Beautiful ambiance and stellar food. Service felt rushed last time so I put a note in my reservation that I did not want to be rushed.

Wow! What an experience! We have always wanted to try Donatello--it's a historical, legendary institution. Be sure to look at the photos of the celebrity guests like Drake and Frankie Valli. Reservations: We took my mom for Mother's Day and booked an online reservation with ease. Parking: We valet-parked, no problem. Service: We were greeted with water and a delicious bread basket, and our drink orders were taken immediately. Food: The menu is very upscale Italian, as is the restaurant itself. I ordered the chicken Milanese, and my husband had the tortellini. Unfortunately, we were too full for dessert, but the cappuccinos were lovely. read more

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I'll tell you what. It's just a no for me dawg - Randy Jackson style. Sure, you have red lights and a low ceiling but you know what. The sink water that comes out in the form of soup, mid. The pasta, lame. I just don't get it. Concept: they have to be renting cars and putting them out front just to try to draw eyes and pull people in. I just don't get it. I had a friend go here and support their friend that plays the piano (wild) but I wished them the best before going in becuase I struggle to find a redeeming quality about this place. Nothing stood out when I went. There are about 4 other Italian restaurants that deserve the spotlight to glimmer and dance in the glory that Donatello's steals. I just don't get it. All in all, if this is your jam. All power to you. I just don't get it. read more

We visited Donatello for the first time and were immediately impressed by the service. The host gave us a very warm welcome and seemed to know many of the guests, which made it feel like a place with lots of regulars. The atmosphere is romantic, perfect for a date night. I ordered the Piccata al Limone, and it was delicious. The food and drinks were both excellent, and everything felt professionally prepared. The service was outstanding. The only downside is the price most entrees are around $40, which feels a bit high. Still, that's a small drawback compared to the overall great experience. read more

Donatello Restaurant - Piccata Al Limone - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

My wife and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary at Donatello this year. This restaurant is an experience. Top notch service, excellent food and an ambiance that says love is in the air. I made an early 530pm reservation for my wife and I on a Friday evening. We like earlier dinners. When we arrived, the parking was manageable and the place was not crowded. Upon entering the old wooden doors, you're greeted by a hostess, a woman named Tatiana. All evening long, Tatiana introduced herself to every single person that walked in that door. A smile, a handshake and then ushered you to a man in a tux that walks you to your table. We were seated and our server was around quick. This early in the evening, a lot of servers, all men, not a single female server, were standing around biding their time for the eventual rush. We started with drinks. My wife had a mocktail, I had a house old fashioned. We toasted to 5 years of marriage. For a starter, we had to try the bruschetta. $7 per order, single slim piece for toasted bread topped with tasty, zingy chopped tomatoes and seasonings. It was good. For our mains, my wife ordered the Tortellini Pana Prosciutto Piselli. Delicate, soft pasta filled with meat, adorned with salty prosciutto and smothered in a creamy, well seasoned sauce. My wife enjoyed her dinner. I ordered the 14oz. Medaglioni Di Manzo Alla Pizzaiola. This two 7oz beef filets, smothered in a tomato sauce with some basic seasoned, steamed veggies on the side. Carrots and green beans. The steaks were perfectly cooked, medium for me, and had their Italian flare with the rich, tomato sauce smothering them in a depth of flavor that made me think this sauce has been cooking for hours in a big steel pot that has been used since the place opened. One interesting thing is the prep stations that are placed throughout the restaurant. The process at this restaurant sends out dishes to be heated on burners before being presented at tables. In the end we opted for no dessert but was brought one anyway for our anniversary. A tasty chocolate cake. We highly enjoyed our dinner at Donatello. It's an iconic Tampa restaurant and we are glad we had the opportunity to dine here. As we left, the entrance was jam packed with people, it was pouring rain and valet line was down Dale Mabry. Tempers were flaring with one woman laying on her horn and yelling out her window profanities at another driver. Gotta love Tampa. We'd go back. read more

