The Basil Leaf Café

Had a lovely time the other day at the cafe. Great wine selection, food and staff! Kristen was especially helpful. Very kind and welcoming gal.

Had the spaghetti with meatballs...so good!

Went back a few weeks later had the same dish and it wasn't the same. It was bland and the sauce was too watery..so disappointed!

We booked a reservation and were seated right away. However, the waitresses continuously passed our table for over 15 minutes without a greeting, a ‘be right with you’ or smile. It was like we were invisible. We watched the table of four that was diagonal from us get seated, served drinks and appetizers by a waitress before our waitress stopped for us. When I nicely brought our wait to her attention, she said she never saw us and finally took our drink order but before we could place our food order she walked away. Another ten minutes went by, we got our waters and placed our order.

Frustrated at that point, we hoped the food would make up for it. 45 minutes into our experience, our food arrived. I ordered Alfredo pasta and it was dry and over cooked with a crusty film over the top. Almost like it had been sitting under the heat lamp and drying out before it was delivered. My husband ordered the salmon, which was also over cooked.

It then took another 20 min for our waitress to return and at that point we just wanted to leave.

For spending $$ and all the good reviews, I expected a much different experience. Please, next time you leave customers waiting at a table for 15 minutes without greeting, offer a appetizer or dessert or an apology! Then hustle to make sure the rest of the evening goes well. Do not treat us like we are below you and not worth your time.

We love supporting local businesses, however, this was a big miss. Especially to experience as a birthday dinner.

I love the new location, the atmosphere is very warm and welcoming and the food is delicious! Kristen was my server and she was so sweet and helpful!

Love this place! Our server Grace recommended the cajun penne and the pinot noir, it was amazing! She was very knowledgable and attentive throughout the night, we will 100% be back!

Lemon chicken tenders were fantastic. My server grace was knowledgeable and very friendly. Will be back whenever I am back in Lawrence.

This restaurant had what could be the best Italian food I've ever had! The lasagna was extremely flavorful and filling. The serving could easily feed two. I would definitely recommend!

Really disappointing. We went to the previous location a couple years ago and loved it so decided to hit up the new location for our 15th anniversary last night. Sad to report that it was just bad. :(

Salads were swimming in dressing to the point mine was pretty much inedible. Even my dressing loving husband said his Caesar had too much. He ordered a double order of chicken on his salad and the chicken was nearly non-existent. I had the salmon and it was extremely dry and over cooked. I’m not one to send food back but I would have if we hadn’t been pressed for time before the football game. The risotto had zero flavor. The only redeeming factor was the tiramisu. It was good.

This is an Italian restaurant and we had pasta the last time when we thought it was good. Maybe they just don’t excel at anything outside of pasta? I do love the ambiance of the new location…it’s beautiful. But sadly we won’t be back.

Love the ambiance in this place. My server Kristen was great and gave delicious suggestions! I would definitely recommend a visit to anyone stopping by in Lawrence.

Elayne has been the most incredible server during my experiences at Basil Leaf. The sangria is to die for, love spending time at the bar. The service and overall environment is one I wouldn’t pass up.