It's amusing that Splinter J. says individuals that don't like this restaurant are "morons"... Based on the fact that Splinter J. thinks this is "everything right and good about Italian food..." and that they don't use "prepackaged meals", I would say he/she is the "moron". It's also strange that he/she doesn't understand that the behavior of wait staff is a direct reflection of management... However, I do absolutely agree with Splinter that most people have no idea what good food is - which is why Trattoria Pina has an overall ranking of 4 stars instead of the 2 stars it actually deserves. Now, how about we stop talking about whether or not reviewers are intelligent and just do what we're supposed to be doing here - reviewing our experiences with local businesses! The positives: - The bread was good. - Ambiance is fine. - Management was very friendly. - Desserts looked beautiful. The negatives: - Bagged salad greens (little crusty, white-ish carrots shreds and all) - Two of the four pieces of bread for our Bruschetta Bandiera Italiana were quite burned. - The eggplant in the Melanzana Deliziose was obviously previously cooked, frozen and reheated. It was soggy, chewy and even tasted off. The sauce was also extremely salty. This was literally one of the worst Italian dishes I've ever tasted. - The Torellini Verona was incredibly salty. It was very difficult to eat. The pasta was good, but it's surprising that such a sauce was allowed to leave the kitchen. - Our friends ordered the Veal Parmesan and the Lasagna - they claimed the veal was "just okay" and the lasagna was "terrible". They ate two bites of the lasagna and threw the rest away. - The waitress seemed confused and unfamiliar... perhaps she was new and nervous. Maybe they once had good food, but who ever is in charge of preparing their food now makes it obvious that he/she doesn't care... at all.
(2)
Kinga H.
A nice Italian restaurant located in the foothills of Tucson *an absolutely gorgeous part of town* Amazing views while dining on some delicious entrees. Perfect for dinner for two or celebrating an occasion with friends & family.
(4)
Wes B.
Great food, bread is super good. Anything parmesan your going to love (chicken, eggplant, veal). The gnocchi is hand made in house and is one of my favs. The arabiatta sauce is the perfect spicy. They have great itiallian sausage. They close early for an in town place but for the foothills they are open late. I used to work here and they DO seat customers right up until close (9:30) trust me I used to hate that but it's great service. The cakes are made in house and the "pope's pillow" is amazing. I have contemplated buying the 5lb bag of ricotta cheese before... Yeah it's that good. in summer time sit out on the patio.
(4)
E. A.
The food is tasty and inviting! There are very Independent restaurants which make their food from scratch. The desserts are made each day by one of Tucson great Italian chefs. This restaurant has new flare with old world flavors.
(4)
Deb W.
One of my favorites!!!
(5)
Gail H.
Pros: Pretty place...waiter very nice. Cons: Out of specials at 6:30 on a Sat. Ordered dessert before dinner, was told they were out of the strawberry dessert after dinner. Pasta boring,boring, and uninspired! Food cold, waiter stated you get 6 stuffed mushrooms for $26.00 received 4. Our party of 8 were ALL in agreement that we won't return. It use to be much better. Maybe, the chef /owner needs to go to Italy for some inspiration. All in all- not the worst place to eat, but certainly not the best.
(2)
Sylvian F.
Some really misleading Yelp reviews on this one. This is a blue hair special - maybe an okay place to bring a large family with a lot of kids, but probably too expensive for that. The menu is uninspired. The prices are inflated. The ambiance is sterile. Beware of any Italian restaurant that has cooking grade olive oil on the table (the really light stuff). The chef, wait staff etc. were all very nice, hence the two stars (rather than one), but let them entertain your grandparents - you should try some other place.
(2)
Roxanna S.
Love this place! Great specials, decent prices, and delicious food. Owner Pina is very attentive as well, and always remembers me even though I'm only there intermittently.
(5)
Al S.
Wow! Stunned at some of the negative reviews. I am a regular, probably 30 or more times over the years and never been disappointed. Food, service and ambiance are consistently excellent.
(5)
Dave J.
It's not the best Italian place in town (Roma Imports is the best...), but it's a great business lunch option in the foothills. It's classy and reasonably priceswith great views of the mountains.
(4)
Ahmed S.
Great Italian food. Went here once with the clone. The service is great, actually had a buddy of mine as a waiter. Food was great, from everything from the bread to the dessert. The chocolate cake is so so good. Highly recommend it. My personal preference was still Gavi's, but this place is a nice change. Only complaint, they close super early - no seating after 8 pm ish. Moderately priced - same level as Gavi's.
(4)
rachel w.
This place is just perfect! I've had so many different dishes here and every single one is just amazing. It's great for romantic occasions and for celebrations. I've been here with my husband for anniversaries, Valentine's Day, and birthday and graduation dinners. It's great for a table for two or 12! Everybody will be able to find something they love. And the views!!! Oh my gosh you cannot beat these views, especially during a Tucson sunset or watching the twinkling city lights through the huge windows. Make sure you have reservations on weekend dinner hours! Yum Yum! ORDER THE POPE'S PILLOW FOR DESSERT! I don't care how full you are after dinner, you will be able to eat this till you're licking the plate clean. mmmm makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
(5)
Thomas K.
I went here with my boyfriend and it was a great date spot. We both instantly found something could agree on. We happened to go during the gem show and we were seated right away. This can be a challenge at any restaurant during that time, here it was not. The service was phenomenal and our servers did a great job of anticipating our needs without crowding us. I will definitely be back, even if just for the dessert.
(5)
ann l.
We discovered Trattoria Pina last night, during a torrential rainstorm. What a marvelous find, The restaurant is warm and inviting and the food and the service were first rate. The Tequila Shrimp was terrific ( sauce was perfect ) and the Scampi fria Diavolo my husband ordered was great. TThe chef introduced himself at the end of our dinner ( nice touch ). We'd definitely be back !
(5)
alan m.
My wife and I tried this restaurant again and found it as bad as it was three years ago. The special veal dish Pizziola was tasteless with poor quality veal. The marinara sauce was also without merit. For the price, this place is awful. How does it survive?
(1)
Eric C.
Really nice place, love the setting, menu options, awesome classic martinis and service...
(4)
Mai G.
In Tucson, the mountains are not "hills," they are majestic, the sky is endless, the sunsets make you question if the Catalina's could possibly be on fire, and the stars are so bright they can be like the "candles" on your outside patio table. You can experience all of this, plus an occasional snake, eating outside at Trattoria Pina. The generous amounts of bread they serve you is sprinkled with pungent rosemary, and the olive oil is extraordinary. Their balsamic vinegar to mix with the olive oil is so sweet and thick, you don't want to mix it with anything. The pesto gnocchi is what I hold all other Italian restaurants up to, and the chicken with canelli beans and roasted tomatoes, is my entire family and friends favorite dish. Truly a beautiful dining experience in Tucson and this review is making me home sick!
(4)
Katherine C.
Went here for New Years Eve. The atmosphere was festive, service was great, place was jammed but the food... disappointing. I had Tuttomare and the fish was definitely over cooked and the sauce bland. My husband's dish was so bad he didn't really eat it. When will Tucson catch on to decent Italian food.
(2)
Carol G.
I have had nothing but great meals and great service at Trattoria Pina. The locally owned eatery has majestic views, a nice patio for summer evenings or fall days, gigantic portions and well priced menu items. Now they have a happy hour menu for lighter fare and with lower prices. The owners know many of the regulars but treat all as treasured guests. We live nearby and go often. Having just been in Italy I find the food at Trattoria Pina to be comparable...it's the real thing. If you want cheap chain food go elsewhere. If you want to have real food, and take home leftovers, and support the Tucson economy choose this place.
(5)
Joni C.
