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    Dolce Vita

    4.4 (68 reviews)
    PriceyBars, Italian
    Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Dolce Vita Photos

    Business Info

    DOLCE VITA ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Romantic
    Classy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - Dolce Vita

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    Reviews With Photos

    Fried Zucchini & Yellow Squash
    Chun M.

    Serving a party of 35 is not an easy task! We were in the back party room with tables set up in a U and the room could easily accommodate twice that many people. The service was impeccable and impressive because the waitstaff were obviously highly trained and attentive, knowing exactly when a wine or water glass needed filling, food was served quickly or when dishes or utensils needed to be changed or cleared. House red & white wines set on the table in carafes were constantly refilled and crusty Italian bread was in no short supply. Our select menu started with antipasti, served family style, starting with Crispy Calamari and Breaded Zucchini & Yellow Squash, all perfectly batter dipped, breaded and fried. The squash were super hot and almost burned my tongue, but you know they were seasoned right as they came out of the hot oil, perfectly golden and accompanied by sweet marinara sauce. These were followed by Mussels Marinara, all plump and sweet. Following a traditional Italian meal, the pasta course was served in the form of Penne a la Vodka for everyone. We had a couple of vegans and gluten-free diets in our party and they were accommodated without hesitation. For entrées, we had a choice of Fillet of Sole Oreganata, Italian NY Strip Steak or Veal Sorrentino, all with a side of sautéed string beans and a cheesy croquette. I opted for the flounder which was very flavorful and of course heavy on the garlic. My wife had the steak and I was most grateful that she shared some with me. For the vegans, the chef was able to make a Grilled Vegetable Medley and for the gluted-free, Grilled Pork Chops. Of course, dessert was served family style as well with Italian Cheesecake and Tartufo w/ Layered Chocolate & Vanilla Ice Cream, all washed down with coffee, espresso or cappuccino. I even took the ice cream out of my tartufo and made my own affogato, though they probably would have made me one! I would love to come back for a repeat performance of this amazing evening!

    Chocolate mousse cake
    Demora F.

    One of the best experiences I've had.! We had reservations and was seated right away . It was clearly not a busy evening but it was perfect . The ambience was giving romantic vibes. Our server did an amazing job. He went over the specials with us and it was such a hard decision because everything sounded so good We settled for zucchini flowers , octopus, calamari meatballs for appetizers , entrees were chicken Marsala , salmon pieces wth pasta and peas , sea bass , and pork chops. Hope I didn't forget anything as it was so much food We also had red and white wine . Everything was extremely delicious ! The calamari needed a kick of flavor/spice but otherwise everything tasted incredible ! Desert was heavenly. I will definitely be back! Amazing food and service !

    Cabernet Sauvignon
    Nicola C.

    I decided to visit the Old Pinocchio's place and was totally amazed with the New DV! I was in awe with their cuisine, ambiance & especially their service. Luiz (Head Waiter) & Anthony couldn't have been more on point with their hospitality & professional attitude towards a total stranger. And the bartender George along with his wife, Rosanna (as a patron) couldn't have more welcoming and the most kindest people I have privilege of meeting. NOW ABOUT THE FOOD!!!! MARRONE!!! If there is a place you want to have authentic Italian cuisine.....this is the place...BRAVO to the chef and his staff. RATING:#1 in Fine Dining! 100% in Satisfying the palate! 10 out of 10 in Excellence & Experience! THANKS FOR A WONDERFUL TIME! Nicola Cervo

    On the wall
    Joel H.

    Word: Amazing. I mean from the second I walked into Dolce Vita it was a fabulous experience. This is truly and neighborhood hidden gem of an Italian restaurant. You walk into a lovely bar area and are immediately greeted by the owner, George. A delightful person who was genuinely happy to say hello to his guests and prepare you for a wonderful meal. We were a group of 12 friends. Joe, the regular in the restaurant, hosted us and ordered appetizers to pass around including a Calamari - which was AMAZING and Mozzarella and Tomatoes, also fantastic. Sitting here was like being in an old school dining spot. It seems like everyone here new everyone here. And the newbies were welcomed to join the family. There were lots of main dishes going on around here and everyone was dipping into every thing. Not even sure of what I was enjoying BUT, I was enjoying everything. Clearly, I should have been back already but sadly I have not. I will and document more of the dishes. Some advice though... DO NOT fill up on the amazing bread... Remember to leave room for a dessert, even if you have to share it.

