Food rating: 4, Logistics rating: 2... hence the 3.
I will report back once I've had the opportunity to sit down here for a meal, but so far, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of take-out at Zeppoli's. I am not sure that eggplant parmesan requires an extremely high degree of culinary prowess, but I will commend Zeppoli's for the flavor nonetheless.
The only shortcoming was the fact that our takeout order was missing both side salads that we had ordered. We were in a rush and did not realize this until we sat down to eat... =(
I was pleasantly surprised by how delicious the manicotti was here. They definitely used freshly made crepes and the marinara sauce was slightly sweet and still had some texture- it wasn't completely pureed which I liked. Our party had about 12 people, so we did call ahead and they had our table reserved and ready to go as soon as we walked in. The server was attentive and got all our orders/bills right. The olive bread was wonderfully warm, served on a cutting board with olive oil and butter. The menu was quite extensive with many options. The prices were fair- my 2 good-sized manicottis were $8.99. I will definitely be coming back when another Italian craving hits!
Review Source:Excellent food and service. We often like the specials and daily soups, which can be inspired. On Wednesdays they offer a very reasonably priced wine tasting, which includes a lot of food. I learn a lot.
We find that lunch here is often cheaper than nearby Panera, and is infinitely better. My favorite is their Balsamic chicken salad, but their raviolis and pastas are excellent too.
Not impressed at all. Â Husband ordered the lasagna which looked like the type cheaper restaurants serve in the small dish that is put into an oven. I ordered the stuffed shells. Â The food was average. Â The service was really slow for a mid-afternoon with only 3 other tables in the room. Â The owner was at a table talking to some people who must be regulars because they were having a very lively conversation. Â She never walked over to any of the other tables to see if everything was going okay. It is a wide open room so every conversation is heard. They have a wine shop also.
Review Source:We came here for dinner last night because I was really craving some pasta. It was an interesting night to say the least. It was our first time dining at the restaurant and our waitress was in training.
Though the service wasn't bad at all, I think that it definitely could have been better. I know she was new so we cut her some slack, but I just feel like the other waiters and waitresses at our surrounding tables were more on top of things and checked on their diners way more than she came to check on us. Again, I don't blame her because she's new so we let it slide.
After we ordered our drinks, we got a loaf of bread with garlic dipping sauce that was really good. My one gripe about the bread was that every table had the choice between an Italian or Olive loaf and we didn't. The waitress didn't ask us what we wanted and just brought us a loaf of white bread. I would have preferred the Olive loaf... but again, we let it slide.
For dinner, I ordered the Spinach and cheese raviloi in their Mushroom Rose sauce which was AMAZING! The sauce was really really good - I enjoyed it a lot.
My fiance ordered the lasagna which looked incredibly overcooked and didn't really taste all that special. I had a bite of his and it really tasted like what I make at home. Typically, when you go out, you expect your entrees to taste better than something you can throw together at home so that was a huge letdown. He didn't eat the bottom piece of pasta on his lasagna because it was stuck to the baking dish and burnt pretty badly. I think he would have liked it a lot better if he got a different entree.
All in all, it was an okay experience. It wasn't the best Italian we've ever had, but it wasn't bad either. I thought the entrees were a touch over price for what they were. I mean this isn't exactly fine dining or anything even though I think they try to come off as a fine dining establishment...
Given the choice, I'm not sure if I'd come back or not. I think just because it was our first time and we got a new waitress, things just weren't as great as they could have been. It's no fault of her own, it's just I don't like to be the guinea pig when I go out to eat you know?
Zeppoli's is a hidden Italian restaurant in the shopping center across from the Math emporium, and I'm sad I only discovered it about a year ago. I don't usually crave Italian food, but now when I do Zeppoli's is the spot. I haven't gotten the chance to try many of their dishes but the best one BY FAR is their eggplant parmesan! I'm not even vegetarian but I got this the first time I went with a girlfriend and it has been the only thing I've gotten ever since. What can I say? Once you know something's good, it's good! And I love the olive bread they bring out to you while you're looking over the menu, it comes out warm and toasty and just delicious. Their spinach artichoke dip is also fantastic!