Great neighborhood Italian! Huge portions. I get 3 to 4 meals out of a dinner and it is sooooo good! The hubby craves the canolli!
(5)
Lauri K.
Consistently excellent. Refreshing to eat real food with heart and soul. Love the appetizers especially the polenta, sausage and shrimp. Great if your in the mood for homemade meatballs, pasta. Always a difficult decision deciding on which made to order sauce. Alfredo? Marinara? If you are not too hungry go straight to their desserts by far the best in Tucson!!
(5)
Mo C.
I am not one to post negative reviews for a business much less a restaurant. However, after gotten sick from eating at this restaurant I feel the need to advice others of being careful when eating here. My wife and I want it to try a new restaurant since we are always going to the same restaurants:Big mistake! We pick the wrong place on the wrong day, it was my birthday and to make a very long story short it was our first and last time here. My wife got the wrong dish, in credit to the server he did offer to change it for something else but only after he had challenge the fact that he believed he got the correct order. My wife order the shrimp portofino and i got their stuffed tortellini. Then to make matters worst we order a bottle of wine and they were out of it, ok the server brought a different bottle and offer to give us that bottle for the same price as the one we originally wanted, which was very generous of him but come to find out that he charge full price for the bottle. At any rate, my wife ended up eating a piece of chicken breast with some Potatoe wedges and some cream sauce. About half way thru our dinner my stomach was telling me something was not right. Left the restaurant to come home, and I had to asked my wife to pull over to the side of the road because i was feeling sick and i could not make it home. You can figure out the rest!!! In all honesty this place looks clean and the service was not horrible; however, when you get the wrong food, get over charged for your wine, and get sick on your way home! ! Is Just not A Good feeling.
(2)
Kelli W.
This was an excellent experience! The service was high quality and consistent between staff members. We never had to ask for anything (like water) and our server waited until we finished dessert to bring the check, which I very much appreciated. They also reserved a dessert (as it is my favorite) to ensure it would not be sold before we got to that course. The food was delicious as always. For an impromptu birthday dinner, I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)
Mary W.
My first time at Tra. Pina. The views of the Catalinas are lovely, and the wait staff friendly and helpful. That was the good part. The food was average at best. The bread came out fresh and warm, but the oil on the table was rancid smelling. The Trout was lousy. I love fish of every type, but this was way, way over cooked and must have been frozen for years. My partners Bolognese was a pile of bland, mostly meatless sauce on overcooked spagetti. When an Italian restaurant cant get the Spagetti Bolognese , it's time to retire. Many other good Italian restaurants in Tucson.
(2)
Jeri R.
when in Italy it is common to spend between 2-3 hours for dinner...Trattoria Pina is NOT in Italy...and hour and a half and all I had was a salad...ridiculously slow service...the food i have no complaints about.
(3)
Nancy B.
OMG! Not only flavor explosion for the palate, but the service was probably best in Tucson! Usually come for dinner, but decided lunch was the order of the day. Had the most delicious, moist and perfectly prepared grilled scallop salad with dried cranberries, slivered almonds, (excluded the bacon) in a light poppy seed balsamic dressing. It was beyond divine! The scallops were like butter and melted in my mouth! And to think.....I almost had the salmon. Highly recommend this place as a GREAT lunch alternative to the boring "blah blah blah". The prices???? Crazy good!!! Easily great lunch menu (not to even mention the specials$) for under $14.00! Soooo wish I had room for a Popes Pillow for dessert. Waaaaaa.
(5)
Madelynn F.
Yum! Yum! Yum! I have been here 2x and the food is delicious! The staff is nice too. I ate on the patio my first time around 6pm and it was beautiful. the dim lighting set a nice mood. The second time I sat inside and that was just as nice. Dim lighting, good food, and great staff. One of my favorite restaurants in Tucson!
(5)
Michael B.
Very disappointed....location was great but the food was awful. I took my two kids to dinner after their tutoring. It was close and the menu looked good. Right off the get go the waiter took forever to greet the table. Their were only 3 other tables. The bus bot was far more attentive from beginning to end. In fact I asked his name and tipped him seperately. I ordered the veal and my boy ordered the fettuccine. The veal came in pieces seperately in a marmalade sauce and was accompanied by a bowl of spaghetti. The veal tasted like rubber! The sauce was not cooked down and the wine strong. No flavor and the side if pasta was so so. My son's fettuccine was very bland and undercooked. To top it off the waiter never checked on us at all! I asked the bus boy for the xheck. Very disappointed and upset that I wasted 80 on a night out with my kids.
(1)
Ryan B.
O.M.G. the food it's great! I get treated like family whenever I come here. And the service is great..I always have my drinks tended to.
(5)
Richard G.
We enjoyed a great birthday evening on the patio. The food was superb, the wine was excellent and the service by Tyler was exceptional. We would highly recommend Trattoria Piña for anyone interested in excellent Italian cuisine.
(5)
Kathy N.
If all Italian food was presented like this, I'd be talking with my hands and reminiscing with friends and family about "gravy" and family, and the old country. I'm not a huge Italian food fan simply because pasta doesn't turn me on but I've always liked Trattoria Pina for one particular entree; a fabulous dish with chicken, lemon, artichoke and mushroom. It wasn't on the menu tonight and I didn't want to be "that person" who asks for something special so I went with what's on the actual printed menu. I was fairly pleased with my selection. A dish with scallops and shrimp in a brandy cream sauce over black and white pasta. There was a generous amount of scallops and shrimp in the dish however I expected more flavor. I wish the scallops had been seared before going in to the dish as the carmelization would have improved the presentation and taste. Several people at my table ordered one of the two specials offered this night and they had high praise. We ended up sharing the tiramisu amongst the seven of us, passing it around the table several times. It was wonderful and just a bite (albeit several times around the table) was plenty. Our wine service was perfect and just the right selections were made with assistance from our server. We reserved the private room for a private conversation and the setting was ideal. Great, attentive service which was not too intrusive.
(3)
Sylvia M.
We had dinner here for a birthday celebration. It was really really good. The service was great and so was the food.
(5)
Darren T.
I am not a moron and I've never eaten at Macaroni Grill. I love family owned restaurants that have solid recipes and fresh ingredients prepared and served with a creativity and enthusiasm. I found none of these "ingredients" at this establishment. Up-side was their desert tray (if you stay that long.) The tiramisu was outstanding and the other selections looked equally as tasty! I'd go back for a desert take-out.
(2)
Tommy T.
Omg these people need to retire I felt like I'm 80 years old And eating in a old folks home. Pasta was over cooked and very cheap ingredients! Oh and pricy after all that. I had been here 10+ years ago I was not impressed and thought I would try again, big mistake.
(1)
John T.
Been there several times with family and friends. Fabulously prepared food. Over the top desserts. Great service. Very comfortable atmosphere. Can't wait to go again.
(5)
Elizabeth T.
The food was delicious! I had a fettuccine pasta with chicken, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes with a tomato cream sauce...it was wonderful! The waiter we had was friendly and attentive and gave us 20% off our bill as a special every Thursday night. I forgot to mention he focaccia before the meal was delicious also! The only downside is limited parking unless you park in the bank spots nearby.
(5)
Scott J.
We decided to give Trattoria Pina another chance after a so-so experience two months ago. Well, we were right the first time. The food was lackluster, devoid of true Italian flavors and very overpriced. I ordered the night's special which was shrimp Fra Diavalo with spaghetti. The sauce was not spicy as it should have been but was a plain marinara sauce with some red pepper flakes thrown in for the "diavalo" part. TAlthough I received a heaping portion of pasta, I only received 5 shrimp, totally not worth the $26 price tag! My wife ordered the fettuccine with Gorgonzola cream sauce. Again, plenty of pasta, but lacking completely in the gorganzola department.. Instead of the the soup or house salad we ordered up and for an additional $2.50 we had ceasar salads. Why they charged extra is beyond us: the dressing was not homemade, and it tasted as though it came from a store bought bottle. Being Italian myself and well learned in the art of Italian cooking, Trattoria Pina was a great disappointment. The food lacked a true depth of flavor. Alas, our second visit to Trattoria Pina was our last.
