I came here to meet up with my friend for Sunday brunch to discuss wedding plans and also to catch up and I'm so glad he did. First of all being Avondale or parking is what it is. I was able to find the space out front just has a car was pulling out so that's a good sign. I had already made a reservation just in case or 1130 and luckily there wasn't a whole lot of people in there. We were sat in the middle of the restaurant slightly away from the bar at a half booth half chair table. Our server Aldan was wonderful and I loved his curled blonde hair. We started off with drinks and I got the Espresso Martini, piggybacking off my friend and because I wanted something to help wake me up. This is delicious and it looked beautiful. I was going to get something brunchy but instead to eat I got the Crab & Shrimp Alfredo (spaghetti, butter sauce, fine herbs, focaccia breadcrumbs) while my friend got their Rigatoni (Calabrian vodka sauce, pecorino romano). OMG I don't even like alfredo sauce like that but I was blown away. That was perhaps the best alfredo sauce I've ever had, super creamy with fresh seafood. Her rigatoni...I wasn't expecting much from it but that Calabrian sauce kicked it up a notch and brought the right amount of heat. That was delicious. She didn't get another drink but I did, the Summer Serenade (camarena resposado, luxardo marachino, d'aristi xtabentun liqueur, lavender, lemon). Wow, that one is small but powerful. It was a good after lunch drink. I only got it because it had lavender and lemon in it and didn't recognize the liquor or the liqueur but holy crap. That's a good floral drink. They let us hang out for the rest of their brunch hours and kept checking in with us, which was nice because we were trying to play catch up on everything. I really enjoyed our time there and would definitely love to come back. FYI, I found out that they do weddings there. They have event space in the back. read more

Truthfully, the food was pretty good, and the ambiance is absolutely gorgeous -- that part really stands out. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience didn't match. My espresso martini was not good, and the service overall wasn't great. The biggest issue, though, was the seating. We were the first ones sat in the room and were placed directly under an AC vent set to 60 degrees -- with two babies. We politely asked to be moved, but our request was ignored. We were all freezing the entire time, and it honestly took away from what could have been a much better first experience. read more

Josephine's is such a gem in Avondale. From the moment we walked in, the service stood out, everyone was incredibly kind, welcoming, and genuinely attentive without being over the top. They also offer a military discount, which is always appreciated. The food did not disappoint. I ordered the Josephine rigatoni, and it was so good! Flavorful down to the very last bite. I honestly can't remember the last time I finished an entire bowl of pasta, but I did here without hesitation. The portion is on the smaller side, but it works. That said, it would've been even better with a protein like chicken, shrimp, or meatballs added in. My friend had the crab and shrimp Alfredo, definitely a dish for true seafood lovers (fishy imo). The atmosphere is warm, stylish, and perfect for a date night or girls' night out. And don't skip the espresso martini...absolutely delicious. Only downside: parking can be a bit of a headache. read more

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This is definitely one of our favorite restaurant. We would go here for dinner date, birthdays, and dinner with friends. To be honest we tried most of their dishes and we absolutely love them all! But my all time favorite is the black ink squid. It never fails me every time I order it I just kept falling in love with it. Service is another reason why we always go here because we know we will get amazing service. As you all know Josephine's is located at Avondale and parking is a little bit harder to find especially on the weekends. But other than that this is a great recommendation if you are looking for a Well deserved dinner. read more

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Great Italian restaurant! Very good food and service. Had dinner with a couple of friends on Saturday and very much enjoyed our meal. We shared the Heirloom tomato & stracciatella and carrots for our appetizers and the star was the carrots! It was cooked perfectly and all the flavors were delicious. The whipped ricotta, Calabrian chili crunch and wildflower honey were masterfully concocted together with the carrots. I will dream of this. For my entree I ordered the meatballs and sourdough focaccia. Separately, very good but better together! For dessert we shared the lemon tart and it was super refreshing and tart. Come for amazing Italian food! Restaurant wasn't too loud and had a very cute decor. read more

Josephine - Heirloom tomato & stracciatella and Carrots - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

