Macri’s Italian Grille

We’ve done takeout and eaten in at Macri’s. Overall, a good experience. I like that I can always call them for takeout and it’s ready go to within 20 minutes or so.
I usually get the gnocchi and chicken parm platter. It’s a lot of food, so I always have leftovers for lunch. It’s decent Italian food — I think my grandfather would have approved. When I don’t get that, I get straight up gnocchi — same rules apply. :)
For dine-​in, the décor is okay, service was okay. The parking lot is a little cramped and dark toward the back. You can always park across the street and walk over if that’s easier.

Excellent service. We started with the calamari and poutine. Calamari way way over cooked crispy and rubbery. The poutine was terrific but this was the first time I’ve had it. Cheese curds where deep fried and the gravy very good. May have been canned not sure. If not it was the best home made gravy I’ve ever had. Not too salty and a deep rich flavor. Wife had gnocchi which where a bit tough but good. I had the lasagna. Not your typical lasagna, no cheese topping and was missing the brown crisp edges. I enjoyed it. Their sauce is very good. Had the richness of Sunday gravy but no meat in it. Perfect balance of sweet and acidic. Prices are reasonable for a tourist town.

Service was outstanding. We wanted something local for dinner. No chain restaurants please. Our family recommended Macris and we were not disappointed.
The house dressing was a peppercorn blend and it was quite good.
Bread was good, but would have been better if warm and served with olive oil and seasonings to dip it in.
We had lasagna, shrimp scampi, and chicken parmigian. They were all great and plenty. 2 could have shared one meal. Scampi could have used a bit more garlic for my personal taste.
Great ambience. Definite must do!

Very good American Italian food. Excellent sauce. Menu and food is something that Grandma would make on a Sunday.

First and foremost: if you’re trying to eat here before a Tuesday Artpark show, don’t. For some odd reason they are closest on these busy Lewiston days. We went on a Wednesday before and Artpark show and sat outside. We waited quite a while after being told to sit anywhere on the patio before anybody came over and took our drink order. The iced tea is Brisk which is always a personal turn off. Our food took an extremely long time to come, especially for only 2 salads and a fried appetizer as an entrée in a half full restaurant. It was about 30 minutes from when we ordered. Bread was served and it was decent, not sure if it was homemade but I think not. I got a chicken Caesar which was large lettuce wise but came with one small piece of marinated, grilled chicken. I appreciated dressing on the side and toasted bread rather than croutons. My wife had the eggplant fries which she said just tasted like grease and the breading. Our other friend had a salad with a bunch of fresh veggies and calamari which she said was good. The prices were a little steep. There were pasta dishes that sounded good but in this place I didn’t feel like spending $ 20 on a plate of noodles. There also seemed to be much better service provided to some nearby regulars. We spent a while waiting to have our drink order taken, food to come, and the check to be brought partially because of heavy conversation and attention being paid to regulars. All in all it was average and I’d probably come back but not before exhausting nearby alternatives within reason.

Typically, I’d give a place like Macri’s the 3 star average but you know what, I like their food. My wife and I disagree on them, but I like their red sauce and my wife doesn’t. I’ve never had anything bad there. The food simply tastes good. It’s old school, italian/​american restaurant type fare, and it is authentic. Is it a sexy restaurant? No. But it is in a cool building with décor that is not exactly my taste, but contributes to its authenticity of being an old school place. It reminds me of this place called Ricky’s that I grew up going to in Auburn, NY. Unpretentious good service, and so far it has proven to be kid friendly because it is mildly loud at times. Folks go there to talk and eat and kick back. Nothing formal… family friendly.

Cozy atmosphere and nice staff.
The portions are very generous, but taste-​wise, nothing particularly striking or sophisticated.
Cost is certainly reasonable. Dinner for 7 with 3 appetizers and 3 bottles of wine cost us $ 230 (that includes taxes and tip).