(2)
Rayna S.
Had a fabulous pre-Thanksgiving dinner here with my family and oh so delicious!! Loved their calamari! Not fried and in a marinara sauce. I ordered the tutto mare which is clams, mussels, salmon and scallops atop spagetti in a spicy marinara sauce, omg amazing!! Great wine list, I had their Chianti which complimented my pasta dish. My family are regulars here so pretty sure I will be back!!
(4)
Shelly B.
The food here was good, but too expensive, though portions are huge. Additionally, we were not impressed with the management's handling of our bill. My friend and I split the lasagna and were hit with a ridiculously high 4.00 split charge. We were not told there would be a charge and when we questioned them they said "it is stated on the menu". That may be so, but I didn't know I needed to scan the menu looking for fine print. Had they waived it this once, we would have been more likely to leave there with a positive feeling for the restaurant. We just left unimpressed and won't be back.
(3)
Dan K.
Wine, Pasta & Pizza--Hurray!! For our 25th Anniversary dinner, we decided to go out for Italian since that's the type of food we ate following our wedding. First of all--the windows are a must--the views are incredible at the fron 6-8 tables. As much as I love quiet areas, the back seemed dark. The front is odd in that it is more like a register with a cooled case of desserts, but once your in the back its good. We started with happy hour of course--1/2 bottles of wine were half off--so we got a whole bottle of wine at half price--great meatballs and we had mushrooms stuffed with cheese--very good. The wine was a very nice pinoit noir. Since it was our anniversary, we splurged on a pizza. The pizza was the spicy italian sauce--wonderful!! We each had a piece and got the rest to go. We moved onto dinner--rigatoni for me and Amy had lemon chicken over tortellinis. But first the soup--vegetable minestrone--great taste. Amy had the salad--but it was a little to ice berg for me. The rigatoni was wonderful--good flavor with fresh cracked peppers and Amy said her chicke was good, just seemed like it was missing a spice. Finally--because it was our anniversary--they brought us out a giant 9 eclair desert that was in a triangle and full of bavarian cream. It was incredible--and on the house. Would I go back? yes. We brought home plenty of left overs but they were also very good!! The wait staff was attentive and helpful--the end they got a bit busy, so we went to the counter to get our bill. Great marinara and nice folks. Good to see they've been around 20 years in Tucson--had no idea, but I'd go back.
(4)
Splinter J.
Seeing poor reviews written about TP only further remind me that people are morons. These are the people we know who consider going to Macaroni Grill "going out for Italian food". Trattoria Pina is everything right and good about Italian food that many of us seem to have forgotten. This is no not a chain, so if you enjoy prepackaged meals and duplicate tastes regardless what state you're in, this isn't the place for you. This restaurant is family owed and has been for over two generations. The owners serve family recipes that that have been enjoyed for years, but may have evolved as the family grew somewhere along the way to the Catalina Foothills. The bread is served warm and delicious but I'd be crazy to tell you not to order the Croustino. Just do it.. You can thank me later. I want to say that they do veal and lamb chops best, but the lasagna and pizzas won't disappoint you either. They make sauces from scratch with every dinner and before it hits your table, it's quite possible that you are still working on your salad. The service is great and professional, but if you get poor service, remember that waiters call in sick and things happen. I hate when reviews slam a business because their waiter was mad at his wife before he came to work. Lastly, save room for dessert.... as advertised, the Pope's Pillow will make sure that you come back again. Cheers!
(5)
Isabelle L.
My husband and I love Trattoria Pina. He's a bigger fan of Italian food than I am, so I usually order the same thing -- the melanzane deliciose. I also ask the chef to substitute the side pasta with sauteed spinach. I have to say this dish truly lives up to its name. It is scrumptious. I like to order eggplant when I go out since I almost never cook it at home. The eggplant, cheese, and tomato sauce complement one another nicely. No one ingredient is overpowering. The spinach is prepared perfectly. My husband loves pasta, and he has sampled many of the extensive offerings. He loves the spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs. He also enjoys the shrimp scampi dish and the tutto mare. He thinks that the pasta is delicious, the sauces are neither too heavy nor watery, and the portions are very generous. The deserts are also amazing. I usually don't eat desserts but we make an exception when we go to Trattoria Pina. I don't know how he does it but the cakes are so light, delicious, and moist. I especially love the limencello cake. I have also tried the tiramisu, which is also delicious. So the food is uniformly delicious. There is wide variety. If one of our kids is in town we can bring him there, and they are also satisfied. They have excellent pizzas and calzones. We always find the service attentive and not pushy. We like the decor of the restaurant, and enjoy sitting in all four settings. 1) Next to the picture windows looking out on the Catalinas; 2) the patio; 3) the ``back room;'' and 4) inside the main part of the restaurant. Finally, we find the prices quite reasonable. We do eat out frequently, and we think that Trattoria Pina is a bargain.
(5)
Robert M.
Best Italian restaurant in Tucson. Great pasta,marinara vegetarian dishes and the desserts are incredible. The Tirimisu is the best my wife and I have ever had anywhere. The staff and ownership make you feel like family. The only problem is there closed on Sundays.
(5)
Jen C.
My Husband and I went to Trattoria Pina to celebrate our wedding the day after we wed. We wanted a slow traditional Italian style dinner to enjoy our time together and shake off the stress of planning a wedding. Trattoria Pina fit the bill, several different seating areas allow for different sized groups to gather, and there's plenty of room for couples to connect and larger parties to celebrate. They have a patio as well as a private dining room. We made reservations for 7:30 on a Friday night. They were unnecessary. We were able to sit at a cozy 2 top surrounded by 12 foot windows. This time of year the sun was just setting and we enjoyed the last few rays hitting the Catalinas. We ordered a Barbara, VERY well priced at $35. I easily would have ordered two, but alas this was the best part of the meal. We started with the antipasto platter $14, our usual order to allow us to enjoy wine and peruse the rest of the menu. I usually enjoy the smoked meats and cheeses of an antipasto platter and could make it a meal in many respects. Sadly, this platter's meat was pale and tasteless featuring sliced ham and weak salami, not even good enough to be a Fry's private selection. I missed the salty power of traditional salami and prosciutto. There was only one variety of cheese, a provolone, cut thin, and without any tangy creaminess usually associated with the variety. The marinated vegetables were good, tangy, and richly brined with a good dose of heat. Unfortunately it overpowered the meat and cheese and the whole plate felt unbalanced. We moved on to the soup course, included in the meal price, and, both ordered the minestrone. The broth was full of flavor and easy to enjoy, though there was no pasta in the soup and the veggies were clearly overcooked and small portions. It was a lovely tomato broth and with added parmesan cheese it really helped to cleanse the palette after the antipasto. In keeping with the theme of ordering a traditional Italian meal, we shared the house specialty black and white linguini with scallops and shrimp in a cream sauce for our Primi course $21. The dish was visually striking with pink shrimp, pale scallops, and gorgeous black and white linguini lightly tossed with a cream sauce. The shrimp were cooked to perfection as was the linguini. Squid ink pasta is a personal favorite of mine with a cream based sauce. We did not enjoy the scallops as much, they lacked taste, but were cooked beautifully. Our secondi course was veal parmesan with steamed vegetables; squash and carrots $24. The veal was perfecto! Tender and rich pounded thin and dredged in a wonderful parmesan crust. It was finished beautifully browned crisp under a hearty marina sauce. My new hubby of course said it didn't hold a candle to mine, one of the many reasons I love him, but it was a delicious marinara. I despise watery marinara. This one was thick, had chunks of tomato, and was slightly sweet and tangy. For sure this was the true star of our meal. It was the only dish I would consider reordering. Finally we finished with espresso and a piece of the German chocolate cake. The coffee was excellent, freshly prepared, hot, and served with lemon peel. I love the tradition of espresso in Italian culture. The cake however, was quite possibly the worst dessert I've ever tasted, I had one bite. It was simply an overdose of sugar without any balance of coconut, cocoa, or nuts. Skip this desert, but order the coffee for sure. Overall, I won't be returning to Trattoria Pina. I enjoyed the view, the service was pleasant, and the wine prices were reasonable. There were just too many problems with too many courses for me to want to try again. Italian meals must have good ingredients that aren't messed up. Simplicity is key and Trattoira Pina just has too many unbalanced components to make it enjoyable for the price point.