Came here to celebrate my wife's birthday after reading the glowing Yelp reviews. Upon entering, we were greeted like regulars and seated. Perfect venue for special occasions, service is impeccable and the food is excellent. My caprice salad was very tasty ( $25) and my linguine (homemade) bolenese was excellent- large portion with plenty of flavor. My wife had the grouper special which was exceptional. Our wine was a generous pour. After waiving a white flag to surrender, they sang Happy Birthday and presented us with a wonderful chocolate cake and a rose(nice touch) Expensive but again- nice for special occasions in an upscale ambiance. Right off Dale Marbary, valet parking read more

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This restaurant gives old school Italian vibes. It's very dimly lit, lots of candles and still has booths. We went for my birthday and the staff acknowledged my birthday several times, which was nice! Not pictured, the tomato caprese was amazing! The entrée portions were HUGE! I think the food, especially entrées were definitely overpriced. The food was good, but I think there are better Italian places in the area. read more

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My family brought me here for my birthday celebration and we were all so impressed with the many intricate details this restaurant makes to provide the ultimate dining experience. Excellent ambiance, food and service! When you walk in you immediately feel elegance and authentic Italian culture with gorgeous paintings and ceiling murals. High points and recommendations: Expresso martinis are a must before you begin looking at the Extensive wine menu. We all had pasta and steaks. Can not recommend this highly enough! read more

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Donatello is a very upscale, classy Italian dining experience in Tampa, Florida. From the moment you walk into the restaurant, you are greeted by the owner and quickly taken to your seat. You can expect a very intimate setting. The aura is filled with garlic and amazing smells! Our waiter gave us a great recommendation for a Sauvignon Blanc wine and kept our glasses full. The service was exceptional! We started with lumache (escargot) and salad and it was perfect. They split our two entrees of pasta and steak in half and it was so nice. I celebrated a family birthday and they brought dessert and sang, as well. All the portions were extremely big and made for great leftovers. Valet parking is your option and it's quick and reliable. The prices are very fair for an upscale restaurant and it was a great meal! read more

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Classic old school Italian. Friendly service and quick. Great drinks. Had the crab wine sauce pasta which was great! So yummy. And the cold grilled calamari which also fantastic. read more

My first time here on Valentines Day & I had a very wonderful time. You are greeted upon arrival & I was given a rose after my dinner.My bartender was amazing & my dinner was delicious! Friendly & warm atmosphere! read more

Donatello Restaurant - Lemon drop martini...made perfect! Complimentary bread/butter. - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Loved this restaurant ! It was very nice to experience this place and the amazing food. The service was amazing and friendly. The pasta I ordered was amazing and I loved that I was able to modify it. I ordered the crab linguini pasta and asked for their truffle cream sauce and it was delicious. If I come here again I will order a pasta with fettuccini because those noodles were amazing that I tried off my bfs plate. The tiramisu was also delicious, one of the best ! read more

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Went here on a recommendation while visiting the area. We had a party of 8. I honestly do not understand the hype. Very pricey for the portions and quality. I come from New England and have been to many Italian restaurants in the Providence and Boston area. To order veal parmigiana and to have it not come with pasta is kind of bizarre. It came with carrots and string beans with a potato stick that looked like a mozzarella stick. That was $45. You could add pasta for $14.95. One of us ordered the shrimp and lobster risotto. She has a seafood allergy so asked to just replace the seafood with chicken. They were accommodating and made the dish. Problem is they kept it at $79.95. So $79.95 for chicken and risotto. Just crazy. The service was ok although we felt rushed to order. Atmosphere was very loud. I cannot understand the hype. Maybe it's because of options in the area. But honestly overall it was not worth the price for the quality or quantity. I would not recommend or return. To quote one of the guests I was with. " if you remove the price it was still one of the worst Italian meals they had " read more

