Waited 1 hour to be seated at the bar, while the waitress promised 20minutes at most to be seated at table. And no apologies from anyone.
(1)
Jennifer A.
Briefly: Amazing, authentic Italian food in a chic setting. We didn't plan to eat dinner here but after hearing the wait was over an hour for 2 people at The Cafe we decided to give it a shot. I'm glad we did. While The Cafe is fantastic, so is +39 and it should be considered an equal rather than second fiddle. I am a first generation American. My family is from Italy. I grew up in my Italian grandmother's home eating real Italian food. I've traveled in Florence, Venice, and Padua. That said, I have high standards for Italian food in the U.S. I also realize that what I consider to be Italian is not what most Americans expect or even like. If you want authentic Italian food, +39 is your jam. One key sign that this place is legit: they have prosecco on their menu. Yes, order with your dinner or before your main. It's customary to start your meal with a glass of prosecco in Italy. Other wines are small production Italian bottles made with grapes most are probably unfamiliar with. The homemade pasta is fresh and delicious and everything is the correct consistency/texture. The little market in the restaurant also sells some of my childhood favorites like baci chocolates and the high quality Barilla pasta. Dishes I recommend are the gnocchi fritti (fried gnocchi), arancini (translates to little oranges but it's a fried rice ball), and the fettuccine ai gamberi (fettuccine with shrimp). I think I could eat the fettuccine dish every day and not be sick of it. The sauce with fresh tomatoes is delicious, the shrimp is perfectly cooked, and the homemade pasta is just amazing. The dish somehow manages to be both light and filling. Diners should be forewarned that they will not find Italian-American staples like chicken parmesan, spaghetti in meatballs, or dishes covered in heavy sauce and cheese. This is true regional Italian food. Many of the dishes have Tuscan and Northern Italian elements and flavors. Service was great the night we dined which was surprising because it was also prom night and the restaurant was filled with large groups of high school seniors. In the corner of the restaurant overseeing everything stood who I assumed was the restaurant owner. Her Italian accent and style (chic modern black clothing and highlighted hair) gave her away but it was great to see her keeping an eye on everything and making sure people were having a great time. I really hope this place does well. They may have some growing pains but I think it's s superior choice for a nice meal in Ames. The restaurant itself is chic and contemporary, making it a star on the Ames food spectrum.
(5)
G L.
It's really hard to get "Italian" plate in Ames. From my visit twice with several menus so far, this is the only and best place you can try out some Italian food in Ames. Either oil based or tomato based pasta were all great, they use fresh tomatoes and enough garlic in it and it brings flavors. Some creamy pasta was still a bit too much greasy for me, but much better than other general Italian restaurants in the U.S. Pizza that I tried were all good. Not really great great but I can see that the ingredients are all fresh and crust is crispy and thin. The reason I marked 4, not 5, came from its steak. The beef tasted not treated well, or might not be the best for the steak. It lost its juicy texture and flavor, and went very soggy. I'd not recommend having steak here. But it's worth to visit and try other fabulous foods. Some appetizers such as Arancini or Fried Calamari looked popular in the restaurant and I thought I will try next time, too!
(4)
Kenny L.
If your ever in Ames you need to check this place out. If you don't like crowds then go for lunch. Dinner can be a bit busy. Parking is easy so no worries there. The ambiance is modern and fancy and it gives you that modern northwestern vibe. We went for lunch recently and split the Quattro Stagioni and II Tagllere. Both awesome and a must. I got a Bloody Mary which came with a Peroni chaser and the wife got a Italian Greyhound. Drinks are on point. Service was great. No issues here.
(5)
Chris D.
Some friends and I stumbled upon this place after we could not dine at the cafe due to time a constraint and long wait. We were seated immediately here (the lin Walking in this restaurant you immediately notice the authentic Italian decor. It's slightly more upscale than average so you want to dress accordingly. With the restaurants open kitchen, seeing pizza dough flying in the air spinning is a common sight. Overall fantastic atmosphere in here! I ordered the margarita pizza and one of my friends did as well. Although the dough/crust tasted great, I was very disappointed. The consistency among similar dishes was terrible. My pizza looked nothing like my friends. His was covered in cheese and mine had just a few patches of it. Many others in our group enjoyed their food. As much as I wanted to love this place I was just disappointed. The lack of consistency was too incredibly noticeable. Although I had this experience I will be back to try a pasta dish. I believe they can and will do much better and my case was a very rare mistake.
(3)
Ben S.
Could not be more impressed with their food. The pork belly pizza is out of this world. Their appetizers are home runs and their Moscow mule is addictive. I keep going again and again.
(5)
Samantha H.
After much anticipation my boyfriend and I finally had lunch here a few months ago. I had heard mixed reviews - pricey food, small portions - and wasn't sure what to expect. I thought the pricing and portions were completely fair! That afternoon we had one of the best meals we've ever had in Ames! The food was fresh and flavorful and made me feel like I was back in Tuscany. Granted, this isn't your hearty neighborhood Italian restaurant, it is a vibrant addition to a mid-western city. It'd be so happy if there were more restaurants like this in central Iowa.
(5)
Matt W.
Came in for dinner last night and was let down once again. To be fair, our waiter was very nice and knowledgable about the menu, which hasn't been the case every time I've eaten here. I decided to try the seasonal butternut squash gnocchi, my friend had their pesto pasta dish. We found that both dishes were very bland and just generally lacked flavor, which certainly didn't seem worth the $13-$15 per plate. I've been three times now and really want to like this restaurant, which is a block away from my apartment, but have been disappointed each time. I first visited for lunch and decided to try their pizza lunch special, which we had to ask our waiter about after overhearing him tell another table about the specials. In fairness, the pizza was tasty, but our waiter failed to mention was that it was $20, which Came as a shock for a dish advertised as a lunch special. My second time in was just for gelato, but their gelato obviously hadn't been kept at the correct temperatures because it had ice crystals and a strange consistency, rather than being smooth and creamy as gelato should be. This third time was probably the last time I will eat at +39, I'm tired of being let down every time I give them my business.
(1)
Scott C.
By far one of the best restaurant in Ames! Definitely the best delivery service! Food comes fast and fresh every time.
(5)
Cass K.
While the story on the back of the menu of +39 is over the top and overdone, the restaurant is not. The restaurant is a great addition to the Ames dining scene adding a restaurant run by genuine Italians. It was a nice to see the owner walking the tables and greeting the customers. When we arrived at our table we were served slices of fresh baked bread and olive oil. We had appetizers of brussels sprouts (cavolini) and steak tartar (tatare di manzo). Both appetizers were excellent and nicely seasoned. The I Verdi salad with baby greens and roasted beets was very fresh and well dressed. The Pappardelle Bolognese (beef and pork ragu with tomato and red wine sauce) appeared like a small portion when served, but was actually very filling. Our server was new and inexperienced, but very kind. Overall, we enjoyed our evening out at +39.
(4)
Sara M.
