Colombo's Restaurant — Restaurant in Parkersburg

Colombo's Italian Restaurant: A West Virginia Gem Evoking Old-World Charm

In the heart of West Virginia, Colombo's Italian Restaurant stands as a testament to the enduring allure of classic Italian cuisine. It is a place where time seems to slow down, allowing you to savor not just the food, but the entire experience, reminiscent of the warmth and hospitality of the old country.

From the moment you step inside, you are enveloped in an atmosphere that transports you to a rustic Italian trattoria. The aroma of simmering sauces and freshly baked bread fills the air, while the soft glow of candlelight casts a warm, inviting aura over the dining room. It is a place where you feel instantly at home, ready to embark on a culinary journey that delights the senses.

Colombo's menu is a celebration of traditional Italian flavors, each dish crafted with an artistry that reflects generations of culinary wisdom. The antipasti, a colorful medley of cured meats, cheeses, and marinated vegetables, sets the stage for a symphony of tastes. The pastas, whether hand-rolled or extruded, are cooked to al dente perfection and adorned with sauces that are both robust and delicate. The main courses, featuring succulent meats and the freshest seafood, are a testament to the chef's dedication to quality ingredients and masterful preparation.

To complement this culinary masterpiece, Colombo's offers a thoughtfully curated selection of wines, each bottle carefully chosen to harmonize with the flavors of the food. From crisp whites to full-bodied reds, there is something to suit every palate, adding another layer of depth to the dining experience.

But perhaps the most enchanting aspect of Colombo's is the way it evokes a sense of nostalgia for the old country. The attentive staff, always ready with a smile and a helpful suggestion, adds to the feeling of warmth and hospitality. It is a place where you can create lasting memories with loved ones, sharing stories and laughter over plates of delicious food.

In short, Colombo's Italian Restaurant is a true treasure, a place where the passion for food and the love of tradition come together in perfect harmony. It is a testament to the enduring legacy of Italian cuisine in West Virginia, a place where you can experience the true essence of Italy without leaving the state. Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or simply seeking a memorable meal, Colombo's will not disappoint. It is a culinary destination that will transport you to the heart of Italy, leaving you with a sense of warmth and contentment that lingers long after...

For a restaurant that has been in business for 65 years based on its reputation for serving Italian food, you would think they would serve, well, Italian food, at least good Italian food. Evidently, you would think wrong.

I ordered the pasta dish with anchovies, mushrooms, garlic, and olive oil. If there was olive oil in there, I couldn't taste it. If there was garlic in there, I couldn't taste it. They had run out of anchovies. "Do you want to substitute ham for the anchovies?"

When I was asked what kind of dressing I wanted with my house salad, I asked for balsamic. What Italian restaurant doesn't have balsamic? Evidently, this one.

My wife ordered the antipasto salad, which was pretty decent. However, it was only supposed to cost $1.99 more. The check came back with $2.25 more.

On the basis of principal, I brought it to the waitress' attention. She brought it back with $0.30 in change. The receipt was circled.

This is a very small, picky thing, and I get this.

However, every other restaurant I can think of would have issued a new receipt and charged me based on the new receipt.

We wish we had also read the menu a little more closely. Normally, at least in our universal experience (I.e., we've never known it to be otherwise), shrimp scampi comes with pasta. Not here.

There was also a surfeit of younger customers. Besides my wife and me, no one seemed to be under the age of 70. 1 gathered that these people have been coming to this restaurant for decades, and it's just a habit with them. There certainly were no young people here, except for a party of eight to commemorate a birthday or something that was leaving as we walked in.

This place may have been in business for 65 years, but at this rate, I don't think it will be in business another 65 years. I really hate to post a negative review, but for food that was so overpriced and so tasteless, I can't...

Sometimes things just aren't as expected. Columbos is pretty consistently a safe bet for good Italian food. But last night didn't live up to expectations. They were pretty slow for a Friday night around 7:30. There are other local restaurants with a wait at that time and Columbos wasn't close to half full. That is the time when a restaurant can really shine...if they care to.

The salads came out quick, but it doesn't take much time for two house salads. I had ordered an antipasto, however. The salads looked identical, but upon digging in, I did see some pepperoni and ham hidden under a layer of lettuce. Full slices of pepperoni and somewhat large cubes of ham lazily tossed into the mix were supposedly the catalysts that changed a house salad into an antipasto...for an additional $2.25.

The entrees come with garlic toast, and we ordered ours with melted cheese. The hot toast with melted cheese arrived with the cold salads, not with the entrees. I would have preferred it with the entrees. Four slices of garlic toast would have come with our entrees, but adding four slices of cheese cost an additional $4.95. Seems a little steep.

Not even halfway through our small salads, the entrees arrive. Again, when you are slow, know what you are doing, and care, you time the entree to arrive when the prior course...in this case, the salad... is about finished, not when it still mainly covers the plate.

The entrees, like the salads and cheese toast, were just okay. They all seemed to be thrown together quickly, with a lack of care or style. The slightly overpriced and underwhelming meal was indicative of a restaurant not even half full during peak hours heading into the weekend. $50.07 (I gave exactly 15%) was more than I have spent on dinner for my wife and I in a while. And unfortunately, it was one of the least enjoyable in that...