Downsides? Entrees come out with a small side of spaghetti, which in my opinion could have more flavor and taste better considering that it's an Italian staple. I also was not impressed with their fried calamari or ravioli - Olive Garden quality, if at best. And although I didn't have a bite of any of my other friends' dishes to vouch for their experiences in the past, they never seemed as enthusiastic about them as I about that delicious eggplant parmesan.
I struggled between 1 and 2 stars, but settled on 1 star after reviewing my entire experience. I was holding onto that extra star because the first time I went here I had a good experience, albeit I also had three glasses of wine to sweeten the deal.
*To get to the 'good stuff' you can skip down to the narrative*
I did not feel good about giving this restaurant anymore than 1 star after the service I received tonight. I am not generally a zealous reviewer, but I feel compelled to share.
The night began averagely. The server was OK, seemingly a bit sarcastic and dry, however I chalked it up to his creative license and ability to be an individual and had expectations of receiving average if not above average service, as he seemed nice enough.
It took a while for the bread to arrive however I was excited as I was told it was in the oven. I imagined hot and soft bread arriving at my table. The bread that arrived was lukewarm, which made me think the waiter probably just forgot to bring the bread and instead blamed the wait on the oven. The olive oil given with the bread was very low quality.
Italian food is my favorite food. I love the Chicago's Little Italy American Italian food all the way down to Mama's kitchen in Sicily. I love it all! It is hard to displease me! However this olive oil was something more akin to cheap store brand olive oil than authentic Italian standard olive oil. As dipping olive oil, it was very thin and tasted like vegetable oil.
I asked for Steamed Asparagus with olive oil, garlic, and Parmesan to start. A dish not on the menu but a classic I love to start with. The restaurant obliged. The dish was averagely done, however as it was not on the menu I was pleased I still received it.
My second appetizer (however it arrived first) was the Fried Ravioli. The ravioli were oily and bland. The marinara sauce was essentially tomato paste, which I love either way. I seasoned it with some lemon wedges to add flavor. The overall experience was unmemorable.
My third dish was the Spinach and Cheese Ravioli. I bit into the Ravioli and almost immediately I could tell there was something 'off' about the dish. Upon further inspection, I realized what I thought was cheese was actually lasagna pasta. The pasta was so over cooked, that is was mushy and stuck to the ridges of my teeth like gum you keep in your mouth overnight and then have to scrape off of the roof of your mouth. I have seen over cooked pasta before, but nothing like this!
-----
I can forgive all kitchen mishaps with just a little bit of positive customer service and some attention to detail, but what followed has me certain I will not be returning nor recommending this place to ANYONE.
I asked the waiter (Server I.D. #18) when he returned if the pasta "was usually this consistency."
He asked "what issue I had with it."
I said it "was gummy and chewy."
He asked me nonchalantly "how did I want it? Less chewy?" And he began to laugh.
He proceeded to tell me varying things, including "that's just how they make their pasta, and that I should ask the waiter next time to make the pasta harder."
WHAT?! Â He did not apologize for the dish, offer to note it to the chef, ask me if I would like it redone, or offer to remove it from the bill, although I had taken all but two bites.
I told him that pasta has a particular consistency when it is done, and mushy means it is overcooked.
He then tried to convince me that there was no such thing as the 'right way' to cook pasta and that it was just my personal opinion. LITERALLY, HE SAID, "To each their own" with a smirk.
I glanced around the restaurant to see if other people were experiencing the same awful service or if any fellow waitstaff had noted his rudeness and incompetence. NOPE!
I asked him for the check and pushed the pasta away.
He said, "Should I take this away?"
I responded 'Yes'
He then laughed and said, "Was it that bad? Should I remove it from your sight?"
