Pesto's Italian Restaurant — Restaurant in Valparaiso

Pestos Italian Restaurant in Valparaiso has long been a place I associate with culinary satisfaction and a delightful dining atmosphere. On my most recent visit, while the overall experience was adequate, it unfortunately fell short of the high standards I've come to expect from this local favorite.

Let's start with the positives. The service was a highlight of the evening, with Madison, our server, providing prompt and attentive care without being overly invasive. She struck the perfect balance, ensuring our dining experience was comfortable and our needs were swiftly met.

The portion sizes at Pestos are as generous as always, offering good value for the price. The pricing remains fair, reflecting the quality and quantity of the food served. The menu boasts a commendable variety of Italian classics, including a rich array of seafood dishes which is a boon for pescatarians. Additionally, the availability of a pizza menu is a nod to those in search of a more casual dining option.

However, the culinary side of the experience is where things took a turn. The appetizer sampler, typically a reliable introduction to a meal, was merely adequate this time around. The missing jalapeno and cheese filling in some of the fried ravioli was a peculiar and disappointing oversight. The calamari's toughness was another misstep, detracting from what should be a delightful start to the meal. While the marinara sauce was robust, suggesting a semi-fresh preparation, it wasn't enough to elevate the other average offerings on the plate.

The Sicilian sampler, usually a hearty and flavorful main course, was overwhelmed by an excessive amount of sauce. The sauce itself was decent, but its overabundance led to a less-than-pleasant texture in the breaded veal, which quickly turned soggy. The lasagna, generally a reliable choice, lacked the expected depth of flavor. Even the basil in the ricotta seemed subdued, hinting at a lapse in the dish's freshness.

The meatball soup, part of the meal accompaniments, was a redeeming feature, delivering a well-balanced and flavor-packed experience that harked back to Pestos' typical quality.

My dining companion's seafood calzone was an adventurous choice that unfortunately also suffered from the pervasive saucing issue. The excessive sauce overpowered the delicate flavors of the seafood, undermining the essence of the dish.

While the service and ambiance at Pestos continue to be commendable, the culinary execution on this occasion did not meet the usual standard. It's my hope that this experience was an anomaly, as Pestos has always been a restaurant I've held in high regard. I look forward to returning in the future, with the expectation that the food will once again match the excellent service and setting that Pestos...

We will never go here again. Wasted money and time. Calamari and shrimp was rubbery/Over cooked, fried ravioli tasted like it had been in refrigerator/freezer too long no flavor, my daughter said her chicken dish was Very bland, my portobello mushroom burger was awful.

We had ordered 2 sampler dishes and 2 main course Samplers came first….. calamari over cooked and ravioli as I said up above. The bruschetta was Really good. That’s the Only thing that was Delicious. We waited while the waitress went back and forth Checking on the 2 women behind us asking them if everything was okay, do you need anything, etc.

Meanwhile we are Still waiting for our food and it’s been Over 30 minutes with a slow crowd and full staff. We ate both samplers and were full so we diced to take our main course with us which after 45 minutes still had Not arrived to the table.

The waitress Zoomed past us several times with no apology Or explanation….. but she still stopped to check on the ladies behind us. I Finally got her attention and asked about our food and told her we need to take it with us because our time was up we had to leave.

She brought us the foil containers (not enough to take everything) and Quickly brought the bill and sat it down. Left again Quickly. Dishes still still. She zoomed past again and I quickly said we need more containers and bags. She said ok. Once again we waited some then as we got up. She pops over for payment just when another worker asked if we needed something. I signed for the meal as she was watching for a tip to be included. I drew a Big line through that area. As I was walking out I stopped a manager and told him about the food. He asked if I wanted to adjust the bill but because we were out of time and Late in returning to the university I told him no but let the cook know the food wasn’t right and the calamari was Definitely over cooked.

The manager wished me a good day and said, “hope to see you again." My response was Nope I’ve wasted enough time...

I visited this restaurant with high expectations from the glowing reviews, but was left disappointed.

My aunt recommended this spot for its famed Italian cuisine. We arrived the day after Christmas at 3 pm to a nearly empty establishment, which makes our experience even more perplexing.

After a staggering HOUR wait (I kid you not), our entrees finally arrived. I was so frustrated, I nearly left, but my aunt, ever the optimist, persuaded us to stay.

Our order was simple: four entrees, all variations of chicken and pasta. Given the simplicity of our dishes and a professional kitchen's usual pace, this delay was inexplicable.

The food, when it did arrive, was underwhelming. My Chicken Pesto lacked the basic flavors of garlic and fresh basil. It's as if the kitchen forgot the recipe entirely. Not to mention, heavy cream in pesto? A peculiar choice that missed the mark.

Staffing didn't seem to be the issue. The front house and kitchen staff appeared plentiful and not particularly busy. So, what caused the delay?

I want this establishment to succeed in 2024, but for now, I can't recommend it. The town of Valpo is wonderful and deserves better dining options. And to the restaurant, please don't offer me incentives to return. This visit was my first and likely my last.

I've attached photos of the appetizers, which, like the entrees, were a letdown. From overcooked calamari to average sausage and peppers, the only redemption was the complimentary bread and dip.

I did not bother taking photos of the entrees. After waiting that long, I just wanted to eat and get it over with. Thank you for the experience. This all happened during my last...