Pazzaluna Urban Italian Restaurant & Bar

I love this place. Gents, if you want to impress your date, it's worth the drive over the river. Have the valet park your car and whisk her in for one of the coolest dining experiences in the Twin Cities. The flirtinis are killer, the food is fantastic and the atmosphere is chill, but so fun. Great place for girls' happy hour...which is never just one hour! more

Based on rave reviews about Pazzaluna's parking and dining amenities and their close proximity to the Ordway theater, I chose Pazzaluna for a friends' dinner/theater night. What a nightmare and personal embarrassment. I arrived at 5:00 p.m. - when the valet begins. At 5:05 p.m. my friends arrived and were told the valet parking was filled (5 minutes after opening?).\r \r Following our dinner/theater experience, I returned to pick up my car. I was told the wait was approximately 20 minutes. While initially disappointing based on the great service I have experienced in the past with valet companies, 20 minutes wasn't a terribly long time to wait. \r \r Now keep in mind, you are waiting either inside or outside -standing the entire time.\r \r 45 minutes later and after my inquiry at 30 minutes, I was enraged. Half way through my pregnancy, I am not in the mood or shape to stand this long. I was told my car could not be located. I was escorted into a parking ramp that would have set the perfect seen for any of the three Saw movies. Then I was led to a random room in the ramp to find my car key. Walking a total of 14 floors while 5 months pregnant, I arrived at my car. \r \r I had approached the manager of Pazzaluna earlier in the evening regarding their lack of valet spaces. She treated the situation as if the two entities (the valet and restaurant) were independent. My advice to you is to avoid the valet. And my advice to Pazzaluna is to get a reputable company to handle their valet and to treat their customers better. They aren't the best thing going in town and if they keep this kind of service up, they won't continue to exist. As a side note, this is only further confirmation that downtown Minneapolis has a better fine dining scene. Pros: Good food Cons: Valet parking is not dependable more

What a great happy hour! $2.50 pints of Summit and great prices on (somewhat smallish) Cosmos. And a margharita pizza for $3.33!!! Awesome! \r \r The only downside is that during happy hour they seem to be one or two servers short, so getting refills or other attention is problematic. Hope they fix that!\r \r Food is good. Wine list by the glass could be updated! Pros: Happy Hour, Prices, Food Cons: Slower service, mediocre and pricey wines by the glass more

Very much enjoyed our 2 visits while in MPS area. Arrived at dinner hour w no resv, staff & owner very accomodating-inquired if we'd consider cuchina counter seating. Great experience, fun & entertaining chefs/cooks visited with us while cooking, food is truly exceptional. 2nd visit, had resv & lg group. Seated immediately, same warm reception by every staff person, lingered over dinner, dessert/coffee w/o any indication of time constraint. Feel at home & welcome in this sophisticated, yet friendly place. Pros: atmosphere, food, food, food, wine list Cons: over 600 mi away more

We made a reservation and were promptly seated when we arrived. Fantastic food and service. Everyone in my party raved about their dishes. Highly Recommended for upscale Italian. Pros: Food, Service Cons: Crowded Tables more

I just had a really disappointing evening there last night after a Wild game. The service was really poor and when it was all over, the valet said it would take 20 minutes to retrieve our car -- which was fine -- but an hour and a half later, well, that's not so fine. I talked to the manager in a sort of ""Uh, excuse me, but is it possible that my car no longer exists because an hour and a half is kinda long, yes?"" more

Recently went with a group of 4 on a Thurs night. Made reservation for 7:00 and got seated right away when we arrived. Serice was lacking right off the bat. We had to actually stop a waiter and ask if he could get one for us. You would think given that, once our waitress did show up, (she did apologize saying there was a mix up with who had our table) she would make it a point to give us extra attention, especially since there were plenty of empty tables around. Unfortunately that was not the case. Food was good. Seafood pasta, chicken, and ravioli were all liked at our table. Drinks were a little on the high side. Vallet was nice, $6, considering parking in downtown St Paul stinks Pros: Ambience, Food Cons: Service more

I went to Pazzaluna for the first time a few days ago and it was amazing. We had reservations and were seated immediately. The wait staff was very attentive and friendly. The wine list was extensive. A bit pricey, but it was definitely the best gnocchi I've had since I got back from Italy. Pros: Friendly, Fun, Atmosphere Cons: Parking, expensive more

Perfect night out...had reservation and was seated quickly at a nice table. Friendly and efficient service. Excellent drinks, delicious food, beautiful decor. Looking forward to returning.\r UPDATE: Have been back several times and each time has been wonderful. Try to avoid a table near the kitchen if possible. Ask for a table near the windows or a front booth. Pros: valet parking more