We've had 3 good prior experiences, but last month, we had a table of 8, and the waitress was non engaging/non interested in us. There was a hair in my gnocchi, and only one desert menu to be had for the whole table. We had to ask several time for refills of tea and more wine, and we had to ask to see desert menu. A pretty bla experience with no real apologies or smoothing out because of the rough patches. My real issue is that I followed up with an email to the manager, and the response was sorry bout that, we invite you to come back again. And no signature. When I requested to know who was responding (I was hoping a manager or owner) I got no further reply. Disappointing. SO - when it was time to take my 13 top staff members out for a nice meal, we went to Aunt Maudes, and owner Pat Breen greeted us, got us all set up, an overall good experience.
(2)
Stephen B.
My daughter and I went to +39 last night. We had the lamb chops. They were breaded and fried (about med rare) served with cauliflower and a garlic aioli. This was great. As previously we had the brussel sprouts/pancetta appetizer - still excellent. For dessert we had the apple crostata. While excellent, it seemed to more of a galette than a crostata.
(4)
Matt E.
Been a lot of buzz about this place. I've heard and read a lot about this place since it was queued to open and since then. I employed a couple of strategies that lead to a utterly delightful visit. 1) I waited several months before attempting a visit. 2) I employed patience. From both friends and pieces in the newspaper I was told that I should expect to block out more than an hour and a half to complete a meal. Once I knew what I was getting in to I was fully prepared. We had a great waitress who took time to explain how this place works. You purchase courses individually. She also made some great recommendations on what was best the evening we were patrons. We kicked our meal off with a seafood carpaccio. I chose mushroom risotto. She chose a very large single truffle ravioli. Not a lot of items smothered in red sauce here. All of our expectations were exceeded. We came here with the right perspective. The stuff here is good, but you're going to pay a lot for reasonable portions. The owner checked on our satisfaction. Ended with a cannoli that was a little disappointing. Relax. Don't come irritably hungry or with low blood sugar and prepare yourself for what is one of the best dining options in Ames. As of 2014 this is probably the first recommendation I would make to someone trying to impress a client of a new romantic interest in their lives.
(4)
Julie R.
Another great experience at +39. We had 7:00 reservations and when we arrived our table was ready and we were quickly seated. Our server was attentive and very knowledgable about the menu. My dining companions were new to the cuisine and he was very good at explaining the menu and helping them make selections. As always the food was amazing. A welcome surprise was the recent addition of European hot chocolate to the menu. It's a decadent concoction that is rich, thick and chocolatey. It's described as a sipping chocolate but a spoon comes in handy due to the thickness. I've had it in Tuscany and this was just as good or better. Now I have the predicament of deciding between this new favorite with my all time favorite tiramisu. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!
(5)
Taypee K.
After hearing all the hype, I was so, so disappointed in this place. They changed the menu from what was online at some point and the new one was totally boring. They lost our reservation and the hostess was quite snotty about it. "We're trying to determine if this is OUR fault," she said. Who else's fault would it be? We sat at the bar for about 10 minutes. No one offered to take our order until we asked, "Who takes the food order?" then the clump of kids behind the bar pointed to someone standing at the other end of the bar. It seems as if the entire staff went to the "avoid eye contact" school of restaurant service. For apps, we ordered the fish carpaccio and the ham. They took, wait for it, 40 minutes to arrive. How long does it take to slice and arrange food on a plate? I'm hypoglycemic and I thought I was going to faint while we were waiting. We asked the waitress for some bread. She brought us a long plate with some stale bread nubs on it (bad bread in an Italian restaurant?) and two bottles of oil and vinegar, but nowhere to pour them, so we just splashed the stuff on the stale bread and made a mess. The fish was good; the ham was bleh. For our entrees, we ordered sandwiches. They arrived while we were still eating the entrees--of course--because those took 40 minutes to arrive. Fries were cold. Sandwiches were slathered in gooey mozzarella cheese--like terrible airport food. Buns were stale. Greens were good. Chianti wine was fine. We had to ask twice for silverwear and napkins. Two stars for the fish and the wine. Zero stars for the service, the changed menu, and the rest of the food, and the owner, who apparently doesn't speak English and spent his time snapping in Italian at the young kids behind the bar or standing off to the side by himself, flinging his complicated hair around. Get some more two-tops in there, too. What are you people thinking?! Not everyone eats in packs of 12.
(2)
Scott J.
I was hoping +39 was going to work out, but it just doesn't. I tried 7 (seven) dishes in two visits and I wouldn't try any of them again. The pasta carbona and gnocchi dishes were both bland, bland, bland (how can they mess up pasta carbonara?). The two sandwiches that I tasted were equally uninteresting. On a second visit, I tried the "crispy lamb chops" (over-breaded, over-cooked lamb)... was there any lamb in that dish? The sausage pizza was pretty good but not enough to salvage this review. My recommendation: If you must go to this restaurant, do so with low expectations for good food.
(1)
L M.
Never again. Avoid at all cost. I went to the restaurant when it first opened, eager to try a new venue in Ames. I was excited when I heard about it. I liked the food well enough but not the service. I chalked the service issues up to newness and a green staff. Fast forward several months. Thinking the service kinks have been ironed out, I make a reservation for a celebratory dinner with friends. We all show up on time. No tables are ready. We are told "A few parties are lingering over their checks." A quick glance at the tables belies this statement. So much for a reservation. Fifteen minutes after arrival, the five of us are offered a booth for four. We decline and enjoy a very pleasant meal elsewhere. Points for authenticity: the wait staff did discuss us in Italian. One said, They don't want the table. The other shrugged. Vaffanculo, +39. This is a small town. Regular repeat business is your lifeblood. In 2015, I expect to see either a nail salon or a buffalo wing joint take over your building.
(1)
Jess C.
I can't believe that this place isn't getting more stars...so I feel compelled to write a review. I think the main reason it has gotten negative reviews is the service. It seemed like in the first few months after opening the service was a bit rough, but I think that is to be expected in a new restaurant as they get the kinks worked out. They seem to employ a lot of current and former ISU Hospitality Management students which I think is really great. The past few times I have been the service has been exceptional so hopefully this is something that has been worked out. Comparisons have been made between the Cafe and +39 because of their proximity. The Cafe makes great baguettes and pastries, can cook a decent steak. Beyond that I think it is a bit overrated (gasp!). Whenever they try italian or asian fusion it falls flat. It's like they are using completely the wrong spices or techniques or something. +39 feels more authentic. Their pastas and sauces are mostly made from scratch and are delicious. Try the papparadelle bolognese made with a rich meat sauce and thick homemade noodles. Their Verde salad is fantastically fresh with blue cheese, beets, pistachios and just the right dressing. A previous reviewer companied of a "fishy" taste in the Caesar salad, that is because it is made with anchovies and egg, the way a real Caesar is made. Not on the menu right now but in the winter they serve duck breast with a cherry reduction sauce. Rarely do you find duck breast prepared properly in the Midwest, but they do it well. Also their roasted brussels sprouts are incredible. They have recently expanded their selection of desserts and have amazing gelato flavors too like Strawberry with basil. Also, they take reservations so you don't have to budget an extra hour for waiting in line like you do at the Cafe. They have a great patio dining area for the spring and in the winter a cool fireplace by the bar. If you want a really special night out with food that is hard to come by in Iowa go to +39.
