Cugino's Italian - Williamsville

We will definitely re-think there. The food was very delicious and authentic. Service was good and the value was excellent.

We came here for Valentine's Day. We had a reservation for 7:00 and had this reservation 7 weeks ago. If I know that holidays are like these, I knew there would be some kind of delay, but I didn't expect what happened. When we arrived 10 minutes before us, we went to a lot of people waiting, there were about 8 couples in front of us who had all reservations between 18:30 and 19:00. There was no host/hoss available as they helped room service with dinner. It took 40 minutes to be welcomed by someone. I thought maybe we could wait at the bar and have a glass of wine, but no one was available. We even looked so friendly to eat in other places, but of course everything was booked. After 70 minutes waiting time we sat. Because of the way the tables were arranged, I sat facing the wall all the time and could not move the chair on the opposite side to my partner. The food was not bad, but you could say that the Calamari was frozen. Our server checked us a few times what I appreciate, but it was very hurry, and I get it, they were super busy and short staff, but I wanted to have another culinary experience especially for this day. Then there were a few moments the employees were screaming together, the room was so quiet in these moments you could hear a needle drop. While we waited for our food, we noticed a few couples before we had no drinks or their food, but we were surprised that ours came out faster than there are. When we were gone, there was a couple who just got their meal. If I return to this facility, it wouldn't be for a special holiday. After other reviews, I saw a few about NYE dinner service similar. I think it is mainly due to short staff.

We were not able to place our reservation, which one week advanced for Valentine's Day. My friend and I waited in the cramped hall with 5 other couples who also had a 7pm reservation for about 10 minutes. After this time, one of the staff came to inform everyone that the restaurant was difficult to short employees. They were uncertain if we were sitting and explained that food and service were very slow. We decided to eat somewhere else. We were not the only ones who are disappointed.

Had a reservation for the evening was immediately greeted with water and bread at our table. Finally, 25 minutes later, a server came to our table to ask if we want something other than water. We wanted wine, but no wine card was given to us so that we decided without knowing the selection. Food was fine, the shrimps in the Kathy court was hard and overcooked. The Calamari app was delicious. Overall, I didn't think my first time there was something special for the price-day at the food that I can give him a chance in the future.

Every table around us was cold not just us. For a Holiday Valentines Day they were out of all beer options but bud and only 2 dessert options. The mashed potatoes was the only edible food. The bread and spread were barely there and the stuffed peppers were barely warm but we wanted to give the place a chance. The filet mignon that was suppose to be 8 oz. Came as 2 thin 4 oz. Steaks that came in a bowl of vinaigrette dressing that was so strong I started coughing immediately to the point the waitress came over to check on me. Worst $70 filet I ever had. I’ll stick with Russell’s Steakhouse for special event upscale food and Texas Roadhouse for everyday steak. The guests at the table next to us let the waitress know they were ready to order and her response was “Well I’m not ready to take your order I have 4 tables in front of you.” If the place is that short staffed don’t take the reservations because it leaves a bad taste in customers mouths and they won’t return. We usually don’t give negative reviews and give a place a second chance we won’t be returning for a second chance.