Postino Grant — Restaurant in Tucson

Postino's has been one of my go-to lunch spots for about a year now, and honestly, it should be for many people. They have a daily happy hour until 5 PM that offers pitchers of beer or glasses of wine for six bucks, and I don't understand how the majority of people I know are just sleeping on this. In food, consistency is key, and in my experience, Postino's seems to have very few inconsistencies. I typically go for a panini or some bruschetta to pair with my pitcher of choice, and I would say my go-to is the prosciutto panini. This sandwich is an awesome harmony of flavors that just gets you from the very first bite. Delicate slices of Prosciutto melt in your mouth, offering a perfect balance of savory saltiness, while the creamy, buttery Brie adds this great, velvety texture that complements the prosciutto without overpowering it. Peppery arugula adds a refreshing bite, cutting through the richness of the cheese and meat, while a drizzle of balsamic vinegar and olive oil enhances the entire dish with a tangy-sweet and smooth finish. The bread, slightly grilled by a panini press for a subtle crunch, is so perfect for these flavorful ingredients, creating a satisfying bite that’s both decadent and refined. This sandwich is a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and fresh elements that feels like an indulgent, yet effortless bite. There's just nothing I would add or change on this sandwich. For the bruschetta, you get four choices. I have a favorite three, then I add a random fourth. They are all relatively good, but in my opinion, the French onion, Salmon & pesto, and prosciutto di Parma are the top three, with the Sweet n’ spicy pepper jam & goat cheese typically being my fourth pick. The French onion is such a creative twist on the classic French onion soup. This bruschetta does a great job of tasting like a completely different dish. The braised white onions are deeply caramelized, bringing out their natural sweetness, which is beautifully complemented by the nutty richness of Gruyere cheese. The melted Brie adds an extra layer of creaminess, while the roasted garlic aioli introduces this smooth, savory finish. It’s rich, it's comforting, and every bite brings a smile to my face. The Salmon & Pesto is my second favorite; the smoked salmon is rich and flavorful, pairing beautifully with the herb-packed pesto. The whipped goat cheese adds a creamy, tangy bite that complements the smokiness of the salmon, while the red onion and capers provide a sharp, salty contrast. Each ingredient plays off the others, creating a well-balanced, savory bite that is utterly satisfying. It’s the perfect choice for those who appreciate bold, smoky flavors. This is something I find this spot does so well, the flavors of a dish always work so well together, it's typically very simple yet so tasty. The prosciutto di Parma, fig, and mascarpone is an elegant combination of savory and sweet. This bruschetta is a delicate balance of rich, salty prosciutto and the luscious sweetness of fig. The mascarpone adds a smooth, creamy element that marries the salty and sweet components beautifully. The figs are sweet without being overpowering, and the prosciutto adds the perfect level of saltiness, creating a perfect and indulgent bite. Postino's has earned its title as one of my favorite lunch spots. From their consistent, high-quality food to the unbeatable daily happy hour specials, it’s a spot that checks all the boxes for a satisfying dining experience. The balance of flavors in their paninis and bruschetta is always on point, whether it’s the rich and savory prosciutto panini or the perfectly balanced bruschetta that offers a variety of textures and tastes. The French onion, Smoked Salmon & Pesto, and Prosciutto di Parma, Fig & Mascarpone are great choices. With an inviting atmosphere, an easy-going vibe, and a menu that never fails to impress, Postino's is more than just a go-to spot; it’s...

I've driven past for years, but never went. I meet another writer friend for lunch monthly. I asked her, where she wanted to go. She said choose a place that's eclectic. I did some googling and came up with Postino Grant. We went for lunch today. A warning. We went at noon. I only got parking, because I have handicapped plates. The restautant has a high ceiling and interesting architecture. I like the architecture. My friend was there first. Our waitress, Macy came over and took care of us. I had a white bean chili cup and a Brussel Sprouts salad which were great. Dessert was Chocolate Ganache. Excellent warm bittersweet chocolate with ice cream. Any staff member can help you, we paid with a different staff member, because they have hand held computers, no paper check. The Asst. Mgr. Chloe Harper came over to our table to see how we were doing. My friend and I mentioned we are writers. I offered to do a booksigning for her. That opened the floodgates. It turns out, the restaurant staff is starting a book club. We were introduced to the line cook Ed, who is starting it. You never know what you will find.

When driving there, easiest apporach, North on Tucson Blvd. Pay attention before the corner with Grant, there is an entrance there. If you go Eastbound on Grant, there is an entrance just past the corner of Tucson Blvd. You cross Tucson Blvd. then it will be on your right. Turning left from Westbound Grant is difficult, Grant has a lot of traffic. I would be curious to go at another time of day. At this rate, they will need a bigger place. A beautiful day and lunch in...

2nd UPDATE: After receiving this email from Sean Edwards, General Manager at Postino Grant (Upward Projects), I was so sure I'd hear back from them, but of course they didn't follow bother. " I apologize that my staff hadn't got back to you last week. I was out sick. Thank you for your phone number, I will reach out to you tomorrow afternoon." Downgrading review to 1 star. UPDATE: After receiving this message from the owner, I responded, but of course they never followed up....."Response from the owner Hi Darryl, we're sorry to hear about your service experience at our restaurant. Please reach out to us via email. We would love to know a few more details to prevent this from happening in the future...." This is the lowest restaurant review rating I’ve given in two years.

It hurts me to have to give them such a shockingly bad review, as I have so much empathy and respect for the food industry.

But the service was bad, so bad that it didn’t matter if the food was any food or not. If you leave a restaurant with such a bad feeling, even if the food was fantastic, all you remember is the bad customer service - and that’s what you tell friends.

The manager lied - I would have respected him if he told us the truth.

Our waitress was appalling - we would have been so happy if she would have helped us.

One lesson that COVID has showed us, is that we missed enjoying food at restaurants and how much we love the service and interaction - sadly, Postino learned nothing.

This is a well-run operation and they’ve been successful - this was a massive...