La Cucina Bistro & Wine Bar — Restaurant in Scottsdale

Unless you are a regular, expect the slowest service in the world. The only server is ALSO the host, the bar tender, the food runner, the busser, the phone answer call taker.... basically everything including the partial cook. It took 30 minutes to get drinks. The people sat after us got bread and entrees before we even got our drinks or bread. The regulars at the table near the front were the ones people getting consistent service. Not to mention there looked like 2 people that may have been friends of the owner helping themselves behind the bar while we waited 2.5 hours for dinner and never got a drink refill. Disappointing since the food was pretty good but 2 people, 1 alcoholic beverage, 1 appetizer, and 2 entrees later, we walked out almost $200 in dissatisfaction.

Update and response to owner - still give it 1 star. We didn't go last night. And that also doesn't explain the "friends" helping themselves behind the bar. Poor presentation as a...

Review in Oct 2024: My wife and I went 2 nights ago for a last minute dinner. Food and service were great! However, there were some folks at the front table who obviously had too much to drink and were very disruptive. Various tables of people were looking at them and I even mentioned to them that they were a bit loud. The owner of the restaurant was sitting with them at the time and they pointed us out to him. Really?!? They quieted down for a bit and then when the owner went back later to sit with them (again) they became loud (to the point that we couldn't even talk to one another.) It was a very stressful experience for us (on what was supposed to be a relaxing dinner). Needless to say, I'm not inclined to go back.

Review in Oct 2023: Service and atmosphere were great. Food was very good until I got my entree (Chicken Marsala). Honestly, it was a bit dry and missed the...

Small, unassuming restaurant in a strip mall with fabulous food and service. This is NOT a chain restaurant with the same old boring menu. If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine, made to order, give this place a try. It's cozy and intimate inside with a decent wine list and a menu that goes well beyond typical American-Italian fare. Here you'll find some surprising options along with a waiter who asks how you'd like something prepared instead of saying there are no substitutions. I ordered the special which was a butternut squash ravioli served in vodka sauce. He asked me if I'd prefer a garlic butter sauce with it which I didn't know was an option. No problem, he said. It was amazing! This is my new favorite...