(5)
Valentina S.
I tried this restaurant three times and I really hope that these guys would improve. The place is lovely, even if the menu is close to original Italian cuisine, the execution is really bad. The service is very very slow too (40 min wait with a reservation!) and the staff seems unprepared to explain the menu.
(2)
Nicholas T.
I'm sad to give this only 3 stars, but am in for the long haul. It's in a great location that should bring it lots of business. For now, I'll chalk the poor service and sub-par food to growing pains, but after a few more months, they need to get their act together. The pasta was bland at best. The best part of the meal was the appetizers, especially the muscles and meat/cheese plate. Fingers crossed!
(3)
Joe B.
We went for a late night meal and we're only disappointed by the lack of people in the restaurant. Come on, Ames! If you want a restaurant that serves classic Italian food cooked perfectly with unique ingredients, you have to patronize them. Otherwise, all we will have is Fizolli's.
(5)
Elena H.
Me and 3 other persons ordered here meals. No one was happy with their meal (there was something wrong with everyone's meal!!!). Long time of waiting and pretty low quality of food - you really expect something better. We all know that Ames, Iowa is an asshole of Midwest, and apart from "The Cafe" there are no real restaurants here, but still I expected sth better considering that meals are high-priced. For someone who lived in bigger cities and is used to top quality cuisine offered by good restaurants, this will seem a misery.
(1)
Kandy F.
I was disappointed in this place. The pizza wasn't very good. It didn't have much favor and half of it was black and burnt on the bottom. The atmosphere was nice and the service was good but I wont be back due to the food.
(2)
Bethany B.
Had dinner here with friends last weekend on the terrasse. We ordered the pizza Diavola which was my favorite when I visited Rome several years ago. This was the most authentic Roman pizza I have had since my trip to Italy. My secondi was carbonara which was fantastic! My friend had the lamb chops which where on the smaller size, but very flavorful. The hand made gellatto here is wonderful. Definetly would return to Plus 39!
(5)
Melissa W.
Take out....Brussels were amazing and the tomato soup... Four cheese pizza was average and salad with gorg and beets was stellar!
(4)
Ben M.
Nice looking restaurant, good food, fair prices. Offers indoor or outdoor seating, wine tasting with many authentic Italian wines, Italian grocery section, and gelato bar/walk-up window. Nice place to eat for a special occasion or date.
(4)
Ernie B.
My wife and went to try it today, but because of reservations & poorly managed front if house we waited for 20 minutes only to have the table the hostess told us was for us given away by the owner, who is quite full of himself. I felt bad for the staff and have to agree with a previous person that training is desperately needed. We walked out with a bad taste in our mouth and did not even eat the food.
(1)
Cheryl K.
We hosted a group of 14 for dinner on graduation day. The food was unique, authentic Italian and delicious. Service was excellent. Total tab was quite reasonable.
(5)
Doug P.
Plenty of room for growth... but the service was just too bad to get more than 2 stars now. Ordered food over the phone to-go. Ossobuco, risotto and a side of potatoes. We decided to go early to have a drink before picking up our order. The place was moderately busy, but nothing crazy. We counted 5 staff behind the bar of which we sat. Five minutes later, not a single person had acknowledged our presence... not even one of the owner/investors. Eventually I was able to hail down someone to make our drink order. When I mentioned I was there to pick up a to-go order, the owner quickly asked "what did you order?"... I responded. He replied, "sorry, no Ossobuco tonight, so we gave you the pork". Wow... presumptuous (lucky for them we're no longer Muslim). We watched 4-5 staff members bumble about the bar, breaking glasses, drying wine glasses with a dirty towel, not attending to customers, not washing the bar top, getting confused which were the clean glasses, even using the wrong glass for certain drinks. We soon realized that some of the servers did not know the names of the Italian dishes, how to pronounce them or what ingredients were included. Just overall poor training - like so many restaurants in the area. I'm a foody... and for this kind of $$, I expect a certain level of service. +39 does not yet deliver... I hope they rise to the occasion. The food was ok... but nothing spectacular. The risotto tasted like bland oatmeal with mushrooms, but the pork was quite good. My recommendations to +39 1) Train your staff 2) Develop better workflows for the bar - especially the dirty glass cleaning area 3) Quit using towels to dry the glasses - if a towel gets contaminated you've just spread it to all the glasses 4) Welcome every guest upon their entrance Good luck.. we're pulling for you... but you must do better.
(2)
Ann S.
My husband and I with friends made a reservation very curious to go to this fairly new Italian restaurant hearing good reviews and reading reviews good and bad. Upon arrival. We were seated right away. Our waiter, A.J. was exceptional. Food was wonderful. We will be back. Because of negative reviews I watched and observed. Very friendly hostess. Normal wait te for dinner. Owner came over to table was nice gesture. Atmosphere was casual. No chain feeling. Was warm feeling like on Cheers style. Will probably see regulars etc. we loved this experience. Overall 5+ stars.
(5)
Anne H.
I have mixed feelings about this place. Pros: Good atmosphere. Good variety. Dishes that one cannot get elsewhere in Ames. My partner's steak was perfect. The bean puree in my dish was wonderful. Cons: The shrimp in the shrimp cocktail we ordered was not properly de-veined (in my opinion an amateurish mistake on their part, not to mention the fact that it could have caused some serious gastronomic distress had I not noticed it.) I ordered the swordfish; unfortunately, it was grossly over-cooked. It resembled a over-done pork chop in terms of texture. Not appetizing. Less important cons: the table was wobbly and the server nearly spilled water on us while attempting to "fix" it with a napkin (this was after we asked to switch to the open table next to us). Also, I was going to pay for the dinner, but the server placed the bill directly in front of my male partner. Not a big deal, but slightly irksome in this day and age. How hard is it to place a bill in the center? Assuming who is paying based on gender seems a bit antiquated and vaguely sexist to me, especially since a clear and neutral alternative is possible.
(2)
Chewy W.
I am really mad about this restaurant. They first told me to wait 20mins,but we waited for.one hour for dinner. and their service was not good enough. if they could not find a tabke for us in 20min, they should not promise us.
(1)
Samantha K.
This restaurant is the best thing to ever happen to Ames. It has an urban quality, the food is fantastic and authentic, the pace is happily European, it's open late, there's a calming lounge, generous bar, excellent wine list. If you are used to a sit-down-fast, order-fast, eat-fast, get-out-fast, be-home-by-8 experience, this is not the place for you. The owners check to make sure you are pleased with your meal, and unlike everywhere else in this town where you can go a million times and not be recognized, they remember you. A bit of Italy close to home. Yea!!!
(5)
Lisa T.
Our meal at +39 was disappointing. We were sat at a wobbly table right in front of the kitchen which allowed us to see our own dishes sit on the counter for more than 15 min. Food was served by the course so some sat and watched others eat. Food and portion size were not worth the price. Service was very poor. We were not offered drinks and had to wait forever to get them and we could see them sitting at the bar. She did not ask if we would like another drink. Nor did she asked how our meal was. No doubt because she wouldn't like the answer. I would not go back.
(1)
Kate O.
