Luigi's Restaurant And Bar — Restaurant in New York

7pm reservation on a Tuesday evening, we arrived a few minutes early to check in with Danika and were told that there was a 10-15 minute wait. All good, beautiful pre-fall evening we said we'd wait outside as the entryway is very, very narrow with enough room for only one person to walk by at a time. Danika said she'd come out to notify us when our table was ready. After ~15 minutes, we went back inside and Danika asked us if we had a reservation. She didn't recognize us and didn't come outside to let us know that a table was available. The restaurant started to fill up and a backlog of folks started to jam the narrow entryway. After waiting inside the narrow entryway this time, after another ~15 minutes Danika decided to give our table to a walk-in couple. Danika said, "It's okay, they're elderly people", actually they were significantly younger than us. All good, we weren't starving. At ~7:30 we were seated and ordered a fried calamari app and a meatball app. Calamari was fresh and crispy, but greasy. Meatball was tender and airy, pretty good. Our 2 entrees, the papardelle with 1/2 lobster tail and a skirt steak were both surprisingly good. Pasta seemed to be a fresh pasta, 2 shrimp, 1/2 lobster tail (also same size as shrimp) was prepared in a rich orange-hued sauce. Skirt steak was pre-sliced, served medium-well (the server did not ask for a desired temperature) in an unusual sweetish-tangy sauce (maybe Marsala) served with fresh sauteed garlicky spinach and a savory polenta. A rich, brown gravy may have worked better for the med-well steak. For dessert we had a slice of cheesecake and the tiramisu. Also both good. The restaurant was busy for a Tuesday evening which is probably a testament to the food quality. Unfortunately with the large choices of good Italian food available in Queens and western LI, the initial CX sets the tone. Danika soured the mood, made us feel unwelcome as guests and remained nonchalant thoughout. We didn't remember who our servers were, but no complaints about the food. Never been here before, good food, bad...

Luigi's is the main staple of Floral Park restaurants. They have such a varied menu and the food is good and fresh. What also makes a difference is the wait staff and selections as well as the bar. They are well below the capacity of people who normally dine here. They have a tent on the side of the restaurant. I believe it could fit 10 to 12 parties, well below what inside could fit. My friend and I decided to brave to low 30s temperature and have some food. Luckily there was a table available in the tent for us to sit. The wind was whipping a little more tonight. They have a few heaters, maybe about 6 of them trying to warm up. They really are trying to make everyone happy and warm. The wait staff is extremely polite, but they always have been even pre pandemic. Our waitress Samantha was truly a sweet person. She really approached us in a very good way with a very nice smile. Her smile warmed us up slightly and it really felt she wanted is to be there. That makes a huge difference. She even helped us decide on appetizers and meal. They had a squash soup that tasted the most natural of most squash soups I have had. They may have been tiny, very tiny pieces of the natural squash and it tasted real and not overly creamy like other places. It was not like drinking heavy creamed squash flavored soup, this was all natural. Also was able to have baked clams which are also tasty. We were looking for meals that do not get cold fast. We also ordered a bottle of the Mark West pinot noir, which is our favorite at Luigi's. We also got a new menu item, lobster Bochini ( I believe I misspelled), it had a lobster tail with 4 big shrimps, on a bed of large cut homemade pasta. The sauce was light and it was the perfect meal on a large plate. Despite the fact it was getting a little cooler, our hands were still fairly warm under the heaters. The staff really were so friendly and accommodating. I really hope people come out to maintain Luigi's as the staple of New Hyde Park especially during...

Love this place, it’s been a family heirloom growing up in Queens. Okay I walk in a hostess by the name of Nica who immediately greets me. I ask if I can head to the bar, Nica directs me and I’m ready to go. It’s 2pm on a Thursday bars empty so it’s just me and few tables in the dining room. A gentleman comes with a a glass of water and menu and then just places it down then walks away. I tried to make conversation with him and that obviously didn’t work. He comes back after 5 mins I guess ready to take my order, I ask is this the lunch menu to spark conversation.. nothing at all. I tried to get him to suggestively sell me something.. his stale energy was such a turn off so I just order the meatball parm hero. So I sit here with my water and just wait to see if someone will offer me a drink. Now a bartender comes and asks me have I ordered yet. I say yes I have he gives me silverware offers me bread. As I sit patiently for a beverage offer I couldn’t help myself so I said hey what’s your name he says Phil.. Hey Phil do you recommend anything to drink with my meatball parm? He tells me the Pumpkin ale is great, I say I’ll have one. Pretty tasting beer I must say extremely refreshing. Clear indication that the taps are cleaned and handled well! Within 8 mins food is in front of me and I’m ready to dig it. This dish does not miss!!!! The Zucchini chips were a bit bland this time but I was hungry and the sandwich filled me up. My experience here today met my expectations, the service can always improve but overall everything here works. This is a local mom and pop.. memories are made here, moments are cherished here, come in for a quick bite for lunch or a casual dinner. The ambiance is everything!! Watching the chef next to the oven brick pizza flare was cool and seeing the locals come in/go feels like a classic movie from Queens past. Phil and Nica keep up the same energy for your current and future patrons you know what hospitality...