    Menu - what a selection!
    Nancy T.

    After reading rave reviews about DV on a marine park Facebook group my boyfriend and I decided to try this close to home restaurant for my birthday dinner just the two of us -DV is a visually attractive restaurant and the service and the food are AMAZING! DELICIOUS Italian cuisine and attentive service -they make a red sauce that would make any Italian grandma proud! Their menu and specials are quite extensive! We were thrilled they were offering zucchini flowers last night - we shared zucchini flowers which was lightly fried, breaded and with cheese and that red sauce -yumilicious! We also shared the stuffed artichoke - again absolutely delicious! We ordered the same main dish - seafood Fra Diavolo -warning it's very spicy but still delicious and with a very generous serving of sea food and your choice of pasta They made my birthday special when desert came around - a sparkling candle on my way too sweet cheesecake cone and almost the whole restaurant joined in to sing happy birthday! I give this great restaurant 4 stars instead of 5 because wow are the acoustics bad! We were there on a Wednesday evening and place was full mostly small and medium sized groups dining and they were noisy - if you are looking for a quiet romantic evening where you can hear each other speak unless the place is empty I don't think this would be your best pick - we really did LOVE the food and the service!

    This is the menu that was shown to me after the menu
    Tina M M.

    I have never heard of this place but came for an occasion tonight. I was not told much about the menu upon agreeing to attend because I am not picky. The fixed menu did not include the original offers that I discovered after. As everyone ordered nothing was appealing to me the choices were veal, chicken or fish. I asked the waiter if there was a vegetarian choice he said eggplant. The food came out as I struggled to cut the eggplant with my fork, felt like plastic was in between. I continued to try and find a soft piece maybe a hard piece of cheese but the whole thing was hard. I motioned to the waiter and told him no good. He asked if I wanted something else I was turned off by whatever that was I ate. Later came the cake which had a white hair in it along with my burnt coffee. I got up to pay my bar bill and quietly was telling the waiter what I discovered. All of a sudden a very loud voice said you can tell me,come on! Shouting. I'm the owner! I said what are you screaming for? I told him about my experience he tells me he yells because he is European. Needless to say the food did not come off the bill, the bill was given in one lump sum with the gratuity already included and tax. This owner didn't give a s--t about nothing not even a apology. Mister owner.... Your food is disgusting and so is your attitude. Yes the restaurant had people in it, probably regulars but the fixed menu with only choices that cost me $78 that I didn't even eat. That is really bad.

    Meatballs appetizer

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    4 months ago

    Not impressed. My dish watery. They took my favorite dish off of the menu ... linguine puttanesca

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    Solid Italian food! Not the greatest but always just hits the spot! The spaghetti and meatballs is classic and the pizza is solid.

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    2 years ago

    A regular for special occasions and every day , never disappoints with the food, service, drinks ,

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    Barbalu Bklyn - Short rib ragu pappardelle

    Barbalu Bklyn

    4.3(170 reviews)
    6.0 miCobble Hill

    Best to go on Sundays...for Parking. Otherwise, this quaint, intimate enclave of delicious fresh…read moreItalian fare is the perfect date or family gathering spot. Pastas are fresh, wines are Italian and Service is familial, comforting and personable. There's bar space for solo situations or to grab a quick bite and sip. Short Ribs Paparadelle, Fettucine Alfredo with Grilled Chicken were fresh & delish! Had the Fried Calamari and Shrimp to start. Very light battered, fried and clean. Also, had the divine Roasted Brussel Sprouts. Ended with the Olive Oil Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and the 3 Mini Cannolis, which provided the perfect bite to end the feast. Just sweet enough to leave you wanting more. No matter the occasion, Barbalu is GOOD to you!

