Palermo Trattoria Pizzeria

The food was good and the wait staff were very attentive. Had a drink at the bar while we waited and the bartenders were very polite even during the crazy dinner crowd.

Waited an hour and ten minutes after they told us it would be 30 minutes, and then we were told that the kitchen was backed up and that it would be «another 20 or 25 minutes.» The hostess told us that we would be better off placing a to-​go order, which I’m not sure I understand since she admitted that the kitchen was backed up. We left without dinner, and won’t be going back.

The food was good although there was too much lemon everywhere. We were a family of 5 and the waiter put 20% gratuity without telling us.

I found Palermo because of their proximity to the Regal Westchester Commons 16 multiplex nearby and my hunger for good pizza. I read several reviews before committing and have not regretted my decision yet. Based on their pizza crust alone, I’d give it a high rating but the service during my visits has been around a 3 so I’ll average it out for now. I’ll also need a few more visits and some menu exploration to cement my overall rating… it’s looking pretty good though. For good food, I’m willing to put up with a little inattentive service. I don’t need to be smothered but I like to at least see someone between the food drop-​off and the check drop-​off in case I needed something.
Come for the pizza though. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. It’s a thinner crust but has a great chew to it. They’re one of the few pizzas I’ve had in Richmond where I can get a special (pepperoni, sausage, peppers, mushrooms, onions — my favorite combination) and have the crust cooked through to the middle. The crust also has a good flavor on its own. Good dough develops its own flavor through the natural fermentation process of a slow rise. I don’t know how they make their crust at Palermo, but it’s reminiscent of a tasty artisan bread crust.
I know I want to taste their pasta and other dishes, especially their osso bucco, but it’ll have to be a special visit when I’m not in the mood for pizza because the pizza craving sometimes takes over the driving.

Excellent food — best Italian I have had in years. Better than the food I had in little Italy in Manhattan and the North End in Boston and cheaper too. I’d recommend this restaurant.

Near taste perfection, authentic fresh hot out of the kitchen, totally delicious. The place was packed on Saturday night so reserve ahead. If you like osso bucco, this is the place to find it but call head to see if they have any, because they run out. Also on Saturday it’s not on the menu but they’ll have it. Big enough for two to share! Nick, the server, said it is their largest dish. Yet we had to make space (no we didn’t eat all our plates) for the incredible desserts. You’ll be impressed. They are huge also. Had a good time there, friendly & warm. We’ll be back soon.

Ordered the wedge as an appetizer, a glass of pinot grigio and the veal marsala. The salad had a fantastic presentation, the blue cheese with gorgonzola was mild, the bacon bits were fresh. Gaspari prepared the veal, and it was the perfect rendition of the dish. The aroma from the plate, tantalized the senses, and prepared the palate for this special combination of reduced wine, veal juices and caramelized onions. The meat was tender and cooked to perfection. I had to dunk my freshly baked roll in the plate to soak the aromatic juices and continue savoring the dish. Thank you Gaspari, excellent job!

I’m not sure why others don’t give this place more stars. Service polite and quick. Every meal my family ordered was excellent. I had their gnocchi and it was perfect. Our party also had the chicken Marsala, chicken parm and chicken picatta. All were perfect. We will certainly be back.

This was our second visit. First time was our wedding anniversary; this time with 10 friends (First visit for most of them). Service was good, but food took a while to arrive (You can’t rush perfection!). I had linguine with meat sauce and a lot of sausage; others had salads, wedding soup, pizza, and specialty dishes.
Everyone was very satisfied with the quality and quantity of their meals, and told the chef and owner so, when they stopped by our table!
Everyone also said they would come back, to have more of Palermo’s many dishes.

Great pizza, cozy atmosphere and fresh ingredients. This was our first time dining here and I’m a fan now. Our server was very attentive and friendly.
I will come back to try the pasta next, but I am impressed with the pizza pies.

Love the food, the service, the owners… everything! Very good Italian food, one of the best in Richmond

If you like greasy orange sauce with tons of cheese then order the lasagna. I’ve tried this place several times because people say good things but I have yet to have a good meal.

Nice place and great service. recommended by the hotel… what a nice place with fantastic food. This place would be a gold mine in California. … and I’m a snob!

I’m surprised there are not more reviews. This place is a hidden gem. Service is spot on and food delicious! Ambiance amazing for couples and family (I’ve been there for both) :) you must try this place and see for yourself!

