We originally had reservations for Trattoria Stella based on the suggestions of my fellow Yelpers as a place to go to for our Anniversary dinner. That would be my wife and I's Anniversary not myself and my fellow Yelpers. Although that would be pretty cool! Anyways after looking over their menu we felt it was just a bit too out there for our tastes. Sweetbreads, Pig Testa and Offal just aren't appealing to us and we felt we'd be paying for the ambiance rather then the food. We wanted something nice, but recognizable to our palette so we went to Tuscan Bistro instead. When it was all said and done we made a good decision on the switch. It was a bit pricey and not a place we'd go to on a regular basis if we lived up that way. It is more of a "fancy occasion" place. The portions for the price were alright. For $22 a plate I'd expect a little more then what I got and a Salad to come with it. Instead, if you want a Salad that is extra. We both got Caesar Salads and the lettuce was still pretty wet and there wasn't much dressing on it. The dressing that was on it became washed out by the watery lettuce. Not worth the extra $5.00 you pay for it. If it had came with the meal I probably wouldn't be so put off by it. The service was great and the place only had a few tables sat so we got the full attention of our Server and never had an empty glass. That was a plus. All in all it was for the most part a really nice evening filled with good food (minus the Salads), great wine, even better company and top notch service.
(4)
Kel V.
My husband and I both felt the food was VERY garlicky. We mentioned this to our waitress and she responded with, "the chefs are heavy handed with garlic". Rather expensive for the portions and the food was nothing to write home about. Gave it a try but would not try again.
(1)
Kierstin G.
I'm not usually very picky with my food but I really didn't like it here. Our server was nice but the food was really blah, actually kind of gross. I didn't even end up finishing my soup or taking it to go as it kind of tasted like canned Progresso soup. My husband's pasta was also just as blah. Perhaps if I enjoyed fish and wine I would have liked it better here.
(2)
Jennifer B.
Raw bar.. YUM! Vino selection... Ahhhhhh! Menu.... Delish!!! Service.... Fantastic! Ambiance.... Inviting!! Before we even settled our bill I was looking forward to dining here again
(5)
JoEllen H.
They are trying, but they don't hit the mark. Bread is average, basil pesto dipping oil might be the best thing on the menu, and that's not saying much.
(2)
Mrs. F.
We had a "waitress" who encouraged me to try the pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage. What she didn't mention is that it was drowning in so much garlic and oil that the dish was inedible! She didn't bother to check on us after our dishes were served either, and the wait staff who removed our plates wasn't the least concerned that I didn't like the dish; she just removed it, despite my comments. When the bill came, I told the waitress about the dish, and she said, "You should have flagged me down. I am busy and I have a lot of tables tonight." I told her, nicely, that it was not my responsibility to do this, and that neither she nor any of the other wait staff were around. She offered to take the charge off the bill, which was ok--but I didn't get dinner! Yep, I got punished for going to this restaurant! Do people in Traverse City tolerate this?
(1)
Al C.
Superb food - we had salmon and filet mignon - both excellent. Great service - prompt and friendly - at the busiest time on a Friday night. Tuscan Bistro has ascended to "one of the best places in town" status for me. Suggestion: since the noise level is so high, printing the nightly specials on a flyer would be preferable to expecting the poor server to scream them over the din. We weren't able to hear them. I'm sure they'd sell more of the nightly specials if guests knew what they were.
(5)
Kimberly H.
We had the unfortunate experience of trying to dine at Tuscan Bistro! We are from TC & our local businesses runs specials to purchase coupons to there establishments. One of them being Tuscan Bistro. A friend & I each purchased a coupon not knowing each other had done so. Only to be told we couldn't each use them. Only one per table. We had a group of 7 and actually had two tables pushed together. We also showed them the dates purchased which were different and all of us were paying separately! The manager was rude, mater of fact and could care less that we were purchasing 7 meals, salads etc. She said we could use them if 1/2 of us went to a different table on the other side of the room. Mind you the restaurant was relatively empty. The whole experience was embarrassing and unnecessary, they are the ones who ran the coupon! Customer service was classless, the ambience needs a major makeover. There are so many delicious, classy well run restaurants here in Traverse City that the only thing we are thankful for after this experience is we will NEVER waste our time and money at Tuscan Bistro again.
(1)
Ben D.
Server was very friendly and helpful. We arrived and had a couple drinks first. Then we moved on to soups/salads, which were fine, but not remarkable. Our entrees were good. My wife got the "fruit of the sea" which looked and tasted delicious (apparently!). I got the broccoli sausage pasta dish which was very good too. Solid italian. A little pricey for what it is. But it was a nice atmosphere.
(4)
John R.
Can I ask some of you complainers one question? Have you ever tried to fill someone's water glass in a restaurant? Do you have the common sense to tell your waiter, or any employee, immediately if there is something wrong, so that it can be fixed? Or do you just stew, and then bitch later on the internet. This place rocks.
(5)
Kendall K.
If you like mojitos, I recommend the strawberry basil mojito. The bread and pesto sauce you start with is yummy. We asked for more bread to finish off the pesto! The calamari was a little chewy but breaded nicely and tasty. The Penne Al Pomodoro pasta was good but came out really hot. I recommend the half portion of you often find yourself taking pasta home! The half portion was perfect.
(4)
Ze W.
We did come back, and the food was tasty, but EXCRUCIATINGLY slow. It took 1 hr and 16 minutes for our main course to arrive. And 50 min for a bottle of wine, after ordering. Only half our table had their drink orders taken. The server was very nice, but kept answering questions with a statement that didn't make any sense. Though they have a GF menu, we were also requesting non-dairy food, when she kept suggesting items which clearly included dairy/butter/cheese/whipped cream. Very frustrating toward the end. This was quite (excruciatingly) disappointing, service-wise, though they were friendly all around. I'd consider returning IF I didn't have this server; IF I weren't dying to eat right away; IF I weren't on a schedule (several of us had long drives later this evening, so this was an issue); IF I didn't have to request the pasta to be not overcooked. (It would also probably be a good idea to teach everyone how to pronounce the food items properly, too...) I had also requested an outdoor table, and upon arriving, was told an indoor table was ready for us. Though this was resolved somewhat quickly, all these things add up to not feeling like a reliable place to bring guests, unfortunately.
