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    DeSarnos

    4.4 (32 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 3:00 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 - CHARLOTTE

    North Italia

    4.2(861 reviews)
    9.8 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    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 - NORTH ITALIA - CHARLOTTE BAR

    NORTH ITALIA - CHARLOTTE BAR

    North Italia

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    Little Mama's

    Little Mama's

    4.4(762 reviews)
    5.0 miSouthPark
    $$

    Took our immediate family members (7) to Little Mama's for an Easter Sunday lunch. Our server,…read moreJay, was fantastic. Sat upstairs at the Rea Farms location. the food is very good and plentiful, especially for lunch. Very reasonable prices. Even lunch portions are so generous, that several family members requested take out containers. Ambiance is great for a Saturday date night, love their olive oil with red peppers mixed in to dip your bread. This is not another Italian restaurant in Charlotte run by owners that have zero Italian heritage. You all know the places I am talking about. Even got to try their polenta which I loved as a child growing up in New York. I am 100% of Italian heritage. Eggplant and Chicken dishes are great, very nice wine selection at reasonable prices and good pours. There are other Charlotte restaurants that we used to frequent but stopped going because no matter how much you spent on the food, they cheated you on the wine pours. Very short-sided marketing strategy, We leave 25-30% tip for good service and good wine pours. Don't take this review lightly. I know good Italian food!

    WOW I am so impressed by Little Mamas. If you haven't been yet, then you are missing out! We went…read morehere for our anniversary, and the staff were so attentive they brought us out a cake and took our photos. You HAVE to get the peppadew peppers and whipped burratta appetizer - I think about it often. We've sat at the bar or at a table, and either is great. I would highly recommend coming back multiple times to try out different seating and food

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

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    Mano Bella - SouthPark

    Mano Bella - SouthPark

    4.4(107 reviews)
    5.4 miSouthPark
    $$

    Mano Bella continues to be a nice Italian restaurant with great food and a cute and small market…read moreselling fresh pasta that gives it a nice vibe. I am a regular here and usually come for business lunch meetings. This time I went for an Arnold Palmer to drink and for food I ate the Amatriciana pasta (fresh bucatini, spicy tomato sauce, pancetta). It had a really nice texture, the sauce was tasty and the right level of rich, and the small pieces of pancetta were just my preferred size to get a not too meaty bite. I had no issue eating the entire serving. I ended with the affogato with stracciatella. EVERYTHING was DELICIOUS! As always, service is friendly and helpful. Looking forward to next time, Mano Bella!

    It was worth the try. To start you must get the house focaccia. We gobbled it up and ordered a…read moresecond serving for the table. The oil that you dip it in is also delicious. Forgot to take photos of the bread because I was too busy enjoying it. Oops! We ordered meatballs as an app, and I had the lasagna for my entree. Both were pretty good, though I wish the lasagna had a bit more of a "noodle-y" bite to it, if that makes sense. I felt like I was just eating a bowl of cheese and sauce. The ratio of noodles to cheese and sauce didn't feel balanced, and felt more like lasagna soup, but overall, it was decent. I think I'd try something different next time. My husband had the mussels and said they were okay- basically mussels and tomato sauce. As for the ambiance, it's casual Italian dining experience, and includes a market at the front of the store for take home breads and pastas.

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    Mano Bella - SouthPark - Interior

    Interior

    Mano Bella - SouthPark - Gnocchi al Tartufo

    Gnocchi al Tartufo

    Mano Bella - SouthPark - Mocktail

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    Mocktail

    Portofinos - Meatball and Pepperoni Pizza

    Portofinos

    4.4(31 reviews)
    10.4 miUptown, Fourth Ward

    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.

    Portofinos is a local Charlotte chain with 5 locations throughout the city, and as far as I know…read morethis Uptown location is the newest one. While most of their locations seem to be more traditional sit down restaurants, the Uptown location is more catered to the fast paced lunch crowd. When you walk in you will be greeted by the large glass display showing all the different pizza options and yes you can order by the slice! They have traditional options like pepperoni and cheese, some crowd favorites like Buffalo chicken, and chicken bacon ranch, and even some square Sicilian slices including a vodka slice that I heard is quite good. While you order at the counter they will give you a number and bring your food to you. In addition to pizza they offer a variety of sandwiches and pastas. On my most recent visit I wanted to try their cheese steak, but I wasn't sure how large the sandwich would be so to be safe I order a slice of pizza as well. That was a mistake, the sandwich was quite large and came with chips, and their pizza slices are also quite large. It was good but I was stuffed afterwards so learn from me! I'm glad to have more options for pizza by the slice in Uptown, my one gripe is that the pizza is on the pricier side, $7.00 a slice. That's the Uptown surcharge for ya.

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    Portofinos
    Portofinos
    Portofinos - Inside

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    Inside

    Indaco - Pappardelle

    Indaco

    4.3(363 reviews)
    9.3 miSouth End, Dilworth
    $$

    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!

    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.

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    Indaco - Upstairs

    Upstairs

    Indaco
    Indaco - Roman Dawn and Sole Serenade

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    Roman Dawn and Sole Serenade

    DeSarnos - italian - Updated May 2026

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