(3)
Cragganmore C.
The views of the Catalinas are very nice. The interior and decor is somewhat disjointed with an urban open duct type ceiling but old school Italian decor and table set up. I brought a five top there for a congratulatory lunch. We were given a four top with a fifth setting hastily added by the staff as she seated us. That part is sort of funny as I had a five top reservation and the girl seating us made a big deal of noting our reservation in their log book when we came in. All that and the table still wasn't ready for us? Also the table was in the very back, against the back wall, in a place with only one other table occupied. Very odd. Most of us ordered lunch salads. They would have been very good except for the fact all the salads were absolutely drenched in dressing, and even though there were three different dressing amongst us, all of them were far too vinegary. The chef needs to learn spices and oil are also required. The service started out fine, nothing special, nothing bad, but then he suddenly disappeared. Well, he didn't actually disappear, but he spent 20 or so minutes talking to another table. We were all clearly done, ready for the table to be cleared, and still he just kept chatting. After 10 minutes of everyone looking at their plates we just got up and walked to the cash register where the cashier was very apologetic. If someone wanted to take me there I would probably go again but I think I'll take my money elsewhere.
(2)
M D.
Mediocre. Just like I remember the food from a year or so ago. Bland and nothing special at all. Just mediocre. Veal has no taste. Pizza has no flavor although the crust was decent. Best thing the owners could do is, ASAP, fly to San Francisco and eat at Allegro Romano. Discover what real Italian food is. Scrap the current menu in its entirety and revamp with Allegro dishes. If there is a decent Italian restaurant in Tucson will someone please advise me. Been searching for 17 years and have not found one.
(2)
Marina M.
I gave Trattoria Pina a second try after a pretty bad experience that I simply attributed to us coming in right before they closed. During this first visit, the cheese that topped the dishes had the rubbery look and texture of re-heated cheese. So this second time, we went in at a better time but unfortunately the food was not improved. The food here is not necessarily bad but it is definitely not good. My boyfriend had pasta with chicken and artichokes in a creamy and lemony-sauce. It was just meh. I can not call myself a good Italian cook but the lemon cream sauce I make at home is much better. As for my calzone, something with so much cheese should not just be all-right. The flavors were very bland. Definitely NOT worth the calories. The service and location here is awesome, but not enough to justify the food, unfortunately. This place is super close to where I live so I foresee going back but only because of this convenience.
(3)
Laura N.
Very good food, good service, quick arrival, and fairly priced! Definitely would recommend it!
(4)
Lizzy L.
I went to this sweet little place with my boyfriend's parents. Friendly service and yummy food. I had the Gnocci which was fantastic and the Pope's pillow was perfect, sooo tasty! I can't wait until my next Tucson trip to visit again!
(5)
Jennifer D.
Love this place!!! The bread is KICK @SS! I always leave the place stuffed and full! Their strawberry pastry puff is WOW!
(5)
Amy P.
Imediately greeted, loved the lasagna great service quiet atmosphere, elegant dining look forward to going back and ordering from the pizza oven.
(5)
Adam F.
Located on the southwest corner of Swan and Sunrise, Trattoria Pina has called this area home for many years. At first glance, it is slightly confusing that a restaurant would be located in a building like the one it occupies. One would think it should be an office building or a bank. For being an upscale restaurant, I was surprised of how well insulated it is. You cannot hear a single car driving by, even though that is a part of the view. Compared to the other fancy restaurants in the Foothills and greater Tucson area, it does not have the greatest privacy or scenery. That can be overlooked because of the food. The ambiance inside is low-key, artsy, and cool. Portions are very generous and the food is outstanding. You can taste the freshness of the food and that it was made from scratch. The seasoning is spot-on, and there the dishes have huge and wonderful flavor! The servers and runners are nice and friendly. However, many of them werevery young and they can begin about talking things to one another that isn't exactly appropriate for a fancy restaurant. To me, this is a place reserved for special occasions. I'm not the type who enjoys upscale dining, but this is a nice place for that special celebration.
(4)
Bill N.
If you want delicious food, good wine, excellent service and like being treated like they appreciate your business, dine here. This is a great family owned business and everything from the foccia to the deserts are memorable. We dine here often because we're treated well and are never disappointed with the menu.
(5)
Drea G.
Okay, it was pretty good. They didn't put enough sauce for pasta (pet peeve!), but service and presentation was nice. What I really did not like was that they didn't have a changing table... I understand it's a fancy restaurant, but that doesn't mean you will never have kids there. Last night we attended for a huge family dinner to celebrate a wedding happening the next day. We had to take our daughter into the hot car to change her in our very packed car (we are on vacation) and it was both inconvenient and frustrating. I hope this place considers accommodating families in the future. Aside from this, it was a pleasant experience.
Another fine meal and great service for a group of 10. The baked lasagna and fettuccine Vanessa were great. All special requests were handled expertly. Thanks again! You continue to take great care of us whether a table for 2 or 16.
(5)
Andrea G.
Gary and I (2/3 of our "Dining Trio") celebrated our anniversary recently at Trattoria Pina. I had not been there in a while, as it's on the other side of town from my usual beat. We had a super experience. Everyone was kind and friendly, the servings were generous, and the food quality was terrific. I had a lasagna while Gary feasted on a chicken dish (see photos). They served a great textur-y bread, to dip in the table-provided olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The ambiance was very pleasant, with a wonderful view through the wall of glass windows of the mountains. In addition to our main meals, we ordered a meatball appetizer from the Happy Hour menu. It was a killer deal, for a nice quantity (and quality) of meatballs! The dessert tray boasted fine choices, all prepared in-house, to our surprise. We settled happily on the Oreo chocolate cake. Although it was large, it went down lightly, without filling us up uncomfortably. OK, I admit: we saved a portion for my mom (the other third of our dining trio), so she could participate in our culinary delights, too! I highly recommend this restaurant, and plan to come back more often!
(4)
Stephen L.
