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Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Private Lot
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
20 reviews for Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano
20 reviews in English
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Review from Brian D.
St Johns, FL
12/11/2011 1 Check-in Here
Traveling on business in Cedar Rapids, I was looking for a place to get a good meal. Some associates recommended Biaggi's. Being a chain, I wasn't expecting much. I was pleasantly surprised.
My Caesars salad was good but nothing special. Romaine lettuce and nice big pieces of Parmesan.
I ordered one of the specials of the day. Shrimp Fra Diavolo was very good. Lots of flavor and lots of shrimp. I like it a little spicier so I asked for some extra red pepper.
Finishing it off, I ordered the Cannolis. Delivered were a pair of cannolis each with an end covered in chocolate chips and the other end with pistachio nuts. Awesome, but far too much for 1 person.
Being by myself at the restaurant, I found the service to be good although I was put at a table that was a little tucked away. (Cold by the windows in the winter!)
I left Biaggi's feeling full and felt that I got my money's worth. -
Review from Ron T.
Cedar Falls, IA
2/4/2012
I recently reviewed the Davenport Biagg's and happened to have lunch in Cedar Rapids. Testing the consistency of chain venues is a job I like.
I must say Biaggi's came through with flying colors. Again the service was impeccable. I again tried a special of grilled fish which was exceptional being in landlocked Iowa. I again walked away with a smile on my face and a thank you to Biaggi's for a great lunch and pleasant respite. -
Review from Kevin W.
Cedar Rapids, IA
12/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
I've been here a couple of times before, always had the Calamari Fritti and the Capellinni Di Mari. The calamari was crisp, the pasta was delicious with their spicy sauce. Today I had the same two dishes with a white wine. The service didn't change good as usual, but the Calamari was bland, soggy and the batter was falling off. Same goes with the pasta bland, the sauce was oily and not spicy at all. The scallops was cold on the inside barely luke warm, the whole thing was just tasteless. I hope Biaggi's will improve by my next visit. P.s. the wine was super.
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Review from Rhea P.
4/8/2011
I have always enjoyed my meals at Biaggi's. It's a great atmosphere, great quality food, with helpful service.
I thought the Des Moines location only hired cute guys, but it seems as if this location does the same as well!
Hmm. . .
If I'm ever in the area again, will definitely make sure to stop by. -
Review from Michelle M.
Chicago, IL
12/20/2010
I was thinking about hosting a baby shower here, so over the summer I visited with my mom so we could check out the space. This was last minute, but the host did make time for us, show us the rooms available, and even told us about her sister's baby shower that was hosted there a few weeks before. She was really good, so nice, and answered all of our questions. Their wine room was so beautiful, and it seemed perfect for our needs. I would have booked it right hten based off the experience with the host.
Next, off to the dining room. We split a few appetizers and each ordered a salad. I wouldn't be able to tell you about anything, since it was all fairly average and nothing stuck out. Except for the bruschetta: neither my mom nor I could figure it out, but there was something off about it. It was not good.
The server disappeared so much, I had to stop other servers to get more drinks and even to get our check. Then, our server rushed over, went to another table to get drink orders, then immediately came back to pick it up. We hadn't opened it yet. When I did, I realized he gave us the wrong check (one for four people). He brought over the right one, then when he brought me the receipt to sign, it was WRONG AGAIN. You do not make that mistake twice with the same table. So annoying.
Mediocre food and subpar service, I don't intend to return anytime soon. Needless to say, we decided against hosting the party here. -
Review from Paolo D.
Los Angeles, CA
5/31/2011
A clone of Olive Garden? kind of. Appears like a Cheesecake Factory? almost. Is it a bar? also. And the food? Honestly...surprisingly flavorful! As a group we tried a variety of dishes starting with fried ravioli, a good contrast of flavor and textures, followed by rigatoni all toscana, fettucini with lobster, shrimp and crab cannelloni, and penne sardi. All delicious! Needless to say, being Iowa and all, salt and butter is thrown in there like cilantro is in Mexico. but who's complaining?
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Review from Kate M.
4/10/2010
For what it is, a chain Italian restaurant, it's one of the best in the area.
I've been here a few times and never been disappointed. Last night I had the butternut squash ravioli, it was uber yummy. The sauce was very good, a brown butter and sage sauce, the ravioli was topped with diced squash and walnuts. Mmmmm. There was some slight sweet flavor to the ravioli that reminded me of almonds, it was very good. For dessert we shared the tiramisu, which was very good.
The service was very good. I was running late, very late, and the waitress was very understanding since she (along with my aunt and uncle) had been waiting for me for 30 minutes. We weren't ready to order still and she kept coming back with no attitude what so ever. Now this probably should be something we all expect in a server, but sadly it's not the norm and so I was impressed.
As I said, not a fan of chain restaurants, but Biaggi's is one of the best around.Listed in: I'm in Iowa, and I'm hungry
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Review from P R.
Marietta, GA
5/23/2011
Good food, good service. Started with very good bread. The caesar salad had too much dressing on it. Had the Grilled Chicken Pietro for the main course - very good sauce. The others enjoyed theirs as well including the filet mignon and fettuccini with lobster.
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Review from Jessica W.