There will never be any Josephine slander because oh my God from the food to the service to the ambiance an absolute 10/10! We've gone twice once for a cocktail making class which was such an awesome experience. And then we returned for a date night. The Lamb Ragu was chefs kiss, the carrots were delicious, & the focaccia bread I would eat every day. Josephine might just have a special place in my heart. read more

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We were really excited to try this spot and overall had a good experience, especially when it came to the atmosphere and service. The vibe is fun. Great ambiance, and the drinks were tasty! You can tell they really put thought into creating a fun, welcoming space. The service truly stood out. Our reservation ran about 10 minutes late, and without us even mentioning it, they brought out complimentary drinks just to apologize. That was such an unexpected and thoughtful touch, it immediately set a positive tone for the night. The staff were friendly, attentive, and genuinely kind the entire evening. Food wise, it was a bit mixed. The Caesar salad with anchovies was absolutely delicious, perfectly dressed and packed with flavor. The bread was soft, warm, and fresh, which we loved. My husband ordered the ribeye and it was flavorful with a great smoky taste that really made the dish. Unfortunately, the crab and shrimp pasta missed the mark for me. I'm a huge seafood fan, but the flavor was overwhelmingly fishy and mostly tasted like crab without much balance or seasoning to round it out. It just lacked depth, and I couldn't get past the overpowering taste. I'm glad we gave this place a try because the service and atmosphere were truly wonderful, but based on the food, it's probably not somewhere we'd return. read more

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We decided to do a ladies night here since none of us have tried this restaurant. First, the ambiance is very romantic, dimmed lights, beautiful leather booths and the bar area is amazing. Our waitress Gabby was phenomenal, attentive but not overly. She made great recommendations since we were all new and food and drinks came out in good timing. She was super friendly and provided such great service. I tried the Rogatoni with shrimp and the sauce was spicy which I loved, pasta was a lil al dente but I like it that way. My friends raved about the Alfredo and lasagna and I tasted both and would definitely come back and get the lasagna. I have never had it pinwheeled before but the seasoning and flavor were great like someone's Italian grandma was back there making it. I can tell why its a favorite on the menu. It is a little pricey but nice for a date night or ladies night read more

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We always have a great time at Josephine. The food and drinks are always on point. I especially love the green velvet and the old fashioned both are consistently great. The carpaccio is a must try every time we go. Their pastas are stand out dishes with quality ingredients. And shoutout to Joe for being such a great server and always taking good care of us! read more

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First let me start by saying, our server was the bees knees. I believe her name was Callahan (sorry if the spelling is wrong!) The food was absolutely amazing. I will attach pictures with everything we had! The drinks were also amazing!! The new fall cocktail menu was so fun. The vibes, lighting and ambiance were nothing short of perfect. It did get a little warm for some reason, but it got better as the night went on! We will be back!! read more

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Loved dining at Josephine for vegan food. Compressed Cucumber Tartinas - almond ricotta, Sicilian chili crunch, fried sourdough, fresh chervil Eggplant Parm - layered with plant-based mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, basil, and Seitanic Jax seitan crumble Gemelli Pasta - melted leeks, black garlic cashew cream, arugula, candied hazelnuts Nutella Brownie Sundae - house-made Nutella, cocoa butter brownie, vanilla bean gelato, Amarena cherries, and mint. A huge thank you to Josephine for creating such a thoughtful, plant-based menu Josephine at Avondale truly has it all--fresh flavors, a cozy aesthetic, and dishes that make you want to come back again and again. Our visit was not just pleasant, it was fabulous. Pro tip: make a reservation before heading over during weekends as the place gets full. read more

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We recently hosted an engagement party for my daughter, she chose Josephine's to do this and it was a fantastic choice. We visit Josephine from time to time, typically for brunch (amazing) or a meal but this time we were able to use one of their elegant private rooms for our celebration. Family style dinner with appetizers, main dishes, desserts and drinks all served family style. The wait staff led by Cayliegh was stellar. All of the food choices were great. This may have been my first time experiencing their different pastas, and they all hit. I wish I had pictures of the event but I was too busy enjoying the food and the celebration. Josephine always takes Italian food and gives it an elevated twist. Everything is delicious and well thought out. If you're planning an occasion of 25 people or less, I'd highly suggest you consider Josephine. Fantastic occasion! Great service! Amazing food! read more