(2)
John S.
Very good service, wine list is average, quality of the food though is very good. We would come back, spaghetti Bolognese excellent, the french fries with the Panini were outstanding and would recommend a visit
(3)
Marin C.
This meal was tasty. On the drive over I got to see fog rolling in, that was cool too. I ordered soup and salad, to keep things affordable and to save room for dessert. If you have no such constraints, you will be just as happy with your food. I had the small ceasar salad and a bowl of tomato soup, mmm love me some tomato soup. Then, I ordered creme brulee for dessert. That was fun. Our server was very nice also. I liked the atmosphere too, we sat near a painting that was a scene from the boardman river. It was a fellow diner's birthday and they got a free dessert, so if you want a free dessert on your birthday, after a meal, naturally this would be a good place to visit. It was hard to choose for the desserts though, chocolate terrine, creme brulee or tiramisu? Gosh.
(4)
Randy G.
We settled on this Italian restaurant when we couldn't go to the original Italian place we picked. The original didn't have any reservations available and could have been at least a two hour wait. However, I called Tuscan and they had didn't have a wait at all. That's a good thing right? What also scared me was that we had a two hour wait at one place and this one, no wait at all. I think the other people know something I didn't They were right. I would come back here for an entree or dessert. The appetizer was fine, but I had the Cavatelli for dinner and bread pudding for dessert. The server warned me that the Cavatelli is a heavier dish, however, not only was it heavier, but it was also very bland. It was extremely weak in flavor, the pasta was extremely dense, and it was very oily as well. Stay away from this dish if you happen to find yourself there. The bread pudding looks good, it's better to look at it than to try and eat it. It was not good at all. It was extremely dense and we almost had to use a knife to cut through it. The chocolate sauce around it was overly sweet and I tried to avoid dipping in it or any piece of the bread pudding that was touching the sauce. The table next to us ask if it was any good. I first thought about giving the usual response, good good, not bad, etc...Oh no, he saw me hesitate and start shaking my head back and forth and I told him my thoughts. Stay away from both of these dish.
(2)
Jim S.
Chef special of pork tenderloin with onion and cherry compote and asparagus was wonderful!
(4)
Rudy S.
The food was good but the price was very, very expensive because so little was given.
(1)
Gae E.
My husband I love this restaurant. The eggplant appetizer is to die for. Go here instead of Stella's. Better prices, food and staff is great. Good early bird deal from 4 to 5. Two entrees, salad, desert and class of wine for $25 each. Owner is friendly and personable.
(5)
Michael A.
We were visiting from New York and we had a hankering for Italian so we decided to go to this place. Best. Decision. Ever. One of the best Italian restaurants we have ever been to. First of all, their bread and pesto is so fresh, and the pesto has just enough garlic in it. We ordered the Bruschetta appetizer, which they don't give you a lot of but it was still delicious, especially the tomatoes (you can tell they've been marinated for hours) and the prosciutto. Now for the best part: the entrees. I had the Veal Scallopini with wild mushroom reafu and the potatoes pancakes. The sauce made the dish, it was so rich and flavorful. The sauce is also featured with Cavetelli, which my mother had. The Cavetelli were the best homemade ones I've ever tasted. My friend got the penne al pomodoro Andorra was super flavorful and had a great kick to it. And finally my father got the seafood pasta. The muscles were excellent, if I returned I'd get that the next time. The dishes were decent portion sizes, though some people may say it's expensive and you don't get a lot. I for one think that it's worth the price and it's normal if you're looking for a nice Italian restaurant in the area.
(5)
Gail B.
What a find in Traverse City. Great service, interesting selections and partial bay views. We would have sat on the patio if it had not still been 88 degrees outside. We started with the Carpaccio which was delicious although I prefer it with capers. Their bread served with pesto oil was fantastic. The chef was very accommodating to sub grilled asparagus with the wild mushroom veal - excellently prepared. They serve all their pasta dishes either as a full or half order. The half order was perfect. The orecchietti, broccoli rabe and sausage was also delicious. The dessert of profiterole and ice cream with a very tiny bit of chocolate was a bit of a disappointment - just so-so. Overall a fantastic place to enjoy a well prepared meal.
(4)
Teri S.
Good enough, but a tad pricey. Food tastey, but not the wow factor that has you thinking about it the next day. Do like the "half" plate option for times when you are not so hungry.
(3)
Dennis P.
Had their spin on oysters Rockefeller - fresh and very flavorful . Spaghetti fresh seafood is killer - al dente pasta, calamari, clams and mussels -excellent. Also we had pasta and fresh little neck clams - wow! Great desserts and early martini time - excellent
(5)
Clara L.
VERY LOUD! We arrived about 7pm and the noise when we were seated was so loud it was difficult to concentrate on the menu. I just picked a salad because I could not think. The flavor of the salad was excellent, however the greens were room temperature, not chilled - like they are sitting out in the kitchen. Our server was excellent. He was always there when needed but never hovering. I am not sure if I will return, mainly due to the noise. Perhaps I will try sitting outside, so I can concentrate on the menu and try some pasta. Tuscan Bistro - I gave you 2 stars because Travis is a 5 star waiter. Your restaurant has not gotten past a 1 star for me yet.
(2)
Karen J.
Good food and service but a bit pricy. Have half and full order. Had full order pasta which was 19.00. No salad at all. Half order was 10.00 and small portion and no salad! Food taste was good but pricey. If you don't mind a high price the foods good.
(3)
Colleen C.
