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    DeSarnos

    4.4 (32 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

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    Arancini
    Jacqueline T.

    I learned about this place from an Instagram giveaway I won. Covid-19: I believe you can order and pay online. I had to go in to get my gift card though, so I just picked out my stuff there. I've noticed an increasing trend where businesses think they don't need to wear a mask if they aren't in an area customers can get to. They would put on a mask while checking you out, but the people in the back (which is just a couple of feet further away through an open door), didn't wear masks. Now for the food. They offer pre-made meals that are frozen and ready to go for you. It's mostly Italian. They also have some sides that are fresh and need to be eaten within a week. Everything comes packaged with reheating instructions. They have meal deals which come with an entree, side salad, and bread for $20. The entree changes daily. I got one of these with chicken scampi, artichoke salad, and foccacia. I also got a small chicken rustica, single serve stuffed shells, stuffed mushroom, and arancini. Most things were very good. The sides (stuffed mushroom and arancini) were our favorite things. They were so flavorful. I also really liked the chicken rustica dish. The sauce was delicious. Unfortunately, the chicken was very dry and not good. Luckily, there wasn't much of it. The artichoke salad and foccacia were both pretty good. The stuffed shells may have been our favorite pasta dish. They were so cheesy and delicious. I wish they had had more marinara, but they didn't need it. The chicken scampi was not good though. The chicken here was also very dry and flavorless. The dish as a whole just didn't really have any flavor. It seemed like they forgot to put the sauce on. Overall, this is a great option for easy meals. I'm not sure how often we'll be back because we don't really eat many carbs on a regular basis, but if you love Italian, it's worth checking them out.

    Sam R.

    Yesssssssssssssssssssssss! I tried the daily special for the hubs & my mini. We opted for stuffed shells with broccoli/alfredo. The Italian bread was delicious and has quickly become a family favorite. We enjoyed the clearly fresh made sides like artichoke salad, lemon orzo & white bean salad - all of which were amazing. Seriously, no pre-made/soggy pre-cut tomatoes here. I am honestly most disappointed in myself for waiting so long to try this place. (Ricotta cookies were tasty too). For anyone needing a good, solid Italian fix and some dense, hearty/crusty Italian bread to lather up with butter - this is your place. My 8-year old says we NEED to go back and honestly it's going to be a regular in the work-week take out rotation. Anxious to try some of the other specials.

    This is the Chicken Marsala. The green beans are my own side dish.
    Swampfoxer ..

    I bought 4 frozen dinners recently at DeSarnos. The first one I ate was the Chicken Marsala. I baked it for 30 minutes at 350° per the instructions and let me tell you this was absolutely delicious! The breast was very tender, and the sauce was so yummy. The 2nd meal I tried was the Creamy Bacon Mushroom Thyme Chicken. Photo below. I admit I didn't read the whole description because usually when I see the words bacon and mushrooms & chicken, I need not go further. But this was a bone-in thigh which took me a bit by surprise. It was good, don't get me wrong, but had I known that in advance I probably wouldn't have bought it. I'm not big on thighs or bones. The label did specify it was a thigh, so my fault for not reading. Although I am not sure whether I should've assumed it was bone-in which is not specified. A boneless thigh would've suited my personal taste better. The sauce was absolutely incredible tasting, but it did take mine about 15 more than the recommended cook time. Again, this is my personal preference. The taste overall was delicious.

    Baked Ziti
    Lisa Marie S.

    So if you have not been by DeSarno's in Piper Glen next to Trader Joe's, seriously, you all are missing out. They make pre-made meals that are either refrigerated or frozen for later use. Their motto? "Our kitchen, our mess - to your table, no stress!" I am telling you I have absolutely loved everything I've ever purchased here, from the baked ziti to the Chicken Parmesan, the tomato and cucumber salad and garlic green beans to the desserts (OMG the cannolis are to die for), and the sauces (hello, Bolognese) to the chicken pot pies, and all the gorgeous things I haven't tried yet (Arancinis and stuffed peppers -you're next!), you won't go wrong with any of the wide variety of choices they offer. I don't give shout outs often, but I love this place! Thank you ladies for having an amazing business and for having a delicious flare in the kitchen!

    Christina K.

    I was on my way into Trader Joe's and a nice young man outside this store handed me a sample cannoli which was delicious! I went in the store and found a great variety of premade foods and desserts. I bought the ricotta cookies and they were delicious! Soft, light, not too sweet with a hint of lemon. Please stop by and check out for yourself!

    What is "amazing" in Italian?
    Chris U.

