Ricc’s Ristorante

CLOSED — Long Time Now — DELETE THIS LISTING

Note: I originally wrote this review last year, and I think this place has since closed. If it hasn’t, it should.
I tried Ricc’s North End for the first time last night, and was sorely disappointed. The food was decent, certainly nothing special, but the service was terrible and the server charged our party of two an automatic gratuity of 20%.
We were seated immediately, and the restaurant wasn’t particularly busy, but it took ten minutes for anyone to come to our table. No one came for drinks orders, and our menus were closed and laying on the edge of the table after about a minute of examining them.
When the server did finally come to take our order, she was polite, she brought my drink promptly, and promised to bring us out bread as soon as it was out of the oven. The bread never came. We watched the other server bring our about four baskets, and we didn’t get one until we finally asked another server – no butter or olive oil, just bread.
The entrees took forever, and mine was cold on the edges. Once those were served, we didn’t see our server again until it was time for the check. Actually, we had been ready for the check for quite a while by the time she showed up.
She finally brought the bill, and took our credit card, but when she brought the slip back to sign, there was an automatic gratuity added to it. We asked her about it, and she said that that’s what they do, she doesn’t understand how the computer works, but that’s how it comes out.
I’m not a bad tipper, but I don’t think I should have to tip 20% for such bad service. Our server confessed that she had only been doing the job for about two weeks, yet she was handling about seven tables and clearly floundering. We didn’t want to hassle her further, so we paid the bill (which was exorbitant – about $ 70 for one appetizer, two entrees, two beers and the automatic tip), and left.
I will never return to this restaurant, and I wrote a letter to their management about automatically adding 20% to all bills because if that’s not illegal, it’s certainly unethical.
Also, this restaurant had possibly the worst musical selection I’ve ever heard. When we came in, it was Frank Sinatra/​Dean Martin stuff, which was cheesy but still enjoyable. Midway through our meal, the CD ran out, and after ten minutes of silence, they put in the Glee soundtrack. Fucking Glee. It was the perfect ending to a terrible meal.

Out of business, eek!

My friends and I did the 2 entrees and a bottle of wine for 30 dollar is great. There was 4 of us, 2 ordered chicken parm, 1 clams in white wine sauce, one gnocchi sorrentino.
The portion for the chicken parm was great, it was a large chicken breast sliced in half. The marina was light and fresh and the chicken was perfectly cooked. However, I found the chicken lacking in texture. I’m not saying chicken parm is supposed to be crispy like fried chicken, but the breading on the chicken was soggy. Also, it was served with a small side of penne and marina which visually did not look so appealing because it looked premixed and that it was just scooped out of a warming tray.
The clams with linguine was pretty good (only 7 small clams though). Pasta was nicely cooked, so were the clams, but I found the clams a little seafoody (not sweet like I’m used to for clams… maybe because of the type of clam and where they’re from?). I wish it was served with crusty bread to sop up all the delicious sauce.
my favorite was my friends gnocchi. so very delicious and VERY fresh, soft and delicate. you can tell it was more than likely made on site just because of the rustic shape. I really wish I ordered that gnocchi than the clams.
Bread and a very tasty olive oil was served, but only one small loaf for 4 of us [and it wasn’t warmed].
I want to go there again and order the gnocchi!

So when you think Italian you’re thinking — comfort food, comfortable friendly service, simple fresh ingredients and portions that would make an Italian grandmother proud.
Well if that is what you’re thinking get on over to Ricc’s in Bristol.
I took my brothers from South Carolina and Texas. We’ve logged a lot of time in Boston’s North End. It was like going home.
If you enjoy wine their list won’t disappoint you. There are some great options from different regions of Italy to compliment your dinners.
The menu offers a variety of dishes presented within a reasonable range of prices. If you just want to take a look pull up a chair at the bar, order some appetizers and have a glass of the house Chianti — I bet you’ll ask for a table.

Very good Italian food with a good atmosphere. Plenty of choice on the menu but also various off-​menu choices. It seems if they make it for lunch they’ll make it for dinner, as an example.

Best traditional Italian meal in town. Never disappointed.

This place is apparently the new «hot italian place» in Bristol.
We got take-​out, but got the chance to see inside. Cute little place where the chef will entertain the table and talk to the guests. Found out from talking to them that they do actually have Chicken Cacciatore, even though we didn’t see it on the menu.
I got the Chicken Parm, which came with a side of Cavatappi pasta. It was pretty good, the sauce was fresh and tasty. My guest got the Chicken Marsala which is also served with a side of pasta, but with red sauce. Would have made more sense to be served with plain pasta to be eaten with the chicken, but maybe it’s because we got take-​out.
I also got the Insalata with the house Italian dressing which was very good. Mixed greens were a little on the soggy side, but not too bad.
I’d like to go back and dine in. Would really like to try the Cacciatore next time. Oh and if you ask, you can substitute a side of pasta for a side of vegetable. My guest got a side of asparagus.
A bit on the pricey side, in the $ 15-​$ 20 range for a dinner. Again, I’d like to eat in, where I think with the atmosphere, it would have been a nice quaint Italian meal.