The Basil Leaf Café - Lawrence

Not being able to provide separate checks on large groups is very inconvenient and can make for a bad experience when the person who pays for it gets less cash than needed.

Wonderful food with an intimate environment. The new downtown location is a big upgrade. Still great food but upscaled in atmosphere and price.

Great meal at Basil Leaf Cafe. Everything we ate was great. We had the chicken cordon blue tortellini and the wedge salad. It came with a focaccia bread stick that was fresh and flavorful. I would highly recommend this pasta dish. There was a live saxophonist playing the night we were there. Our server was attentive and trained. I'd also recommend the $30 bottle of DOCG Chianti. Prices are on par with other restaurants in Lawrence.

Service somewhat rushed. Food above average. To large servings, $4 to spilt. Great happy hour food and drinks.

This excellent Italian restaurant has moved from 9th St. to downtown Lawrence. The dining room on 9th St was too small and the parking awkward. The new downtown dining room is a tremendous improvement, and parking is easy on the nearby parking lots on Vermont St. We got too appetizers, the Antipasto Crostini and the Brussel Sprouts. Both were excellent. We then both got the Seared Salmon, which was excellent with an innovative preparation. We were there on a Saturday. We were told that the salmon arrived on Friday frozen. We were very happy with the quality of the salmon and the preparation. The service was outstanding. Unfortunately they do not have whole grain pasta or cauliflower pasta. We live in west Lawrence and easily can get both of those alternatives at restaurants in west Lawrence, including Spin, J. Wilson's, and Morningstar's. We asked why they do not have whole grain pasta or cauliflower pasta. We were told they are difficult for the restaurant to acquire and are not popular, so would not be ordered by the customers at the restaurant. We don't understand that, since they are easily available and popular in west Lawrence and are available at every supermarket in Lawrence. It is difficult to understand why not available or popular downtown.