Came here in December 2014 and I had the Eggplant Parmesan (it had a fancier name, I don’t remember) and it was absolutely delicious. Our server was very kind and gave us good service; although service was a little slow and it took a while to get our food, I did not mind at all because I was enjoying the atmosphere and talking with my parents.
Only negatives I can really say are if you’re seated in a booth you can feel the person at the table directly behind you shift around. It didn’t bother me too much but my dad was a little irritated with it, that and the fishtank is kind of an eyesore and reminds me of a pediatric Dr’s office.
Again, these negatives don’t affect whether or not I will return. I will DEFINITELY be returning to have that eggplant parm again!

Everything I’ve had here over the years has been delicious. The pastas are all home made. I would reccomend the mushroom truffle ravioli, pasta forno & Italian salad.

Food and service were great. The owner walked around asking how the meal and service were — she did so not because she «had» to, rather she genuinely cared.
Food Ordered
Insalata Italiana — very large salad thought could be served as dinner alone, with a delicious dressing
Lingunini con vogole — Linguini with white clam sauce was amazing… clams were fresh and very tasty
2 kids meals which both kids enjoyed.

Went out for my wife’s Birthday meal Monday night. Wanted to order the Monday night Pasta special. Told the waitress we wanted to order the Pasta special. Get the point… We wanted the Pasta special.
Enjoyed the good food. But, when the bill came, we were charged the non– special price. We told our waitress that this must be a mistake. She now informed us that Vegetarian pasta is not Pasta eligible for the special price. And, since my wife only ordered 1 pasta dish, she could not get the special price. You must order 2 pasta dishes!
We ordered from 1 page on the menu that had the title of … You guessed it, Pasta. We asked the waitress to ask the owner if she would adjust the bill. The owner came over and refused to give us the special, even after we showed her the menu page. She stated that in all the years, we were the only ones who had complained. I guess that was the same complaint the had about Rosa Parks and her demanding attitude to sit in the front of the bus. How dare we!
Bottom line… if you go Monday night for the pasta special, be damn sure your entrée qualifies. Also, our waitress, besides being ignorant to what qualifies for the Pasta special, was the WORST server I have EVER had. And the owner, with her «off the boat» attitude needs to learn this principle: THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!
So now you have been warned. Go at your own risk. Food was good. Service sucked !!!

We bought a Living Social deal for this place and finally used it. If you go, do not sit at the booth closest to the door. As people started coming in, we felt like the welcome committee and we could hear every word from the hostess stand.
Our food was okay, but definitely not worth the price, even if we did get to take home leftovers. The best part of our meal was the fried calamari. There was no grease and the sauce had a bit of a kick to it.
The staff was not on top of their game the night we were there. I asked a server which dish was better between two choices. I got the impression that he hadn’t eaten either one. His response was, «They are both good,» and then added one is cheesier.
The side salad was pretty good… no iceberg lettuce and the house dressing was great. They also serve warm bread (although we waited FOREVER to get some) is covered in parmesan, butter and garlic. My six-​year-​old ate every one.
The vegetarian lasagna was okay, but swimming in oil.
If I come back, I think it would just be for pizza.

I have to tell you I had a change of heart. Coming here the first time (Sept 2012), I was so very disappointed in the service I received. I honestly did not want to come back.
It might have been the amazing sicilian pizza. It might have been the better server (move aside Tiffany, there is a new guy in town and he is rockin’ it!). Does not matter. The service this time around was hands down 108 degree difference from the first time I visited.
After about a 20 minute wait, my party and I was finally seated. We ordered drinks and appetizers and patiently waited for the largest «Small Sicilian» pizza pie ever! It was wonderful having a much better experience than I had the first go-​round. Our server was on top of things (drinks always full, getting refills on beverages — adult and non-​alcoholic). Appetizers were prompt and delicious and the pizza was still as outstanding as before. This time, however, the food was even more exceptional than before — I am telling you, service makes food that much better!
We even told the server what an excellent job he had done — even went so boldly as to tell management that he had done such an excellent job– that we would come back (even though we figured we would NEVER return). Overall, the food was much better this go-​round but the service was even more outstanding. Maybe it was a different server (maybe Tiffany was just having a bad day and we felt that through our first time there). Either way, I think Palermo has put a much better taste in my mouth than before.
Now, can we talk about the parking? :(