07/03/09

Overrated!

by kabe27

Friends of mine have always talked about this place, I've driven past it on my way to workout in North Park. But today was actually the first time I've ever eaten there and will probably be the last. My boyfriend and I finished a 6 mile hike today and went there to grab something to eat, needless to say we were both starving after that adventure. We ordered 2 side salads and a large cheese and mushroom pizza. The only good thing about the salad was the dressing, emulsified balsamic...the salad itself was just a bunch of greens and one slice of tomato and one ring of onion. When the pizza came it looked wonderful, bubbling cheese and fresh mushrooms...one bite and.... NO TASTE! I didn't taste or see any spice in the sauce and the crust was still a little doughy. After a hike like that, anything would have tasted good at that point except that. I won't be back --- not sure what all the fuss is about at that place.

• Pros: good balsamic dressing and fresh ingredients
• Cons: lacks taste

06/03/09

Dear RUDE SERVICE AND LONG WAIT

by TPdefender

After reading your review I was quite saddened and embarrassed by the quality of your experience and treatment at Tomato Pie. As a waitress at Tomato Pie and a friend to my fellow co-workers at the restaurant I will assume partial responsibility and offer an apology on behalf of all the staff members at Tomato Pie. From experience I understand how hectic and crazy the atmosphere can become at the restaurant, although that is never an excuse for unfair service and unacceptable treatment towards our customer. I can assure you that this experience has been and will be reported to our boss, Rico, and this behavior will not be tolerated...

I urge you to visit Tomato Pie again in the future, and I can almost guarantee that you will be delighted by the friendly and comfortable neighborhood atmosphere created at the restaurant by our staff and customers alike. Your best bet for timely service is usually around 4-5pm. So plan to dine at Tomato Pie for an early dinner, grab a seat on the patio next to the fragrant flower beds, bring a bottle of wine and a few glasses, and enjoy the finest Italian food around.

Again, I apologize for your past experience, thank you for your feedback, and please come back again for a more enjoyable experience.

Sincerely, Tomato Pie staff member

08/20/08

Great pizza and more!!!

by lane2mason

We just moved to the North Hills and have been lucky enough to be living really close to a great little restaurant, The Tomato Pie Cafe! We've been there a few times already and have had no problems with service or a wait. I'm not sure how somebody could complain about a wait... if you're going there at prime time and it's a good restaurant that doesn't take reservations, then you're just going to have to wait. That's not a bad thing if you're in good company. As for service, it has been great... warm welcome and warm goodbye (by the owner, I think). It's a quaint little place and proves that you don't need a 'fancy' restaurant to sell food... you just need good food!

• Pros: Great food!
• Cons: Parking can be tricky

07/02/08

RUDE SERVICE and LONG WAIT

by pgh01

Our experience at Tomato Pie Cafe was awful. Several friends have recommended the food but warned us of the poor service. When we arrived, there was a wait for a table. We were told that it was first come first serve and that a waiting list was not used. After waiting for 15 minutes, a table became available and our party was seating by one waitress. Soon afterwards, a nasty, hefty waitress approached our table and started yelling at us that the table was meant for a younger couple who had been waiting before us. Although our party had witnessed that the younger couple arrived minutes after us, we offered to move and was further berated by the ignorant waitress. We also sat for more than 15 minutes while being ignored by the rude waitress. I know we should have left...and trust me, I was all for leaving but half of our party wanted to stay. We later found out from the waitress that sat us that the younger couple was friends of the rude waitress and not to take it personally. Here's a tip for the owner of Tomato Pie Cafe...hire competant, adult wait staff and maybe you will not lose further customers like you have lost a party of four.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Rude, incompetent wait staff and long, long waits for table and service

05/07/07

Tomatoe Pie Cafe

by lynne922

Beautiful gardens and plants, terrific food and excellent service.

This is a very popular North Hills restaurant with a great North Park location. Rico maintains his outdoor areas beautifully and flawlessly. The pastas are amazing - fresh, fresh, fresh ingredients and great taste. The chicken salad is delicious - beautiful baby lettuces and field grrens, tender chicken and the best balsamic dressing! I

• Pros: neighborhood restaurant, friendly service
• Cons: not a lot of tables if the weather is bad.

Out in the north, near the batting cages of North Park, sits a labor of love for a man named Rico Lorenzini.

by Contributor

The Skinny
It's not fancy, it lacks a liquor license and when it's too cold to sit outside, it's packed. But Rico man has a passion for good Italian food, and those living in the North Hills are grateful for it. Rico maintains a garden by the front door where he grows his own herbs, though he could never grow enough basil for his dishes.

The Food
There is a Dipositano pizza, which is whole wheat dough, tomato, spinach basil, garlic and oregano, topped with mozzarella, provolone and feta. Salads are made with mixed baby greens, and he doesn't cheapen the focaccia sandwiches with iceberg, either. But to leave without trying the linguine with pink leek sauce would be a shame. His light, delicate sauce of leeks, cream and, sun-dried tomatoes is sublime.