Where was this place when I needed it!? All of the nights from birth to age 18 that I spent mawing on over-reciped, generic Italian food at Auntie Pastas (even the name is original, eh?) and I could've been eating at this place... The food was absolutely fantastic. All around we were extremely pleased. My brother with the flank steak and asparagus, me with the Chicken Tuscana (with mushrooms, peas and polenta) and mushroom/zuchhini soup, parents with shrimp risotto...peppered with several glasses of excellent wine and finished with a lovely bread pudding drenched in carmel sauce. Heaven. The service was impeccable. Our waitress was absolutely on top of every single item...knew all about the menu, the wines, recited everything perfectly from memory and recommended several good choices. The chef/owner visited our table, nice touch :) Excellent location across from the water. Quaint, humble ambience. The presentation is unlike any I have seen in TC...and with Italian, sometimes presentation lacks in my opinion. Tuscan Bistro hits a nice balance between upscale and homegrown. A wonderful meal...
(5)
Christine T.
Just OK, without the "A". ;) If you're really craving Italian food, this place is near the bay and isn't very crowded. The upscale prices may keep many tourists away, which is good if you don't wish to wait for a table. We sampled the Tuscan Valley Bean Soup, which was good, but lacked depth. The Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, sausage was...salty. This was the first thing that I tasted with my first bite into this dish. My husband ordered the whitefish with sweet & sour eggplant, which was OK. He said that the breading on the fish didn't enhance the flavor of the delicate whitefish. My husband enjoyed the eggplant, but wishes that they gave him a larger serving of this side dish. The good: The pasta entrees are available in half-size portions ($9), this is more than enough for dinner and two people had enough leftover to take home. The bread is excellent (I'm a real bread snob), and it is served with olive oil and herbs, a perfect combination. The Oggi Pinot Noir 2007 was a nice wine by the glass ($8). I really love their open, airy bar which has huge windows and gives the restaurant a nice look. The bad: A bit pricey ($19 entrees), there are several other restaurants in town that I'd prefer to spend my money for a better dinner and dining experience. Although the waitstaff was good, I just expect 'great' for a restaurant with this level of pricing. Something as simple as how the servers refresh your water glasses is the first thing that I would recommend to the Front Manager. (Don't overfill the water glasses to the very tip of the rim and don't spill water as you pour)
(3)
Envision Dental T.
Our office visited the Bistro for our Christmas Lunch and we had a good time. We had very attentive servers and the food was great. Appetizers were tasty and main dishes very flavorful and filling. I appreciated the fact that the dinner menu was compact and the beverage menu a little more expanded.
(4)
fred k.
An excellent experience for the two of us. I have lower expectations when I look for a restaurant in a tourist location. Tuscan Bistro was a very good dining experience that could hold its own in the larger metro markets. The veal and pasta dishes were quite good. The wine list offered many choices at very modest prices. Our waiter was very helpful with our wine selection. The service was very attentive. I think this place offers great value and would be happy to try it for a second helping
(5)
Kristin F.
I love Mickey's food. I just wish they still had breakfast (back in the day)... that green pesto breakfast wrap was to DIE for. Lunch options? I would go with the Caprese sandwich.
(4)
Mary Jo T.
Actually zero stars. We had a reservation for 5 at 6pm. They wrote it down for 7pm. We said we'd sit outside if the weather was nice. We arrived at 6 and it was a blustery chilly evening. They only had a table for us outside, which was stupid because no one wanted outside. They offered to let us sit at the bar (with 3 kids!) or give us a 3-top and a 2-top (2 separate tables!) for our "family dinner"! Terrible service, and the restaurant still had lots of open tables. And FYI, it looked like an olive garden inside. We turned around and left. Would never go back. Very unprofessional.
(1)
Emmalee T.
Still in love! Went here with a large group of girls this past Saturday and everything was flawless. Service was attentive and on point. The food looked, smelled and tasted amazing. We had 13 girls on 13 separate bills and our server, Randy, handled it with grace and ease. Thank you for a great evening! Can't wait to come back!
(5)
Emily K.
I have been here three times and each time the food was amazing....authentic, and VERY flavorful. I love that they offer HALF plates of pasta--it's always just enough for me to eat the whole thing and not feel overstuffed. While the service is not great---slow, and ineffiecient...the food makes up for it every time. This place is new still and the service improves each time i'm there. I always get the mushroom ragu---it's amazing every time. Tastes the same too which is great since I typically don't stray from a favorite plate. We always order a bottle of wine with dinner as well. The bread and olive oil are fantastic. FRESH homemade bread, as much as you want, is delivered promptly to the table. Location is nice too since I live only miles away. It's nice to view the bay too from the restaurant!
(4)
Rae M.
Went there for a weekday lunch. The food was excellent. The service was ok. Pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente. Soups were also delicious. Enjoyed the fresh bread. The half order of Cavatelli was plenty for one person.
(5)
Domhnulla D.
My husband and I went there for the first time this past weekend and it was an overall pleasant experience. I was in the mood for pasta--which of course my limited-carb diet does not allow for excess in that area--and so I suggested we give it a try. The staff was very friendly and I had the Cavatelli with Wild Mushroom Ragu and it was perfectly cooked. I did have to add salt, but I would much rather have to add it to my dish than be overwhelmed by it already in the dish. I had to laugh a little at the music, because when we arrived, a less-dramatic rendition of "The Godfather" theme song was playing. My husband ordered a Corona and they were out, which I found unusual, but not a big deal. I ordered a Mojito and was rather disappointed, but not enough to throw a tantrum. Overall, the food was perfectly cooked and just what we were looking for, the staff was very nice and efficient, and we will most definitely go back--just maybe skip the mojito. ;-)
(4)
Tracy B.