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Food was amazing! The service was attentive and friendly. It's in a great location for a stroll after dinner. read more

Josephine - Lasagna pinwheels - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Saturday, we arrived at a full house of diners. Seemed it was the place to be, but due to the building acoustics that made for a loud environment. Being certain that we wouldn't be able to converse over dinner, we asked for and received an outside table. As hot as it has been it still was pleasant being that we had a late evening reservation and there was a nice breeze. Great service from Callan. She has quick with our cocktails and offered some helpful menu suggestions. Being outside and away from the hustle inside did not detour her from keeping a close watch on us, which was appreciated. Our pick of the carpaccio appetizer was a bit of a letdown. We order this dish frequently when out and look forward to elegant and flavorful thinly sliced beef that practically melts in your mouth. Regrettably what we were served was thick and chewy. Redemption did follow as ee enjoyed the Bolognese & Lamb Ragu pasta dishes. Both were protein heavy and flavorful. Not only were they very tasty but also generous portions. Unfortunately, that left us no room for dessert. Perhaps next time? read more

Josephine - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

My spouse and I had a lovely early dinner on a recent Friday here. To start, I think the interior is absolutely gorgeous -- modern but welcoming, neither sterile nor kitschy. And I really appreciate that the tables have extra space between them; it's not one of those restaurants where you feel like you're putting your rear end in someone's face trying to get in and sit down on the bench. Service was nice and friendly. I do wish they'd mentioned we were actually there during Happy Hour so we could have taken advantage of it, but we know for next time. We started off with a "Cheers, Pomona" cocktail and a glass of Lambrusco (nice to see). The cocktail was tasty and well-balanced. We got the focaccia for an appetizer and it felt a bit pricey at $10, but it was delicious. The butter was nice and soft, although I didn't get a big Parmesan flavor from it as was mentioned on the menu. The garlic really shined in the focaccia, though! My spouse got the bolognese and pretty much inhaled it; he said it was "really good". I ordered cacio e pepe (a favorite) and added shrimp. The shrimp were nicely cooked and seasoned, but I don't think I'd add a protein next time because it personally didn't feel like it "mixed" (not really the kitchen's fault, just more of a preference). It's also worth noting that it was ~5 shrimp for $10. That being said, I really loved the cacio e pepe. The pasta (all made in-house, per our server) was perfect, and the sauce had great flavor -- not weak the way that I've had elsewhere. The cheesiness was evident, as was the black pepper, and it just tasted like the epitome of a comforting dish. We were too full for dessert but look forward to trying it on a future trip, which I'll definitely be making. read more

Josephine - Focaccia - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Each visit it's elegant with solid Italian menu options and great service, beautiful bar and tasty desert. read more

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Everybody talks about Josephine and for some reason I still hadn't dine here, so decided to give it a shot during a rainy Sunday brunch. The first impression coming is great: beautiful decoration, the booths are ample and it overall gives a great vibe. Service was quick and would be checking on us multiple times over the course of the meal. Although this was a brunch menu, with obviously limited options, the impression was outstanding and re assuring I must make reservations for dinner. The shrimp and polenta were delicious with a spicy kick and Mister Crispy was kinda of an improved Madame croquette. Both plates very generous and ideal for sharing. read more

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Finally made my way here because I heard they have one of the best espresso martinis in Jax. I was very delighted with my experience here. The espresso martinis, the house cab, the meatballs, and the crab and shrimp alfredo were delicious. The vodka rigatoni was just average. Plenty of parking around, although it is in a busy little area so it filled up quickly, and I had to walk a few blocks from the neighborhood to the restaurant so be prepared for the potential of walking! Our server was very friendly and gave good suggestions when we were torn between dishes. A great place for a date night or a small group, with multiple different rooms to be seated in. I will be returning here. read more