This was one of the most disappointing meals I've had in a long time. We decided to attend the Mardi Gras event, and upon arrival, we were greeted and offered Mardi Gras face masks, which was a nice touch. However, the experience quickly went downhill. After being seated, the first thing our waiter asked was if we wanted a drink, but I wasn't given a wine list or drink menu--I had to ask for it. That should have been the first red flag. When I finally saw the selection, I was disappointed with the available cabernets and chose not to order any wine. For appetizers, we ordered the tortellini soup and mussels in red sauce. Instead, we were served two orders of mussels in white sauce. I had to send them back. When the correct appetizers finally arrived, I was shocked by what was placed in front of us. The tortellini soup was essentially salt water with five tortellini floating in it--completely underwhelming. The mussels, fortunately, were good, but the server attempted to take my plate away twice, making me feel rushed. For our entrées, we ordered linguini with clams in white wine sauce and the cannelloni Donatello. The cannelloni came out looking more like enchiladas than an Italian dish. My linguini, at least, was decent. As for the entertainment, I thought it was enjoyable--live music and performers going around added to the atmosphere. However, the overall dining experience was subpar. Between the service mishaps, disappointing food, and rushed atmosphere, I won't be returning. read more

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Atmosphere - Great! This is a quintessential, Old World Italian restaurant. Having said this, if you don't like the color pink, it may not be for you. When you enter the restaurant you will be warmly greeted by two gentlemen who make you feel like a special guest. The only ding that prevents a 5 star rating is that the tables are a bit too tight and the room can be quite noisy. The servers as dressed to the "Nines" and they are very friendly, but professional. Service- Very Good. As mentioned above, the restaurant is staffed with high quality, professional servers. Food - Excellent! As my entree, I had Veal Scaloppini sautéed with prosciutto and fontina cheese. The veal was extremely tender and the combination of the prosciutto and cheese in the sautéed sauce was delicious. My wife and I shared the Zucchini Fritti, which also very good. The breading was light and it was deep fried perfectly. Overall Value - Very Good. This is , in my opinion, one of the best Italian restaurants in the Tampa Bay Area read more

Donatello Restaurant - Zucchini Fritti - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

We arrived early for our reservation so we could have a drink at the bar. The bar area is very nice and my lemon drop martini was a great size and was good. We were then taken into the dining room, which is huge. For a Sunday night, it was packed!!! The servers are all super efficient and everything moves along quickly, but you don't feel rushed. The menu is extensive. My husband and I shared the fried zucchini which is served with a marinara sauce. Although I took pictures, you can't really tell what they are because of the pink lights at the tables. The zucchini was a large portion and was great. For my entree I had the cannelloni which was stuffed with sausage and cheese. Again, good flavor. The best of all was that they heated the food right in the restaurant, so my food was piping hot, which I love. We had a wonderful evening and I would highly recommend coming here. read more

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Everything! I've been coming here since the late eighties! I have eaten many of their meals and I have always been Happy. My over All favorite dish is the three pastas. It is served either as an appetizer or the main course. I'm in love with this dish I'm salavating now! LOL THIS PLACE IS A MUST! read more

First class experience - customer service was second to none. Real italians. Get the chocolate mousse! read more

Donatello Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

A quintessential old school Italian restaurant! Think moody lighting, low ceilings and live jazz music. The atmosphere is so cozy and classy. The menu is large with all of the authentic classics. All of our meals were delicious and you could tell extremely fresh and served right out the kitchen. The portions are also very large. What makes the meal here is the service. All of our waiters were attentive and kind, we never had an empty glass or dirty plate sitting on the table. Be warned the prices are steep, but a great spot for a special occasion. read more