    The pasta is very good, all of it. The pizza is good. The calamari is great. The restaurant is…read morebusy, the guy bussing tables was very good, he brought us more water, a light for the table, and more. Our waitress was super busy, luckily we had what we needed. The tables are not on top of each other and the noise is lively, but manageable. The food came out in a reasonable time, the bread was good. The hostess was disappointing. She acknowledged walk-in parties and later reservations of the same size that came in the door after us, lining up behind us. We had a reservation for 4. We arrived on time. This happened not once, not twice, but four times, the hostess looking past us to talk to people inline behind us or next to us, as if we were invisible. It wasn't until the 5th white couple she attempted to assist told her flat out that we were waiting before them, and the others she helped. I was looking for the owner or manager but thanks to this kind couple, that wasn't needed. Their blunt comments maybe embarrassed the hostess because only then did the hostess look at me rather than past me, and ask "how many..." she was ready to tell us there was no availability when I answered that we were a party of four as she looked around the dining room and gestured as if to say 'no seats'. I added that we had a reservation for 10 minutes ago. She asked my name and checked her tablet, then said "ok" and sat us at the table by the door. Once we were seated and situated, my young daughter looked up from her menu and asked me why was everybody else helped before us? She honestly didn't know. For those not familiar with having these types of conversations, let's just say that they can make even the best tasting pasta and pizza unsavory if you dwell on it. It's bad when a 7 year old notices they were "othered". Your mileage may vary, I'm sure there is more than one hostess working. I don't think I would recommend Barbalu to everybody unless you're getting take out, or you don't mind a "fight" to get service, assuming you insisted on eating here.

    Photos
    Barbalu Bklyn
    Barbalu Bklyn - Broccolini Pizza

    Broccolini Pizza

    Barbalu Bklyn - Focaccia

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    Focaccia

    Ammazzacaffè - dog friendly patio

    Ammazzacaffè

    4.3(400 reviews)
    6.5 miEast Williamsburg
    $$

    Ammazzacaffe is truly one of the better Italian restaurants and a hidden gem…read more My take? To preface, I'm not a big fan of Torrisi (overhyped and too many flavors being mixed), Misi went down the Carbone route and has gone downhill in the past 1-2 years, and Rezdora was really delicious, but they skimp on portions. L'artusi also in my opinion is decent, but doesn't have the wow factor to make me come back. I also tend to lean more toward authentic Italian tastes with less salt and el dente pasta (Alfredo also doesn't exist in Italy...) So, really, Ammazzacafe executed well in regard to portions and being generous. Their sauce with pastas was well seasoned, flavorful, and their pasta perfectly el dente with quality pasta. So far for Italian food, I recommend Don Angie, a Pasta Eater, Piccolo Cucina, a Pasta Bar, Rezdora, Forma Pasta, and Ammazzacaffe. Definitely will return to Ammazzacaffe - there's also a deli/coffee shop/bodega near Frost Street as their sister establishment in East Williamsburg by the way!

    I live in the same block as Ammazzacaffè and have been hearing about it more and more so decided to…read morecheck it out when my cousin was visiting town. We came on a Sunday night for dinner and they had two jazz musicians playing in the corner. Super cool vibe, nice interior, and good service. I got the Pesce dish and it was really good. I was debating on getting the chicken parmageddon which is their Sunday night specialty but will probably try it next time. I will say, the jazz music got a little bit loud at times, so they either need to turn it down a little bit or you can ask to be seated in the back. They've also got a really cute outdoor patio in the back that I wanna check out next time.

    Photos
    Ammazzacaffè - Spaghetti bottarga

    Spaghetti bottarga

    Ammazzacaffè - Mini Martini and Caviar bump

    Mini Martini and Caviar bump

    Ammazzacaffè - Reginetter with pork ragu

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    Reginetter with pork ragu