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My experience was great from the time I entered the restaurant and was greeted by the hostess/waitress Katrina. She sat me at a table and asked if it was my first time here, I told her yes and she explained the menu to me. I went for brunch and had the Shrimp and Crab Alfredo, the pasta was aldente, the sauce was creamy snd the seafood tasted fresh. I also had a Blackberry Dhalia mocktail which was tasty. The ambiance in the resturaunt is very nice. I look forward to going back amd taste the dinner options. I recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for fresh food and world class customer service with a beautiful setting. read more

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Upon trying to find a place last minute for brunch we came across this place. Since they were able to reserve we decided here. Walking in we were promptly greeted and upon looking around while walking to our table I noticed everything clean, bright, and nice lot decorated. Even noticed some of the light fixtures looked repurposed. I also noticed they have a very well stocked bar, as I noticed some options that are harder finds within most bars. Our food was good, probably one of the most flavorful Benedict's I've had to date. Although my potatoes did not match in flavor because they barely had any kind of seasoning or herbs to complement such a favorable Benedict. A friend had the chicken parm sandwich and it looked a lot better than we all expected. Meanwhile even down to the pimento dip was raved about. Also to note, our server was very respectful of us and our conversations. She was there whenever we needed the her the most. Only thing I'd say is she was a little delayed after the food had dropped to the table to check if everything looked ok. All in all I think this place is definitely being overlooked. As you can get good food and drinks. read more

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Overall I found this to be a beautiful restaurant. While not crowded for space, there are not very many tables leading to a higher end dining experience. The price felt higher than the quality of the food for most of the pastas. Everyone loved the focaccia bread. Caesar salad was enough for three people to enjoy a small plate each and came with strips of anchovies that you don't see too often. It needed more seasoning. Favorites of the pasta were the gemelli and the pinweel lasagna. The gemelli was truly unique!! Definitely enjoyed the little spicy crunchy bits. The lamb ragu pappardelle pasta was nice but felt heavy handed on the herbs. Definitely best to share pastas and other dishes so you can try different parts of the menu here. read more

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Apps were good, olives, focaccia and prosciutto cheese dish. Salads we had were good Caesar and arugula. Meatballs were good, maybe a tad under cooked. Five diff pasta dishes, pinwheel lasagna, bollanesse, rigatoni, the vegan dish and another one that I can't recall- super cheesy. All were ok. The problem with the entire experience was the service was horrible- waitress was rather unpleasant and was pretty much mia. Drinks were slow to come out and orders slow to even be taken. The place wasn't that busy and we saw other tables with different wait staff getting regular attentive service. Our waitress was told we had a birthday girl and that went pretty without acknowledgement. The bill included 20% tip- we should have disputed it. Would I go back- only id someone else wanted to. Would I recommend - NO! read more

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We had a great experience at Josephine! My fiancé took me here for dinner a few weeks ago to celebrate my birthday and everything was fabulous. The food, service, and atmosphere were 10/10. We ordered a caesar salad and prosciutto stracciatella for appetizers, both were delicious. For dinner, I had the pinwheel lasagna - a classic dish with a creative twist. Definitely the best dish! For dessert we had the tiramisu and they even came out with a little ice cream with a candle for my birthday. Super sweet waitress and will definitely be back! read more

Josephine - Pinwheel Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Ask for Liam -- he MADE our night! Liam absolutely deserves his flowers. From the moment we sat down, he was warm, fun, and genuinely enthusiastic -- the kind of energy that instantly elevates the entire experience. He gave us the best drink recommendations (every single one was a hit) and nailed the food suggestions too. On top of that, he went above and beyond to help us celebrate my best friend in the most thoughtful, fun way. You could tell he truly cared about making our night special, not just doing his job. Attentive without hovering, knowledgeable without being pretentious, and just an all-around vibe. If you're going to Josephine's, do yourself a favor and ask for Liam -- he's a huge reason we'll be back. read more