I'm a fan of the food, but not the prices. My "Special" was $24 and consisted of a creamy tomato and basil sauce over linguini with 4 - 1/2 dollar size prawns. The wine was decent but way overpriced. Sells in store for less than $12/bottle but it was $32 on their menu. My husband and I were in time for the early bird special which is a glass of wine, entree, salad and desert for $25. He ordered it but our server forget the salad and when we mentioned it, he said it would be less expensive to not do the special. UMMMM no. Priced out it would have been $38...I hate to keep harping on the prices but 2 dinners (no salad) a bottle of wine and an appetizer was $105 with tip. We won't be going back unless we hit the lotto.
(3)
Ellen P.
Do not let the unpromising location of this restaurant -- the ground floor of an office building on West Bay that's very easy to miss while navigating busy Traverse City traffic -- discourage you from giving it a try. We had a delightful early dinner here recently, starting with a fresh, rich carpaccio. We followed with pasta bolognese and veal scallopini with a creamy wild mushroom ragu and potato cakes. My partner's bolognese was the winner-winner of the two -- you could taste the low, slow care taken to simmer the sauce to perfection; and we enjoyed the pop provided by a bit of femnel. It may, in fact, be the best bolognese either of us have ever had. My veal was tender and enjoyable, as were the potato cakes (think latkes with onion, which went well with the earthy ragu); but the dish was spoiled somewhat by a heavy-handed application of what tasted like raw garlic....less garlic and more fresh parsley, and this would have been a truly fine dish. We liked seeing some local produce -- asparagus, specifically -- being highlighted in daily specials. Service was friendly and courteous -- a very young staff, and a little "green," but our waiter did an excellent job explaining the dishes.The interior of the restaurant is cozy and comfortable, and includes a full bar. (There's also some patio seating where you can look across the highway to the bay and a busy marina, but we wondered about the street noise, and chose to eat inside this time around.) We will absolutely visit here again when we have more time to really explore the menu.
(4)
Anne G.
If we lived in Traverse City, this would be at the top of our list....great wine AND food! Don't miss it.
(4)
Colleen S.
We went here based on Colleen C's review this weekend. We ha the raw bar oysters and shrimp which were HUGE. The shrimp was freakishly big and REALLY good. I had the salmon with cherry couscous and steamed spinach. Holy crap! That is hands down the BEST salmon I've ever eaten in my life. It was a bit crisp on the outside but then perfectly cooked in the middle. The couscous was great with the cherries, which I'm just going to assume were local, because that just makes it quaint. I liked that they serve pesto with the bread instead of just butter, it went well with the soft, warm bread AND the oysters, by the way.
(5)
Rob H.
Good Italian food. Service was very good. Sweet Italian sausage was excellent. Calamari was mediocre (it is Michigan).
(4)
Dave M.
Have had several very good meals here. Tonight's was tops. Had the best pasta I have EVER eaten (and I use to live in NYC). it was the special tonight--Penne with proscuitto and baby geen peas in a garlic light cream sauce. Everyone at the table was stealing my pasta. So absolutely delectable! Great wines with nightly pairings. Dessert shared by table was an ice cream in a cream puff of perfect texture--slightly crunchy on the outside and melt in your mouth inside. Sevice tonight was as good as it gets. So proud of TC to have a such a fabulous Italian restaurant that serves fresh homemade pasta and other fine entrees. Maybe we are a "foodie" town after all?
(5)
M M.
They have a fantastic looking menu. Service is the problem. They feature martinis on the menu so my wife ordered one; I ordered a 16oz beer. The waiter returned with a 12 oz beer and the news that they were out of one of the ingredients for her martini - a bar is out of ingredients? We ordered an appetizer, carpaccio, which was good. Our waiter explained that carpaccio was raw beef, thank you very much. We overheard another waiter explain the specials to people who had just been seated at a nearby table, something our waiter failed to mention to us. He did mention that he was assigned too many tables and that the hostess didn't know what she was doing. The tension was building. He explained how he had practiced using a waiter's corkscrew, though he almost broke the cork off in the neck of our wine bottle. Offer a taste of the newly opened bottle? No, he must have been sure it wasn't corked; he just poured. Mickey, the chef, delivered our pasta, a nice touch. Mine was fine, but my wife's, rigatoni with a cream sauce of prosciutto and peas was not. The prosciutto was in hard wads and the cream sauce was thin. How hard is it to make a simple cream sauce with prosciutto and peas? Maybe they were more busy than usual, but there were empty tables. Maybe the wait staff is too inexperienced for a quality restaurant, mostly college students. Maybe organization and training is lacking; the wait staff had to make their own drinks, as there was no bartender. Regardless, what should have been an enjoyable dinner turned into two hours of missteps and tension.
(1)
Suzanne M.
This is one of my favorite places in Traverse City. It's close to home and the food is consistently excellent. When they first opened, I had a totally negative experience there but, I wrote them a letter and their response was very kind. The ambiance is comfortable . . . soft colors on the walls, soft music playing in the background and a cozy fireplace to boot. The wait staff is attentive and will actually listen when you ask that your dinner not be served until you've finished your drink. They refill water glasses and bring more bread and that yummy pesto as appropriate without being intrusive. I usually order their homemade sausage pepperonata . . . moist (read non-greasy), nicely seasoned tender sausage, with sauteed peppers and onions served on a bed of heavenly polenta . . . I would go to this place for the polenta alone! The serving is so generous I always cart the rest home for the next day's lunch or dinner. AND, the food is HOT when it reaches your table . . . it's not allowed to languish under a heat lamp somewhere. Their wine list is certainly adequate for a restaurant this size with several reasonably-priced choices. You can count on consistency at this establishment . . . and if by remote chance you should have a problem . . . request to speak to the manager and it will be solved promptly and graciously. I wish them the best and hope they continue to do well in this location. We need more restaurants like this one in Traverse City--it's obvious they care about pleasing customers.
(5)
Reggie S.
Decent food. Calamari good. Always bothers me when plates come out with parsley flakes dusted all about them. Pasta well cooked. Bolognese sauce ok. Don't like carrots. Service very good and very attentive
(3)
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Address :12930 SW Bay Shore Dr
Traverse City, MI, 49684
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri Coat Check : No Smoking : No Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Free 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.
