Comments on: Cinelli’s Pizza Coming to North Hills

By: Ron T

Ron T — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 15:23:35 +0000

I went to the North Hill’s Cinelli’s for the first time last weekend (weekend before xmas weekend). The pizza was very tasty, if not a little thicker crust than I expected. But the service in a word “sucked”.
We got to the restaurant around 9 or so. We were quickly sat in a booth and then just waited and waited. The crowd was not too thick. The staff seemed to be doing their own thing with their existing tables and just did not claim us as a new one. I guess none of them wanted a new table. I waived to one waitress who was in the rear of the restaurant…AND she just waived back. Like I was just saying “hello”. Finally I flagged a guy down and asked him sarcastically if our section was closed. He said he was not sure. Then a waitress was kind enough to stop. I asked her if she was our waitress and she said “I guess I can be”…..
Lesson learned – their pizza is not good enough to deal with the pathetic staff. They need to hire someone who actually is willing to work at their restaurant. The service at the Cary location is great.

By: Ron T

Ron T — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 15:23:00 +0000

By: Eric B

Eric B — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 18:31:30 +0000

I agree with Mike, Cinelli’s in Cary with their Grandma’s Pizza is by far the best, including the great places already mentioned in New York & Chicago. Even their own sister restaurant in Wakefield (Gianni & Giatanno’s)cannot hit the mark given that they precook the crust and the pizza is much more chessier & saucy than in Cary. The result is a much heavier & chewy pizza as opposed to the lighter and crispier version in Cary. For those afficiendo’s in North Raleigh, let’s hope they stay to the same basic principles in North Hills as they are in Cary. Thank you the Cinelli family for bringing your authentic cusinine to our area!

By: Eric B

Eric B — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 18:31:00 +0000

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 17:13:03 +0000

Good news for shoppers of North Hills. I have been to Cinelli’s many times in Cary and love it. Very casual dining and very good Italian food. The servings are HUGE and the pizzas are awesome!

By: Eric

Eric — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 17:13:00 +0000

Good news for shoppers of North Hills. I have been to Cinelli’s many times in Cary and love it. Very casual dining and very good Italian food. The servings are HUGE and the pizzas are awesome!

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 15:18:31 +0000

Ron, funny how tastes can be different. The reason I liked Cinelli’s sauce so much was that it was a strong tomato taste. I’ve been put off by too many places putting too much of the herbs and spices in so I find it refreshing, but I can understand your point.
And funny enough, Hotpointe is one of the few establishments that I refuse to eat at again out of principle alone. Any place that puts olives and peppers in “Classic Lasagna” is on my **** list. =P
I’m also a big fan of Stromboli’s Express on Spring Forest… decent American-Italian at a very affordable price.

By: Mike

Mike — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 15:18:00 +0000

By: Ron T

Ron T — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 13:30:42 +0000

Cinelli’s is good. I agree with Beth, Moonlight and Lilly’s are more gourmet – their toppings are first rate. But Cinelli’s makes a good NY style pie. I do have to say that it is good, not great though.
I think they would have to put more effort into it to make it great. As an Italian, sitting down to a dish of pasta covered in bright red sauce that tastes like it came out of a big generic can labeled “Tomato Sauce” with absolutely no spices added (hello parsley, basil, oregano, sprinkle of grated cheese) is a sad event.
And the rolls they give are mediocre at best.
Good meatballs though.
I would say it gets a solid B+
But Cinelli’s pizza is easily beat by Hotpointe’s (also at North Hills now).

By: Ron T

Ron T — Fri, 14 Jul 2006 13:30:00 +0000