We all had great first experience. We were seated in a room towards the back to accommodate our party size and give us a bit of privacy. The restaurant is beautiful. Our server Georgia has a wonderful energy. I arrive just before happy hour ended and ordered an aperol spritz, a glass of red wine, pizza rolls, charcuterie and Calabrian chicken for us to try while we waited on my family to arrive. Everything was a hit but we didn't care for the chicken. When I see Calabrian, I expect heat. There was no spicy detected. Once everyone arrived, we ordered entrées. My dad and son had the lasagna rolls. I had a bite and it was perfection. No need for additional salt or anything. My dad said it was delicious but he wished it had more meat. My mom, daughter and I had the spaghetti di mare. Our only critique was the overcooked clams. The clams were extremely chewy but we ate around it. The rest of the meal was perfect. Everyone enjoyed the food and agreed we'd return. Unfortunately, the rest of our group are picky eaters and much more picky than I expected. You can't please everyone. They chose not to order andand ate burgers down the street once we left. read more

Josephine - Lasagna rolls - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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The Vegan Chef Challenge brought me to this restaurant. I ordered the Gemelli Pasta along with the Focaccia, subbing the butter for olive oil and both were fantastic. My husband ordered the espresso martini, and it was so good I'd come back just for that alone! The space itself is beautifully decorated. We opted to sit at the bar since the tables had a long wait. A reservation might be a smart idea if you want a table. Overall, I'd love to return and try more of the menu, and I hope they keep the vegan options available. read more

This was my first experience at Josephine and my friend and I enjoyed ourselves. Our waiter was kind and the decor was very cute. The only reason I didn't give five stars is cause while the food was most flavorful, all of it came out of the kitchen lukewarm. We hope that the next time that we visit, because we will be back, it will be different. Other than that I would would recommend. read more

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Attended the past making class at this restaurant and it was amazing! James was a relaxing and insightful facilitator. Loved that this was a veteran owned restaurant, with all bread and pasta made in house. Will be back for a proper meal after our enjoyable pasta class! read more

Ordered one single piece of tiramisu to go and it took 15 minutes to receive, okay cool. No worries. I had time to wait. My problem was that it was literally maybe a two and a half to three inch diameter size piece and it cost 12.99. That's absolutely insane. read more

Josephine's overall vibe and ambiance - classy and extremely well-appointed, but with a dash of "take a picture of the pinwheel lasagna for Insta" - can overbear the food and drink at times. But that shouldn't take away from the fact that both are excellent. The focaccia, the speck/melon, and the arancini are all top notch starters. The cacio e pepe, the lasagna, and the agnolotti are all fantastic pastas (maybe skip the amatriciana, which has a tomato sauce so concentrated I think you could strip paint with it). The branzino is impeccable, and not a dish you find many places in town. And lest we forget - the drinks. Best cocktail menu in Avondale, both the signature and classic drinks, and that's saying a lot. Plus some well-rounded beer and wine choices. Service is friendly, and I've never felt rushed to leave even when it gets crowded. I don't hear Josephine mentioned among the top spots in the city nearly as much as it should be - hopefully that will change! read more

The ambiance of this restaurant was lovely, but u think there was only about five people in there, not including employees. We oped for this bc the other three places had 30-45 min wait. Imagine being hungry and there were La petit plates and no other pasta besides rigatoni with no meatballs. We wanted the full pasta menu which was not available for lunch. The hardy biscuits and gravy have a different take. Instead of flour based, the rue was made with oil. Biscuits were fresh and had great texture tho. Got my egg scrambled instead of fried, but only a small portion. This isn't ihop lol. We both got the mimosas which was made with brut champagne, I guess I like mine better with sparkling wine. Not worth the hype for brunch.. Good for photo ops. read more

Josephine - Sausage and gravy, scrambled eggs - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Nice ambiance. The menu is very confusing. The olive oil cake was absolutely delicious though and the wait staff is super attentive.

