DESCRIPTION: The food here is great. The wait staff is pretty good too. Their bread and oil is very good, doesn't sound very appealing, but wait till you taste it. The salads are very fresh. Great dining area too.
DATE: 2001-08-04
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 10
OVERALLRATING : 10

takeout stunk
DESCRIPTION: Meatball calzone had only 1 meatball. Poor quality.
DATE: 2002-10-17
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 4
OVERALLRATING : 2

Mall food
DESCRIPTION: I've eaten here twice and was unimpressed both times. The food is very uninteresting.
DATE: 2003-04-04
FOODRATING : 2
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 2

Eat in
DESCRIPTION: Reading the other reviews, I think it probably makes a difference whether you eat in or take out. I've never been disappointed with eating in the restaurant. The bread and dipping oil with balsamic vinegar is inexplicably good. My favorite is their vodka sauce, and they have good bruschetta, too. Good if unremarkable service.
DATE: 2003-06-16
FOODRATING : 6
SERVICERATING : 6
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 6

DESCRIPTION: Great food. Incredible service. And it's in the MALL! I was floored. But you can see the mall interior from most of the tables, so that's the only flaw.
DATE: 2004-07-23
FOODRATING : 8
SERVICERATING : 10
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8

Won't Return
DESCRIPTION: My friend and I always made a point of lunch at Rigatelli's during our visits to G.ville. Mainly for the balsamic oil and bread and the great service. The visit before last was disappointing as the good service seemed to be slipping. Having lunch there again yesterday (9-18) only confirmed my opinion. The balsamic oil was no longer offered (it was plain olive oil), boo hoo, and the service was even worse. We did not get more bread when requested and twice the wrong tea was brought to us, though requested each time. The salmon alfredo was tasty, the italian club, not so much. The entire menu was changed and did not offer the variety of special meals it once did. It seemed much like the usual. Olive Garden or Applebees. We found the waitress to be rather 'distracted' and not truly concerned with our satisfaction. The restaurant was not busy and it seemed that our particular waitress only had two or three tables. To make it worse, she passed by our table numerous times to wait on her other customers, forgetting our requests and then forgetting to bring our check for quite some time. We usually tip well and rarely complain, but left without leaving the gal a cent for her hospitality. I don't think I'll be recommending it to my friends.
DATE: 2004-09-19
FOODRATING : 4
SERVICERATING : 4
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 2

The Only Italian Restaurant in Town.
DESCRIPTION: Hello it's in the Mall! I still can't believe I had a so delicious meal in the Mall. I love Italian food, but this is amazing! The Chef is real Italian. I had one of his special: Herbs Crusted grouper with some fruit sauce that was outstanding. Finally an Italian Restaurant knows better than lasagna and spaghetti!
DATE: 2005-08-29
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Chef Specials

It is Difficult for Gainesville to Understand Italian Food.
DESCRIPTION: I don't understand how somebody can make a judgment of a restaurant based on a dipping oil! Rigatelli's is great I've eaten there many times! The Chef also is the only Italian Chef in Town! You guys really think Chicken Parmigiana is Italian? Give me a break! I don't know why Rigatelli's with his wondelful real Italian food does in Gainesville .
DATE: 2005-11-02
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 10
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Maganello Ripieno

Back in time
DESCRIPTION: I remember how New York Diners are,and Lester's remindes me of those times. The food was great and the price was right.I became a regular. Try this Lester's its a great place.
DATE: 2003-07-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 6
OVERALLRATING : 6
RECOMMENDED DISHES : Seafood,breakfast

Lesters Diner II
DESCRIPTION: Excellent food great and fast service and the joint is open 24 hours now on weekends. I usually eat at Lester's on 84 but I think lately this one is getting even better then the original Diner. The prices are still reasonable, you can still eat a whole meal for $10-$11.
DATE: 2003-07-14
FOODRATING : 10
SERVICERATING : 8
AMBIANCERATING : 8
OVERALLRATING : 8