Vinny Vanucchi’s

We have been to Galena several times and expect outstanding service and delicious food when we visit. We found the service here mediocre, not as attentive as other restaurants in the area. Our drinks were refilled once, was not a busy time. The salad was nowhere close to what we expected, very plain, a disappointment. Garlic bread toasted nicely but very greasy. I ordered seafood fettuccine and really enjoyed it, was tasty. My husband got a simple pasta dish, I believe ravioli, and did not find it exceptional. We left thinking that the Olive Garden is probably superior. I will say that I like non spicy, less seasoned food — the seafood fettuccine was great as the dish had yummy sauce and the seafood really stood out. The restaurant is a climb up several steps and to get to different parts you have to go outside and then enter through other doors — is a bit confusing. Our overall experience was okay, we want to try a new Italian place down the street — Caba’s? Is the name, getting great comments from locals.

Had a great experience! Food was hot, fresh, and timely. Wait staff was very friendly and helpful. Just wish I lived closer. KCCO

Visited on 2÷15÷15 and it was a very bad experience. Both service and food were of poor quality.

We went there on a Friday night and we don’t think we will be back there again.
First off, the entrance to the restaurant check on point is not clearly marked. We walked all the way to the top level to a hostess stand and she sent us back downstairs. We were seated right away, but that was the highlight of the evening.
Our waitress was young and spoke loudly. The two of us are in our thirties and have decent hearing, so that was annoying every time she came to the table. They had a 4 course holiday menu for $ 39 which was no great value so we stuck to ala cart.
I ordered the stuffed shells and asked for a side of sausage. She tried to convince me to order the sausage appetizer instead for $ 7.95 of a $ 3 up charge for being added to a main course. She did not know that it was a full sausage link even as a side. My boyfriend ordered spaghetti and meat balls.
The garlic bread and salad came out first. The garlic bread was doused in oil and dry parmesan cheese. It was cold bread.
Salad was fine.
Our main courses came out and both were cold. The sauce for the spaghetti and meatballs was thin and lacking in flavor. The meat balls were good. A meal can be mediocre if it is at least hot. But cold food is just annoying.
My stuffed shells were bland and ruined because they were cold. The side of sausage was so spicy I could hardly eat it.
We split a cannoli and I ordered a cup of coffee. Waited for cream and was never offered a refill on my coffee. The cannoli was not filled in all the way. It was tasty, but disappointed to see no filling in the middle, just the ends. Also had to wait for a second spoon after we told her when we ordered it that we were going to split the dessert.
Oh well, lesson learned. It is a beautiful building anyway.

I’m visiting from Chicago, this place is Pretty cute, the hostess was a skinny guy that basically runs to the table up the stairs too so bring your running shoes. Our server was Danny, didn’t see him much, and he «auctions» off your played which I hate, there’s two of us, know what we ordered. ticket times were very long so don’t come here if your in a hurry. I ordered the seafood fettuccine, shrimp was a little over cooked and scallops are thumb tack in size, and it was a little bland for my liking, but it was still an okay place, I’ll try another one before coming back though. One thing I can say is prices are spot on.

SKIP IT!!! We read the reviews and thought we would still give this place a try. We have tried places with poor reviews and loved them. However, it was not the case here.
I will break it down .
Bathrooms: Men and Women were both disgusting and in need of make overs. The women’s stall doors on both levels would not shut properly. I walked into the upper bathroom with a friend holding the door for her friend. The toilet would not flush properly. The hand dryers were horrible. I understand the need to want to be green but please invest in proper hand dryers .
Appetizers: We had the calamari. The breading was too heavy for it. It reminded us of shake and bake mix.
Bread and salad. The garlic bread was okay. The salad had way too much dressing on it. Apparently they didn’t watch old school cartoons that said don’t drown your food.
Waitress: HORRIBLE!!! She never told us her name. After we were seated I had to use the bathroom. When I came back she handed my menu and said do you know what you want? Really? How about how are you. Let me give you some time to look at the menu and may I bring you a drink in the mean time… We ordered drinks. Then placed an order for calamari. She then came back and asked if we wanted some time or were we ready to place our order. Not once did she come over and ask how our dinner was. I barley touched my food. She asked if I wanted it boxed up. I said no. She missed the cue that it wasn’t good and should have been deducted off the bill. She then asked if we wanted desert… um no!
Food: My Husband ordered the seafood pasta. It was soaking in oil… Super gross. I had the chicken Vinny. The chicken was dry. I picked at it and decided to stop eating it.
Even giving this place one star is generous !!! Go spend your hard earned money some where else!