    Real Italian food in Charlotte. We were in town from NJ visiting relatives and happened upon DeSarnos, owned by a North Jersey transplant. So good it tastes like home. I highly recommend this place. Premodern food that you heat at home (and can take all the credit for ;-)). I will be back before I go home

    Delicious eggplant parmigiana (single serve)

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    6 years ago

    Beat damn tomatoe pie! Yumm. Looking forward to trying shrimp dip. Recommend the eggpant parmesean.

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    6 years ago

    Love this place. Amazing choices to take home. We have had several pasta dishes, sides & salads. Always delicious.

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    North Italia

    North Italia

    4.2
    (865 reviews)
    9.8 mi
    $$

    Review for North Italia…read more has absolutely become one of my staples in Charlotte.** It's located in the heart of South End--a trendy, energetic neighborhood with beautiful outdoor dining--and one of the biggest perks here is easy parking, which, as any Charlotte diner knows, is always a win. Inside, the restaurant is gorgeous. Think large, comfortable booths, warm lighting, fresh flowers, and a lively but polished atmosphere. I always make a reservation through OpenTable--I'm too old to be waiting around to eat, and I might as well rack up some points and perks while I'm at it. One of the things I appreciate most about North Italia is their seasonal menu. It keeps the experience fresh and thoughtful, and you can tell the kitchen is paying attention to ingredients and timing. I usually start with a glass of wine-- a sparkling rosé or a crisp Sauvignon Blanc--something cold, clean, and refreshing. Bubbles are always a good option for me. They serve a delicious focaccia at the table, which I sometimes indulge in, but the dish that truly stands out--the one I still dream about--was a seasonal ravioli with butternut squash and crispy sage. It was beautifully balanced, comforting, and memorable in the best way. Other favorites: * The Caesar salad--perfectly dressed * The arancini and calamari--always solid starters * The pizzas, especially the cacio e pepe * And yes, the desserts are absolutely worth saving room for Brunch here is also a lovely experience. Sitting on the patio, eating alfresco on a sunny Sunday, reminds me so much of what I loved about California--being outdoors, enjoying great food, and taking your time. Thankfully, there's plenty of shade, so it's comfortable even on warm days. They do offer a happy hour. It's not the most extensive in town, but it's perfectly fine for drinks, a pizza, or a charcuterie board with friends after work. What keeps me coming back: * Consistently good service * Clean, beautiful space * Thoughtful seasonal dishes * Easy parking * Reliable quality Yes, it's a bit upscale--but it's approachable, welcoming, and dependable. And when a chef takes the time to create seasonal dishes that appeal to diners with curious palates, that deserves recognition. Bottom line: A polished, reliable favorite in South End that delivers great food, beautiful ambiance, and a consistently enjoyable dining experience.

    Terrible service!! I…read moremade a reservation for 3 to celebrate my mom's birthday at 6:15 Saturday. Busy but not crowded. Beautiful day so we opted to be seated outside. No server ever greeted us or brought water to the table. We watched the tables around us get cleared and cleaned and the server pick up checks from two other departing parties. I'm patient (used to work in hospitality), but when they brought out a bowl of water for the dog with a couple that was seated after us that was too much!! You served the dog before us?!?!? No thanks.

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    North Italia
    NORTH ITALIA - CHARLOTTE BAR
    NORTH ITALIA - CHARLOTTE BAR
    North Italia

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    Little Mama's

    Little Mama's

    4.4
    (779 reviews)
    5.0 mi
    $$

    We love going to Little Mama's for the food and always great service. It is loud but I think a…read moregreat price point and I always sub the fresh pasta as the side listed. Two of my family members do not love Italian, and we go here because they also have fantastic salmon and chicken dishes. My daughter did have an issue with her meal last night, and it was handled very efficiently by management. We went last night for my daughter's 21st birthday. They have a great deal for wine flights (other cocktails are at a pretty high price point for what you get). They brought her a cannoli with candles The best part was our waiter Caden! He was so personable and truly made the experience so memorable. Awesome to laugh with your waiter. Thanks Caden!