    Piccola Cucina Casa - Bruschetta Carpaccio Di Manzo

    Piccola Cucina Casa

    4.6(69 reviews)
    5.6 miBoerum Hill

    Came here for Christmas dinner on Thursday. I searched for a restaurant semi-close to me that had…read moregreat reviews and was Italian. This was high up on my search, and with reviews like what they have, we decided to give them a shot. Its very easy to get to with a decent amount of street parking. Seems a bit out of place next to a deli on a residential block. You can kind of miss it if youre not paying attention. We were a party of 6 and had a 5 PM reservation. You have to pass through this dark curtain and go to the middle of the bar where the host will greet you and bring you to your seats. We were seated promptly with no wait. The restaurant is VERY small. So much so that at our table, all I had to do was reach my hand out and I would have been touching the kitchen counter. It does get a little crammed/crowded, but not in an annoying or unbearable kind of way. The vibe is actually really cozy and rustic. Very dim lighting so either whip out the flashlight on your phone or hold up one of the real candles they have on the table to read the menu. The food menu is straightforward and simple. They have an extensive wine list. I love how on the food menu, next to each dish, they tell you the region of Italy that dish gets its roots from. They have lovely dinnerware here. They brought out a foccacia bread for the table with a tomato dipping sauce. Absolutely delicious foccacia. The sauce was a tad too salty for me. I started off with the mocktail Luisa. It was passion fruit, lemon, agave, ginger beer, and mint. It was $10 and very fresh and mouthwatering! For my appetizer I had the Calamari alla griglia. Grilled calamari with guacamole and carasau bread. I've never had grilled calamari before. Only either marinara or fried. I also thought pairing it with guacamole was an interesting twist. I was so pleasantly surprised by this dish. The calamari were perfectly fork tender grilled. The guacamole went well with it. The carasau bread was more like a tortilla chip. They give you a decent amount for $24.95. That app slid down my throat effortlessly! For my entree I had the Maccheroncini alla Norma. Maccheroni with eggplant in tomato sauce with ricotta cheese. The pasta was so fresh and perfectly cooked. The sauce reminded me so much of my Calabrian grandmother's. The ricotta made it rich and creamy. Filling as well. So much so that, even though it wasn't a huge portion, I had to take home half of it because I was verging on being stuffed! My mother had the Cotoletta alla milanese. Keep in mind that if you get this chicken cutlet dish that it serves about four people, even though its for 1! HUGE portion. About 4 enormous cutlets that gave my mom 3 days of leftovers! All of the desserts were $12.95. A nice selection to choose from, but I had the classic Tiramisu. They make it here tableside. He made it with such care. Loved watching him put it all together. Let me tell you, that was the BEST Tiramisu that I've EVER had! Wow, just amazing. Very balanced, quality ingredients. The marscapone was so decadent, creamy and fresh. I could have easily taken down 2 of them! I tried some of my mother's chocolate cake. Delicious and decadent. Service throughout our dinner was above and beyond. Attentive, kind, concise and our waiter was such a cutie! Smooth sailing throughout the entire meal. We barely had to wait for anything. Amazing restaurant and staff. Prices are just fine and the quality goes way beyond. Can't wait to come back. Highly impressed and recommend!

    Charming Italian restaurant with a rustic vibe. Came here for dinner one night, and was lucky…read moreenough to be able to sit outside on this not too busy street. This place does get busy so recommend making reservations if you can. They have a pretty nice wine list to choose from along with different cocktail options. From the start, the food was delicious starting with the house bread which was warm and soft but still felt light. For dinner, I ordered the special for the night which was cacio pepe ravioli, while my husband got the tagliatelle verdi con ragu. Both of our pasta dishes felt extremely fresh. The ravioli was unlike anything Ive had before, with flavorful cacio pepe filling and a butter sauce with pancetta complementing the flavor. The tagliatelle was also delicious in a more ragu centric way, still offering a good balance of flavor. Both dishes were pretty filling and so neither of us could finish it. We ended the night with cannolis, which was a pleasant surprise to find 3 came in 1 order. One side is pistachio while the other had a coco dusting. These were again delicious but pretty filling and sweet so we could only eat one. The staff here was also very friendly and service was quick with food coming out much faster than I expected. Overall I would come back and try even more on their menu.

