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Information:Restaurant name? Biaggi's City?Perrysburg, OH Location?Levis Commons Type?Italian Reviews:Josh Woodward rates this 9 / 10: This isn't especially local to Findlay, and it's technically a small chain, but this is the best Italian food in the area. They have fair prices, classy old-school atmosphere, and some damn fine food. My favorite thing about this place is the fact that they're adventurous and willing to use bold flavors (rather than a certain other Italian chain who shall remain nameless). Everything I've had there has been interesting and yummy. And the fried bread dipped in "Biaggi Butter" is a pleasure that can't be described. Mmm.
Update, April 2007: The food is still as amazing as ever, but the service has gone steadily downhill. They're in danger of becoming a victim of their own success. If you make a reservation on a weekend, be prepared to sit 30-40 minutes in the lobby anyway. This has been the case reliably over the past half a year or so, and really needs to be fixed. Update, May 2007: Unfortunately, I can't recommend Biaggi's anymore. It's the same thing every time - get a reservation, arrive on time, be told that they're running 15 minutes behind, and 30 minutes later, you're taken to a table with nothing more than a "whoops, sorry for the wait". It ruins the experience to the point where it's no longer fun to go. Skip it unless you're having dinner at 4:45pm on a Monday night. Even then, bring something to read. Update, July 2007: I'm happy to pass on that things seem to be better! I emailed the manager last time to explain the problems we've had, and he emailed back that specific things had been done to address the problem. Sure enough, a couple months later, after "anonymous" reservations, we were seated immediately at 7pm on a Saturday night. Kudos for being so responsive! Update, September 2007: The quality has been slipping a little the past couple visits. The butternut squash ravioli (and apparently the chicken marsala) have changed recipes for the worse. Two times ago, the tiramisu was served still frozen. The lobster ravioli on the specials menu this week was the most uninspired dish yet: six tiny ravioli barely poking their heads up in a sea of cream sauce, stuffed with a little bit of overcooked lobster and nothing else on the dish, all for $15 or $16. The reservations problem does seem to be fixed, but the service seems to be getting a little rushed, and the food quality's been dipping. Update, 2008: The past couple of visits have been much better.
There's no date to your post, but you were absolutely correct when they first opened. And they were reasonably priced. Since opening, however, their prices have steadily gone up and their quality of food has steadily gone down. So much so that I would not choose to go back there. If you're making the drive, I recommend Bistro Wasabi (pricey, but excellent Japanese sushi and steak place) or Poco Piatti - although their service is terrible, their food is generally very good (but the one in Toledo is much better).
I still think their prices are very reasonable for the quality of food. However, I will update my review to reflect what has declined over time: service. They overbook their reservations on peak nights, and it makes for a long and frustrating wait in a busy lobby. Can't wait to try Bistro Wasabi and Poco Piatti - thanks for the tips! Josh Woodward - http://www.JoshWoodward.com/
I have never, ever, had a bad experience at Biaggi's. Their servers are exceptional in their appearance and skill. As for waiting for reservations, the real problem is, if you care to look after YOU get seated is that people sit and sit and sit after they are done eating rather than being courteous and vacating the table so that others can be seated. Put yourself in the place of the management or the servers for that matter, and I think you would find it very difficult to tell people that they have to get up from their table because others are waiting. I have actually seen a case where a large group left except for ONE woman who remained for a very long time drinking coffee. I found her to be very rude and the servers had to stand by and wait for her. This also affects the servers income as it slows the turnover. There are always people who do not see that what they are doing is a problem for others. And there are those who just do not give a damn.
I don't think you're rooted in reality on this. It's not a food factory, it's a dining experience. People should have the right to linger after they're done eating if they want. The more I travel the world, the more I see that we're the only country who views eating as a race. These large tables probably spent hundreds of dollars, and are leaving very sizable tips. They can linger over coffee for hours if they want, as far as I'm concerned - they're not the root of the problem.
This happens at every restaurant in America. The problem is when the management doesn't factor this into the reservations system. It's part of the cost of doing business. If night after night, you find the reservations running a half hour behind, you need to start being more conservative with reservations. Josh Woodward - http://www.JoshWoodward.com/
Jim, Thanks so much for your very understanding --- and uncannily accurate -- notes about our restaurant. Upon Mr. Woodwards first complaint to us, we responded as apologetically as we could and took additional, definitive steps to ensure our reservation parties were seated as expediently as possible. We have reduced the number of reservations we take per hour and increased our busser staff. This was all communicated to Mr. Woodward, but as of yet, we've received no reply.
You are correct that people do tend to linger inordinately and though there's little we can or ever would do to change that, it does impact --- negatively --- the timing of all seatings, reservations and walk ins. The idea that that's just part of the game...well, only if you are a very expensive restaurant. To keep our prices where they are we must be able to turn our tables and we currently factor that every table will take well over an hour to dine (larger parties even longer.) We will continue to work as hard as we can to earn the trust and loyalty of our Perrysburg / Toledo guests. And we will continue to respond quickly to any guest who's dining experience is less than expected. thanks again for your support and kind words. Steve Watermeier -- Area Director -- Biaggi's
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