Raffi's Restaurant

I do not recommend this place. Food was not good at all. Service was good, and the outdoor dining was nice. Without the nice outdoor dining area I would have given it one star. I've had better Italian at Fazoli's.

So, I found this place when I was going thru a nasty divorce.  You know, one of those where the spouse takes almost all of the furniture in the house...including pans, dishes, flatware, etc.!   That said, I found it necessary to eat out...every night...until I got the energy to go shopping (sidebar:  I think someone should create a Divorce Gift Registry!   That way, you could register for all of the things the ex takes!)   Back to the subject.  I don't know why I first tried Raffi's...it really wasn't my kind of place...but, once I had his delightful calamari and fantastic martini's, I was addicted.  He has a fairly extensive menu, is incredibly gallant/service focused, and if you want something special...like soup (see Justin's review), or no capers, his staff is trained to exceed your every expectation.  I know I sound like his PR manager, but I'm really not.  I just appreciate good service.

Raffi meets you at the door with an old world kiss on the hand, the waitstaff does everything but feed you and the food is always superbly prepared...the pork chop is to die for!  Not to mention his steaks and he always has a fresh seafood dish each day.  

Summer on the patio is like being somewhere...other than the midwest!   He has a fab singer (Cyn McDonald) that is a dead ringer for Diana Krall.  Darn...I never thought I'd be homesick for E'ville, but I just missed summer on the terrace, Cyn singing... a delish martini...and my peeps!  Sob.

I used to be a fan of Raffis and patroned his restaurant almost weekly with my family, but when I went there for my senior prom I noticed that he was not serving me and my date a full meal: he didn't serve us the soup!  Everyone that was over the age of 18 was getting soup, but not the prom kids.  I told my parents this, and they asked Raffi.  He said he didn't serve it to the kids.  Ever since then, we have dubbed him Evansville's own Soup Nazi.

That was almost 6  years ago and I haven't been back.  Go to the Pasta Grill or Angelos for good Italian.