    Photos
    Piccola Cucina Casa - Nice room

    Nice room

    Piccola Cucina Casa - Bread service

    Bread service

    Piccola Cucina Casa - Bar area

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    Bar area

    Evelina - Evelina's Dining Room -  Shot by Shane Condino

    Evelina

    4.4(502 reviews)
    5.6 miFort Greene
    $$

    So a friend and I decided to dine out on a Tuesday, thinking that most places would be empty, well…read morenot EVELINA. We were able to snag an early seating at 6:30. Note: reservations are not required but definitely suggested!! This place was packed. Every table sat, but a few chairs at the bar. I give this place 5 stars, EVERYTHING was lovely! The dim lights, (I love a dark and moody restaurant) noise level, talk-able but good music in the background, food, drinks, service.... all of it TOP NOTCH. Let's get into the deets.... I ordered the Portia cocktail... if you like Mezcal, you should definitely try this one. Smoky and a little sweet, it was a delicious drink We order Pinsa Bianca for appetizers, the bread, roasted peppers and whipped ricotta all made for a light but delish start. We then dove into the rib-eye (for 2) DELICIOUS ! One of the best steaks outside of a steakhouse I have had. The marbling gave it great flavor, salted well and the perfect char on the outside, it was accompanied by French fries and broccolini. All a great addition; The broccolini was surprisingly not too bitter which was nice. To round it off we ordered their version of a Lemon tart! It was the perfect level of sweet and tart! Yummmo Overall a great place for dinner, run don't walk, you won't be disappointed! You'll thank me later

    We went for a Mother's Day brunch. The place was packed. Lots of families with kids and babies…read more 9our server was friendly and sweet and helped guide our decisions. We got the lobster with white asparagus with eggs to share. Yum. It really did not need the eggs. The hollondaise was delicious. We ordered. Oxtail rags, carbonara, and the fish pasta -Sardinian nod. All were excellent. The carbonara could have used a bit of pepper and a bit more pecorino. Guanciale? Or bacon? Also had the scallops which we loved. I ordered a Bellini but it was not a Bellini. No peach. Just a cherry - odd. The Lemon scone was the best we have had - served with cream and lemon curd. Amazing The Carmel custard dessert - was rich but a bit one note. It did come with a crunchy buttery cookie. The ice creams were homemade. The restaurants is lovely. Food wonderful. Service friendly and quick. But it is so loud you are literally yelling at your companions. Maybe they could turn down the music ? Regardless. We love this place!

    Photos
    Evelina
    Evelina
    Evelina - Burrata, Asparagus, shaved Bottarga

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    Burrata, Asparagus, shaved Bottarga

    Michael's - I love ordering the mushroom dish.

    Michael's

    4.4(529 reviews)
    1.5 miMidwood
    $$$

    We had the best night at Michael's!…read more I knew Michaels was an iconic restaurant deep in Brooklyn. I've seen their sauce sold in stores before, and we finally made the trip out for dinner. We went around Christmas and it was decorated inside. The restaurant was packed. Every single table was full. Everyone was having the best time. Even the bar was totally full of people ordering drinks before they were seated. The food is classic, New York Italian. Everything is a very well done version. The veal Parm was one of the best I've ever had. The caramel cake at the end was truly beyond. I can't recommend this experience enough. We ate for three hours had amazing cocktails, great bottles of wine and a really delicious meal. Looking around, you could tell the diners were locals enjoying a beloved neighborhood restaurant. It's such a special restaurant that serves real New Yorkers.

    You can tell this is a staple Italian restaurant in Marine Park, Brooklyn. Lots of regulars and…read morefamilies. I always pass by and finally decided to try it out. The interior looks like a classic Italian restaurant and service is very formal. It was quite busy for a weekday night. There's valet parking so you don't have to stress about finding street parking nearby. We ordered fried calamari, baked clams, baked vodka penne, and the Fisherman's Platter. We were served bread and some antipasto to start. The calamari was a classic and I loved the sauce -- it had a good spicy kick to it. The baked clams were okay. The Fisherman's Platter is a must and good value with its generous portion of seafood. It can definitely be shared amongst two people. The baked vodka penne was also good but portion was on the smaller side. I would say Michael's is a must try at least once.

    Photos
    Michael's - Love their bread platter and decor.

    Love their bread platter and decor.

    Michael's - It was our first time trying the lobster dish - delicious and fresh. The baked dish tasted too burnt.

    It was our first time trying the lobster dish - delicious and fresh. The baked dish tasted too burnt.

    Michael's - Appetizers were so delicious.

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    Appetizers were so delicious.