I gave four stars as this is a young restaurant with room for improvement but it is absolutely a much needed addition to the restaurant scene in Ames. I have eaten two meals (lunch and dinner) and been to the lounge for drinks and appetizers twice since it opened. All of the menu items I have tried were delicious and my only complaint is that the entree with spicy shrimp was a bit pricey for the quantity. The quality of all the food however has been wonderful and it is obvious the restaurant is choosing high end ingredients. The service is friendly and inviting. I have met the owners who I found to be charmingly "Italian" so the other reviews have me smirking. I also find the other reviews somewhat illogical that because the restaurant has had such a successful start and has been absolutely packed making reservations necessary that this is an ISSUE and the fault of the management/owners! I am thankful for this yummy, classy new addition and hope their success continues!
(4)
William H.
Visited the restaurant for about my fifth time over the last two years this past week. I have enjoyed dining at +39 every time but never saw fit to write a review before. Although it was a slow summer night, the pace of our service was excellent. The house salad was crisp and chilled with their very tasty white balsamic dressing, and my entree, Fettuccine ai Gamberi, was delicious. One of my tablemates had a pizza, which +39 is prepares in the classic Italian way with a perfect thin crust and just enough sauce to bring out the flavor of the vegetables and meats. The owner was present (as he usually is) and he stopped by our table to greet us and ask if there was anything else we needed to enjoy our meal. The only thing missing was that we all forgot to order our favorite fried brussel sprouts appetizer; which I play to order next time for sure.
(4)
Angela W.
The Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes are amazing! They're not served with syrup, but you don't need any. Quick service, and reasonably priced. We came here because the nearby Cafe had a long wait, but we'd go here first next time!
(5)
Rex J.
The group and I stopped over after hearing that the Cafe, a popular restaurant next door had an hour wait. I thought this place had a great, Italian decor. It felt very fancy, and it had a great open kitchen view, which adds to the restaurants integrity. I split a goat cheese and spinach pizza and a gnocchi with a friend and was satisfied with both. I was disappointed that our waiter brought out cold bread, forgot to bring appetizer plates when the bread came out, and the gnocchi was a bit cold. He seemed like he was doing his best, but these definitely took away from the experience. This Italian tasted rather authentic, and I thought the food tasted great. Overall, I'd recommend this for some quality Italian.
(4)
G P.
Complete let down. We came in to celebrate a birthday and had horrible service. The staff was never around and had to ask for water twice. We were finished with dinner and had to wait and ask, again, twice for our server to order dessert. Almost didn't buy tried to give them another shot. Again waited for a very long time for service. Additionally it was my sisters birthday, which I had informed the server at the beginning of the meal, and we opened presents at the table - they never recognized it. Not even a happy birthday. When the manager came over he made excuses and didn't listen to the fact that we were waiting for service between courses instead he mentioned about how true Italian food takes time. Well, service takes care-something +39 lacks.
(1)
Bella C.
Did not expect such a place could be found in such a small town in the Mid-West! A little pricy but good food don't come cheap. However quality control was overlooked that night. Carbonara was slightly broken, Bolognese was lukewarm and the pasta apparently cooked way ahead that they already stick together when brought to the table. The owner was notified and he was very generous to remove the Bolognese and re- make another carbonara. Steak Tartare was very good and the thin crust pizza is excellent. Of course the servers are charming....
(4)
Matt R.
+39? More like -39. It was a Sunday night, our fridge was empty, and +39 was nearby; why not finally give this one a try? We walked into the seemingly empty restaurant and instead of being greeted, we were told simply to "walk toward the barrel." A young
(2)
Emily F.
One of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. This restaurant is an empty promise for authentic Italian dining. The service confused us, as we were the only table left in the restaurant and yet our food took forever. We had a party of 13, and yet only one waiter was tasked to serve us. He was understandably flustered and this led to some less than friendly service. One of us ordered a chicken skewer dish that was listed with other sizeable entrees. What came out was a single small skewer on a bed of kale...not a dish appropriate for an appetizer, much less an entree! Other dishes I sampled from the table lacked flavor where they compensated for size (the carbonara and risotto were particularly bland). Do not be fooled by the well designed interior; this is not fine dining.
(1)
Emily T.
I only have this to review, their hours are misrepresented. I stopped by to try their gelato, it's 2 in the afternoon and the doors are locked. I peered inside a window, no one appears to be in and the lights are out. I checked their website, verified that they should be open (10a-10p for Thursday), called the number and only got a voicemail. After reading the reviews, I am wondering if they are even still in business?
(1)
Bergen B.
Great Italian food! We love this place and the atmosphere! All the food is very authentic and delicious. The owners are from Italy and run around working just as hard as everyone else. One time, the owner was the one taking our order, so we asked him what he would recommend. He asked us a couple questions about what we like then picked two things, which were absolutely delicious. Couldn't have done any better myself. The best thing I've ever tried there was the arancini appetizer. Delish!
(4)
Lark P.
The service here is such a joke. Rude frat bros. The food is unexceptional and overpriced for the quality. I wanted to like this place, the atmosphere has potential, but every time I go I'm irritated and disappointed.
when this place was first open, the food was absolutely marvelous. Went there last week, ordered gnocchi for the appetizer which was supposed to have proscuitto (2 slices on the whole order. the waitress did bring us more when I said something. I ordered fetuccini with the four cheeses (there was absolutely no white sauce on it - it was so dry) and the pasta wasn't cooked - it wasn't even al dente). husband ordered Bolognese and it was so bland he brought it home to doctor it up. I don't know if the owner was in Italy but there was no love in making those dishes. He must have been in Italy. the cook wasn't Italian and should have worked at Burger King. WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE BACK - SPENT 50.00 ON A MEAL THAT WASN'T WORTH 5.00
(1)
W C.
Not cheap, but worth it. Excellent muscle appetizer, pasta and desert. Drinks were amazing. Recommend the Templeton Old Fashioned. We sat at the bar and had a great time with the staff and other patrons. It's a special occasion type of place, but nice to have something like this in Ames. Reservations recommended. We went on a Sunday night and the only seating was in the market, as available or at the bar.
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch, Dinner, Dessert Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Trendy, Upscale Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : 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.
Lizzy Y.
Waited 1 hour to be seated at the bar, while the waitress promised 20minutes at most to be seated at table. And no apologies from anyone.
(1)Jennifer A.