Tim K.
We originally had reservations for Trattoria Stella based on the suggestions of my fellow Yelpers as a place to go to for our Anniversary dinner. That would be my wife and I's Anniversary not myself and my fellow Yelpers. Although that would be pretty cool! Anyways after looking over their menu we felt it was just a bit too out there for our tastes. Sweetbreads, Pig Testa and Offal just aren't appealing to us and we felt we'd be paying for the ambiance rather then the food. We wanted something nice, but recognizable to our palette so we went to Tuscan Bistro instead. When it was all said and done we made a good decision on the switch. It was a bit pricey and not a place we'd go to on a regular basis if we lived up that way. It is more of a "fancy occasion" place. The portions for the price were alright. For $22 a plate I'd expect a little more then what I got and a Salad to come with it. Instead, if you want a Salad that is extra. We both got Caesar Salads and the lettuce was still pretty wet and there wasn't much dressing on it. The dressing that was on it became washed out by the watery lettuce. Not worth the extra $5.00 you pay for it. If it had came with the meal I probably wouldn't be so put off by it. The service was great and the place only had a few tables sat so we got the full attention of our Server and never had an empty glass. That was a plus. All in all it was for the most part a really nice evening filled with good food (minus the Salads), great wine, even better company and top notch service.
(4)Kel V.
My husband and I both felt the food was VERY garlicky. We mentioned this to our waitress and she responded with, "the chefs are heavy handed with garlic". Rather expensive for the portions and the food was nothing to write home about. Gave it a try but would not try again.
(1)Kierstin G.
I'm not usually very picky with my food but I really didn't like it here. Our server was nice but the food was really blah, actually kind of gross. I didn't even end up finishing my soup or taking it to go as it kind of tasted like canned Progresso soup. My husband's pasta was also just as blah. Perhaps if I enjoyed fish and wine I would have liked it better here.
(2)Jennifer B.
Raw bar.. YUM! Vino selection... Ahhhhhh! Menu.... Delish!!! Service.... Fantastic! Ambiance.... Inviting!! Before we even settled our bill I was looking forward to dining here again
(5)JoEllen H.
They are trying, but they don't hit the mark. Bread is average, basil pesto dipping oil might be the best thing on the menu, and that's not saying much.
(2)Mrs. F.
We had a "waitress" who encouraged me to try the pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage. What she didn't mention is that it was drowning in so much garlic and oil that the dish was inedible! She didn't bother to check on us after our dishes were served either, and the wait staff who removed our plates wasn't the least concerned that I didn't like the dish; she just removed it, despite my comments. When the bill came, I told the waitress about the dish, and she said, "You should have flagged me down. I am busy and I have a lot of tables tonight." I told her, nicely, that it was not my responsibility to do this, and that neither she nor any of the other wait staff were around. She offered to take the charge off the bill, which was ok--but I didn't get dinner! Yep, I got punished for going to this restaurant! Do people in Traverse City tolerate this?
(1)Al C.
Superb food - we had salmon and filet mignon - both excellent. Great service - prompt and friendly - at the busiest time on a Friday night. Tuscan Bistro has ascended to "one of the best places in town" status for me. Suggestion: since the noise level is so high, printing the nightly specials on a flyer would be preferable to expecting the poor server to scream them over the din. We weren't able to hear them. I'm sure they'd sell more of the nightly specials if guests knew what they were.
(5)Kimberly H.
We had the unfortunate experience of trying to dine at Tuscan Bistro! We are from TC & our local businesses runs specials to purchase coupons to there establishments. One of them being Tuscan Bistro. A friend & I each purchased a coupon not knowing each other had done so. Only to be told we couldn't each use them. Only one per table. We had a group of 7 and actually had two tables pushed together. We also showed them the dates purchased which were different and all of us were paying separately! The manager was rude, mater of fact and could care less that we were purchasing 7 meals, salads etc. She said we could use them if 1/2 of us went to a different table on the other side of the room. Mind you the restaurant was relatively empty. The whole experience was embarrassing and unnecessary, they are the ones who ran the coupon! Customer service was classless, the ambience needs a major makeover. There are so many delicious, classy well run restaurants here in Traverse City that the only thing we are thankful for after this experience is we will NEVER waste our time and money at Tuscan Bistro again.
(1)Ben D.
Server was very friendly and helpful. We arrived and had a couple drinks first. Then we moved on to soups/salads, which were fine, but not remarkable. Our entrees were good. My wife got the "fruit of the sea" which looked and tasted delicious (apparently!). I got the broccoli sausage pasta dish which was very good too. Solid italian. A little pricey for what it is. But it was a nice atmosphere.
(4)John R.
Can I ask some of you complainers one question? Have you ever tried to fill someone's water glass in a restaurant? Do you have the common sense to tell your waiter, or any employee, immediately if there is something wrong, so that it can be fixed? Or do you just stew, and then bitch later on the internet. This place rocks.
(5)Kendall K.
If you like mojitos, I recommend the strawberry basil mojito. The bread and pesto sauce you start with is yummy. We asked for more bread to finish off the pesto! The calamari was a little chewy but breaded nicely and tasty. The Penne Al Pomodoro pasta was good but came out really hot. I recommend the half portion of you often find yourself taking pasta home! The half portion was perfect.
(4)Ze W.
We did come back, and the food was tasty, but EXCRUCIATINGLY slow. It took 1 hr and 16 minutes for our main course to arrive. And 50 min for a bottle of wine, after ordering. Only half our table had their drink orders taken. The server was very nice, but kept answering questions with a statement that didn't make any sense. Though they have a GF menu, we were also requesting non-dairy food, when she kept suggesting items which clearly included dairy/butter/cheese/whipped cream. Very frustrating toward the end. This was quite (excruciatingly) disappointing, service-wise, though they were friendly all around. I'd consider returning IF I didn't have this server; IF I weren't dying to eat right away; IF I weren't on a schedule (several of us had long drives later this evening, so this was an issue); IF I didn't have to request the pasta to be not overcooked. (It would also probably be a good idea to teach everyone how to pronounce the food items properly, too...) I had also requested an outdoor table, and upon arriving, was told an indoor table was ready for us. Though this was resolved somewhat quickly, all these things add up to not feeling like a reliable place to bring guests, unfortunately.
