Vinny's Italian Grill — Restaurant in Virginia

This is a great little hidden gem in Stafford, VA! The food is excellent. We have been there twice, and the first time was just on a date with my husband. It was a Friday night, and the place was fairly busy. We got an incredible waitress and surprisingly got the same waitress the second time we came in and brought our two kids with us. She goes above and beyond, making witty, humorous conversation throughout the meal and making sure everyone is taken care of and has plenty of drink refills. She knows how to sell their entrees and help you in deciding what is good. The bread she brings out before the meal was a good starter, and after seeing the housemade chips during our first visit, we ordered those as well and got them smothered in cheese and bacon. They were delicious and possibly a meal in itself. My husband ordered the Chicken Canneloni (which we mused somehow tastes somewhat similar to a really good crab dip, despite not having crab in the dish), I had the lasagna, mh son had a small pepperoni a d black olive pizza (which was surprisingly huge), and my daughter had a ham and chicken calzone. The portions are amazing for the price. You get enough to have another meal depending on what you get and how hungry you are. Eventhough we did not order dessert this trip, the waitress brought us back a sampling of several Gelato flavors, which my children loved! I wish we hadn't been so full (seriously, a good problem to have!) because they have the best Tiramisu I have ever tasted! We had it during our first visit on the date with my husband and when we mentioned we wanted to share, the waitress responded, "are you sure you don't want me to bring another? Trust me, you will want your own." After she brought it out and we both devoured it, like we hadn't just eaten dinner, my husband agreed, "he should have gotten his own." They make it in a way and keep it partially frozen when it is brought out so it doesn't get soggy and begin to separate, which is how we have had it at other places. This place is incredible and I'm glad our family decided to check it out when we did because it has quickly become a new favorite! Thank you for creating such a warm, family-friendly environment for us to enjoy. They do not try to be more than what they are, which I appreciate the simplicity of this place, but what they do with food, they do incredibly well. Eat here, and...

PLEASE READ (RECENT REVIEW FROM LONG TERM CUSTOMER):

Alright so I have been eating here for the past 10 years and have absolutely loved it. However, recently (8/10/2016) I experienced some of the most disrespectful and embarrassing customer service displays that I have seen in a long time. Simply stated, my mother and I placed an order for pick up, which upon discovering at home, they had messed up. After calling back to ask for a redo on the order - they invited us back to pick it up. I walked into the restaurant and began speaking with a girl who told me I could have the new food, but only if I brought the old food back with me. Ehem, no one had instructed me to bring my food back there: strike one. I was then rudely ignored by this girl as she answered a phone in front of me (while other servers stood around appearing able to do so), asked by another server what I was there for, then ignored AGAIN by her answering another phone call. I went to take a seat myself and waited, not really knowing what else to do: strike two. Finally, after waiting for about another 10 minutes, the manager comes out and tries to explain the situation to me. She tried to explain that the policy the other server was telling me is in fact a legitimate policy to prevent food theft (which I can understand, but isn't that the point of receipts?!? (which, by the way, also never received one of those when I paid initially)), then gave me my food and told me she would "let it slide this time"; all while failing to say anything about the apparent lack of professionalism her other servers struggled to display. I walked back out to my car - finally content that I had gotten my food - and noticed that I was (AGAIN) missing a portion of my meal: strike three - you're out Vinny's. Sorry.

Update after eating: Food was decent, however, nothing too special that I couldn't get from another Italian restaurant around the area; especially after what I had to go through to get it. This restaurant has really gone down hill from what it was even a few years ago, and I hope one day it can return to its former glory. For now, I think I'll stick with those restaurants that can hit the ball the first time though. Thanks...

Vinnys Italian Grill is cozy and the prices are decent.

The decor is dated and the sound system blares random music. The vibe in the establishment is somber. You seat yourself which is not typical of an Italian restaurant. And if this is what you think of as classical italian trust me you are wrong. The fare here is american-italian basics. For instance, there is no such thing as alfredo anything in Italy. However do not expect to get classic NJ or NY american-italian here.

The staff appears reserved and they are content with bare minimum engagement with customers. I do not fault this to the staff, I think that the atmosphere of the place is draining their life-force as it also drains the natural fung shuei of a trattoria or ristorante. I don't think anybody involved with the place has visited Italy recently and that is a shame.

Our appetizer featured the standard tomatoes that are gassed to turn red, meaning not ripened, the balsamic vinegar was extremely pedestrian, and the herbs were passable but not as flavorful as other italian places in Stafford. Speaking of other places Zibibbo 73 is the only other italian restaurant in Stafford and I give that place maximum stars and that is what I'm comparing Vinnys to.

I have a real problem with italian eateries that don't make pasta on premise. Vinnys was not fresh pasta and it was over cooked. Pasta seems so simple but that's why it's so hard to get right. The sauce was prepared sometime before the day it was dressing my food I'm sure of that and it shows. Lots of entrees that hit our table came from something that was frozen. I dare to say that nothing we ordered was fresh save the gassed tomatoes. This misses the entire point of italian food. Again this is nothing against the staff more so the owner.

I also suspect the owner is the head 'chef' as there was no inspiration, no life, and no joy coming from the kitchen. I don't understand how so many locals love this place but they do; I...