Briefly: Amazing, authentic Italian food in a chic setting. We didn't plan to eat dinner here but after hearing the wait was over an hour for 2 people at The Cafe we decided to give it a shot. I'm glad we did. While The Cafe is fantastic, so is +39 and it should be considered an equal rather than second fiddle. I am a first generation American. My family is from Italy. I grew up in my Italian grandmother's home eating real Italian food. I've traveled in Florence, Venice, and Padua. That said, I have high standards for Italian food in the U.S. I also realize that what I consider to be Italian is not what most Americans expect or even like. If you want authentic Italian food, +39 is your jam. One key sign that this place is legit: they have prosecco on their menu. Yes, order with your dinner or before your main. It's customary to start your meal with a glass of prosecco in Italy. Other wines are small production Italian bottles made with grapes most are probably unfamiliar with. The homemade pasta is fresh and delicious and everything is the correct consistency/texture. The little market in the restaurant also sells some of my childhood favorites like baci chocolates and the high quality Barilla pasta. Dishes I recommend are the gnocchi fritti (fried gnocchi), arancini (translates to little oranges but it's a fried rice ball), and the fettuccine ai gamberi (fettuccine with shrimp). I think I could eat the fettuccine dish every day and not be sick of it. The sauce with fresh tomatoes is delicious, the shrimp is perfectly cooked, and the homemade pasta is just amazing. The dish somehow manages to be both light and filling. Diners should be forewarned that they will not find Italian-American staples like chicken parmesan, spaghetti in meatballs, or dishes covered in heavy sauce and cheese. This is true regional Italian food. Many of the dishes have Tuscan and Northern Italian elements and flavors. Service was great the night we dined which was surprising because it was also prom night and the restaurant was filled with large groups of high school seniors. In the corner of the restaurant overseeing everything stood who I assumed was the restaurant owner. Her Italian accent and style (chic modern black clothing and highlighted hair) gave her away but it was great to see her keeping an eye on everything and making sure people were having a great time. I really hope this place does well. They may have some growing pains but I think it's s superior choice for a nice meal in Ames. The restaurant itself is chic and contemporary, making it a star on the Ames food spectrum.
(5)G L.
It's really hard to get "Italian" plate in Ames. From my visit twice with several menus so far, this is the only and best place you can try out some Italian food in Ames. Either oil based or tomato based pasta were all great, they use fresh tomatoes and enough garlic in it and it brings flavors. Some creamy pasta was still a bit too much greasy for me, but much better than other general Italian restaurants in the U.S. Pizza that I tried were all good. Not really great great but I can see that the ingredients are all fresh and crust is crispy and thin. The reason I marked 4, not 5, came from its steak. The beef tasted not treated well, or might not be the best for the steak. It lost its juicy texture and flavor, and went very soggy. I'd not recommend having steak here. But it's worth to visit and try other fabulous foods. Some appetizers such as Arancini or Fried Calamari looked popular in the restaurant and I thought I will try next time, too!
(4)Kenny L.
If your ever in Ames you need to check this place out. If you don't like crowds then go for lunch. Dinner can be a bit busy. Parking is easy so no worries there. The ambiance is modern and fancy and it gives you that modern northwestern vibe. We went for lunch recently and split the Quattro Stagioni and II Tagllere. Both awesome and a must. I got a Bloody Mary which came with a Peroni chaser and the wife got a Italian Greyhound. Drinks are on point. Service was great. No issues here.
(5)Chris D.
Some friends and I stumbled upon this place after we could not dine at the cafe due to time a constraint and long wait. We were seated immediately here (the lin Walking in this restaurant you immediately notice the authentic Italian decor. It's slightly more upscale than average so you want to dress accordingly. With the restaurants open kitchen, seeing pizza dough flying in the air spinning is a common sight. Overall fantastic atmosphere in here! I ordered the margarita pizza and one of my friends did as well. Although the dough/crust tasted great, I was very disappointed. The consistency among similar dishes was terrible. My pizza looked nothing like my friends. His was covered in cheese and mine had just a few patches of it. Many others in our group enjoyed their food. As much as I wanted to love this place I was just disappointed. The lack of consistency was too incredibly noticeable. Although I had this experience I will be back to try a pasta dish. I believe they can and will do much better and my case was a very rare mistake.
(3)Ben S.
Could not be more impressed with their food. The pork belly pizza is out of this world. Their appetizers are home runs and their Moscow mule is addictive. I keep going again and again.
(5)Samantha H.
After much anticipation my boyfriend and I finally had lunch here a few months ago. I had heard mixed reviews - pricey food, small portions - and wasn't sure what to expect. I thought the pricing and portions were completely fair! That afternoon we had one of the best meals we've ever had in Ames! The food was fresh and flavorful and made me feel like I was back in Tuscany. Granted, this isn't your hearty neighborhood Italian restaurant, it is a vibrant addition to a mid-western city. It'd be so happy if there were more restaurants like this in central Iowa.
(5)Matt W.
Came in for dinner last night and was let down once again. To be fair, our waiter was very nice and knowledgable about the menu, which hasn't been the case every time I've eaten here. I decided to try the seasonal butternut squash gnocchi, my friend had their pesto pasta dish. We found that both dishes were very bland and just generally lacked flavor, which certainly didn't seem worth the $13-$15 per plate. I've been three times now and really want to like this restaurant, which is a block away from my apartment, but have been disappointed each time. I first visited for lunch and decided to try their pizza lunch special, which we had to ask our waiter about after overhearing him tell another table about the specials. In fairness, the pizza was tasty, but our waiter failed to mention was that it was $20, which Came as a shock for a dish advertised as a lunch special. My second time in was just for gelato, but their gelato obviously hadn't been kept at the correct temperatures because it had ice crystals and a strange consistency, rather than being smooth and creamy as gelato should be. This third time was probably the last time I will eat at +39, I'm tired of being let down every time I give them my business.
(1)Scott C.
By far one of the best restaurant in Ames! Definitely the best delivery service! Food comes fast and fresh every time.
(5)Cass K.
While the story on the back of the menu of +39 is over the top and overdone, the restaurant is not. The restaurant is a great addition to the Ames dining scene adding a restaurant run by genuine Italians. It was a nice to see the owner walking the tables and greeting the customers. When we arrived at our table we were served slices of fresh baked bread and olive oil. We had appetizers of brussels sprouts (cavolini) and steak tartar (tatare di manzo). Both appetizers were excellent and nicely seasoned. The I Verdi salad with baby greens and roasted beets was very fresh and well dressed. The Pappardelle Bolognese (beef and pork ragu with tomato and red wine sauce) appeared like a small portion when served, but was actually very filling. Our server was new and inexperienced, but very kind. Overall, we enjoyed our evening out at +39.
(4)Sara M.
We've had 3 good prior experiences, but last month, we had a table of 8, and the waitress was non engaging/non interested in us. There was a hair in my gnocchi, and only one desert menu to be had for the whole table. We had to ask several time for refills of tea and more wine, and we had to ask to see desert menu. A pretty bla experience with no real apologies or smoothing out because of the rough patches. My real issue is that I followed up with an email to the manager, and the response was sorry bout that, we invite you to come back again. And no signature. When I requested to know who was responding (I was hoping a manager or owner) I got no further reply. Disappointing. SO - when it was time to take my 13 top staff members out for a nice meal, we went to Aunt Maudes, and owner Pat Breen greeted us, got us all set up, an overall good experience.
(2)Stephen B.
My daughter and I went to +39 last night. We had the lamb chops. They were breaded and fried (about med rare) served with cauliflower and a garlic aioli. This was great. As previously we had the brussel sprouts/pancetta appetizer - still excellent. For dessert we had the apple crostata. While excellent, it seemed to more of a galette than a crostata.
(4)Matt E.