(2)John S.
Very good service, wine list is average, quality of the food though is very good. We would come back, spaghetti Bolognese excellent, the french fries with the Panini were outstanding and would recommend a visit
(3)Marin C.
This meal was tasty. On the drive over I got to see fog rolling in, that was cool too. I ordered soup and salad, to keep things affordable and to save room for dessert. If you have no such constraints, you will be just as happy with your food. I had the small ceasar salad and a bowl of tomato soup, mmm love me some tomato soup. Then, I ordered creme brulee for dessert. That was fun. Our server was very nice also. I liked the atmosphere too, we sat near a painting that was a scene from the boardman river. It was a fellow diner's birthday and they got a free dessert, so if you want a free dessert on your birthday, after a meal, naturally this would be a good place to visit. It was hard to choose for the desserts though, chocolate terrine, creme brulee or tiramisu? Gosh.
(4)Randy G.
We settled on this Italian restaurant when we couldn't go to the original Italian place we picked. The original didn't have any reservations available and could have been at least a two hour wait. However, I called Tuscan and they had didn't have a wait at all. That's a good thing right? What also scared me was that we had a two hour wait at one place and this one, no wait at all. I think the other people know something I didn't They were right. I would come back here for an entree or dessert. The appetizer was fine, but I had the Cavatelli for dinner and bread pudding for dessert. The server warned me that the Cavatelli is a heavier dish, however, not only was it heavier, but it was also very bland. It was extremely weak in flavor, the pasta was extremely dense, and it was very oily as well. Stay away from this dish if you happen to find yourself there. The bread pudding looks good, it's better to look at it than to try and eat it. It was not good at all. It was extremely dense and we almost had to use a knife to cut through it. The chocolate sauce around it was overly sweet and I tried to avoid dipping in it or any piece of the bread pudding that was touching the sauce. The table next to us ask if it was any good. I first thought about giving the usual response, good good, not bad, etc...Oh no, he saw me hesitate and start shaking my head back and forth and I told him my thoughts. Stay away from both of these dish.
(2)Jim S.
Chef special of pork tenderloin with onion and cherry compote and asparagus was wonderful!
(4)Rudy S.
The food was good but the price was very, very expensive because so little was given.
(1)Gae E.
My husband I love this restaurant. The eggplant appetizer is to die for. Go here instead of Stella's. Better prices, food and staff is great. Good early bird deal from 4 to 5. Two entrees, salad, desert and class of wine for $25 each. Owner is friendly and personable.
(5)Michael A.
We were visiting from New York and we had a hankering for Italian so we decided to go to this place. Best. Decision. Ever. One of the best Italian restaurants we have ever been to. First of all, their bread and pesto is so fresh, and the pesto has just enough garlic in it. We ordered the Bruschetta appetizer, which they don't give you a lot of but it was still delicious, especially the tomatoes (you can tell they've been marinated for hours) and the prosciutto. Now for the best part: the entrees. I had the Veal Scallopini with wild mushroom reafu and the potatoes pancakes. The sauce made the dish, it was so rich and flavorful. The sauce is also featured with Cavetelli, which my mother had. The Cavetelli were the best homemade ones I've ever tasted. My friend got the penne al pomodoro Andorra was super flavorful and had a great kick to it. And finally my father got the seafood pasta. The muscles were excellent, if I returned I'd get that the next time. The dishes were decent portion sizes, though some people may say it's expensive and you don't get a lot. I for one think that it's worth the price and it's normal if you're looking for a nice Italian restaurant in the area.
(5)Gail B.
What a find in Traverse City. Great service, interesting selections and partial bay views. We would have sat on the patio if it had not still been 88 degrees outside. We started with the Carpaccio which was delicious although I prefer it with capers. Their bread served with pesto oil was fantastic. The chef was very accommodating to sub grilled asparagus with the wild mushroom veal - excellently prepared. They serve all their pasta dishes either as a full or half order. The half order was perfect. The orecchietti, broccoli rabe and sausage was also delicious. The dessert of profiterole and ice cream with a very tiny bit of chocolate was a bit of a disappointment - just so-so. Overall a fantastic place to enjoy a well prepared meal.
(4)Teri S.
Good enough, but a tad pricey. Food tastey, but not the wow factor that has you thinking about it the next day. Do like the "half" plate option for times when you are not so hungry.
(3)Dennis P.
Had their spin on oysters Rockefeller - fresh and very flavorful . Spaghetti fresh seafood is killer - al dente pasta, calamari, clams and mussels -excellent. Also we had pasta and fresh little neck clams - wow! Great desserts and early martini time - excellent
(5)Clara L.
VERY LOUD! We arrived about 7pm and the noise when we were seated was so loud it was difficult to concentrate on the menu. I just picked a salad because I could not think. The flavor of the salad was excellent, however the greens were room temperature, not chilled - like they are sitting out in the kitchen. Our server was excellent. He was always there when needed but never hovering. I am not sure if I will return, mainly due to the noise. Perhaps I will try sitting outside, so I can concentrate on the menu and try some pasta. Tuscan Bistro - I gave you 2 stars because Travis is a 5 star waiter. Your restaurant has not gotten past a 1 star for me yet.
(2)Karen J.
Good food and service but a bit pricy. Have half and full order. Had full order pasta which was 19.00. No salad at all. Half order was 10.00 and small portion and no salad! Food taste was good but pricey. If you don't mind a high price the foods good.
(3)Colleen C.