I then told him, "The pasta is overcooked, I am sorry you do not consider your customers opinions important. It is not my taste buds to blame here."
He brought me the check offhandedly and said, "I hope you come back again. Maybe we can find something to your liking."
Another waiter at this point had noticed the interaction, however did she intrude to find out why I was clearly disappointed and annoyed? Nope. She glance over, printed out a receipt, and left.
No one said anything to me while I waited for the check, or as I walked out.
A restaurant is only as great as its food and its people. Zeppoli's food is slightly above average; their people are WAY below average. Zeppoli's, you are in the RED. And that is NEVER good for business.
(I hope they kept my waiter from my first experience. She was a dream compared to this guy. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was her service, or maybe it was her intelligence to keep me stocked with a glass of red in hand so I didn't notice the debit in staff and cuisine.
I have lived in Blacksburg for a long time and Zeppoli's used to be the place to go when deciding to go out for dinner and sometimes for lunch. Â We started trying new places and just have not gone back until recently. My husband and I have gone twice in the past two months and had excellent meals both times; it's even better than I remember it. Â I had a seafood special on Valentine's day and shrimp and cappelini this past weekend and even though I don't usually finish my meal when I eat out, it was so good I cleaned my plate! Â Okay, so my husband helped with the copious amount of pasta. Â He had veal both times and especially enjoyed the veal parm. Â The prices are very reasonable and the service is friendly and helpful; both times the waiter helped us decide on a wine and both times it was perfect.
Review Source:We tried this place twice and were disappointed both times.
First time we ate in the restaurant. Â The food was ok, but not outstanding. Â But the tables were packed so tightly we couldn't move. Â Most of the patrons were very old (we have 2 kids) and it was very uncomfortable. Â The restaurant wasn't very busy but they made us feel like sardines while most of the place was empty.
After the uncomfortable eat in experience, we tried take out. Â The food was ready on time but that is about the only positive aspect. Â Once we got the food home and started opening it, it was appalling how small the portions were. Â We bought calamari as an appetizer for $6.99. Â It was literally 1/10th the size you would get at Carrabbas and nowhere near as good. Â Shrimp scampi was the same. Â Bruschetta once again the same. Â We paid $45 for not enough food for one person. Â We're not necessarily cheap when it comes to eating out but it feel we should at least be full when paying that much.
Ambience was uncomfortable.
Portion size was unfathomable.
Taste was ok but not anything special.
Tried to give it a fair shake but won't go back.
I liked this place and will return.  However, I wouldn't call it  great and I'm not dying to go back.  The service was nice and the meal was good.  The decor is simple but clean and they have a wine shop.  It's not what I would call good quality Italian and I felt that their website makes it out to be more than it really is.  But, it's decent and I would recommend that you at least try it.
Review Source:I made reservations here. Â They asked me to spell my name so they could have it correctly. Â We arrived early first to be told that they had given our table away since we weren't there. Â After pointing out that we were there, and early, the same person who took the reservation said, "We really don't take reservations".
  We did not wait, and I would never, ever go back to this place.
I've been to Zeppoli's several times since living in Blacksburg. Pretty much every time I go I'm so disappointed and wonder why I let myself be dragged there.
I'll give an easy breakdown of why.
Food: Not impressed by the food at all. Each time the food is so mediocre I end up wondering why I'm paying so much for something I could do myself at home, and better; that's not what you want to think when you go out to have a good time and avoid having to do things at home yourself. The last time I went the pasta was undercooked and the sausage was presented as two long slabs tossed over the pasta. Not very exciting.
Service and staff: The servers are usually allright, albeit a bit sarcastic at times which is expected from a place that has college students as servers. Whenever I've gone and stayed a bit after people have left, they begin to turn the lights on and off to boot you out of there. The last time I went, the owner basically told us she wanted the last bottle of cabernet sauvignon and that we should have the merlot instead. What the heck kind of restaurant owner wants to hog the last bottle of cabernet to herself when the customers want some more?
