Russell's Restaurant, Scranton

Simply, the best Italian restaurant in Scranton! I've had the best lasagna ever! Friendly service, great atmosphere.

Im a 22 year old student at the university of scranton from new jersey. My parents were coming in for my birthday and wanted to take me out. So I asked 3 of my professors who i know are from around here wheres a good place to go? It was pretty funny that all 3 of their first choices was Russell's. I told this to my parents and they told me they had already made reservations there because the Hilton told them it was the best restaurant in town. Let me just say THANK YOU to my 3 professors, and to the Hilton for their recomondation. I knew from when we pulled in and the parking lot was packed that it had to be good. We did have to wait about 20 mins. for our table, however they have a great bar, so we had a cocktail before our dinner and then our waitress took us to our table. My dad is really into wines so he was excited to see a great selection of california and italian wines. We asked the waitress what the specialty was and she told us the steaks and veal chops. I dont know if I ever saw my father so happy as when his veal chop came out. We never saw a piece of meat so big, and boy was it so good. I had the cajun Ny strip which had an incredible cajun spice rub on it, and cooked a perfect medium rare. My mom and sister split a Filet Mignon, and a Lobster Tail. After dinner the chef came out, and we were all suprised to see he my age. Actually a little older, but graduated from the U of S. a few years ago so we talked a little about that. He then called the waitress over and bought our table a round of after dinner drinks. They dont even do that back home. As we were leaving, all with some doggy bags, who was walking in but the President of the University. Russell introduced him to me and my parents. I took time to write this review which i never do, because i was browsing online and saw what someone else said about the Russell's. They must be nuts. Now every time my parents come in the only place we go to is Russell's and every time we are there Russell comes out afterwards to talk to us and always buys us a drink. Ive taken my girlfriend here a few times too and she loves it. I'm going to be graduating this year from the U of S, and one of things i will miss most about Scranton is Russell's. Chris P. u of s '09