Where was this place when I needed it!? All of the nights from birth to age 18 that I spent mawing on over-reciped, generic Italian food at Auntie Pastas (even the name is original, eh?) and I could've been eating at this place... The food was absolutely fantastic. All around we were extremely pleased. My brother with the flank steak and asparagus, me with the Chicken Tuscana (with mushrooms, peas and polenta) and mushroom/zuchhini soup, parents with shrimp risotto...peppered with several glasses of excellent wine and finished with a lovely bread pudding drenched in carmel sauce. Heaven. The service was impeccable. Our waitress was absolutely on top of every single item...knew all about the menu, the wines, recited everything perfectly from memory and recommended several good choices. The chef/owner visited our table, nice touch :) Excellent location across from the water. Quaint, humble ambience. The presentation is unlike any I have seen in TC...and with Italian, sometimes presentation lacks in my opinion. Tuscan Bistro hits a nice balance between upscale and homegrown. A wonderful meal...
(5)Christine T.
Just OK, without the "A". ;) If you're really craving Italian food, this place is near the bay and isn't very crowded. The upscale prices may keep many tourists away, which is good if you don't wish to wait for a table. We sampled the Tuscan Valley Bean Soup, which was good, but lacked depth. The Orecchiette with broccoli rabe, sausage was...salty. This was the first thing that I tasted with my first bite into this dish. My husband ordered the whitefish with sweet & sour eggplant, which was OK. He said that the breading on the fish didn't enhance the flavor of the delicate whitefish. My husband enjoyed the eggplant, but wishes that they gave him a larger serving of this side dish. The good: The pasta entrees are available in half-size portions ($9), this is more than enough for dinner and two people had enough leftover to take home. The bread is excellent (I'm a real bread snob), and it is served with olive oil and herbs, a perfect combination. The Oggi Pinot Noir 2007 was a nice wine by the glass ($8). I really love their open, airy bar which has huge windows and gives the restaurant a nice look. The bad: A bit pricey ($19 entrees), there are several other restaurants in town that I'd prefer to spend my money for a better dinner and dining experience. Although the waitstaff was good, I just expect 'great' for a restaurant with this level of pricing. Something as simple as how the servers refresh your water glasses is the first thing that I would recommend to the Front Manager. (Don't overfill the water glasses to the very tip of the rim and don't spill water as you pour)
(3)Envision Dental T.
Our office visited the Bistro for our Christmas Lunch and we had a good time. We had very attentive servers and the food was great. Appetizers were tasty and main dishes very flavorful and filling. I appreciated the fact that the dinner menu was compact and the beverage menu a little more expanded.
(4)fred k.
An excellent experience for the two of us. I have lower expectations when I look for a restaurant in a tourist location. Tuscan Bistro was a very good dining experience that could hold its own in the larger metro markets. The veal and pasta dishes were quite good. The wine list offered many choices at very modest prices. Our waiter was very helpful with our wine selection. The service was very attentive. I think this place offers great value and would be happy to try it for a second helping
(5)Kristin F.
I love Mickey's food. I just wish they still had breakfast (back in the day)... that green pesto breakfast wrap was to DIE for. Lunch options? I would go with the Caprese sandwich.
(4)Mary Jo T.
Actually zero stars. We had a reservation for 5 at 6pm. They wrote it down for 7pm. We said we'd sit outside if the weather was nice. We arrived at 6 and it was a blustery chilly evening. They only had a table for us outside, which was stupid because no one wanted outside. They offered to let us sit at the bar (with 3 kids!) or give us a 3-top and a 2-top (2 separate tables!) for our "family dinner"! Terrible service, and the restaurant still had lots of open tables. And FYI, it looked like an olive garden inside. We turned around and left. Would never go back. Very unprofessional.
(1)Emmalee T.
Still in love! Went here with a large group of girls this past Saturday and everything was flawless. Service was attentive and on point. The food looked, smelled and tasted amazing. We had 13 girls on 13 separate bills and our server, Randy, handled it with grace and ease. Thank you for a great evening! Can't wait to come back!
(5)Emily K.
I have been here three times and each time the food was amazing....authentic, and VERY flavorful. I love that they offer HALF plates of pasta--it's always just enough for me to eat the whole thing and not feel overstuffed. While the service is not great---slow, and ineffiecient...the food makes up for it every time. This place is new still and the service improves each time i'm there. I always get the mushroom ragu---it's amazing every time. Tastes the same too which is great since I typically don't stray from a favorite plate. We always order a bottle of wine with dinner as well. The bread and olive oil are fantastic. FRESH homemade bread, as much as you want, is delivered promptly to the table. Location is nice too since I live only miles away. It's nice to view the bay too from the restaurant!
(4)Rae M.
Went there for a weekday lunch. The food was excellent. The service was ok. Pasta was cooked to a perfect al dente. Soups were also delicious. Enjoyed the fresh bread. The half order of Cavatelli was plenty for one person.
(5)Domhnulla D.
My husband and I went there for the first time this past weekend and it was an overall pleasant experience. I was in the mood for pasta--which of course my limited-carb diet does not allow for excess in that area--and so I suggested we give it a try. The staff was very friendly and I had the Cavatelli with Wild Mushroom Ragu and it was perfectly cooked. I did have to add salt, but I would much rather have to add it to my dish than be overwhelmed by it already in the dish. I had to laugh a little at the music, because when we arrived, a less-dramatic rendition of "The Godfather" theme song was playing. My husband ordered a Corona and they were out, which I found unusual, but not a big deal. I ordered a Mojito and was rather disappointed, but not enough to throw a tantrum. Overall, the food was perfectly cooked and just what we were looking for, the staff was very nice and efficient, and we will most definitely go back--just maybe skip the mojito. ;-)
(4)Tracy B.
