We took take out on their Wednesday special of a sandwich with a garden salad for $16 and the Disco…read moreFries for $6.00. Packaging was excellent. There were about 4 tables so plenty of room for more guests and the bar was empty. The sausage and peppers sandwich was flavorful per my husband. The sausages are not sliced but cut making the sandwich a complete mess. The bread is not made to hold the sausage. I had the chicken Marsala sandwich. Again had a huge issue with the bread being useless. The mozzarella was on the bread but none on the chicken. The Marsala sauce was bland and minimal. Would not get this again. The disco fries were not making me happy. Basically thin fries smothered in gravy. Where was the cheese? The gravy was also bland and we ended up tossing most of them out. The restaurant itself is nice with darker colors and clean. Prices on the regular menu are pricey and after trying their sauce I can see why it was empty. Personal peeve, Italian dish that doesn't include pasta as a side option when clearly they have pasta in the menu is wrong.

I can't believe I have lived in Sarasota as long as I have and only now found this gem of a…read morerestaurant. My wife and I had the most enchanting evening and simply can't wait to return. First impression, plenty of street parking directly in front and as we entered we noticed a truly beautiful outdoor patio, nicely landscaped, centered around a beautiful outdoor stone fireplace. When the weather cools we will look forward to enjoying that. As it was a bit warm outside we chose an indoor table. The interior is beautifully done with elaborately detailed tray ceilings, soft colors, soft lighting, a really lovely bar, and a quiet luxury throughout. We were greeted by the host Bob, who we later learned is a partner/owner, and we were seated immediately. Our waitress Holly was fun, engaging, attentive and eager to please without ever being overly present throughout the night. She set the tone by announcing that all wine was $10 off per bottle and all signature cocktails were $10 each. We were informed these values are expected to be offered at all times during low season (not just a happy hour). We found the wine and cocktail pricing to be extremely reasonable even without this extra offer. Holly also volunteered that the kitchen would happily split any appetizer onto two plates and we were also welcome to order just a half salad or half Caesar salad if only one of us wanted one. For the waitperson to offer this without even being asked, we felt the spirit of hospitality was off to a great start as it was obvious the restaurant is prioritizing customer happiness above all else. The menu, which you can review on their website, was full of enticements that had us vowing to return so that we could sample more and more offerings. We settled on a half house salad (excellent), a pasta fagioli (unforgettably good) one of their signature dishes, "Chicken Our Way", and Rigatoni Bolgnaise. The chicken dish was simply out of this world, very lightly breaded and beautifully glazed with a wonderful sauce. The table next to us, having driven up all the way from Northport, politely demanded to know what the dish was as the aroma graced their table. The Rigatoni Bolognaise was as fantastic as any dish we had while travelling through Italy; the bolognaise sauce was unquestionably made from scratch in-house and was as delicious and as authentic as it comes. As we were dining, a woman entered who had the essence of an owner; she went from staff member to staff member, and from table to table, checking on every employee and every customer to ask how things were going. When she stopped at our table, she introduced herself as Beverly, the host's partner. She stayed with us for quite some time showing a genuine and personal interest in us. We were not just a customer to her; we were clearly a new and valued acquaintance. This level of Mom-and-Pop personal service is very hard to find today in Sarasota--and it makes all the difference in the world. We can't wait to go back to see Bob, Beverly and Holly again as they truly made us feel like family. And we can't wait to try more of their enticing dishes. You simply MUST sample this restaurant and see for yourself. I fear though that if too many people discover it, the restaurant may grow and change. I hope that doesn't happen, because it is perfect right now, in this moment, exactly the way it is.

Cafe Barbosso is one of my go-to comfort food spots and has never let me down. The restaurant is…read morespacious, has a great bar area, plenty of indoor seating, and also has a nice outdoor patio. One of the coolest things about the restaurant is that there's an artist painting canvases live while the restaurant is open. Between that and the walls covered in artwork from local artists, the whole place has a fun, creative vibe. The food is consistently excellent, but let's talk about the real MVP: the spaghetti and meatballs. I know, I know- it doesn't sound like the most exciting thing on the menu. Here's the kicker: I've literally never ordered spaghetti and meatballs anywhere else in my life. Ever. I don't even really like that dish very much- unless it's from Cafe Barbosso. The only reason I tried it there was because so many people raved about it, and now I'm the one doing the raving. I've ordered a handful of other dishes, but somehow I always come crawling back to the spaghetti. The pasta is cooked perfectly, but the sauce is the true showstopper. I'd happily eat it with a spoon if society allowed it. The portions are generous enough that dinner usually turns into tomorrow's lunch, which feels like a bonus meal. Every entree comes with fresh bread and mixed oil, and the staff are always friendly and attentive. I've never had a bad experience with the food, service, or atmosphere. Menu prices are pretty standard, but given the portion sizes, I'd say they're a pretty decent bargain. Reservations are a smart idea because this place gets busy. You might have a wait without one, but honestly, it's worth it. If you're looking for fantastic Italian food in a welcoming atmosphere, Cafe Barbosa absolutely deserves a spot on your list.

Avoid. Incredibly overpriced and disappointing…read more This was my second visit this month, and unfortunately, it was my last. I returned hoping for a better experience, but I was left completely disappointed. On my first visit, I tried the highly recommended meatballs and wasn't impressed. This time, the bartender, Kaiser, recommended the Eggplant Parmesan--but it tasted just like any other generic version. For $28, you get a small 3-to-4-inch square that felt pre-made days ago. It was tossed in the pizza oven, leaving the outside hot but the inside completely lukewarm. My total bill came to $75 including tip, for two $6 beers, a small $16 salad, and the eggplant-- extravagantly overpriced for the quality. I've heard Chef Joe is no longer there, which might explain the steep decline. I'm giving 2 stars only because the ambiance is nice and Kaiser provided great service. I won't be back.

we came with dear dear friends when we were visiting them. This was a fun festive place to come…read more Bread selection was great!!!! Greek salad, and the fried pecorino was delicious!!! Wide noodles with Bolognese was spot on!!! Service was wonderful! It can get pretty loud in there, they do have outdoor options when it's not too humid, etc. Well done!