Been a lot of buzz about this place. I've heard and read a lot about this place since it was queued to open and since then. I employed a couple of strategies that lead to a utterly delightful visit. 1) I waited several months before attempting a visit. 2) I employed patience. From both friends and pieces in the newspaper I was told that I should expect to block out more than an hour and a half to complete a meal. Once I knew what I was getting in to I was fully prepared. We had a great waitress who took time to explain how this place works. You purchase courses individually. She also made some great recommendations on what was best the evening we were patrons. We kicked our meal off with a seafood carpaccio. I chose mushroom risotto. She chose a very large single truffle ravioli. Not a lot of items smothered in red sauce here. All of our expectations were exceeded. We came here with the right perspective. The stuff here is good, but you're going to pay a lot for reasonable portions. The owner checked on our satisfaction. Ended with a cannoli that was a little disappointing. Relax. Don't come irritably hungry or with low blood sugar and prepare yourself for what is one of the best dining options in Ames. As of 2014 this is probably the first recommendation I would make to someone trying to impress a client of a new romantic interest in their lives.
(4)Julie R.
Another great experience at +39. We had 7:00 reservations and when we arrived our table was ready and we were quickly seated. Our server was attentive and very knowledgable about the menu. My dining companions were new to the cuisine and he was very good at explaining the menu and helping them make selections. As always the food was amazing. A welcome surprise was the recent addition of European hot chocolate to the menu. It's a decadent concoction that is rich, thick and chocolatey. It's described as a sipping chocolate but a spoon comes in handy due to the thickness. I've had it in Tuscany and this was just as good or better. Now I have the predicament of deciding between this new favorite with my all time favorite tiramisu. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!
(5)Taypee K.
After hearing all the hype, I was so, so disappointed in this place. They changed the menu from what was online at some point and the new one was totally boring. They lost our reservation and the hostess was quite snotty about it. "We're trying to determine if this is OUR fault," she said. Who else's fault would it be? We sat at the bar for about 10 minutes. No one offered to take our order until we asked, "Who takes the food order?" then the clump of kids behind the bar pointed to someone standing at the other end of the bar. It seems as if the entire staff went to the "avoid eye contact" school of restaurant service. For apps, we ordered the fish carpaccio and the ham. They took, wait for it, 40 minutes to arrive. How long does it take to slice and arrange food on a plate? I'm hypoglycemic and I thought I was going to faint while we were waiting. We asked the waitress for some bread. She brought us a long plate with some stale bread nubs on it (bad bread in an Italian restaurant?) and two bottles of oil and vinegar, but nowhere to pour them, so we just splashed the stuff on the stale bread and made a mess. The fish was good; the ham was bleh. For our entrees, we ordered sandwiches. They arrived while we were still eating the entrees--of course--because those took 40 minutes to arrive. Fries were cold. Sandwiches were slathered in gooey mozzarella cheese--like terrible airport food. Buns were stale. Greens were good. Chianti wine was fine. We had to ask twice for silverwear and napkins. Two stars for the fish and the wine. Zero stars for the service, the changed menu, and the rest of the food, and the owner, who apparently doesn't speak English and spent his time snapping in Italian at the young kids behind the bar or standing off to the side by himself, flinging his complicated hair around. Get some more two-tops in there, too. What are you people thinking?! Not everyone eats in packs of 12.
(2)Scott J.
I was hoping +39 was going to work out, but it just doesn't. I tried 7 (seven) dishes in two visits and I wouldn't try any of them again. The pasta carbona and gnocchi dishes were both bland, bland, bland (how can they mess up pasta carbonara?). The two sandwiches that I tasted were equally uninteresting. On a second visit, I tried the "crispy lamb chops" (over-breaded, over-cooked lamb)... was there any lamb in that dish? The sausage pizza was pretty good but not enough to salvage this review. My recommendation: If you must go to this restaurant, do so with low expectations for good food.
(1)L M.
Never again. Avoid at all cost. I went to the restaurant when it first opened, eager to try a new venue in Ames. I was excited when I heard about it. I liked the food well enough but not the service. I chalked the service issues up to newness and a green staff. Fast forward several months. Thinking the service kinks have been ironed out, I make a reservation for a celebratory dinner with friends. We all show up on time. No tables are ready. We are told "A few parties are lingering over their checks." A quick glance at the tables belies this statement. So much for a reservation. Fifteen minutes after arrival, the five of us are offered a booth for four. We decline and enjoy a very pleasant meal elsewhere. Points for authenticity: the wait staff did discuss us in Italian. One said, They don't want the table. The other shrugged. Vaffanculo, +39. This is a small town. Regular repeat business is your lifeblood. In 2015, I expect to see either a nail salon or a buffalo wing joint take over your building.
(1)Jess C.
I can't believe that this place isn't getting more stars...so I feel compelled to write a review. I think the main reason it has gotten negative reviews is the service. It seemed like in the first few months after opening the service was a bit rough, but I think that is to be expected in a new restaurant as they get the kinks worked out. They seem to employ a lot of current and former ISU Hospitality Management students which I think is really great. The past few times I have been the service has been exceptional so hopefully this is something that has been worked out. Comparisons have been made between the Cafe and +39 because of their proximity. The Cafe makes great baguettes and pastries, can cook a decent steak. Beyond that I think it is a bit overrated (gasp!). Whenever they try italian or asian fusion it falls flat. It's like they are using completely the wrong spices or techniques or something. +39 feels more authentic. Their pastas and sauces are mostly made from scratch and are delicious. Try the papparadelle bolognese made with a rich meat sauce and thick homemade noodles. Their Verde salad is fantastically fresh with blue cheese, beets, pistachios and just the right dressing. A previous reviewer companied of a "fishy" taste in the Caesar salad, that is because it is made with anchovies and egg, the way a real Caesar is made. Not on the menu right now but in the winter they serve duck breast with a cherry reduction sauce. Rarely do you find duck breast prepared properly in the Midwest, but they do it well. Also their roasted brussels sprouts are incredible. They have recently expanded their selection of desserts and have amazing gelato flavors too like Strawberry with basil. Also, they take reservations so you don't have to budget an extra hour for waiting in line like you do at the Cafe. They have a great patio dining area for the spring and in the winter a cool fireplace by the bar. If you want a really special night out with food that is hard to come by in Iowa go to +39.
(5)Valentina S.
I tried this restaurant three times and I really hope that these guys would improve. The place is lovely, even if the menu is close to original Italian cuisine, the execution is really bad. The service is very very slow too (40 min wait with a reservation!) and the staff seems unprepared to explain the menu.
(2)Nicholas T.
I'm sad to give this only 3 stars, but am in for the long haul. It's in a great location that should bring it lots of business. For now, I'll chalk the poor service and sub-par food to growing pains, but after a few more months, they need to get their act together. The pasta was bland at best. The best part of the meal was the appetizers, especially the muscles and meat/cheese plate. Fingers crossed!
(3)Joe B.
We went for a late night meal and we're only disappointed by the lack of people in the restaurant. Come on, Ames! If you want a restaurant that serves classic Italian food cooked perfectly with unique ingredients, you have to patronize them. Otherwise, all we will have is Fizolli's.
(5)Elena H.