I'm a fan of the food, but not the prices. My "Special" was $24 and consisted of a creamy tomato and basil sauce over linguini with 4 - 1/2 dollar size prawns. The wine was decent but way overpriced. Sells in store for less than $12/bottle but it was $32 on their menu. My husband and I were in time for the early bird special which is a glass of wine, entree, salad and desert for $25. He ordered it but our server forget the salad and when we mentioned it, he said it would be less expensive to not do the special. UMMMM no. Priced out it would have been $38...I hate to keep harping on the prices but 2 dinners (no salad) a bottle of wine and an appetizer was $105 with tip. We won't be going back unless we hit the lotto.
(3)Ellen P.
Do not let the unpromising location of this restaurant -- the ground floor of an office building on West Bay that's very easy to miss while navigating busy Traverse City traffic -- discourage you from giving it a try. We had a delightful early dinner here recently, starting with a fresh, rich carpaccio. We followed with pasta bolognese and veal scallopini with a creamy wild mushroom ragu and potato cakes. My partner's bolognese was the winner-winner of the two -- you could taste the low, slow care taken to simmer the sauce to perfection; and we enjoyed the pop provided by a bit of femnel. It may, in fact, be the best bolognese either of us have ever had. My veal was tender and enjoyable, as were the potato cakes (think latkes with onion, which went well with the earthy ragu); but the dish was spoiled somewhat by a heavy-handed application of what tasted like raw garlic....less garlic and more fresh parsley, and this would have been a truly fine dish. We liked seeing some local produce -- asparagus, specifically -- being highlighted in daily specials. Service was friendly and courteous -- a very young staff, and a little "green," but our waiter did an excellent job explaining the dishes.The interior of the restaurant is cozy and comfortable, and includes a full bar. (There's also some patio seating where you can look across the highway to the bay and a busy marina, but we wondered about the street noise, and chose to eat inside this time around.) We will absolutely visit here again when we have more time to really explore the menu.
(4)Anne G.
If we lived in Traverse City, this would be at the top of our list....great wine AND food! Don't miss it.
(4)Colleen S.
We went here based on Colleen C's review this weekend. We ha the raw bar oysters and shrimp which were HUGE. The shrimp was freakishly big and REALLY good. I had the salmon with cherry couscous and steamed spinach. Holy crap! That is hands down the BEST salmon I've ever eaten in my life. It was a bit crisp on the outside but then perfectly cooked in the middle. The couscous was great with the cherries, which I'm just going to assume were local, because that just makes it quaint. I liked that they serve pesto with the bread instead of just butter, it went well with the soft, warm bread AND the oysters, by the way.
(5)Rob H.
Good Italian food. Service was very good. Sweet Italian sausage was excellent. Calamari was mediocre (it is Michigan).
(4)Dave M.
Have had several very good meals here. Tonight's was tops. Had the best pasta I have EVER eaten (and I use to live in NYC). it was the special tonight--Penne with proscuitto and baby geen peas in a garlic light cream sauce. Everyone at the table was stealing my pasta. So absolutely delectable! Great wines with nightly pairings. Dessert shared by table was an ice cream in a cream puff of perfect texture--slightly crunchy on the outside and melt in your mouth inside. Sevice tonight was as good as it gets. So proud of TC to have a such a fabulous Italian restaurant that serves fresh homemade pasta and other fine entrees. Maybe we are a "foodie" town after all?
(5)M M.
They have a fantastic looking menu. Service is the problem. They feature martinis on the menu so my wife ordered one; I ordered a 16oz beer. The waiter returned with a 12 oz beer and the news that they were out of one of the ingredients for her martini - a bar is out of ingredients? We ordered an appetizer, carpaccio, which was good. Our waiter explained that carpaccio was raw beef, thank you very much. We overheard another waiter explain the specials to people who had just been seated at a nearby table, something our waiter failed to mention to us. He did mention that he was assigned too many tables and that the hostess didn't know what she was doing. The tension was building. He explained how he had practiced using a waiter's corkscrew, though he almost broke the cork off in the neck of our wine bottle. Offer a taste of the newly opened bottle? No, he must have been sure it wasn't corked; he just poured. Mickey, the chef, delivered our pasta, a nice touch. Mine was fine, but my wife's, rigatoni with a cream sauce of prosciutto and peas was not. The prosciutto was in hard wads and the cream sauce was thin. How hard is it to make a simple cream sauce with prosciutto and peas? Maybe they were more busy than usual, but there were empty tables. Maybe the wait staff is too inexperienced for a quality restaurant, mostly college students. Maybe organization and training is lacking; the wait staff had to make their own drinks, as there was no bartender. Regardless, what should have been an enjoyable dinner turned into two hours of missteps and tension.
(1)Suzanne M.
This is one of my favorite places in Traverse City. It's close to home and the food is consistently excellent. When they first opened, I had a totally negative experience there but, I wrote them a letter and their response was very kind. The ambiance is comfortable . . . soft colors on the walls, soft music playing in the background and a cozy fireplace to boot. The wait staff is attentive and will actually listen when you ask that your dinner not be served until you've finished your drink. They refill water glasses and bring more bread and that yummy pesto as appropriate without being intrusive. I usually order their homemade sausage pepperonata . . . moist (read non-greasy), nicely seasoned tender sausage, with sauteed peppers and onions served on a bed of heavenly polenta . . . I would go to this place for the polenta alone! The serving is so generous I always cart the rest home for the next day's lunch or dinner. AND, the food is HOT when it reaches your table . . . it's not allowed to languish under a heat lamp somewhere. Their wine list is certainly adequate for a restaurant this size with several reasonably-priced choices. You can count on consistency at this establishment . . . and if by remote chance you should have a problem . . . request to speak to the manager and it will be solved promptly and graciously. I wish them the best and hope they continue to do well in this location. We need more restaurants like this one in Traverse City--it's obvious they care about pleasing customers.
(5)Reggie S.
Decent food. Calamari good. Always bothers me when plates come out with parsley flakes dusted all about them. Pasta well cooked. Bolognese sauce ok. Don't like carrots. Service very good and very attentive
(3)