The Macaroni Grille combines sophistication and comfort with candlelit atmosphere, make your own pasta dishes, and best of all -- crayons on the table for miscellaneous doodling which is actually ALLOWED on the white tablecloths.
Located on Padonia Road, about a mile from York Road, the Macaroni Grille is a fairly upscale Italian restaurant and bar which makes The Olive Garden look like Chucky Cheese.

The menu offers an array of entrees, pasta dishes, chicken and fish options, and desserts. An extensive wine list and complimentary bread with olive oil is offered to make the experience classier.

(Plus, any place that offers you “fresh parmesan cheese,” and crunches it with a napkin, is guaranteed to be tons of fun.)

Favorites on the menu include the caeser salad and the Lobster Ravioli, which is only $14 – a good price for the dish. The wines are tasty, and the servers are sufficiently knowledgeable about which wine works best with which dish.

The make-you-own pasta menu is probably the most unique portion of the Macaroni Grille menu because there are tons of options, and the meal is very affordable. With sections like sauces, extras, and pastas to choose from, the customer can get exactly what he or she wants. They even offer whole-wheat Penne pasta for those watching carbs.

In general, the servers were kind but quiet. Our waiter was punctual throughout the meal, and had refills out to us before our last drinks were finished, but wasn’t very personable or friendly. 

Another great thing about the Macaroni Grille is the atmosphere. With beautiful exterior and interior decorations, the restaurant looked like a stunning Italian villa (with a Bob Evans as its neighbor.) Green bushy plants and tall white walls separated the tables to create private, intimate sections of the restaurant, and there are large circular tables in the back for larger parties. All tables, however, have the draw-friendly white tablecloths in common, which are great for mid-conversation distraction.

The Macaroni Grille is a versatile and interesting venue for those that love a good Italian meal.