Step into a feeling of old world Italy with music and delicious dishes from Antipasti to pasta and meat and seafood dishes. This was my first visit and on a Saturday night, they offer valet parking only (so don't forget the cash to tip!). Entering the restaurant we were greeted warmly by "Gino" and about a hundred photos of celebrities all over the walls. From Frankie Valli to Kevin Sorbo and government leaders, for 40 years you can see this was no ordinary restaurant and has its own place in history. We made a reservation - highly recommend - and all of the tables were in a dimly lit dining room that gave you a nostalgic of grandma's kitchen, but with a bit more formality. People were dressed from casual to fancy dress and everything seemed appropriate. The lounge on the opposite side had a band playing all kids of oldies and lounge-style pop songs, that I would not have classified as "jazz" as the website said, but enjoyable nonetheless. We heard so many tables sung Happy Birthday in Italian, you can tell this was a locals favorite for special occasions. I ordered a start Caesar salad which was delicious and made table side. It was a large starter and the dressing had the perfect balance of anchovy and pepper - two ingredients some places cannot get right. My main dish was angel hair pasta with tomato and basil. It was light, tomatoes tasted fresh and they do not skimp on portion size. Everything was delicious, and service impeccable. My only criticism is the prices were a bit steep for Italian food. I'm sure you were paying for the privilege to be in this elite, family history. As we exited, ladies received a beautiful single, long-stem red rose. A romantic gesture that made you forget the bill. Definitely a lovely place for a great meal on special occasions. read more

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Classic Italian dining like this is hard to beat. The service is top-notch and so is the food. We celebrated an 85th birthday with 12 family members of all age and everyone was happy with the entire experience. It's hard to snap pics with the lighting but it sure is classy and romantic. read more

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Still an excellent Italian restaurant, and it was a very busy night-Valentines Day- but the service has slipped below their 40-year standard. One dirty fork. Could only get one bottle of sparkling water because they did not have enough bottles chilled. Late with the bread. Late with the sugar for the cappuccino. Mistake/ overcharge on bill. Still, my veal chop was excellent, as were the dinner salads and deserts. But at this price point, we expect near flawless service which was sadly lacking. read more

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We visited to celebrate my wife's birthday, and it was an unforgettable experience from start to finish. Our waiter gave excellent recommendations for both wine and food, and everything was spot on. The dishes arrived quickly, and the service couldn't have been better. The ambiance was romantic and intimate, perfect for the occasion. While the prices are on the higher side, the quality makes it absolutely worth it. I ordered the Cannelloni Donatello, and I'm still thinking about how perfectly cooked it was, right down to the sauce. My wife had the Carnia Alla Livornese, and she loved every bite. To finish, we shared the Mousse Cake, which was unbelievably fresh and decadent--easily one of the best desserts I've ever had. This place exceeded all expectations. I'll definitely be coming back with my family and even using it for business meetings. read more

Pros: * The owner personally greets guests and the staff are all very knowledgeable and courteous. * The ambiance is intimate and upscale. * Everyone really enjoyed their meals. * Live music. Cons: * The service was very very slow. For a party of three that skipped soup, salad, and dessert and was ready to order a few minutes after sitting, our dinner took over 3 hours. * The bathroom was a mess, with water and paper towels everywhere. * The bread brought out before our meal was room temp. The butter was cold from the fridge, unsalted, and bland. Not something I would normally even notice but IMO not acceptable for this price point. * While the food was good (with the exception of the bread) the quality and quantity did not reach the price point. read more

I have tried Italian food at a number of places but let me be CLEAR. Donatello's delivers authentic Italian Food within a great backdrop filled with great service, music, and total ambiance. The food had me making noises while savoring each bite. The portions were great and I was still full the next morning. Full transparency moment. For me. It's a special occasion place, but it's well worth the trip. My pictures are a little dark but just trust me on this one. Thank me later read more

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What an amazing experience! One of the best restaurants I've been to in Tampa - the vibes, atmosphere, service and food were absolutely the best of the best. They make feel very special from the moment you walk in by shaking your hand and greeting you. The photos of all the celebs & VIPs who have visited hung up in the lobby is also a fun touch. The food was delicious! We had the melon and prosciutto for an appetizer which threw me off guard at first but actually paired very well together. For entrees we had a lobster pasta, but my favorite was the veal. Our server brought us a dessert sampler since they were out of the napoleon which was such a nice treat :) Can't wait to return!! read more

