When it first opened in Plymouth, Compari’s set the standard for the restaurant/bars that came thereafter. A reasonably-priced Italian restaurant, the dishes at Compari's were consistently good across the board and the martini was one of the best available. These days, Compari’s suffers from its long-time popularity in that its prices have inched up over the years and its tables have been crammed ever closer together. The restaurant still provides a great atmosphere and consistently-good dishes, but it does not accommodate big parties well at all and there is usually a very-long wait to get a table.
Atmosphere
Warm, comfortable and social, Compari's has a narrow bar area and a dining room that incorporates a red brick wall in its decoration, as well as deep blue and lime green wall and ceiling accents. Pictures of happy diners, enthusiastic chefs and creative aprons adorn the walls. The dining room is a combination of tables and booths, and there is an outdoor patio in warmer months that looks out over Kellogg Park. The restaurant shares restroom facilities with Fiamma Grille, the adjoining steak and seafood restaurant. Compari’s will also sometimes utilize Fiamma’s banquet space when overflowing.
Service
The waiters are well skilled and friendly, if hampered in the dining room as they try to navigate among tables set out in too cramped a configuration. Holding out for a booth will make your dining experience much more enjoyable.
While great for a romantic dinner, large parties will have a hit or miss experience. The restaurant’s reservation policy is almost non existent. When they will take a reservation (guaranteed by a credit card for a party of eight or more), you may find your party crammed at a too-small table or getting tripped over in the bar.
Food
The menu contains a broad choice of Italian specialties, including pizza, sandwiches, pasta, beef, chicken and veal dishes.
The calzone is served piping hot from the pizza oven and overflowing with cheese, so much so that it requires a fork and a knife to eat. Pepperoni is one of the available items and spices up the dish considerably.
Entrees are served with a side of pasta and a house salad served family style. The salad is mixed table side with black and green olives, cucumbers and a vinaigrette dressing. The salad is fresh, but can sometimes be overly dressed; so you may want to request the dressing on the side.
The number of ravioli included in the Lobster Ravioli can usually be counted on two hands. The ravioli skin is thin, but filled with a decent-sized portion of lobster and cheese. The real star of the dish, however, is the tomato-cream sauce with roasted red peppers (considered a blush), which is finger-licking good.
The Chicken Marsala is served as more of a stew with vegetables and chicken medallions. There is a lot of chicken and the added mushrooms add texture and flavor. Again, it is the Marsala sauce that makes the dish memorable.
The Linguini and Clam Sauce comes with a nice-sized portion of clams with a few still in the shell. While the linguini was a little undercooked, the sauce was very good and applied with a light hand.
The Crème Brulee comes with fresh blueberries and raspberries. It is a nice-sized serving and appropriately caramelized, but the normally custard-like crème was a little thin.
Tip
Grab a pager while you’re waiting for a table at Compari’s and go next door to the bar at the Fiamma Grille for a drink and an appetizer. You could arguably make a meal out of the many appetizers available at the restaurant, but the Walnut and Spinach Ravioli with gorgonzola cream sauce is recommended.
