Lombardi's Trattoria — Restaurant in Redding

After seeing pictures of many gorgeous baked goods by their baker, Rob, I decided I would go check it out. Unfortunately I have a gluten intolerance and was worried about cross-contamination. I was assured they had very strict gluten-free policies for their pizza.

My fiancé and I went in for a date night only to be greeted by a waitress who wasn't just unfriendly, she was flat-out rude. She never asked how we were doing, rolled her eyes several times, walked away (twice!) before we were finished ordering, and then ignored us to the point where another server completely took over our table for her so she could lean against the wall and talk to another employee. Nothing bothers me quite like waitstaff who makes the customers feel like they've offended them by giving them your business! When we eventually got our appetizers, my salad had goat cheese on it (despite me asking to have it left off) and our replacement waiter didn't even apologize and explained that it was fine because he was "hungry anyway". My finance was done with his soup by the time my new salad came out.

But that wasn't the worst part. I specified I have a gluten allergy twice and ordered a "large gluten-free pizza". I've never been there before so I didn't know what it should've looked like, but everything looked fine so I had two slices. By the time I got home, my stomach felt like knives. The next morning, my throat was swollen, my voice was hoarse, the skin on my cheeks and chin was raised and red, and I was lethargic. My doctor said it sounded like I had eaten gluten, had me take anti-histamines, and put me on a cleanse.

I took a picture of our leftovers the next morning and sent it to Rob (who throughout everything has been the most helpful and professional employee there) and he immediately clarified that was NOT their gluten-free pizza and I should call the Manager, Frank. When we spoke, Frank started calling in to question "why would I order a pizza if I don't eat gluten", "couldn't I tell the difference?" and then getting short with me because he didn't believe me that I had actually ordered a gluten-free pizza in the first place because I had ordered a large pizza and they don't have large gluten-free pizzas. Their menu only said that they have gluten-free crust, not that it was only available as a small. At dinner, I had asked he waitress if they had gluten-free, when I placed my order I said "a large gluten-free margarita pizza" and had the waitress been paying attention she would have corrected me. Alas, she was not listening and I was served (and paid for!) a large pizza. When I finally got Frank to stop interrupting and challenging me on what had actually happened, he said he wouldn't give me a refund, but he would give me a free small pizza next time I come in and we got off the phone. I was sick for almost three weeks because of this incident, but fine.

Eventually, my fiancé and I didn't want to cook one night and I remembered what Frank had said. So, I called in ahead to let him know I would be coming in. However, when I asked for a small pizza with bell peppers on it, Frank said "So how much do you think I owe you?! Do I owe you free toppings too?". I am completely blown away a manager could be so rude! Not only did I have to throw out the large pizza that I paid for, I was very sick as a result of it and when I was denied a refund, I was given a pizza half the size of the one I originally paid for. As for the toppings, when I opened it up, it had a single sliver of a green pepper and two red pepper slivers.

The service: Laughably bad. Literally, my fiancé and I were laughing at dinner about it. The food: The salad I eventually got without goat cheese was mediocre and not worth what I paid. The management: Argumentative...

Ive gotten used to Connecticut for mediocre restaurants and construction contractors for outrageous money and attitudes. So Let me put my commentary in that context. Lombardis has very good food, served with a bit of an attitude whether its the waitress or the guy making the pizza, for a lot of money. The prices rival NYC prices... but I get NYC restaurants have their insane rent to contend with. What can you say about Fairfield County where there are more "For Sale" signs than people? $25.00 for an "OK" large pizza pie? $4.00 pr slice of mediocrity?? Are you kidding???An entree for $19.00 makes sense.... not $29.00, and appetizer for$5-7 makes sense.... not 10-15! I can go down the clock to Carluzzi's, that is also crazy expensive ( $2.99 per pound of crappy tomatoes!!)...and still eat well for less than $10.00 per person. Honestly, this is more of a commentary on Fairfield service industry than Lombardi's... I have workers at the house on a Friday. I thought I would buy a couple of pizza pies for them.................No way am I spending $100.00... and that has nothing to do with tax, delivery and tip. 2008 changed the world forever. Wilton is about to go under $200.00 per square foot for residential real estate forever.. ATT ALL RESTAURANTS!!!! If you can't give good sized portions of QUALITY food for a reasonable price.... GO OUT OF BUSINESS. Pizza is NOT food, it is entertainment and to keep the kids quiet. If you cant deliver a pie for under $15.00.... stop...

My fiance purchased a group-on for this establishment for my mother's birthday dinner. The server started our evening by lecturing us on the policies and saying that other group-on members have shorted them on the tip so he is charging us a mandatory 20% gratuity. The service was horrible and he argued with us when there was an issue with the food. The mussels were served closed and he said that is just how they serve them. He offered to cook them more, but then never did. Every few minutes he came over and was rude. After an hour of this, I spoke to the server privately because my mother was close to tears on her birthday. All he did was argue. I asked to speak with the manager, and the server said he was the manager and owner. I asked him not to impose the 20% gratuity since the service was not worth 20%. He told me that I could just leave. He placed a bill for the tip as soon as I returned to my seat. I paid the taxes due and left a small gratuity. My sister who works at a restaurant was also at dinner and was shocked how he spoke to us all evening. I was initially excited to try the food here, but I will definitely not be returning to this...