I had called a month ahead of time to reserve a spot for my wife to go to on Valentines Day. I had heard that Pazzaluna was quite difficult to get into and wanted to plan ahead. The start of the experience began with my wife being told that we had a two hour reservation on the table and that we would have to leave by 9:00. Our server was average and the food was nothing to rave about. My wife had lobster ravioli, which was overcooked. I had the Filet Mignon, which I would rate about a 7. Another bothersome item was that we could pick up cigar smells coming from the bar as well as the smell of food being prepared. Next year I will stick with those places that have a good reputation. Pros: Comfortable Booths Cons: Host Staff, Attitude more

I've wanted to go to Pazzaluna for a long time, but they aren't open for lunch or on Sundays. I finally made it there for Happy Hour on a Thursday and it lived up to all the hype. The atmosphere was lively and urban; the half price beer and drink special can't be beat; and the service was spot on. I will definitely go back. Four stars. Pros: Happy Hour specials, Good servies Cons: , not open Sundays more

Had a great experience here last weekend. Food was very well done across the board especially Scallop soup and Duck Breast Risotto. Waiter was an absolute pro- suggested the perfect Italian wine with my duck entree and the pasta my wife had. We will be going back - already felt like regulars our first night. Our new fave on this side of the river. Pros: Service, Great Food, Wine List more

My party of six in general approve our dinner at Pazza this past Sat. The six-selection appetizer was great with salmon and cured meat. My lamb was delicious. On the other hand I'm very disappointed to learn that the smoked chicken I used to have there was taken off the menu. The more devastating news was that they don't allow customers to bring wine anymore even for a corkage fee. Waitress was friendly and prompt. Cons: Can't bring own wine more

I have been a regular customer for about six months and the new menu is fantastic. On my last visit my entree was executed to perfection...the flavors brought me back to being in Italy for vacation a few years back. The server was knowledgeable and as friendly and helpful as can be. The desserts were exceptional, I had the fresh berries and my girlfriend had the trio of Ice cream that was incredible. Overall the experience was and has been very positive on every visit. Pros: Quality food, Quality service, Fun attmosphere Cons: very busy more

My husband and I dined here for my birthday. We made reservations and were seated fairly promptly. The atmosphere was loud and crowded. The service was irritated, bored and unpleasant. The salads were horrible - they must prepare the salads in advance and store them in the freezer because the ice-cold, wilting lettuce was sticking to the frozen plate and the croutons were soggy and cold. The entrees were good, but not excellent. I've had better service and food at Macaroni Grill (for less than $$$). I will never go back and I will never recommend the place. Thanks, Pazzaluna, for making my birthday memorable! Pros: NOTHING! Cons: Poor service, crowded/noisy, expensive more

The atmosphere was very nice. The service bordered on ignoring you. I enjoyed most of the food, but my pasta was a little cold and tough. Overall the restaurant is nice, but it could be better. more

We called on a Friday for a Saturday reservation and not only did we get one, but we were seated promptly when we arrived. The table was lovely, the service was excellent - a nice leisurely meal. I would recommend this restaurant for special occasions. Pros: easy reservations, good table, nice service more

Although my boyfriend and I had made reservations long in advance for our aniversary, we had to wait and then were seated next to the kitchen area, which was loud and of lesser quality than the main dining area. Service was slow - we had to continuously waive down our waitress. And rude. It was hard to have a conversation above all the noise. The food was bland and very expensive for what it was. The host seemed upset when we entered and said we had a reservation. I will not return and do not recommend others to go. Cons: service, seating, food more

The salad was pathetic, limp with mostly veins. The brushetta was saturated with oil, I needed a shower after trying to eat it. And, to make matters worse, my cognac was watered down. At least the tiramisu was enjoyable. Pros: nice booth Cons: food, drink, service more

My wife and I went here for a pre-theater dinner at the bar. We had beer (selection is mediocre), my wife had a glass of wine, and we had a pizza and an appetizer of fried seafood. The pizza was acceptable snack food but nothing special, certainly not Italian. The fried seafood was swimming in grease. The bartender was affected and irritable (okay, I provoked her, I said Minnesota does not have good pizza). Bill was 32 dollars/person, about ten more per person than at Vine Park for example, and considerably more than even the same meal would have been at the Saint Paul Grill. Another gripe: no televisions. Maybe sitdown with entrees would be better: your call. Pros: location, decor Cons: cost more