Some of the best food I have ever had. From the breads, salad, entree and dessert I am literally left speechless. I had a couple of great servers as well. Given the choice I would in fact eat the chicken parmigiana every single day. When you get dessert get the Bidonatta. It will change your life. Awesome lunch service on Mondays and Wednesday's as well.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner, Dessert Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
S. M.
It's amusing that Splinter J. says individuals that don't like this restaurant are "morons"... Based on the fact that Splinter J. thinks this is "everything right and good about Italian food..." and that they don't use "prepackaged meals", I would say he/she is the "moron". It's also strange that he/she doesn't understand that the behavior of wait staff is a direct reflection of management... However, I do absolutely agree with Splinter that most people have no idea what good food is - which is why Trattoria Pina has an overall ranking of 4 stars instead of the 2 stars it actually deserves. Now, how about we stop talking about whether or not reviewers are intelligent and just do what we're supposed to be doing here - reviewing our experiences with local businesses! The positives: - The bread was good. - Ambiance is fine. - Management was very friendly. - Desserts looked beautiful. The negatives: - Bagged salad greens (little crusty, white-ish carrots shreds and all) - Two of the four pieces of bread for our Bruschetta Bandiera Italiana were quite burned. - The eggplant in the Melanzana Deliziose was obviously previously cooked, frozen and reheated. It was soggy, chewy and even tasted off. The sauce was also extremely salty. This was literally one of the worst Italian dishes I've ever tasted. - The Torellini Verona was incredibly salty. It was very difficult to eat. The pasta was good, but it's surprising that such a sauce was allowed to leave the kitchen. - Our friends ordered the Veal Parmesan and the Lasagna - they claimed the veal was "just okay" and the lasagna was "terrible". They ate two bites of the lasagna and threw the rest away. - The waitress seemed confused and unfamiliar... perhaps she was new and nervous. Maybe they once had good food, but who ever is in charge of preparing their food now makes it obvious that he/she doesn't care... at all.
(2)Kinga H.
A nice Italian restaurant located in the foothills of Tucson *an absolutely gorgeous part of town* Amazing views while dining on some delicious entrees. Perfect for dinner for two or celebrating an occasion with friends & family.
(4)Wes B.
Great food, bread is super good. Anything parmesan your going to love (chicken, eggplant, veal). The gnocchi is hand made in house and is one of my favs. The arabiatta sauce is the perfect spicy. They have great itiallian sausage. They close early for an in town place but for the foothills they are open late. I used to work here and they DO seat customers right up until close (9:30) trust me I used to hate that but it's great service. The cakes are made in house and the "pope's pillow" is amazing. I have contemplated buying the 5lb bag of ricotta cheese before... Yeah it's that good. in summer time sit out on the patio.
(4)E. A.
The food is tasty and inviting! There are very Independent restaurants which make their food from scratch. The desserts are made each day by one of Tucson great Italian chefs. This restaurant has new flare with old world flavors.
(4)Deb W.
One of my favorites!!!
(5)Gail H.
Pros: Pretty place...waiter very nice. Cons: Out of specials at 6:30 on a Sat. Ordered dessert before dinner, was told they were out of the strawberry dessert after dinner. Pasta boring,boring, and uninspired! Food cold, waiter stated you get 6 stuffed mushrooms for $26.00 received 4. Our party of 8 were ALL in agreement that we won't return. It use to be much better. Maybe, the chef /owner needs to go to Italy for some inspiration. All in all- not the worst place to eat, but certainly not the best.
(2)Sylvian F.
Some really misleading Yelp reviews on this one. This is a blue hair special - maybe an okay place to bring a large family with a lot of kids, but probably too expensive for that. The menu is uninspired. The prices are inflated. The ambiance is sterile. Beware of any Italian restaurant that has cooking grade olive oil on the table (the really light stuff). The chef, wait staff etc. were all very nice, hence the two stars (rather than one), but let them entertain your grandparents - you should try some other place.
(2)Roxanna S.
Love this place! Great specials, decent prices, and delicious food. Owner Pina is very attentive as well, and always remembers me even though I'm only there intermittently.
(5)Al S.
Wow! Stunned at some of the negative reviews. I am a regular, probably 30 or more times over the years and never been disappointed. Food, service and ambiance are consistently excellent.
(5)Dave J.
It's not the best Italian place in town (Roma Imports is the best...), but it's a great business lunch option in the foothills. It's classy and reasonably priceswith great views of the mountains.
(4)Ahmed S.
Great Italian food. Went here once with the clone. The service is great, actually had a buddy of mine as a waiter. Food was great, from everything from the bread to the dessert. The chocolate cake is so so good. Highly recommend it. My personal preference was still Gavi's, but this place is a nice change. Only complaint, they close super early - no seating after 8 pm ish. Moderately priced - same level as Gavi's.
(4)rachel w.
This place is just perfect! I've had so many different dishes here and every single one is just amazing. It's great for romantic occasions and for celebrations. I've been here with my husband for anniversaries, Valentine's Day, and birthday and graduation dinners. It's great for a table for two or 12! Everybody will be able to find something they love. And the views!!! Oh my gosh you cannot beat these views, especially during a Tucson sunset or watching the twinkling city lights through the huge windows. Make sure you have reservations on weekend dinner hours! Yum Yum! ORDER THE POPE'S PILLOW FOR DESSERT! I don't care how full you are after dinner, you will be able to eat this till you're licking the plate clean. mmmm makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
(5)Thomas K.
I went here with my boyfriend and it was a great date spot. We both instantly found something could agree on. We happened to go during the gem show and we were seated right away. This can be a challenge at any restaurant during that time, here it was not. The service was phenomenal and our servers did a great job of anticipating our needs without crowding us. I will definitely be back, even if just for the dessert.
(5)ann l.
We discovered Trattoria Pina last night, during a torrential rainstorm. What a marvelous find, The restaurant is warm and inviting and the food and the service were first rate. The Tequila Shrimp was terrific ( sauce was perfect ) and the Scampi fria Diavolo my husband ordered was great. TThe chef introduced himself at the end of our dinner ( nice touch ). We'd definitely be back !
(5)alan m.
My wife and I tried this restaurant again and found it as bad as it was three years ago. The special veal dish Pizziola was tasteless with poor quality veal. The marinara sauce was also without merit. For the price, this place is awful. How does it survive?
(1)Eric C.
Really nice place, love the setting, menu options, awesome classic martinis and service...
(4)Mai G.
In Tucson, the mountains are not "hills," they are majestic, the sky is endless, the sunsets make you question if the Catalina's could possibly be on fire, and the stars are so bright they can be like the "candles" on your outside patio table. You can experience all of this, plus an occasional snake, eating outside at Trattoria Pina. The generous amounts of bread they serve you is sprinkled with pungent rosemary, and the olive oil is extraordinary. Their balsamic vinegar to mix with the olive oil is so sweet and thick, you don't want to mix it with anything. The pesto gnocchi is what I hold all other Italian restaurants up to, and the chicken with canelli beans and roasted tomatoes, is my entire family and friends favorite dish. Truly a beautiful dining experience in Tucson and this review is making me home sick!
(4)Katherine C.
Went here for New Years Eve. The atmosphere was festive, service was great, place was jammed but the food... disappointing. I had Tuttomare and the fish was definitely over cooked and the sauce bland. My husband's dish was so bad he didn't really eat it. When will Tucson catch on to decent Italian food.
(2)Carol G.
I have had nothing but great meals and great service at Trattoria Pina. The locally owned eatery has majestic views, a nice patio for summer evenings or fall days, gigantic portions and well priced menu items. Now they have a happy hour menu for lighter fare and with lower prices. The owners know many of the regulars but treat all as treasured guests. We live nearby and go often. Having just been in Italy I find the food at Trattoria Pina to be comparable...it's the real thing. If you want cheap chain food go elsewhere. If you want to have real food, and take home leftovers, and support the Tucson economy choose this place.
(5)Joni C.
Great neighborhood Italian! Huge portions. I get 3 to 4 meals out of a dinner and it is sooooo good! The hubby craves the canolli!
(5)Lauri K.
Consistently excellent. Refreshing to eat real food with heart and soul. Love the appetizers especially the polenta, sausage and shrimp. Great if your in the mood for homemade meatballs, pasta. Always a difficult decision deciding on which made to order sauce. Alfredo? Marinara? If you are not too hungry go straight to their desserts by far the best in Tucson!!