    We've been here for the last 4 yrs it's always been amazing. However this last time which was a…read morespecial occasion wasn't great . I'll start off also by saying not just was the service- just average - the dinner was also just average . Pasta was the highlight here .delicious The negatives---I'll start w the salad - noticeably wilted in areas I ate around but didn't come close to finishing it . We asked for more bread - was never brought any . He completely forgot , I won't "name names" but he seemed to be new (er) we've never seen him before , I often dine here w colleagues during the week . This however was a date night . Expectations are higher for weekend nights imo . The waiter was rushing us a bit - his overall vibe wasn't the typical waiter we've encountered here. I was still eating and he asked if I was done or needed a box. Literally not even half the food was gone . Just not the type of waiter you'd expect at this level of dining . It's not an affordable place it is definitely for special occasions or where I am impressing a client etc . Really missed out on not having some bread to dip in my sauce . A woman just kept walking around ? Weird to me . She asked how the food was . I'm not one to complain while I am eating so we said good . The chicken was a little dry though and the food overall extra salty? Not really enough sauce just a lot of cheese . She also noticed we were out of bread and didn't offer more ? she literally just kept walking around . It was odd. In the past we have felt very welcomed , waiters have been very knowledgeable to explain things so you know what you're ordering , they have left us alone to enjoy the ambience, they have offered to refill our glasses early on (not when we are finishing up ) Just was like a C rating so I felt the need to let the manager know . Maybe it is under new management? Maybe they recently lost a bunch of ppl bc I don't see any familiar faces fm 6 mo ago . We typically go every 3 mo to one of the locations and spend 100's of dollars x it's not a quick meal type restaurant. So to made to feel like it is was really sad x

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    Little Mama's
    Little Mama's
    Little Mama's

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    Portofinos

    Portofinos

    4.3
    (34 reviews)
    10.4 mi

    There aren't a lot of places outside of work, home and the gym which I make part of my regular…read moreroutine. Starbucks comes to mind but only because the app makes buying Starbucks easier than making my own coffee. Since opening in uptown, Portifino has become one of those places. I hate to admit it, but there have been weeks where I have eaten at least one meal there every day. Sometimes twice.... Charlotte isn't known for its pizza. I moved here from up north 25 years ago and growing up I. The northeast sets the bar pretty high in terms of pizza. Portifino's is great. The sauce is sweet and portioned perfectly. The cheese is nice and salty, so you actually taste it. The toppings are flavorful, and again, well proportioned. My favorite is the Caprice which comes with tomato, fresh mozzarella, olive oil and fresh basil. It's amazing. The pasta dishes are excellent. I'd recommend the linguini with clam sauce and throw in some shrimp and broccoli for good measure. The Calzones are HUGE. I get mine with Mushroom, sausage, pepperoni and black olives. The But their subs are really what stands out. The chicken Philly has to be one of the best sandwiches in town. I could go on and on here because I've had almost everything on the menu here but no one has the time or attention spans for that. The service is excellent. It's a family run business and it FEELS like a family run business. They care about what they're doing. The person at the counter taking your order has a stake in your satisfaction. Don't get me wrong, we're not talking about Ritz Carlton Gold Standard. It's a pizza joint run by REAL people. But they're good people, and they actually care. That's better in so many ways. My best recommendation is to go get lunch with a friend, coworker, or even by yourself and sit in a booth by the window, watch the city do its thing and enjoy some real food made by real people. It's a great way to spend your 30 minute lunch.

    We ordered this on DoorDash and loved it! I got the Chicago pizza, added meat lovers toppings. My…read morehusband got the wings and the veal parmigiana. Delicious. Pizza was a little on the pricy side, but the quality was worth it. We'd love to try more menu items.

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    Portofinos
    Portofinos
    Inside

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    Inside
    Indaco

    Indaco

    4.3
    (366 reviews)
    9.3 mi
    $$

    I met a friend here for dinner. The ambience is amazing all of the outdoor seating is beautiful…read more I tried a cucumber drink with vodka which was tasty and I ordered th italian salad. I added shrimp which was 5 small shrimp. I think I was quite shocked when the bill came and my salad ended up being $35. Maybe next time I will try something such as the pizza. Overall the service was great just didn't think the price and servings matched for the dish I ordered.

    I absolutely loved Indaco! We came here for dinner and it was an incredible date night spot. The…read moreambiance is modern with plenty of lighting and great seating; they have a downstairs section and an upstairs area that overlooks the dining room and kitchen. The service was spectacular, our server gave great recommendations and was constantly checking in to see if we needed anything, including keeping our water refilled. We started with the pesto roasted Brussels sprouts, which were delicious and served as a pretty large portion. For the main, we decided to split the Radiatori Nero. We had never tasted anything like it! The pasta has such a funky, fun texture that pairs perfectly with the sauce because it really holds onto it. The shrimp that came with it were amazing as well, a good size and cooked to perfection. We would hands down order this again! We also got the mushroom pizza, which came with plenty of truffle aioli and a crunchy crust with an incredible cheese pull. All the portions were generous; we actually ended up having enough to take home for another meal! Of course, we could not skip dessert. We got the tiramisu, which is a total must-order no matter how full you are! The cocktails were also great, I tried a blueberry drink, and they have an impressive wine selection as well. Definitely worth checking out and making it a regular spot for date night!

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    Upstairs
    Upstairs
    Indaco
    Roman Dawn and Sole Serenade

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    Roman Dawn and Sole Serenade

    DeSarnos - italian - Updated July 2026

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