We dared to try Italian cuisine via Groupon again to kick off the new year. Groupon provided us with a few Italian cuisine options, but Procaccini’s stood out the most due to its unique chef logo and welcoming name. Since 1969, Procaccini’s has serviced the East Hartford area. This fact intrigued us. We expected a family-run restaurant with old fashioned service and traditional values. We were a little surprised by the mixed reviews on Urbanspoon. One user wrote, “We are originally from East Hartford – and have never been able to find a better pizza anywhere!” Another user complained that “…the Waitress did not attend to us being in her section and would not bring us additional seasoned bread after sitting 20 minutes.” With the opposing reviews in mind, it was time to put Procaccini’s to the test!
Procaccini’s Italian Family Restaurant
Grade: B-
Location: 46 Main Street, East Hartford
Atmosphere: 9/10- When we walked into Procaccini’s,we noticed the eye-catching decor on the walls. We enjoyed seeing a painted cutout of the Procaccini’s chef on the wall and a beautiful painting of Venice near the kitchen. Christina commented that the chef reminded her of Little Caesar’s “Pizza, Pizza” mascot that sports the same name because of its cuteness and likability. Procaccini’s has the necessary eye candy to elate its customers before seating. We were also intrigued by the number of customers in the restaurant. By 6 pm, Procaccini’s was filled with hungry families.
Service: 7/10-We found our host and waitress friendly. They tried their best to bring food out in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, Procaccini’s is understaffed on a busy night and barely able to handle the pressure. We didn’t wait long for our appetizers, but when the restaurant started to fill, we waited quite awhile for entrees, dessert and check. Procaccini’s needs more employees.
Price/Selection: 8/10-From burgers to pizza, Procaccini’s has a diverse selection of menu items. You’ll find plenty of soups, salads, pastas, pizzas and desserts. If you’re looking to order burgers or grinders, you’ll spend on average $10-13. Pasta averages $12-17 and pizza ranges from $7-26 depending on the size. You might spend more than you expect, but the prices match the portion size. You will receive plenty to eat and plenty to take home. If you’re reading this in early January 2013, take advantage of the Groupon deal we provided in the link at the top of the page. If you spend $15, you’ll receive $30 worth of food. This is a standard Groupon Deal.
Taste/Composition: 8/10-We added composition to this category because how a dish looks will influence the way the customers reflects on his or her experience. Procaccini’s composition differs from traditional Italian cuisine. Most notably, they layer their pizza toppings and serve spumoni without a shell. We weren’t sure what to make of it, but enjoyed our savory dishes.
In a nutshell: 32/40-Procaccini’s Italian Family Restaurant is a restaurant with history and potential to make even more history. We largely enjoyed the atmosphere and the diverse selection. Procaccini’s has the makings of a solid Italian restaurant and people see this potential. We cannot stress enough that this restaurant needs more employees. A larger staff would help speed up service on those busy weekend nights.
Why you might want to check out Procaccini’s:
1. The onion soup-Procaccini’s offers a delicious onion soup topped with mozzarella cheese.
2. The layered pizza-We found the style a bit unusual, but you might enjoy the toppings layered inside the pizza.
3. The atmosphere-Procaccini’s unique logo and beautiful painting will catch your eye when you walk in.
Coming up next-Blackies Hotdog Stand exists as a time warp and treasured restaurant in Cheshire. Will it live up to its reputation? Stay tuned!
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