They do pack the food for you in a box if you want it to go and the house wines are pretty cheap and decent.
All in all this place is OK. Don't expect to be wooed.
Don't go to Olive Garden. Eat here.
We went here for lunch. Mine was a baked ravioli dish with eggplant. It was good, but would have been better if the mushrooms and eggplant had been cooked more thoroughly.
The kalamata olive bread that comes with the meal is great...somehow, the olives lend the bread a pleasant fruitiness.
The server appeared to be a little dense...maybe it was his first day.
When I first came here in 2004 for my sisters graduation the place was amazing. I specifically remember the great bread and butter! It was so sweet and light.
Sadly the key is "was", as over the years  the quality of food has just fallen.  This past time I went, nobody in my party had anythign good to say. One complained the lasagna was over cooked. Another that the alfredo was "gritty". My ravioli was tough. The best I heard was that the chicken parm was ok.
The staff was very prompt and a person I assume to be the manager appologized  for having us wait for a table to clear, and then once seated came by again to thank us for our patience. They even have a nice little wine shop and offer tastings.
However, I just can't get over how much the food has fallen.
The food was great and the service was friendly, fast, and efficient. One error in our order was immediately fixed, even before we could note it to our waiter who also then gave us a beer on the house for the mistake.
The corkage fee of $2 is a steal, unless you consider that's if you buy the bottle from their store...which you happen to walk through to get to the dining area. Still, not terrible. Not sure of the corkage if you bring in a bottle...
What I really didn't understand was the $1 per guest fee if you bring your own cake... Not only did I find this unnecessary in a restaurant that seems to be doing everything else right, it's downright confusing. I mean, come on, what if I go by myself, bring a cake, and want to eat the whole thing by myself, one slice at a time? Is it only $1 or will they charge me for each slice?
That said, this is the Burg and not a city, so if I only ate in the New River Valley I'd give it more stars and consider it a good option for dinner.
This is the perfect place to go on a date. Â The food is great and the environment is wonderful. Â The tables feel private even though they aren't separated from other tables. Â The prices are really fair especially for the quality of the food. Â The wait staff is attentive and friendly also. Â This place has a fancy feel without the high prices.
Review Source:The front desk attendant stared despondently at the floor in response to my query, "Is there any fine dining in Blacksburg?" He answered with a question, "Zeppoli's?" After two days of subsisting solely on college grub I needed a real meal so I drove myself to Blacksburg's finest.
Now this review is rated on a relative Blacksburg scale; compared with a counterpart in LA, NYC, or anywhere else with a food culture this would be a two/three star review. However I was heartily impressed they made their own pasta. With hope I ordered the ravioli and they were cooked to a perfect aldenti. My only complaint was the marinara, which tasted as if it's main ingredient were oregano. So the food was solid, but the decor... Ahhh, it hurt my soul. With makeover this place would be worthy of the de facto title of Blacksburg's best restaurant.
One of the fancier restaurants in Blacksburg, Zeppoli's is a good place to take your significant other on a special occasion, or to have a group dinner before a formal. (Or if you'd just like to enjoy some good Italian food and wine.)
It's been a long time since I dined here, but I remember the pasta was very good and that the service was very attentive. Definitely a great place if you love Italian cuisine. The walls are an odd shade of sea green though, and I wish they'd repaint it since it personally made me lose my appetite.
This is one of the few Italian restaurants I've been to that have their own Wine Cellar that you can look around in and buy wine from. They'll let you buy it from there and will cork it for you for only $2. Even though the cellar isn't large by any means, they still have a pretty extensive collection.
As for their food, we had a pretty good experience there. I got their combination platter, which was one manicotti roll and smaller portion of their eggplant Parmesan. My fiancee got their Veal Tenderloin. Both were pretty good. For desert, we got their Chocolate Lava Cake, which unfortunately I would NOT recommend to anyone. It was sooo rich that we couldn't eat very much of it and I love chocolate.
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