Da Nicola Italian Cuisine - Hewlett

The reservation appointment was as scheduled. As busy as it is it’s not loud the service is terrific and the food quality is great. We’ve been there before and will be back again. A good experience

This place has potential. Definitely GREAT (cap letters to show great interest) and I mean GREAT food! However the service was absolutely AWFUL! No water refill, no wine refill, no bread on the table, waited forever for the check, the staff was very out of sync how how they representing the restaurant. (I would have everyone in a unified uniform) hostess in Jeans and flannel top (where do they think this job is McDonald’s). But when the food came out, I was absolutely flabbergasted on how great the food is that I almost forgot about how awful the service was. Disappointed was exactly the word for this place, b/c the food is so great! I would come back again for the food. But will treat this place like a fast food place.

We thoroughly enjoyed everything we ordered, and the service was outstanding as well.

You know it’s going to be a lackluster experience when your waiter serves you a dirty martini in a wine glass and explains that all the martini glasses were still hot. Da Nicola certainly lived up to my low expectations. Apparently, the idea of putting ice in the martini glass is beyond their consideration. Our waiter didn’t mention the specials to us, even though I overheard him sharing them with the table next to us, so it seems there were indeed specials available. My husband and I ordered a salad to share, and while I anticipated they wouldn’t divide it onto two plates (not that kind of restaurant), I expected at least a serving spoon. Even our local pizza place manages that! On a positive note, my broiled salmon was quite good, but honestly, it’s just broiled salmon—hardly a culinary feat. My husband’s pappardelle bolognese was excessively drenched in sauce, which is a big no-no in Italian cooking. The whole experience felt rushed, yet it seemed like the regulars at Da Nicola were receiving much better service. We won’t be returning and I certainly wouldn’t recommend it to others.

I've consistently had a wonderful dining experience here. The portion sizes are generous, and I prefer sitting in the bar area because it's quieter.