La Famiglia — Restaurant in Town of Smithtown

Let me begin with the food was very good, by itself i would give the food and service 4 stars BUT. We took my boss there with some old colleagues that we havent seen in a long time. My boss is retiring after 34 years in TVCSD. we arrived at 6 and were seated at 640. We had reservations for party of 12. At 6pm. We enjoyed a very good dinner , restaurant is packed and can be very noisy but all in all it was very nice. We were asked if we wanted dessert. We were so full and just got a few coffees. Bill came it was somewhat reasonable for that size group. Then the manager/owner came over and said he was getting slammed and needed the table and we would need to move to the very crowded bar area asap. It was truly an awkward moment...most of us were like, what did he just say? To which we all got up quickly feeling very awkward, said our goodbyes and left. A few stayed at bar where owner /manager gave them a free drink but honestly it was terrible business to ask a customer to leave as I sipped the last sip of my coffee. In ALL of my 57 years going out to dinner, which is very often I have never been asked to get up so abruptly especially after spending 700.00 I was embarrassed, it ended our night on a bit of a weird note. Who asks customers to get up they need the table? I had my sons college graduation in Plainview years ago and I have frequented the old restaurant often. I liked the food, atmosphere is nice but very very crowded and noisy but i will never go again unfortunately because I thought that was so rude and put a damper on our night. When we were leaving this owner or manager was in the parking lot telling a group of guys i guesscwairing for a table...." i just made room for you , i asked a table to leave can you please come inside" WTF someone needs some skills in...

This place deserves 10 stars. It’s what every restaurant should be. It’s delicious of course but more importantly it’s Italian owned (I asked lol you’d be surprised how many Italian restaurants aren’t 🤨) the place was spotless …the bathroom was so clean ..even the men’s room mid dinner rush (every toddler’s mom knows how important this is) I didn’t make a reservation until last minute I was expecting to be turned away but Giovanni was so accommodating. We weren’t rushed or made to feel unwelcome. Our server was great and Michelle behind the bar is like a drink machine!!! I see some other reviews complain about noise …(umm turn down your hearing aids karens If you want quiet grab food Togo and eat at the library ). Yes it can be noisy cause people are having a good time! My family is off the boat Italian. This is where I take all relatives. (Have you ever met a quiet Italian? Duh!!) not sure why this is even a question if you want a good meal you’re likely not going to get it in an empty restaurant. (And let’s not forget you all probably went to the bordy barn in your 20s so get off the high horse). As adults we look for quality and want to enjoy the night out…. this is your place. Even if you take...

I was thinking for a while whether to write this review mainly because I've been a patron since the restaurant opened. While the food has not altered from deliciousness, I'm very disappointed in the wait staff who are terribly inexperienced especially handling a large party. The last time I made a party there, 2 yrs ago I was pleased with where we were seated and we were seated in a timely manner. This time last month was awful my guests and I waited in bar area for 25 minutes packed in an already over crowded fire hazard only to be seated in what I consider to be the worst place for a large party in the doorway next to the bar. Not only did that effect my special night but then the rushing of service and the unnecessary loud music played during dinner coupled with an already over crowded room killed my taste for this once favorite restaurant. Never have I felt so embarrassed and upset at my birthday dinner. Had i been told we were going to be seated in this area prior to booking this dinner I never would have agreed. Sadly I cannot recommend having a large group or party on a Saturday night at...