Macaluso's Italian Restaurant

It's no wonder that this place is #1 in Washington for Italian food- it's a must have! From the well-trained staff, to the detailed menu, we will be back! Everything is made from scratch, even the bread! Tip: make SURE you have a reservation. This place is packed, especially on the weekends.

My girlfriend and I were incredibly lucky to walk into this beautiful restaurant in Ruston and be seated quickly as walk-ins, thanks to the amazing hostess. Hands down, service was the highlight of the night--not just the hostess, but everyone who waited on us was incredibly friendly, funny, or polite. The restaurant had a lot of great character.The food and drinks, on the other hand, were underwhelming. Let's start with the drinks: if you've seen my reviews, you know I always try every Old Fashioned I possibly can. Those who share the same love know that Old Fashioneds are supposed to come with a beautiful block of ice that helps keep the cocktail in form. Instead, it came with chips of ice that melted within a couple of minutes, diluting my drink. My gorgeous girlfriend ordered the passion fruit margarita, which she thoroughly enjoyed.I wish I had taken a picture of the Brussels sprouts and focaccia bread. Both were the stars of the food items we ordered. The bread was fresh, and the Brussels sprouts were perfectly crisp, although the Gorgonzola slightly overwhelmed the dish. The pasta was a little bland but tasted fresh, and the pizza was incredibly salty with a non-existent undercarriage. For the price point, you want a little more consistency from the kitchen.This isn't a one-and-done for me; I'm coming back because I know this establishment has a higher ceiling than what hit my table.

This is the second time I've been here. The food is AMAZING! The space and ambiance is why it's 4 and not 5 stars. The restaurant section has tables that are too close together. I don't want to feel like I'm sitting on top of people while paying $$$ for a meal. During my visit last weekend, I could see 3 tables of people that were visibly uncomfortable with their seating space. I hope Macaluso's takes out just 2 tables or so to spread things out! I'm not sure if I will go back because I don't want to feel so squished while paying this price point.

Was in the mood for Italian food and didn't want to drive to Seattle for our usual spot. Called last minute and got a reservation for two right when they opened at 4pm. Interior is nicely decorated and service was very attentive. Ordered the Arancini for the appetizer and some warm focaccia bread. Both were delicious. I ordered the seafood linguine and wifey got the clam linguine. Both were delicious with homemade pasta cooked perfectly al dente. Great seasonings with rich flavors. Definitely a great local option for Italian food. Not as good as our Seattle spot but MUCH closer!

The service here is incredible! Our server Evan was very charming and accommodating. The restaurant has a cozy / romantic vibe and the food was pretty good and reasonably priced. If I were being extremely nit picky I'd suggest less spice in the crab pasta special (the heat made it difficult to taste the other flavors except artichoke), and adding some carrots, cream, or other flavor to the bolognese (it was a little dry / boring). It's a small restaurant so definitely get a reservation.

I went to Macaluso's a little while back for my birthday dinner. I've passed the restaurant for years while in the Ruston area, so I'm so glad I finally got to try it! Ambiance here is on point. It's perfect for an intimate date night, girl's night, or if you're out with family. We started with the arancini balls which were delicious. Cooked perfectly with just the right amount of cheese, and the marinara sauce paired with it was great. For my entree I got the Carbonara with prawns added. Hands down the best Carbonara I've tried - the perfect amount of creamy sauce, noodles cooked perfectly, and the prawns were a yummy addition. Our waiter was attentive all night and even brought complimentary dessert after hearing it was my birthday. Nice touch! I'll definitely return to try more of the menu!

I absolutely love Italian and was having trouble finding one, but I have found the one. Definitely preplan your dinner here, because the wait is super long and sometimes you still won't get a table if you just drop by. Everything I have tried is good. The bread and carbonara are my top faves. The staff has always been friendly and the ambiance is nice and quiet. Will definitely come back!

Caprese Salad: the motzerella cheese was hard & rubbery. Aranchini: the unseasoned rice was over cooked. But it was wonderfully stuffed with cheese & lightly coated with bread crumbs. And the marinara sauce was silky smooth. Lasagna: WONDERFUL. The traditional bechamel was a wonderful surprise.

Unforgettable Experience at Macaluso's Italian RestaurantFrom the moment we entered Macaluso's Italian Restaurant, we felt like honored guests. The ambiance was perfect, but what truly made our night exceptional was our server, Jami. Her warm smile, menu expertise, and spot-on recommendations created an amazing dining experience. The food was delicious, and Jami's attentiveness and genuine warmth made our evening unforgettable. We can't wait to return. Thank you, Macaluso's, and a special shout out to Jami!

Sunday night, Great service, restaurant was busy, so we sat on the bar area.Started with house Salad, it was tasty.Nice Blue Moon beer, Cabernet Sav.Main meal: Gnocchi was ok.I had an old favorite eggplant parm, eggplant was chewy, also felt had too much cheese.(price $30)Underwhelmed