Me and 3 other persons ordered here meals. No one was happy with their meal (there was something wrong with everyone's meal!!!). Long time of waiting and pretty low quality of food - you really expect something better. We all know that Ames, Iowa is an asshole of Midwest, and apart from "The Cafe" there are no real restaurants here, but still I expected sth better considering that meals are high-priced. For someone who lived in bigger cities and is used to top quality cuisine offered by good restaurants, this will seem a misery.
(1)Kandy F.
I was disappointed in this place. The pizza wasn't very good. It didn't have much favor and half of it was black and burnt on the bottom. The atmosphere was nice and the service was good but I wont be back due to the food.
(2)Bethany B.
Had dinner here with friends last weekend on the terrasse. We ordered the pizza Diavola which was my favorite when I visited Rome several years ago. This was the most authentic Roman pizza I have had since my trip to Italy. My secondi was carbonara which was fantastic! My friend had the lamb chops which where on the smaller size, but very flavorful. The hand made gellatto here is wonderful. Definetly would return to Plus 39!
(5)Melissa W.
Take out....Brussels were amazing and the tomato soup... Four cheese pizza was average and salad with gorg and beets was stellar!
(4)Ben M.
Nice looking restaurant, good food, fair prices. Offers indoor or outdoor seating, wine tasting with many authentic Italian wines, Italian grocery section, and gelato bar/walk-up window. Nice place to eat for a special occasion or date.
(4)Ernie B.
My wife and went to try it today, but because of reservations & poorly managed front if house we waited for 20 minutes only to have the table the hostess told us was for us given away by the owner, who is quite full of himself. I felt bad for the staff and have to agree with a previous person that training is desperately needed. We walked out with a bad taste in our mouth and did not even eat the food.
(1)Cheryl K.
We hosted a group of 14 for dinner on graduation day. The food was unique, authentic Italian and delicious. Service was excellent. Total tab was quite reasonable.
(5)Doug P.
Plenty of room for growth... but the service was just too bad to get more than 2 stars now. Ordered food over the phone to-go. Ossobuco, risotto and a side of potatoes. We decided to go early to have a drink before picking up our order. The place was moderately busy, but nothing crazy. We counted 5 staff behind the bar of which we sat. Five minutes later, not a single person had acknowledged our presence... not even one of the owner/investors. Eventually I was able to hail down someone to make our drink order. When I mentioned I was there to pick up a to-go order, the owner quickly asked "what did you order?"... I responded. He replied, "sorry, no Ossobuco tonight, so we gave you the pork". Wow... presumptuous (lucky for them we're no longer Muslim). We watched 4-5 staff members bumble about the bar, breaking glasses, drying wine glasses with a dirty towel, not attending to customers, not washing the bar top, getting confused which were the clean glasses, even using the wrong glass for certain drinks. We soon realized that some of the servers did not know the names of the Italian dishes, how to pronounce them or what ingredients were included. Just overall poor training - like so many restaurants in the area. I'm a foody... and for this kind of $$, I expect a certain level of service. +39 does not yet deliver... I hope they rise to the occasion. The food was ok... but nothing spectacular. The risotto tasted like bland oatmeal with mushrooms, but the pork was quite good. My recommendations to +39 1) Train your staff 2) Develop better workflows for the bar - especially the dirty glass cleaning area 3) Quit using towels to dry the glasses - if a towel gets contaminated you've just spread it to all the glasses 4) Welcome every guest upon their entrance Good luck.. we're pulling for you... but you must do better.
(2)Ann S.
My husband and I with friends made a reservation very curious to go to this fairly new Italian restaurant hearing good reviews and reading reviews good and bad. Upon arrival. We were seated right away. Our waiter, A.J. was exceptional. Food was wonderful. We will be back. Because of negative reviews I watched and observed. Very friendly hostess. Normal wait te for dinner. Owner came over to table was nice gesture. Atmosphere was casual. No chain feeling. Was warm feeling like on Cheers style. Will probably see regulars etc. we loved this experience. Overall 5+ stars.
(5)Anne H.
I have mixed feelings about this place. Pros: Good atmosphere. Good variety. Dishes that one cannot get elsewhere in Ames. My partner's steak was perfect. The bean puree in my dish was wonderful. Cons: The shrimp in the shrimp cocktail we ordered was not properly de-veined (in my opinion an amateurish mistake on their part, not to mention the fact that it could have caused some serious gastronomic distress had I not noticed it.) I ordered the swordfish; unfortunately, it was grossly over-cooked. It resembled a over-done pork chop in terms of texture. Not appetizing. Less important cons: the table was wobbly and the server nearly spilled water on us while attempting to "fix" it with a napkin (this was after we asked to switch to the open table next to us). Also, I was going to pay for the dinner, but the server placed the bill directly in front of my male partner. Not a big deal, but slightly irksome in this day and age. How hard is it to place a bill in the center? Assuming who is paying based on gender seems a bit antiquated and vaguely sexist to me, especially since a clear and neutral alternative is possible.
(2)Chewy W.
I am really mad about this restaurant. They first told me to wait 20mins,but we waited for.one hour for dinner. and their service was not good enough. if they could not find a tabke for us in 20min, they should not promise us.
(1)Samantha K.
This restaurant is the best thing to ever happen to Ames. It has an urban quality, the food is fantastic and authentic, the pace is happily European, it's open late, there's a calming lounge, generous bar, excellent wine list. If you are used to a sit-down-fast, order-fast, eat-fast, get-out-fast, be-home-by-8 experience, this is not the place for you. The owners check to make sure you are pleased with your meal, and unlike everywhere else in this town where you can go a million times and not be recognized, they remember you. A bit of Italy close to home. Yea!!!
(5)Lisa T.
Our meal at +39 was disappointing. We were sat at a wobbly table right in front of the kitchen which allowed us to see our own dishes sit on the counter for more than 15 min. Food was served by the course so some sat and watched others eat. Food and portion size were not worth the price. Service was very poor. We were not offered drinks and had to wait forever to get them and we could see them sitting at the bar. She did not ask if we would like another drink. Nor did she asked how our meal was. No doubt because she wouldn't like the answer. I would not go back.
(1)Kate O.
I gave four stars as this is a young restaurant with room for improvement but it is absolutely a much needed addition to the restaurant scene in Ames. I have eaten two meals (lunch and dinner) and been to the lounge for drinks and appetizers twice since it opened. All of the menu items I have tried were delicious and my only complaint is that the entree with spicy shrimp was a bit pricey for the quantity. The quality of all the food however has been wonderful and it is obvious the restaurant is choosing high end ingredients. The service is friendly and inviting. I have met the owners who I found to be charmingly "Italian" so the other reviews have me smirking. I also find the other reviews somewhat illogical that because the restaurant has had such a successful start and has been absolutely packed making reservations necessary that this is an ISSUE and the fault of the management/owners! I am thankful for this yummy, classy new addition and hope their success continues!
(4)William H.