Josephine's: My Love Language in Restaurant Form Some people have therapy. I have Josephine's. No matter how chaotic the week's been, if my partner says the magic word--"Josephine's?"--I'm already putting on real pants and grabbing my keys. This place is my emotional support restaurant, and I'm not ashamed. Let's talk food: the focaccia bread deserves its own fan club. I would happily write it love letters. It's warm, fluffy, and somehow both comforting and fancy. The espresso martinis? Dangerous. Delicious. Life-altering. They keep me wide awake at 2am but in a "dancing in my kitchen replaying the night" kind of way, not a regretting-my-choices kind of way. Zero regrets. And the vibe? Chef's kiss. It's romantic and stylish. Add in their jazz nights and you've got the perfect recipe for forgetting your stress, remembering your joy, and possibly spontaneously becoming a jazz enthusiast. Let's hear it for Josephine's! For the bread, The pasta, the martinis, the music, and the pure vibe that keeps my soul fed and my heart full. read more

Josephine - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

Great atmosphere, love the exposed brick. A nice open bar area! We had a reservation and were seated right away. Our server was great, very knowledgeable & went the extra mile for us. The food was delicious, we had meatballs as an app that were awesome. Then she had the chicken which she loved & I had the lasagne pinwheels which I hadn't seen before and were rich and delicious. They have a happy hour until 6pm with discounts on many apps and drink specials. Great value for a great restaurant! We'll be back! read more

Located in downtown Avondale area, parking is always hit or miss. But it's free, so..... We stopped in here on a bustling Saturday afternoon, 2:40pm to eat. We were told that it was still only Brunch and offered to sit where we liked. The inside was much larger than it looked, with many tables and semi circular booths available. The back also had 2 very large areas for dining, meetings and parties. We started off with the pastry platter. It looks small but was large enough to share. The madeleine looking cake was actually an olive oil cake, moist and delectable. Just like the ones in Europe! Next was the zeppole. It was delicate and served with a sweet strawberry sauce. Next was a biscuit thing that was doughy and served with a rancid parmesan butter. It went downhill from there. I ordered the lemon ricotta pancake. It was served steaming hot, underside almost burned. It came with a sweet butter that melted and pooled in one spot, which looked horrible. Maybe it should be served on the side since we eat with our eyes first,? The pancake was like a soufflé , very egg tasting, but very bland. A few lemon sugared rinds on the top did not help. It was not as expected. When the waitress came to clear the table I said " you can go ahead and take the strawberry sauce. It was delicious and I was saving it for my pancake but a bug flew in it", as I picked it out ! She shrugged and walked away...... Several flying insects were where we sat, close to the window in the back. I do not recommend for Brunch....Maybe dessert and coffee only or maybe dinner is better. read more

Josephine - Lemon ricotta pancake - Italian Near Me - Jacksonville, Florida

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Arrived at 2:45pm, with a reservation. Josephines was not busy at all. Seated promptly. Spent thirty minutes waiting at the table for a server or even staff member to give us water. Nothing. Two separate couple's arrived as we had been seated for a few minutes and both couples were given menu's and water and soon after had a server take their orders. They also received wine/drinks and appetizer as we were still waiting for acknowledgment from a staff member. After 30 minutes, we got up and walked out slowly, as a bar tender and a staff member watched us walk out. No conversation to be had by any Josephine staff. Very sad! 1 star is too many, but no option for 0 or .5. read more

This update is regarding communication with the store after this review. I did email them directly because I think this was important to know. They said all the right things: this isn't what we train our staff to do, we're sorry, let's make it right. But nothing after that. They offered a gift card to try their spot again, but that was never received. No reply to my response email. Pretty upsetting. read more

We dined in for a birthday dinner. The booth seating was low for our aging parents. Our server was patient and attentive throughout the meal. The focaccia was wonderful. We weren't impressed by the pizza rolls they are more like egg rolls than pizza rolls with the filling substituted. The meatballs were well liked. The radicchio salad dressing was exceptional with a nice lemon zip. The cacio y Pepe was creamy and the pinwheel lasagna had a nice sauce. We enjoyed the meal although all agreed it wasn't worth the price tag read more

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Nice ambience, cute outdoor seating. The waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful. The dish I selected was extremely flavorful, 10 out of 10 no notes. read more

Stellar food and service! Michelin Chef from London throwing down some delicious foods! read more