    Lilia - Rigatoni Diavola

    Lilia

    3.9(1.4k reviews)
    7.0 miWilliamsburg - North Side
    $$$$

    I came to Lilia for dinner with my sister and we had a great time! We had a reservation, and…read moreeveryone was incredibly kind. The service was great, and our server gave us great recommendations. Inside has lots of seating and it is moody, more of a date-night vibe. We ordered three pastas and two appetizers. All were overall great! They are known for their focaccia, and it was good! Definitely one of the focaccia I have had, most end up being too oily but this was perfect. We also got the mussels, and they were good as well, the butter sauce it is dosed in is not too heavy and pairs well with the bread. The Mafaldini was the biggest portion size, and it was also good, but we preferred the other pastas more. The best pasta was definitely the agnolotti!! Though the portion size was smaller, every bite was so delicious. Overall we had a great time here!

    I've been dying to try this spot but was quite underwhelmed by the food. We got the focaccia to…read morestart which was good but nothing special. The mussels and agnolotti were probably the stars of the show. We also had the fettuccine with lamb sausage which was good but again, nothing special. Service wise, the staff was great and very attentive. The food came out extremely quickly so we were in and out of the restaurant which wasnt a bad thing but an observation. Overall, I wouldn't go out of my way to Brooklyn to come back but that is just my take! I'm glad I was able to experience.

    Photos
    Lilia - Bar area

    Bar area

    Lilia - Apple crostata (@joeynht)

    Apple crostata (@joeynht)

    Lilia - Italian job (gelato)

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    Italian job (gelato)

    Bamonte's - Sides--green beans and potatoes

    Bamonte's

    4.0(524 reviews)
    6.9 miWilliamsburg - North Side
    $$

    Cuisine: 7 Service: 8…read moreDecor: 8 Value: 7 Overall: 7 I wonder how many 100 year old restaurants are still left in NYC. It can't be easy to stay true to who you are in this ever changing world. With today's social media heavy and influencer dominated marketing, this restaurant sits on a quiet street in Brooklyn just going about its business. Known as an Italian red sauce shop that served all walks of life, including possibly the mafia, this place has seen it all. If only the walls can talk, I could imagine all the stories it holds. Our friendly waiter has been there for 20+ years and shared some of his experiences and memories. It was a nice bonus to our meal for four. For appetizers, we had some Clams Oreganata (8/10), Fried Calamari (8/10), and Roasted Peppers w/ Anchovies (8/10). I would say that these three starters were the highlights of the meal. The entrees were not bad, just not as outstanding as their appetizer counterparts. My favorite of the bunch was the Eggplant Parmigiana (8/10), which was delicious and well made. The other three items, Pork Chop alla Bamonte's (6/10), Ravioli w/ Meat Sauce (7/10), and Rigatoni w/ Sausage & Broccoli Rabe (7/10), were all decent, but nothing special. By the end of the meal, four of us all agreed that it was a fun experience. With all the great options for Italian cuisine in NYC, it's not somewhere that stands out enough for regular visits. However, I would stop by if I was in the neighborhood.

    I think the only way to really express how great the food here is would be to simply say that you…read moreshould try it for yourself. Make a pact with yourself that before you die you experience culinary paradise. Maybe it's laying it on thick for some of you but my dish of veal scarpariello was the best thing I've ever had at any Italian restaurant ever. Nor do I think that is an exaggeration at all. The veal was thin enough and with an equally thin layer of eggplant and mozzarella covering it and emerssed in a white wine sauce I couldn't decide what part was my favorite. I still can't decide but I will say I must go back and try it again. I thought that the dish looked small but I couldn't even finish half of it pan my own even though it was compelling me to devour the entire thing! Truly, don't even think of going without trying that dish for yourself. The staff was some of the most attentive I've ever come across. We had fresh plates and silverware after every course. We didn't need to look for a waiter at all for they were there seeing to our every need. And the patrons all looked like they were enjoying a special night out because this is truly a special place. Great food, great atmosphere and a wonderful night out!

    Photos
    Bamonte's - Interior

    Interior

    Bamonte's - Breast Chicken Parmigiana

    Breast Chicken Parmigiana

    Bamonte's - Fried Calamari

    See all

    Fried Calamari

    Dolce Vita - bars - Updated May 2026

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