menu, we decided on the fried mozzarella for starters. It was soggy on the bottom, and paired with watery marinara. I've had frozen cheese sticks from Sam's club that had more flavor than these cheesy triangles. Next we decided on dinner, I went with chicken marsala, the boyfriend went with portabello manzo, which was farfalle pasta, beef tips, and portabello mushrooms. We each got salads, which were actually good. Both dressings, ranch and parmesean peppercorn (aka Caesar) were tasty. After our salads came out, the bread finally made an appearance. We got three pieces, I didn't care for it. After a while our waitress came back and informed us that there was a "mad rush" in the kitchen and our food would be out in just a couple of minutes. Every time I hear that I never expect to see my food in the next couple of minutes, and this was no exception. When our food finally did come out, neither dish looked appetizing. They also both had an orange slice as a decoration? Okay. My dish was bland, watery, rubbery, and tasted kind of metallic. Almost like the sauce was from a can. I wouldn't be surprised. The other dish was bland, the meat was overcooked and rubbery, and it was essentially inedible. For a place that is touted as "the best Italian in Lexington" I was sadly and sorely disappointed. I could have gone to Olive Garden and gotten the same quality of food for a third of the price. With unlimited delicious breadsticks to boot. Anyway, the decor is outdated, the menu is bland and boring (tossing a handful of pancetta in something does not make it Italian or creative), and the prices are way too high. Not only for the quality but also the quantity. Our server was pretty good. We asked for more bread because we were hungry and never got it, but other than that she was good. If this is the best in Lexington, then I should probably stop reading reviews from people in Lexington because there's no way I agree with this on any level. Also, I know that alcohol is how a lot of places make their money, but $9.00 for two shots of bourbon? I felt like we had been robbed after we...

This was the second time I have had the pleasure and have been lucky enough to enjoy a late dinner at Giuseppe's! Giuseppe's is an amazing little ristorante tucked back off the main road past Fayette Mall going toward Nicholasville and is surrounded by interlocking tree branches that even the oversized full moon was barely lucky enough to illuminate the walkway leading up to the entrance on the night we were there. Parking at Giuseppe's is limited as their parking lot is small and has been full both times that we have been there. Cars end up being spread out everywhere and it's like a scene out of an old movie, with the cars being lined up and down both sides of the street. You should definitely call a head for reservations as this is a very popular place to eat. Once you get out of your car the smell from the ristorante hugs you like an old friend welcoming you to the dinner table, it is just heavenly and you haven't even made it inside yet. The outside of the ristorante itself isn't anything special and I joked with my wife how it reminded me of the ristorante in the movie, Grumpy Old Men Two...lol Once you are in it doesn't take long to figure out that this place is legit, from the smell of the food being prepared to the live music being played, they have really nailed it! Of course the best part is the quality of the food from Italian standards to modern dishes. If you have been looking for real Italian food then you would be doing yourself a favor by checking Giuseppe's out! Their pasta dishes are unbelievable with a vast list of wines to choose from or if you are more of a beer person they have that too. I am always the driver so I get the Arnold Palmer which was very good as well. As for the food, my wife and I both ordered different pasta dishes and sampled each other's plates and I can honestly say that we left very happy both times that we have been there! I guess the best example of a recommendationthat I could use would be my son, who always wants to carry in McDonald's no matter where we usually eat but didn't bother this time because he tried the spaghetti the last time and loved it so much that he didn't bring his usual combo #6 from and that alone is a glowing recommendation if there ever was one...lol😁 And if you are lucky enough to get a date night with you and your better half (that must be nice)😉 the atmosphere at Giuseppe's can be very romantic from beginning to end. Hope you get the chance to check out Giuseppe's and...

My husband of 24 years and I have very close birthdays in the month of December / 8th and 13th. We've been fine dining servers here in the bluegrass for 35 years @ the Griffin Gate Marriott / The Mansion. We wait on billionaires and celebrities. When my husband, Ron this year came to his 35th Anniversary with The Marriott / besides other rewards and honors, we were gifted with a $100 gift card to Giuseppes. We made our reservation and had dinner there actually on his birthday the other night on Dec 13th. Upon arriving we informed the hostess it was our mutual birthday celebration rewards dinner celebration. She was kind and excited but then seated us in the noisy bar. I knew that I didn't want to celebrate in the bar as we're both non drinkers and asked to be moved. She was accomodating and moved us almost immediately. After we were set, we weren't greeted for a whole 5 minutes by Todd. We again told Todd now of our mutual birthday celebration and Ron asked for 2 bottles of Pellegrino. He removed our water glasses and brought back the 2 bottles with 2 new glasses which were covered with 3 different colors of women's lipsticks and other sticky goo. We brought it to another server's attention passing by and it was replaced. We had poured a portion into one of the glasses already - so they actually took back that opened bottle instead of offering it as an apology of sorts (very tacky). We ordered our dinner which while over priced - was good. Todd, after clearing our entree plates asked us if we'd like any dessert? We were like - really? (in our minds), after the establishment knowing full well of our celebration. We decided no one was paying attention at this point and said no...paid our check and left. We won't be back. We didn't feel special or even of value at all. It was as if we were NEVER there. Ron and I always make sure that guests feel unbelievable by the time they leave @ The Marriott....