Visited the restaurant for about my fifth time over the last two years this past week. I have enjoyed dining at +39 every time but never saw fit to write a review before. Although it was a slow summer night, the pace of our service was excellent. The house salad was crisp and chilled with their very tasty white balsamic dressing, and my entree, Fettuccine ai Gamberi, was delicious. One of my tablemates had a pizza, which +39 is prepares in the classic Italian way with a perfect thin crust and just enough sauce to bring out the flavor of the vegetables and meats. The owner was present (as he usually is) and he stopped by our table to greet us and ask if there was anything else we needed to enjoy our meal. The only thing missing was that we all forgot to order our favorite fried brussel sprouts appetizer; which I play to order next time for sure.
(4)Angela W.
The Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes are amazing! They're not served with syrup, but you don't need any. Quick service, and reasonably priced. We came here because the nearby Cafe had a long wait, but we'd go here first next time!
(5)Rex J.
The group and I stopped over after hearing that the Cafe, a popular restaurant next door had an hour wait. I thought this place had a great, Italian decor. It felt very fancy, and it had a great open kitchen view, which adds to the restaurants integrity. I split a goat cheese and spinach pizza and a gnocchi with a friend and was satisfied with both. I was disappointed that our waiter brought out cold bread, forgot to bring appetizer plates when the bread came out, and the gnocchi was a bit cold. He seemed like he was doing his best, but these definitely took away from the experience. This Italian tasted rather authentic, and I thought the food tasted great. Overall, I'd recommend this for some quality Italian.
(4)G P.
Complete let down. We came in to celebrate a birthday and had horrible service. The staff was never around and had to ask for water twice. We were finished with dinner and had to wait and ask, again, twice for our server to order dessert. Almost didn't buy tried to give them another shot. Again waited for a very long time for service. Additionally it was my sisters birthday, which I had informed the server at the beginning of the meal, and we opened presents at the table - they never recognized it. Not even a happy birthday. When the manager came over he made excuses and didn't listen to the fact that we were waiting for service between courses instead he mentioned about how true Italian food takes time. Well, service takes care-something +39 lacks.
(1)Bella C.
Did not expect such a place could be found in such a small town in the Mid-West! A little pricy but good food don't come cheap. However quality control was overlooked that night. Carbonara was slightly broken, Bolognese was lukewarm and the pasta apparently cooked way ahead that they already stick together when brought to the table. The owner was notified and he was very generous to remove the Bolognese and re- make another carbonara. Steak Tartare was very good and the thin crust pizza is excellent. Of course the servers are charming....
(4)Matt R.
+39? More like -39. It was a Sunday night, our fridge was empty, and +39 was nearby; why not finally give this one a try? We walked into the seemingly empty restaurant and instead of being greeted, we were told simply to "walk toward the barrel." A young
(2)Emily F.
One of the worst restaurant experiences I've ever had. This restaurant is an empty promise for authentic Italian dining. The service confused us, as we were the only table left in the restaurant and yet our food took forever. We had a party of 13, and yet only one waiter was tasked to serve us. He was understandably flustered and this led to some less than friendly service. One of us ordered a chicken skewer dish that was listed with other sizeable entrees. What came out was a single small skewer on a bed of kale...not a dish appropriate for an appetizer, much less an entree! Other dishes I sampled from the table lacked flavor where they compensated for size (the carbonara and risotto were particularly bland). Do not be fooled by the well designed interior; this is not fine dining.
(1)Emily T.
I only have this to review, their hours are misrepresented. I stopped by to try their gelato, it's 2 in the afternoon and the doors are locked. I peered inside a window, no one appears to be in and the lights are out. I checked their website, verified that they should be open (10a-10p for Thursday), called the number and only got a voicemail. After reading the reviews, I am wondering if they are even still in business?
(1)Bergen B.
Great Italian food! We love this place and the atmosphere! All the food is very authentic and delicious. The owners are from Italy and run around working just as hard as everyone else. One time, the owner was the one taking our order, so we asked him what he would recommend. He asked us a couple questions about what we like then picked two things, which were absolutely delicious. Couldn't have done any better myself. The best thing I've ever tried there was the arancini appetizer. Delish!
(4)Lark P.
The service here is such a joke. Rude frat bros. The food is unexceptional and overpriced for the quality. I wanted to like this place, the atmosphere has potential, but every time I go I'm irritated and disappointed.
(2)Kate D.
First off, let me say - the food here is very good... If they have it. We have been here before and have really enjoyed the food, but the service has never really been outstanding (not terrible, but not great - usually just very slow). However, this afternoon was the worst service we've had here yet. We came here for brunch and on the website, it said they had a signature cocktail Bloody Mary. I love Bloody Marys, and, to me, it's an essential part of my brunch experience. Well, they actually don't have Bloody Marys according to our waiter. I'm sorry, but I just believe that any full service bar should offer a Bloody Mary, even if it's just a basic one. So, my husband ordered a spritzer, which 10 minutes after ordering, the waiter came over and said they were out of one of the strawberry purée for the spritzer, and asked if they could just make it without that ingredient. My husband is laid-back so he said it was okay, but received a bitter spritzer since they did nothing to replace the missing ingredient in the drink - also it took an additional 10 minutes after telling him it was okay make the drink without that ingredient to actually receive his drink. Also, despite being out of the strawberry purée, he received strawberries with his meal (which upset him because it made it seem like they were out of the purée, and just didn't want to do the effort to use the fresh strawberries to replace it). Next, we ordered a starter for our meal, and about 10 minutes after ordering, they came back and told us they were out of that starter. The waitress then brought us a menu and suggested a different starter and then turned around and walked away before we could order our replacement starter. Once the waitress came back to take our order for the replacement starter, she confirmed with us our order that we had already placed with a different waiter about 20 minutes before - and one of the dishes was incorrect. I corrected her, and she informed us they were out of the roasted potatoes to be served with my husband's breakfast choice but would replace them with fries (with a breakfast meal!). She then asked if my husband if he wanted juice or coffee with his meal because it came with it even though he had already ordered a coffee with our previous waiter (who somehow disappeared and now this other waitress took over). All in all, for the price you are paying for the food - the service should be exceptional and the waiters/waitresses should at least be informed of what they do and do not have in the kitchen before taking customer's orders. The food really is wonderful, so it is such a shame that the service is subpar and the lack of menu items available makes it difficult to get what you'd really like to eat here.
(3)Char D.
when this place was first open, the food was absolutely marvelous. Went there last week, ordered gnocchi for the appetizer which was supposed to have proscuitto (2 slices on the whole order. the waitress did bring us more when I said something. I ordered fetuccini with the four cheeses (there was absolutely no white sauce on it - it was so dry) and the pasta wasn't cooked - it wasn't even al dente). husband ordered Bolognese and it was so bland he brought it home to doctor it up. I don't know if the owner was in Italy but there was no love in making those dishes. He must have been in Italy. the cook wasn't Italian and should have worked at Burger King. WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE BACK - SPENT 50.00 ON A MEAL THAT WASN'T WORTH 5.00
(1)W C.
Not cheap, but worth it. Excellent muscle appetizer, pasta and desert. Drinks were amazing. Recommend the Templeton Old Fashioned. We sat at the bar and had a great time with the staff and other patrons. It's a special occasion type of place, but nice to have something like this in Ames. Reservations recommended. We went on a Sunday night and the only seating was in the market, as available or at the bar.
(4)