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We came here for my birthday dinner just my husband and I. I've been wanting to try this place for a while and it was the perfect time. It is very romantic inside with the dim red lighting and the booths. The service here is great. I could hear a lot of the staff speaking Italian so it felt really authentic. One thing I liked is that they are preparing the pasta in front of you. They have nice selection of wine as well. I ended up getting the salmon alla Stromboli and it was delicious. I wish there was more shrimp on it though! Because it was my birthday they sang happy birthday to me in Italian and gave me some cake! The cake was delicious and they gave me a rose at the end of the meal. Definitely a great experience for a special occasion. read more

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Three years later, and three years of experiencing other Tampa Bay Italian restaurants, but Donatello still stands out amongst them all. So authentic that the waiters hardly speak English. The dining room is romantic, but lively enough that it's also perfect for a fun night out with friends. The bar and lounge area always has great live music. Our favorites are the Veal Canniloni and Ossobucco. There's an appetizer of cantaloupe wrapped in incredible prosciutto, which sounds strange but totally works. You can tell everyone truly enjoys their work, the food they're serving, and the people they work with. read more

I've been to Donatello twice and it never disappoints as they're also known for having live jazz entertainment seven nights a week in their piano bar. I do love the ambiance which has a romantic dim red/pinkish lighting and of course, the food and service were spot on! What I ordered: - Capelli D'Angelo Amalfi: Angel hair pasta with tomato and basil - Linguini Al Granchio: Linguini with jumbo crab meat in a white wine (MUST GET!!) - Cannelloni Donatello: Rolled fresh pasta stuffed with veal, mozzarella, glazed with besciamella and tomato sauce (MUST GET!!) - Caesar Salad - Ricotta Cheese cake (w/ fruit of the season) - Tiramisù read more

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I returned here for another great meal. For starters, I had the carpacio di filetto. This was a thinly raw beef tenderloin with parmesan, capers, and onions. This was very tasty. The beef was very thin with just enough flavor. The parmesan was the key here. I just thought there were too many onions present. I also tried the prosciutto and melon. It was solid as well. I also had the escargot again and same thoughts apply as of my previous visit. For dinner, I split the ossobuco alla Milanese (see previous review for similar thoughts, however, this was just a tad tougher than I remember) and tortellini pana prosciutto piselli. The tortellini was homemade and stuffed with sausage and ricotta in a cream sauce with prosciutto and peas. This was great. The tortellini was cooked al dente and the filing was ideal. The sauce was perfection and the prosciutto as well as the peas just enhanced the overall flavor. It was one of the better pasta dishes I had in a long time. I also tried the risotto special that came with pesto and scallops. The scallops were cooked to perfection and the risotto with pesto was a great combination. I also tried the linguini with lobster in a light tomato sauce. This was okay, just a little fishy. For dessert, the lemon tartufo was once again ordered (see previous review for similar thoughts). read more

The service is great! The live music was really nice. This is an upscale to restaurant that doesn't disappoint!

Donatello's is a wonderful restaurant! The menu is great and they even fixed a couple of dishes that weren't on the menu, but were Italian classics! The staff was very attentive and went out of their way to make sure we enjoyed our meals and had a great time. While the restaurant inside is larger than it appeared outside it still comes across as intimate. All in all we had a wonderful time! read more

Sometimes Date Night calls for roses and red lighting. You'll certainly appreciate it more if you come at night. We had a 5:30 reservation and didn't get the full effect due to the daylight coming through the windows. I noticed the waiters pushed ordering drinks on patrons. The Sicilian Spritzer was heavy on the Vodka. I murdered my Fettuccine Mare Monti! 10/10. The snails were delicious and ate all 6 since my date chickened out. No room left for dessert this time, but would consider coming back to explore the menu. read more

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Outstanding food, service, abiance and music. No wonder it's rated at one of the top 100 restaurants in the USA. You gotta go!