Vinny V’s was AMAZING! Great pasta and drinks.
Very cute beer garden for a nice warm night. Beautiful and secluded.

I’d be lying if I said I make Galena trips solely for the shopping. The truth is, that I came across Vinny Vanucchi’s years and years ago, and make it a point to stop here at least once a year.
In an older building on Main Street in historic Galena, you would expect this place to be on the pricer side. However, I think the prices are well below what I would expect from restaurants in the area (with the exception of drink prices).The menu is also pretty varied, with options ranging from standard spaghetti and meatballs to pasta bakes and more. With an entrée you get your standard Italian shares including salad and a greasy basket of garlic bread.
On Labor Day weekend for lunch, it was far too hot to sit outside so we asked to be seated inside. I know how large the portions can be here, and since we weren’t going home decided that my boyfriend and I would share an entrée. I paid the side plate fee of $ 5.95, and we shared the Auntie Gracie’s Sausage Ragu. The Ragu was okay, a little soupy with the sauce and probably not my favorite thing on the menu. However, as I was «sharing» I was willing to compromise a bit on the selection. Normally i would go for the Fettuccine Seafood or Penne Chicken Romano.
So, if you want leftovers go for two separate entrees. If not, I would recommend sharing. There is also a location in Dubuque Iowa, but I feel like this is the one to visit in Galena.

Located in an old historic building with lots of levels and little rooms to eat in. Quite the maze to the bathroom. Our server, Coral, was very nice. The Garlic bread that they serve was so saturated in butter it was enough to make you sick. I took a couple of bites, but stopped. It was even pooled at the bottom of the basket. Yuck!
The salad is served family style and there was barely any in the bowl. There was two of us, but only enough for one. Waitress didn’t check on the salad amount or bread and didn’t even ask if we wanted more. Most restaurants with family style bread and salad at least check to see if you want more.
My husband ordered the Lasagna. He said that while it did taste good, the sauce was runny. It was served in a small Au Gratin dish and was difficult to eat do to the fact that it was running all over the place. I ordered the Chicken Marsala. Mine too had very good flavor and had fresh mushrooms that were cut large. Sauce tasted great, not too salty, but it too was runny. I prefer my sauce a little thickened. Chicken was tender and tasted fresh.
Not much of a wine selection. Didn’t find any of my favorites, but selected 14 Hands, Hot to Trot Chardonnay/​Pinot Grigio mix which was good. Was never asked if I wanted another glass and had to ask for a refill on my husband’s Coke. IMHO when you are paying so much for your meal, you shouldn’t have to ask for anything. Because of the many rooms/​maze I’m guessing that is why it took so long to get drink refills, as we had to keep asking for water or Coke.
Side note: I did over hear another group complaining about menu items that were no longer there and the fact that they no longer have marinara. They were also very disappointed in the quality of their calamari, stating that the batter had changed and was very heavy. I was thinking of ordering that as an appetizer, glad I didn’t.

So, we had the eggplant parmigiana. It was okay, not very crunchy. We shared it with the salad/​bread extra plate charge. Just fine for us as a couple. Garlic bread while included was greasy and cold.
The drink options? Pathetic, unless you want wine. My husband asked for a beer and asked what was on draft. Nothing, then the server said … bottle only, Bud, Bud Lite, Coors …
I ordered a hot tea … only Lipton. For an Earl Grey fan, it was disappointing.
Food edible. Atmosphere nice. Service mediocre.