(5)Mo C.
I am not one to post negative reviews for a business much less a restaurant. However, after gotten sick from eating at this restaurant I feel the need to advice others of being careful when eating here. My wife and I want it to try a new restaurant since we are always going to the same restaurants:Big mistake! We pick the wrong place on the wrong day, it was my birthday and to make a very long story short it was our first and last time here. My wife got the wrong dish, in credit to the server he did offer to change it for something else but only after he had challenge the fact that he believed he got the correct order. My wife order the shrimp portofino and i got their stuffed tortellini. Then to make matters worst we order a bottle of wine and they were out of it, ok the server brought a different bottle and offer to give us that bottle for the same price as the one we originally wanted, which was very generous of him but come to find out that he charge full price for the bottle. At any rate, my wife ended up eating a piece of chicken breast with some Potatoe wedges and some cream sauce. About half way thru our dinner my stomach was telling me something was not right. Left the restaurant to come home, and I had to asked my wife to pull over to the side of the road because i was feeling sick and i could not make it home. You can figure out the rest!!! In all honesty this place looks clean and the service was not horrible; however, when you get the wrong food, get over charged for your wine, and get sick on your way home! ! Is Just not A Good feeling.
(2)Kelli W.
This was an excellent experience! The service was high quality and consistent between staff members. We never had to ask for anything (like water) and our server waited until we finished dessert to bring the check, which I very much appreciated. They also reserved a dessert (as it is my favorite) to ensure it would not be sold before we got to that course. The food was delicious as always. For an impromptu birthday dinner, I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
(5)Mary W.
My first time at Tra. Pina. The views of the Catalinas are lovely, and the wait staff friendly and helpful. That was the good part. The food was average at best. The bread came out fresh and warm, but the oil on the table was rancid smelling. The Trout was lousy. I love fish of every type, but this was way, way over cooked and must have been frozen for years. My partners Bolognese was a pile of bland, mostly meatless sauce on overcooked spagetti. When an Italian restaurant cant get the Spagetti Bolognese , it's time to retire. Many other good Italian restaurants in Tucson.
(2)Jeri R.
when in Italy it is common to spend between 2-3 hours for dinner...Trattoria Pina is NOT in Italy...and hour and a half and all I had was a salad...ridiculously slow service...the food i have no complaints about.
(3)Nancy B.
OMG! Not only flavor explosion for the palate, but the service was probably best in Tucson! Usually come for dinner, but decided lunch was the order of the day. Had the most delicious, moist and perfectly prepared grilled scallop salad with dried cranberries, slivered almonds, (excluded the bacon) in a light poppy seed balsamic dressing. It was beyond divine! The scallops were like butter and melted in my mouth! And to think.....I almost had the salmon. Highly recommend this place as a GREAT lunch alternative to the boring "blah blah blah". The prices???? Crazy good!!! Easily great lunch menu (not to even mention the specials$) for under $14.00! Soooo wish I had room for a Popes Pillow for dessert. Waaaaaa.
(5)Madelynn F.
Yum! Yum! Yum! I have been here 2x and the food is delicious! The staff is nice too. I ate on the patio my first time around 6pm and it was beautiful. the dim lighting set a nice mood. The second time I sat inside and that was just as nice. Dim lighting, good food, and great staff. One of my favorite restaurants in Tucson!
(5)Michael B.
Very disappointed....location was great but the food was awful. I took my two kids to dinner after their tutoring. It was close and the menu looked good. Right off the get go the waiter took forever to greet the table. Their were only 3 other tables. The bus bot was far more attentive from beginning to end. In fact I asked his name and tipped him seperately. I ordered the veal and my boy ordered the fettuccine. The veal came in pieces seperately in a marmalade sauce and was accompanied by a bowl of spaghetti. The veal tasted like rubber! The sauce was not cooked down and the wine strong. No flavor and the side if pasta was so so. My son's fettuccine was very bland and undercooked. To top it off the waiter never checked on us at all! I asked the bus boy for the xheck. Very disappointed and upset that I wasted 80 on a night out with my kids.
(1)Ryan B.
O.M.G. the food it's great! I get treated like family whenever I come here. And the service is great..I always have my drinks tended to.
(5)Richard G.
We enjoyed a great birthday evening on the patio. The food was superb, the wine was excellent and the service by Tyler was exceptional. We would highly recommend Trattoria Piña for anyone interested in excellent Italian cuisine.
(5)Kathy N.
If all Italian food was presented like this, I'd be talking with my hands and reminiscing with friends and family about "gravy" and family, and the old country. I'm not a huge Italian food fan simply because pasta doesn't turn me on but I've always liked Trattoria Pina for one particular entree; a fabulous dish with chicken, lemon, artichoke and mushroom. It wasn't on the menu tonight and I didn't want to be "that person" who asks for something special so I went with what's on the actual printed menu. I was fairly pleased with my selection. A dish with scallops and shrimp in a brandy cream sauce over black and white pasta. There was a generous amount of scallops and shrimp in the dish however I expected more flavor. I wish the scallops had been seared before going in to the dish as the carmelization would have improved the presentation and taste. Several people at my table ordered one of the two specials offered this night and they had high praise. We ended up sharing the tiramisu amongst the seven of us, passing it around the table several times. It was wonderful and just a bite (albeit several times around the table) was plenty. Our wine service was perfect and just the right selections were made with assistance from our server. We reserved the private room for a private conversation and the setting was ideal. Great, attentive service which was not too intrusive.
(3)Sylvia M.
We had dinner here for a birthday celebration. It was really really good. The service was great and so was the food.
(5)Darren T.
I am not a moron and I've never eaten at Macaroni Grill. I love family owned restaurants that have solid recipes and fresh ingredients prepared and served with a creativity and enthusiasm. I found none of these "ingredients" at this establishment. Up-side was their desert tray (if you stay that long.) The tiramisu was outstanding and the other selections looked equally as tasty! I'd go back for a desert take-out.
(2)Tommy T.
Omg these people need to retire I felt like I'm 80 years old And eating in a old folks home. Pasta was over cooked and very cheap ingredients! Oh and pricy after all that. I had been here 10+ years ago I was not impressed and thought I would try again, big mistake.
(1)John T.
Been there several times with family and friends. Fabulously prepared food. Over the top desserts. Great service. Very comfortable atmosphere. Can't wait to go again.
(5)Elizabeth T.
The food was delicious! I had a fettuccine pasta with chicken, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, sundried tomatoes with a tomato cream sauce...it was wonderful! The waiter we had was friendly and attentive and gave us 20% off our bill as a special every Thursday night. I forgot to mention he focaccia before the meal was delicious also! The only downside is limited parking unless you park in the bank spots nearby.
(5)Scott J.
We decided to give Trattoria Pina another chance after a so-so experience two months ago. Well, we were right the first time. The food was lackluster, devoid of true Italian flavors and very overpriced. I ordered the night's special which was shrimp Fra Diavalo with spaghetti. The sauce was not spicy as it should have been but was a plain marinara sauce with some red pepper flakes thrown in for the "diavalo" part. TAlthough I received a heaping portion of pasta, I only received 5 shrimp, totally not worth the $26 price tag! My wife ordered the fettuccine with Gorgonzola cream sauce. Again, plenty of pasta, but lacking completely in the gorganzola department.. Instead of the the soup or house salad we ordered up and for an additional $2.50 we had ceasar salads. Why they charged extra is beyond us: the dressing was not homemade, and it tasted as though it came from a store bought bottle. Being Italian myself and well learned in the art of Italian cooking, Trattoria Pina was a great disappointment. The food lacked a true depth of flavor. Alas, our second visit to Trattoria Pina was our last.