The Basics: Donatello is an old school, Italian restaurant in Tampa and one of the most well-know restaurants in town since it opened in the 1980s. The lights in the restaurant are low and the interior is welcoming and has retained its classic feel over the years. Things I like: The food at Donatello is delicious and the service was great as well. I loved that the menu had classic Italian items like Prosciutto with Melon and the Insalata Caprese was delicious as well. I ordered the Linguini Alle Vongole in white sauce and loved it. Castelvetrano Olives were also put on the table to enjoy. Things I didn't like: Nothing! I highly recommend visiting Donatello! Overall, a famous Tampa restaurant and a must for a no fuss, classic Italian feel. read more

Donatello Restaurant - Lemon Tartufo - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Donatello did not disappoint! The osso buco was absolutely excellent--tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The carpaccio was equally impressive: fresh, delicate, and delicious. Classic atmosphere and attentive service made for a memorable evening. read more

Donatello Restaurant - Carpacio Di Filetto - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida

What an unforgettable meal and dining experience at Donatello Restaurant! It's an iconic, fine dining Italian restaurant. You see photos of celebrities who dined there covering the walls upon entering. The dining room is so elegant and each table has 3 fresh roses. Here's what we ordered: ~Avocado and shrimp- avocado pear with jumbo shrimp and a European cocktail sauce. The avocado was perfectly ripe, shrimp were jumbo and fresh, and I like this cocktail sauce much more than the traditional red kind. ~Lumache farcite- snails baked in mushroom caps with parsley and garlic butter. This melted in my mouth. They were very enjoyable, and I loved the addition of the mushroom as well. ~Caesar salad -let me just say, the Parmesan ratio was ON POINT! You have to be a cheese lover for this! ~Risotto Principessa-creamy Italian risotto with scallops and lobster meat. We were blown away by the generous amount of scallops and lobster in this risotto. Also, the risotto portion was very generous too! It was creamy and the perfect dish for seafood lovers! This dish was unforgettable. The sauce was very similar to lobster bisque in flavor. ~Veal Chop Colombo- porterhouse veal chop topped with mixed mushrooms and brandy cream sauce. The sauce was creamy and delicious and I loved the mushrooms in it. It also came with some mixed veggies which were the perfect texture. Donatello is the perfect place to celebrate a birthday, anniversary, graduation, or to go for a special and romantic date night. The service is flawless, atmosphere is beautiful, food delicious, and every woman walks out the door with a fresh red rose, which is a beautiful touch I've never seen before. read more

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Great traditional Italian food combined with wonderful service. A Tampa tradition for my family

Excellent service and great food. 4 1/2 stars. The only issue is the noise level and the crowds on the weekend. We had the Cannelloni as recommended which was good but the Linguini in Red Clam sauce was excellent as was the spinach in garlic that was outstanding. The best part is the service, which made the experience excellent even overcoming the noisy environment. read more

Been here a couple times now and there is simply just other Italian places to go besides here. The ambiance is probably the nicest part. Very romantic red lighting in a spacious, low ceiling dining room. The bar has live jazz every night. The maitre'd is very polite and welcoming. Service and food is definitely lacking though. As far as food, it all just looks and tastes very bland. I had caprese and carpaccio to start and finished off with the New York strip on special. It was all so bland, lacked flavor, and had no real presentation. I ate 25% of my steak which I'm pretty sure came off a Sysco truck and still was charged $79.99 for it despite telling my server I didn't like it. (When you're with a big group, you don't wanna cause a fuss and demand it get taken off. But when more than half of a meal isn't eaten maybe you should take it off?) As far as service, our server seemed good at first when he took our 1st course order but after that there was never any checking in to see how it was going. When I asked for a wine list, the order didn't get taken until our entrees were practically at the table already. Wine glasses should be set and wine should be tried before entrees get to the table. At first I thought he was just really busy but at several points I saw him just standing around and talking to coworkers. Would've been nice to have a 5 minute check-in because I would've asked to send my steak back then probably. All in all, I'd go to Bella's, Piccola, even Rocca before coming back here. read more

Donatello Restaurant - Italian Near Me - Tampa, Florida