Lisi Italian — Restaurant in Pinehurst

Our recent experiences at Lisi have left us disheartened despite our genuine affection for their food.

A few weeks ago, during a group dinner, our server (we remember her by her distinctive green hair, though not her name) fell short of our expectations. She kept us waiting for wine glasses (we always order a bottle), and when dessert time arrived, she seemed unprepared, offering only a couple of options when we knew they had more. We had to inquire about additional flavors and options.

However, our visit to Augie's room last night, driven by high recommendations, was not a good experience. The decor was nice, and while carrying a premium price tag, the food lived up to the hype, as did the drinks, but the service is another issue.

Another notable quirk is their policy of not permitting guests to bring their drinks to their dinner table. Instead, they redirect you to Augie's to obtain drinks before dinner. This is somewhat unusual because, at most places, you can order from the bar and take your drinks to your seat. So, be prepared to finish your drink quickly when they inform you that it will take 35 minutes, only for your table to be ready in just 12 minutes.

Also, we overheard the experiences of two other groups that mirrored our own. Their drink orders and food arrived promptly, and their server was initially friendly and attentive. However, once the food was served, the server seemed to disappear. No napkins or silverware were provided, and when she reappeared in the atrium by the couch and door, she didn't respond to our attempts to get her attention. She appeared occupied pouring drinks for those who were only ordering a drink and not paying for food and drinks.

This led us to resort to using cocktail napkins, a situation that another nearby table also encountered. At the very least, we expected the food runner to assist when servers were overwhelmed, but he didn't even inquire if we needed anything else. It seemed as if everyone was operating independently, and this was further evident when another employee at Augie's similarly ignored us. She walked by our table half a dozen times and never looked our way, even when I tried to get her attention. Considering there are only two employees, teamwork would have been appreciated, especially since the two women probably share tips.

Despite our friendliness throughout the evening, we were disappointed by the lack of attention we received, particularly when it came to ordering another appetizer or drink, something we would have gladly done. We eventually spotted our server, but she seemed more interested in counting heads than addressing us. We had to request our check while she continued counting, and even then, it never arrived.

We ended up going to the bar with a stern attitude at this point to ask again. When she finally brought it, she tossed it in our direction, with four other people waiting for our table as witnesses.

Adding to the frustration, the owner accused us of yelling at his server without taking the time to listen to our side of the story or even ask. He simply made an accusation without giving us the opportunity to explain, as if the customer is always wrong. Customers should be treated with respect!

Despite our efforts to provide constructive feedback, the owner appeared uninterested in making amends, and feeling undervalued as loyal patrons is disheartening.

It's evident that with little competition in the area and a consistently long waiting list, there's little motivation for improvement.

Our experiences have led us to understand why several other couples we know have abandoned Lisi in favor of Valenti's. Although we had previously defended Lisi, we've now reached our breaking point and...

Welcome to fine dining in Pinehurst. Here is my summary of this amazing Italian place which was recommended to us by a local and it did not disappoint. We were told to reach there early by its opening time of 4 PM or else we would have to wait. We were the second to reach there and within 15 -20 min, the entire place was packed.

1. Ambiance 5/5: Great setting with both inside and outside seating with shade. They have a bar there as well.

2. Service 5/5: The service was quick and delightful. At the entrance, we had people help take our names and escort us to our seating while the lady taking care of us was very helpful as I wanted some vegan options. She even enquired and confirmed me the things I could eat.

3. Food 5/5: My family absolutely loved all the food here. I just had salad and bread and here is my experience:

a) Complimentary bread: Generally people dont talk about it but it was the highlight of my experience. We were told that the bread here was amazing and it sure was. Either we were really hungry or the bread was delicious since we had 2-3 baskets of it. I guess it was both :)

b) Farro Estivo: It had wheat grains and was delicious. I liked it. c) Rigatoni alla vodka: My wife had this and she loved it.

4. Value for Money 5/5 - This is a fine dining place so do not expect it to be cheap but it was totally worth it.

In the end, totally worth the hype! Make sure you come here early to escape the wait time and don't miss he bread ;)

The Good:

1. The bread
2. Service
3. Pasta

Not So Good:

1. Nothing that I can think of except the price(which is kind of understood since this is...

Lisi Italian is such a special experience and a must-try in the Pinehurst area. The food is nothing short of exceptional - Italian food that is simple and delicious, reminding me of the dishes I grew up eating. The wine list is impressive in size and yet incredibly intentional in its selection.

The service is top notch, and I cannot emphasize enough to ask for recommendations, both in food and wine. Some of my favorite menu items have come from recommendations from the Lisi team. For example, looking at the menu, it would be unlikely that I’d pick the greens as an appetizer and yet they were delicious (thanks to a recommendation)! I will get them every time moving forward. Ask about the wine too, as there are so many options that you’ll be sure to find the perfect pairing.

If you’re in town for lunch, make sure to stop by Lisi Market for some of the most exceptional sandwiches you will ever try. The chicken cutlet with pesto and evoo was so good but the Italian meats sandwich is a classic as well!

Augie’s is fantastic too (once again, ask the staff for recommendations) and is the best place to end the evening with friends. The cocktails are fantastic and the ambiance and decor are perfect for a relaxing night out.

It is clear that Lisi is a labor of love for its owners and employees. The owners and staff just make Lisi feel like an extension of your home. Simply put, Lisi is the kind of place that, as soon as you walk out the door, leaves you counting down the days until...