No :-( Stefan's review (May 3rd 2006)

With less then a football field between them it is impossible not to compare the Italian Kitchen with Luigi’s. Both restaurants claim to serve the best Italian food in Spokane which means one of them is lying. I will solve this enigma that has hung over your head for far too long.

Round One: Ambiance

Both restaurants cover their walls in kitschy Italian pictures. This is nice if you forget where you are eating.

Beyond that Italian Kitchen feels nicer. The booths are large and fit in with the over all feel of the restaurant. Luigi’s doesn’t quite feel as solid. The chairs feel slight and the padding on the booths are worn.

Winner of Round One: Italian Kitchen

Round Two: Service

Both restaurants have tremendous service. The waiters are more then willing to help pick out a wine or an appetizer. I felt equally taken care of at each establishment.

Winner of Round Two: Draw

Round Three: Value

When I think value I think about three things: 1) Price, 2) Portion, 3) Bread. I know what you are asking. What’s the deal with bread? Well its really the only thing you get for free at a restaurant (besides water) and sometimes its really good while other times it serves mostly as a weight to keep the table cloth from flying away. Anyhow Luigi’s bread is very good, certainly enjoyable on its own but even better with some oil and vinegar. Italian Kitchen’s bread is good but a little to hearty for my taste.

Luigi’s also wins in price. It’s a little less expensive and its portions are larger.

Winner of Round Three: Luigi’s

Final Round: Food

The Italian Kitchen has, since the new management took over, made some huge improvements to their menu. I’ve had there specials and they are usually not to be missed. Some of my favorites are the gnocci and the veal.

Luigi’s comes at you with a lot of typical American/Italian plates. None of them are done outrageously well but there aren’t any glaring disappointments.

Winner of the Final Round: Italian Kitchen

Winner in a 2 to 1 victory the Italian Kitchen

So what’s the dish?: Both restaurants are good but Italian Kitchen wins out thanks to its menu and its ambiance. If you have a choice go with Italian Kitchen but if they are full and you are in need of some Italian just stroll across the street where you will find Luigi’s.

Yes :-) Lynne's review (Nov 3rd 2006)

We had a wonderful meal at Luigi’s. I started with a chocolate martini that was delicious and then had the steak with port and gorgonzola sauce – fabulous. My sister’s pasta was excellent. Service was competent and the atmosphere was pleasant. We will definitely go again.

Yes :-) Sara's review (Apr 15th 2007)

Some of prices can seem a bit steep, but for the most part, it’s good food. The steak is cooked how you ask for it and tastes good, the service is competent (though nothing above and beyond) even while they are busy, and there are a lot of choices on the menu. My only complaint is that the marinara sauce is a bit lacking, so even when it tops spaghetti being the cheapest thing on the menu, you don’t quite feel like you’re getting your money’s worth there. Though I may not eat here often, I’ll still be back eventually to take advantage of the half-price wine deal.

No :-( James's review (Jun 13th 2007)

I’ve eaten there several times over the years and it’s not for me. Actually I don’t think you can get an authentic Italian meal in a restaurant in Spokane. I’ve had one in San Francisco and Seattle, but very few else where.

The sauce is always heavy burnt tomato flavor that’s been cooked too long. I want some tomato flavor that has at least some fresh tomatoes. I’m also not into the heavy pasta dishes, at least in restaurants, which are prevalent. I’d rather go for Spaghetti/red sauce. My favorite is linguini and clam, but never here unless it’s at the home of a good Italian cook. Actually getting me out to any Italian restaurant in Spokane is a nightmare in my stomach.

Yes :-) Carrie's review (Nov 23rd 2007)

After reading the reviews of Luigi’s and the Italian Kitchen we opted to try Luigi’s first. The bread was blah and I love bread so this was a little disappointing. I had 1/2 Ravioli and 1/2 Manicotti with Marinara. It was pretty good. My date had Luigi’s homemade Lasagne with Chicken Calabria. The menu calls this the perfect match. We thought otherwise. We should have just ordered all Lasagne. I asked for a wine recommendation and was pleasantly surprised. No room for dessert. I still think you should give this place a try. I would rather go to a local place than a chain like the Old Spaghetti Factory.

No :-( T's review (Apr 26th 2008)

Frankly, I think it’s an overpriced Italian express, except it isn’t express. The service was terrible, the food bland, and the atmosphere a bit like walking into Grandma’s musty old house after she’s been passed away for five years.

We arrived there and told them we would have approximately six people. Even though the restaurant was only about 1/2 full, it took them 30 minutes to set things up while we waited in the bar area.

After being seated, it was a battle to get service. Our server took 10 minutes to bring water, 25 minutes to take our orders, and 40 minutes to bring us bread. When he did bring the bread, he forgot the butter, which I finally got delivered after waving at him three times within the next 10 minutes. Our food arrived shortly after our bread.

Although I got the spaghetti with marinara sauce and didn’t expect much, I also tasted a couple others’ plates around the table, and theirs wasn’t much better. We were there for the 1/2 price wine night, so we ordered several bottles of wine, all of which took forever to be delivered. Once it was, only a couple of us received glasses, even though it was obvious that we were all planning to partake equally.

I didn’t bother with ordering dessert, and was only able to finish half of my pasta. All in all, it was two hours of mediocrity.