Marion, IA
Updated - 2/10/2011
Went to Biaggi's last night. The service was outstanding! We had a couple of appetizers, the stuffed mushrooms and the brushetta. They were both good and the brushetta was presented beautifully. It was a little heavy on the balsamic, but still very good. The bread before the meal was delicious; it was a bread basket with super crusty baguette (the best) and also foccacia. For entrees, I ordered a 1/2 portion of the lobster fettucine and a Caesar salad. My pasta was good, the sauce was a little on the sweet side, but I loved the black fettucine noodles and it was a perfect size with a salad since their side/small salads are still really large. I have to say though that their Caesar was the worst Caesar dressing I've ever had. I just hated it. I know there are anchovies in Caesar dressing, but this was just way too fishy for me. That is really my only complaint though. The bf ordered a pasta dish, the Chicken Canneloni and really like it. We also had some wine, and they have some good price points for their wine list. For dessert we had the lemon cake and the creme brulee...both outstanding. I sort of wished I had just ordered all desserts because they were so good. Yea I've got a bit of a sweet tooth :)
Overall, a real improvement from my last several Biaggi's visits. The desserts and the service definitely stood out this time. Glad I gave them another try.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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3/25/2010
Unfortunately every time I have been to Biaggi's, I have never been satisfied with my… Read more »
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Review from Jim B.
Cedar Rapids, IA
2/23/2008
I almost never step foot in Olive Garden. I don't like my food overly processed. Compared to OG, Biaggi's is not a step-up it's another world.
Biaggi's is not the best restaurant in Cedar Rapids, but it's one that my wife and I turn to often for a dependable and decent meal. The food is usually very tasty and the wait staff very pleasant and professional.
They keep things fresh by offering a number of new dinner specials each week. So if you've somehow become tired of their fairly expansive menu you know there will be something else in the offing you haven't tried. -
Review from Daddy O.
Long Beach, CA
7/26/2007
A great alternative to Olive Garden. At least this chain has tasteful food and wine selections, and generally nicer staff and atmosphere. The bruschetta is my favorite dish, but their pizzas (authentic Italian thin flaky crust) are a close second.
I disagree about the quality being similar to Olive Garden. True, it's a smidge pricier, but in this case I would argue that you get what you pay for. -
Review from Greg D.
6/23/2010
Superb ny strip 21
Stuffed mushrooms not the greatest
Holiday inn gives free appetiZer card -
Review from Angela C.
Benicia, CA
7/29/2008
They have an amazing beet salad with fabu goat cheese!!!
I also got their green salad (too much dressing for me - yeck) and the butternut squash ravioli. That was delicious, but it seemed like they added just a hair too much sugar for my liking. -
Review from Carla P.
North Liberty, IA
2/15/2010
My husband and I love going here to celebrate.
We love the foccacia bread they serve (herbs and onion), that goes great with the olive oil, cheese and pepper dipping sauce.
My favorite dish is the Salmon and Shrimp Milanese. The servings are huge so I usually share with my husband. We also ordered a half a plate of pasta that they serve for about $9. And the serving might as well be a full plate. We had the Shrimp and Crab Canelloni. It was all so great!
For dessert, we had the Warm Apple Crostata. It was great as well! The rum caramel sauce was perfect with the crostata.
Luke was our server and he made the experience so much better. He was the one that made the visit 5 stars. He was helpful and cheerful and alert with whatever we needed.
The ambiance of the place makes it a perfect place for a romantic date night. -
Review from Trevor F.
Cedar Rapids, IA
Way better then I thought it was going to be, I'm not a big fan of there bread that you get before your meal, you get to make your own dipping sauce if you will with olive oil Parmesan and black pepper. The service was very knowledgeable of the menu and the lobster corn chowder was very very good! As it was suggested by our server. Everyone seemed to have enjoyed there soups and salads I know I enjoys my chicken Parmesan although I thought they could have put more noodles on my plate.
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Review from Manuel F.
Los Angeles, CA
3/21/2007
This is a good place for business meals. The place is well appointed and presentable for your clients, the meals are good too. The food dishes were well proportioned and flavored. This is probably one of the most descent places that I've seen in this whole city!
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Review from Eric B.
Claremore, OK
6/30/2009
Slightly better than Olive Garden. It was good but still had that "chain" taste. Excellent service
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Review from Shannon K.
Cedar Rapids, IA
3/15/2010
Has it been almost 9years since it opened... wow. Maybe I have an emotional attachment to Biaggi's because this is where my rehearsal dinner was in the Wine Room, but I really like this place to this day.
The Wine Room: Its not a huge party room, but has a good capacity for a moderate gathering thats pretty sound proofed against the main dining area so you can focus on your guests.
Bar Area: Given a preference, I like the Bar Area over the main dining area because its so much more open. And the TVs don't hurt either. The three booths are very spacious and comfortable, but there are only three.
Main Dining: If you can get a booth, do. Dining at one of the tables in the main area can feel really crowded with waiters and patrons alike brushing your chair as they pass. The booths give a small sound break but the tables have nothing to keep ambient sounds from drowning out conversation.
Food: Primo. If you are there for lunch, go for the Half&Half. Its a perfect portion of food for a lunch priced extremely well. The dinner portions are quite generious and I find myself taking left overs home often. The pizza (I know pizza?) is very tasty if you like the thin crust sytle. And the pastas are also top notch.
Bread Freebies: Another plus. The oil/pepper/cheese mix goes well with all the types of bread.
Is it as good as it gets, almost. The over crowded dining area keeps it from a full 5 stars, but I would easily recommend this place to anyone. -
Review from Jesse R.
Willows, CA
4/12/2008
Great service, great food, great atmosphere, decent wine list....well ok the wine list is 3.5 stars, but really, given the location, this place is a delight. I'd be happy with this quality on my home grounds of San Francisco, so CR folks should take advantage! Very nice!
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Review from Dallas M.
Cedar Rapids, IA
7/13/2008
When I think of Italian this is probably the best in town for Cedar Rapids. It is average but far away from good Italian.