(2)Rayna S.
Had a fabulous pre-Thanksgiving dinner here with my family and oh so delicious!! Loved their calamari! Not fried and in a marinara sauce. I ordered the tutto mare which is clams, mussels, salmon and scallops atop spagetti in a spicy marinara sauce, omg amazing!! Great wine list, I had their Chianti which complimented my pasta dish. My family are regulars here so pretty sure I will be back!!
(4)Shelly B.
The food here was good, but too expensive, though portions are huge. Additionally, we were not impressed with the management's handling of our bill. My friend and I split the lasagna and were hit with a ridiculously high 4.00 split charge. We were not told there would be a charge and when we questioned them they said "it is stated on the menu". That may be so, but I didn't know I needed to scan the menu looking for fine print. Had they waived it this once, we would have been more likely to leave there with a positive feeling for the restaurant. We just left unimpressed and won't be back.
(3)Dan K.
Wine, Pasta & Pizza--Hurray!! For our 25th Anniversary dinner, we decided to go out for Italian since that's the type of food we ate following our wedding. First of all--the windows are a must--the views are incredible at the fron 6-8 tables. As much as I love quiet areas, the back seemed dark. The front is odd in that it is more like a register with a cooled case of desserts, but once your in the back its good. We started with happy hour of course--1/2 bottles of wine were half off--so we got a whole bottle of wine at half price--great meatballs and we had mushrooms stuffed with cheese--very good. The wine was a very nice pinoit noir. Since it was our anniversary, we splurged on a pizza. The pizza was the spicy italian sauce--wonderful!! We each had a piece and got the rest to go. We moved onto dinner--rigatoni for me and Amy had lemon chicken over tortellinis. But first the soup--vegetable minestrone--great taste. Amy had the salad--but it was a little to ice berg for me. The rigatoni was wonderful--good flavor with fresh cracked peppers and Amy said her chicke was good, just seemed like it was missing a spice. Finally--because it was our anniversary--they brought us out a giant 9 eclair desert that was in a triangle and full of bavarian cream. It was incredible--and on the house. Would I go back? yes. We brought home plenty of left overs but they were also very good!! The wait staff was attentive and helpful--the end they got a bit busy, so we went to the counter to get our bill. Great marinara and nice folks. Good to see they've been around 20 years in Tucson--had no idea, but I'd go back.
(4)Splinter J.
Seeing poor reviews written about TP only further remind me that people are morons. These are the people we know who consider going to Macaroni Grill "going out for Italian food". Trattoria Pina is everything right and good about Italian food that many of us seem to have forgotten. This is no not a chain, so if you enjoy prepackaged meals and duplicate tastes regardless what state you're in, this isn't the place for you. This restaurant is family owed and has been for over two generations. The owners serve family recipes that that have been enjoyed for years, but may have evolved as the family grew somewhere along the way to the Catalina Foothills. The bread is served warm and delicious but I'd be crazy to tell you not to order the Croustino. Just do it.. You can thank me later. I want to say that they do veal and lamb chops best, but the lasagna and pizzas won't disappoint you either. They make sauces from scratch with every dinner and before it hits your table, it's quite possible that you are still working on your salad. The service is great and professional, but if you get poor service, remember that waiters call in sick and things happen. I hate when reviews slam a business because their waiter was mad at his wife before he came to work. Lastly, save room for dessert.... as advertised, the Pope's Pillow will make sure that you come back again. Cheers!
(5)Isabelle L.
My husband and I love Trattoria Pina. He's a bigger fan of Italian food than I am, so I usually order the same thing -- the melanzane deliciose. I also ask the chef to substitute the side pasta with sauteed spinach. I have to say this dish truly lives up to its name. It is scrumptious. I like to order eggplant when I go out since I almost never cook it at home. The eggplant, cheese, and tomato sauce complement one another nicely. No one ingredient is overpowering. The spinach is prepared perfectly. My husband loves pasta, and he has sampled many of the extensive offerings. He loves the spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs. He also enjoys the shrimp scampi dish and the tutto mare. He thinks that the pasta is delicious, the sauces are neither too heavy nor watery, and the portions are very generous. The deserts are also amazing. I usually don't eat desserts but we make an exception when we go to Trattoria Pina. I don't know how he does it but the cakes are so light, delicious, and moist. I especially love the limencello cake. I have also tried the tiramisu, which is also delicious. So the food is uniformly delicious. There is wide variety. If one of our kids is in town we can bring him there, and they are also satisfied. They have excellent pizzas and calzones. We always find the service attentive and not pushy. We like the decor of the restaurant, and enjoy sitting in all four settings. 1) Next to the picture windows looking out on the Catalinas; 2) the patio; 3) the ``back room;'' and 4) inside the main part of the restaurant. Finally, we find the prices quite reasonable. We do eat out frequently, and we think that Trattoria Pina is a bargain.
(5)Robert M.
Best Italian restaurant in Tucson. Great pasta,marinara vegetarian dishes and the desserts are incredible. The Tirimisu is the best my wife and I have ever had anywhere. The staff and ownership make you feel like family. The only problem is there closed on Sundays.
(5)Jen C.
My Husband and I went to Trattoria Pina to celebrate our wedding the day after we wed. We wanted a slow traditional Italian style dinner to enjoy our time together and shake off the stress of planning a wedding. Trattoria Pina fit the bill, several different seating areas allow for different sized groups to gather, and there's plenty of room for couples to connect and larger parties to celebrate. They have a patio as well as a private dining room. We made reservations for 7:30 on a Friday night. They were unnecessary. We were able to sit at a cozy 2 top surrounded by 12 foot windows. This time of year the sun was just setting and we enjoyed the last few rays hitting the Catalinas. We ordered a Barbara, VERY well priced at $35. I easily would have ordered two, but alas this was the best part of the meal. We started with the antipasto platter $14, our usual order to allow us to enjoy wine and peruse the rest of the menu. I usually enjoy the smoked meats and cheeses of an antipasto platter and could make it a meal in many respects. Sadly, this platter's meat was pale and tasteless featuring sliced ham and weak salami, not even good enough to be a Fry's private selection. I missed the salty power of traditional salami and prosciutto. There was only one variety of cheese, a provolone, cut thin, and without any tangy creaminess usually associated with the variety. The marinated vegetables were good, tangy, and richly brined with a good dose of heat. Unfortunately it overpowered the meat and cheese and the whole plate felt unbalanced. We moved on to the soup course, included in the meal price, and, both ordered the minestrone. The broth was full of flavor and easy to enjoy, though there was no pasta in the soup and the veggies were clearly overcooked and small portions. It was a lovely tomato broth and with added parmesan cheese it really helped to cleanse the palette after the antipasto. In keeping with the theme of ordering a traditional Italian meal, we shared the house specialty black and white linguini with scallops and shrimp in a cream sauce for our Primi course $21. The dish was visually striking with pink shrimp, pale scallops, and gorgeous black and white linguini lightly tossed with a cream sauce. The shrimp were cooked to perfection as was the linguini. Squid ink pasta is a personal favorite of mine with a cream based sauce. We did not enjoy the scallops as much, they lacked taste, but were cooked beautifully. Our secondi course was veal parmesan with steamed vegetables; squash and carrots $24. The veal was perfecto! Tender and rich pounded thin and dredged in a wonderful parmesan crust. It was finished beautifully browned crisp under a hearty marina sauce. My new hubby of course said it didn't hold a candle to mine, one of the many reasons I love him, but it was a delicious marinara. I despise watery marinara. This one was thick, had chunks of tomato, and was slightly sweet and tangy. For sure this was the true star of our meal. It was the only dish I would consider reordering. Finally we finished with espresso and a piece of the German chocolate cake. The coffee was excellent, freshly prepared, hot, and served with lemon peel. I love the tradition of espresso in Italian culture. The cake however, was quite possibly the worst dessert I've ever tasted, I had one bite. It was simply an overdose of sugar without any balance of coconut, cocoa, or nuts. Skip this desert, but order the coffee for sure. Overall, I won't be returning to Trattoria Pina. I enjoyed the view, the service was pleasant, and the wine prices were reasonable. There were just too many problems with too many courses for me to want to try again. Italian meals must have good ingredients that aren't messed up. Simplicity is key and Trattoira Pina just has too many unbalanced components to make it enjoyable for the price point.