Service was amazing. Waiter on top of things and food came quickly and was hot! My only gripe…read moreis it's a bit noisy but that seems to be everywhere lately Would definitely return

Mona Lisa is the kind of place that makes you wonder how it stayed under your radar -- a cozy…read morelittle mom-and-pop Italian spot that's been doing its thing in Sarasota for over 40 years. I went for the mushroom ravioli in a creamy sauce with spinach and mushrooms, and it was exactly the comfort I wanted: generous portion, fresh-tasting, well-balanced, with bold flavors that felt homemade. The kind of plate that makes you slow down. The room is small, casual, and relaxed -- clean tables, comfortable seating, easy conversation. The owner is welcoming, the staff friendly and attentive, and my table was ready right on time. Parking was easy too, which in Sarasota is a small blessing. Fair prices for what you get, and I'd happily go back -- just bring a small group, since the dining room is on the cozy side.

Love Mona Lisa! Great food and service. I just wish it was a little bit larger because it's hard to…read moreget a reservation!

Been a while since our last visit and we had no idea it was Savor Sarasota week with 3 course…read moreoptions for $45. Service was good throughout and the decor is chic yet comfortable. Food was delicious and we brought an older Brunello, and corkage was $30. All in all a great evening

Delicious- I took my aunt and uncle here when they came to visit…read more It was a well loved place!! Thank you so much for the wonderful service.

Cafe Epicure remains one of my favorite restaurants in Sarasota. It consistently performs at a high…read morelevel, has tasty fresh Italian food, and a staff that is friendly and professional. Their pizza has an amazing crisp thin crust and is cooked (almost always) to perfection in their wood fired oven. My friends were very happy with their pasta dishes, and I thought the chicken Milanese with arugula and tomato salad was excellent. We also enjoyed the selection of meats and cheeses were ordered. You can dine in or outside seating too. The vibe is fresh and modern Mediterranean. It can get very busy and very noisy. There's a parking garage directly across the street.

Knowing that they were affiliated with 'Mediterraneo', I…read morehad very high hopes for a satisfying Italian meal. Service was excellent! From the second we stepped into the restaurant and saw the host to our outstanding server. She helped us with the menu, bussed and watered the table as needed and was a gracious host. The decor was clean, uncluttered and very welcoming. It fit perfectly with the theme of the restaurant. Now the food, a HUGE disappointment!! When I decide to go to an Italian restaurant, I expect: Hearty Deep Flavors, Portions similar to what you would receive in an Italian home and everything cooked to perfection as they prepare it all the time. Well, the food our party of 6 received was incredibly disappointing. I ordered my 'standby' meal that I actually rate an Italian restaurant by and judge if I would recommend and return; The 'ol time favorite-Chicken Parmigiana. I HAVE NEVER IN MY LIFE HAD A CHICKEN PARMIGIANA WHERE THE CHICKEN WAS POUNDED OUT THIS THIN!!!!! Seriously, they pounded the hell out of it and was seriously the thickness of a piece of cardboard. It was hot, it was covered in a thin layer of very thin red sauce and topped with perfectly melted cheese. But the Chicken portion size shows a level of greed showing how little can be spent on the chicken and how flat and wide you can make it. Not very impressed with the thin sauce either. I genuinely felt ripped off! They use the same cardboard thick chicken breast for their Chicken Milanese, and the unlucky recipient of that meal was as disappointed as me. Another guest in our party ordered the Salmon. NOT a big piece and according to him, VERY bland and very overcooked. That's 3 of the 6 of us and the other 3 were very underwhelmed. Not 1 person in our group said that they were going to either recommend or return. Come on guys, don't be an Italian restaurant if you're NOT going to serve food that your Italian grandmother would serve you! Nothing served was even picture worthy! Back to 'Tiramisu' in Bradenton for REAL Italian food!!!

Fantastic! We had a party of 7 and everyone loved their food! So glad there's a delicious Italian…read morerestaurant in Bradenton. Service was great and very accommodating. Love the ambiance inside as well. We ordered Chicken Milanese, Bolognese, pizza slices, mozzarella sticks, and a Ham & Cheese sub. Highly recommend! Since it's right next to the movie theater, we will be back before the next movie we see again!

A great experience. Service was attentive but not overwhelming. The garlic butter with the bread…read morewas outstanding. The food was delicious. We will be returning.

What an amazing Italian meal we had! From the start of adding a couple more people to our…read morereservation to walking out the door, the service was fantastic. The family owned/run business knows how to treat and take care of their customers. Our server Vinny took his time to go over the menu, offer suggestions, and the point that he helped his Mom the night before make the homemade meatballs- we knew we were in for a treat! Yes, the homemade meatballs and spaghetti were delicious; however the homemade Cherry tart was beyond words - Delicious! We cannot wait to go back, especially when Vinny mentioned him and his Dad make homemade lemoncello.

We came here for my birthday celebration and had a good time! The food was delicious! We got a…read morecomplimentary bread basket, and ordered the mozzarella appetizer, which was fresh and tasty. The veal was flavorful and lean, the Frutti Di Mari was very good. Our son enjoyed his chicken. The desserts were absolutely delicious! We got the tiramisu and the spumoni ice cream. Attentive service and small but inviting atmosphere. Definitely recommend!