(3)Cragganmore C.
The views of the Catalinas are very nice. The interior and decor is somewhat disjointed with an urban open duct type ceiling but old school Italian decor and table set up. I brought a five top there for a congratulatory lunch. We were given a four top with a fifth setting hastily added by the staff as she seated us. That part is sort of funny as I had a five top reservation and the girl seating us made a big deal of noting our reservation in their log book when we came in. All that and the table still wasn't ready for us? Also the table was in the very back, against the back wall, in a place with only one other table occupied. Very odd. Most of us ordered lunch salads. They would have been very good except for the fact all the salads were absolutely drenched in dressing, and even though there were three different dressing amongst us, all of them were far too vinegary. The chef needs to learn spices and oil are also required. The service started out fine, nothing special, nothing bad, but then he suddenly disappeared. Well, he didn't actually disappear, but he spent 20 or so minutes talking to another table. We were all clearly done, ready for the table to be cleared, and still he just kept chatting. After 10 minutes of everyone looking at their plates we just got up and walked to the cash register where the cashier was very apologetic. If someone wanted to take me there I would probably go again but I think I'll take my money elsewhere.
(2)M D.
Mediocre. Just like I remember the food from a year or so ago. Bland and nothing special at all. Just mediocre. Veal has no taste. Pizza has no flavor although the crust was decent. Best thing the owners could do is, ASAP, fly to San Francisco and eat at Allegro Romano. Discover what real Italian food is. Scrap the current menu in its entirety and revamp with Allegro dishes. If there is a decent Italian restaurant in Tucson will someone please advise me. Been searching for 17 years and have not found one.
(2)Marina M.
I gave Trattoria Pina a second try after a pretty bad experience that I simply attributed to us coming in right before they closed. During this first visit, the cheese that topped the dishes had the rubbery look and texture of re-heated cheese. So this second time, we went in at a better time but unfortunately the food was not improved. The food here is not necessarily bad but it is definitely not good. My boyfriend had pasta with chicken and artichokes in a creamy and lemony-sauce. It was just meh. I can not call myself a good Italian cook but the lemon cream sauce I make at home is much better. As for my calzone, something with so much cheese should not just be all-right. The flavors were very bland. Definitely NOT worth the calories. The service and location here is awesome, but not enough to justify the food, unfortunately. This place is super close to where I live so I foresee going back but only because of this convenience.
(3)Laura N.
Very good food, good service, quick arrival, and fairly priced! Definitely would recommend it!
(4)Lizzy L.
I went to this sweet little place with my boyfriend's parents. Friendly service and yummy food. I had the Gnocci which was fantastic and the Pope's pillow was perfect, sooo tasty! I can't wait until my next Tucson trip to visit again!
(5)Jennifer D.
Love this place!!! The bread is KICK @SS! I always leave the place stuffed and full! Their strawberry pastry puff is WOW!
(5)Amy P.
Imediately greeted, loved the lasagna great service quiet atmosphere, elegant dining look forward to going back and ordering from the pizza oven.
(5)Adam F.
Located on the southwest corner of Swan and Sunrise, Trattoria Pina has called this area home for many years. At first glance, it is slightly confusing that a restaurant would be located in a building like the one it occupies. One would think it should be an office building or a bank. For being an upscale restaurant, I was surprised of how well insulated it is. You cannot hear a single car driving by, even though that is a part of the view. Compared to the other fancy restaurants in the Foothills and greater Tucson area, it does not have the greatest privacy or scenery. That can be overlooked because of the food. The ambiance inside is low-key, artsy, and cool. Portions are very generous and the food is outstanding. You can taste the freshness of the food and that it was made from scratch. The seasoning is spot-on, and there the dishes have huge and wonderful flavor! The servers and runners are nice and friendly. However, many of them werevery young and they can begin about talking things to one another that isn't exactly appropriate for a fancy restaurant. To me, this is a place reserved for special occasions. I'm not the type who enjoys upscale dining, but this is a nice place for that special celebration.
(4)Bill N.
If you want delicious food, good wine, excellent service and like being treated like they appreciate your business, dine here. This is a great family owned business and everything from the foccia to the deserts are memorable. We dine here often because we're treated well and are never disappointed with the menu.
(5)Drea G.
Okay, it was pretty good. They didn't put enough sauce for pasta (pet peeve!), but service and presentation was nice. What I really did not like was that they didn't have a changing table... I understand it's a fancy restaurant, but that doesn't mean you will never have kids there. Last night we attended for a huge family dinner to celebrate a wedding happening the next day. We had to take our daughter into the hot car to change her in our very packed car (we are on vacation) and it was both inconvenient and frustrating. I hope this place considers accommodating families in the future. Aside from this, it was a pleasant experience.
(4)Saba B.
I was almost embarrassed about never stopping at Trattoria Pina's yellow awning, blasting past this worthy Italian restaurant for many years and wondering. The enormous carved oak doors are a portal to a past when retired East Coast mafiosos might have held court here. Oil and balsamic are provided on each table, and TP's hot sourdough is a delicious way to use them. The service is well-paced and attentive. The house salad could use some oomph, as I'm no fan of iceberg, so I'll choose the minestrone next time. The seafood pasta, while loaded with big juicy shrimp and scallops, longed for a kick, but Italian rustica is all about simplicity. My partner's veal marsala was tender and perfectly cooked. His angel hair "side" pasta was so generous it could have passed for a third entrée. Pina offers fresh, simple, generous Italian at(fairly) reasonable prices. The mountain view is refreshing, too, as most other restaurants in the area offer city lights.
(4)MJ B.
Another fine meal and great service for a group of 10. The baked lasagna and fettuccine Vanessa were great. All special requests were handled expertly. Thanks again! You continue to take great care of us whether a table for 2 or 16.
(5)Andrea G.
Gary and I (2/3 of our "Dining Trio") celebrated our anniversary recently at Trattoria Pina. I had not been there in a while, as it's on the other side of town from my usual beat. We had a super experience. Everyone was kind and friendly, the servings were generous, and the food quality was terrific. I had a lasagna while Gary feasted on a chicken dish (see photos). They served a great textur-y bread, to dip in the table-provided olive oil and balsamic vinegar. The ambiance was very pleasant, with a wonderful view through the wall of glass windows of the mountains. In addition to our main meals, we ordered a meatball appetizer from the Happy Hour menu. It was a killer deal, for a nice quantity (and quality) of meatballs! The dessert tray boasted fine choices, all prepared in-house, to our surprise. We settled happily on the Oreo chocolate cake. Although it was large, it went down lightly, without filling us up uncomfortably. OK, I admit: we saved a portion for my mom (the other third of our dining trio), so she could participate in our culinary delights, too! I highly recommend this restaurant, and plan to come back more often!
(4)Stephen L.
Some of the best food I have ever had. From the breads, salad, entree and dessert I am literally left speechless. I had a couple of great servers as well. Given the choice I would in fact eat the chicken parmigiana every single day. When you get dessert get the Bidonatta. It will change your life. Awesome lunch service on Mondays and Wednesday's as well.
(5)