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    Puccini's

    3.7 (196 reviews)
    PriceyItalian
    Open 6:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    Puccini's Photos

    PUCCINI'S ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Romantic
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Puccini's

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mussel appetizer
    Donna L.

    Oh my goodness, what a hidden gem this restaurant was/is!! It's a small family owned business and the food and service is amazing! While visiting a friend of mine, we called for a Sat night reservation ... it was booked for our requested a time (note: make your reservation a few days early). So we decided to go on Fri instead, w/a early reservation at 6pm (when the door opens). I would recommend an early dinner here, we were seated near Chef Eric's cooking station, it was so interesting to watch him prepare the meals (but I would imagine by later in the evening it might be a little warm as the stove/oven is just behind the work station). We began with a light salad, and shared the Mussel appetizer (amazing! I'll share a picture.). We both had a fish entree, with lobster ravioli and asparagus and a lemon caper sauce (to die for!) the presentation was nice, food hot and the taste incredible! Portion sizes are good too (we only ate half so that we could sample the dessert menu (we will have the leftovers later today). My friend had the pecan pie and I had a crepe with berries, we were in heaven . The staff were friendly, attentive and informative with regard to the menu. A few interesting things to note: BYOB, bring your own vino or mixed drinks (people brought little cooler bags w/their drinks). CASH or Check only. It is a little pricey but well worth it! Take a look at the menu so you bring enough $$$

    Chef's table.
    Brian C.

    The half duck was amazing (seemed like 2 thirds). Love the BYO set up. I don't think you can go wrong with anything on the menu here.

    Make sure to BYOB! A wine cork is provided.
    Brooke T.

    I've been to Puccini's three or four times now and the food never seems to stop impressing me. I'm always in love with my entree (and my appetizer when I order one). I love Puccini's so much, I celebrated my last birthday here. One more amazing thing about this place: BYOB Wine and Beer. That's right. Although my table grabbed a couple bottles, the table next to me brought 6 -- obviously not their first time! The menu changes frequently to ensure that you're having the freshest food possible. Back in March I had the lobster crepe appetizer which was to die for! This time around I tried the NY strip steak -- holy cow. The steak is perfectly charcoaled on the outside for that crunchy texture and medium rare on the inside for the warm red center. In. Love. Dessert: you MUST get the pecan pie. It's out of this world. The pecan pie is sacred in my family. Every cousin or aunt swears they bake it best. Puccini's pie hands down competes -- it the perfect combination of doughy filling and crunchy pecan topping. Make room for dessert or get a piece to go!!

    Anthony B.

    I've been to Puccini's three times this year and have really enjoyed each time. I typically will call far in advance and ask to sit in the chef's area. It's always fun to watch Chef Eric cook while you enjoy a glass of wine or whatever you bring as it is a BYOB. The food is fresh and the quality is great. My personal favorite are the scallops and shrimp over the ravioli. I have had several appetizers including the sausage and peppers, a garlic shrimp, a crepe, and portobello mushroom in red sauce and cheese. Go check this place out and be sure to bring something nice to drink. This is a family owned placed and everyone works hard to ensure you are having a great evening. Cash or check only and must have a reservation - The food is priced fairly for the quality that you get. Enjoy!

    Chef Eric
    Jeff B.

    If you are coming to Puccini's remember, must make a reservation, they serve water so bring your own drinks, there is no corking fee and they have wine openers for you, be on time. This was our first time returning to Puccini's since Chef Richard left. We were very happy with Chef Eric and the food was on par with Chef Richard. As always, we arrived on time and were greeted warmly By Chef Eric's Mom. We each the Tortellini Appetizer, and she had the Veal Puccini, and I have the Veal Medallions with Prosciutto and Spinach and cheese Ravioli. Both were wonderful. For Desert she had the Bananas as she always does, and I had the lemon cake. There was nothing at all to complain about.

    Watch the Chef cook from your table
    Steve D.

    I normally only review Happy Hours - and only in Sarasota. So, how does a restaurant earn 5 stars that doesn't have a Happy Hour menu or even serve drinks? Simple, delicious food and BYOB. Bring the best wine you have and save a bundle - they don't even charge a corkage fee. Sure, dinner can easily exceed $100+ for two, but you can save an almost equal amount on the wine bill. There are already a lot of reviews on the food, atmosphere and intensity of the Chef. I'll just summarize that the scallop appetizer (humongous scallops could have been a meal), muscles, shrimp, Chilean Sea Bass, Pompano were all super fresh and cooked to perfection. The deserts we sampled were good too The only thing this restaurant doesn't have or need is heat lamps. Your food literally is served within seconds after coming out of the pan. Great food, attentive service - all in a unique atmosphere where you watch the Chef prepare your dish. Just remember- cash only.

    NY Strip Steak
    Art C.

    A wonderful evening Last night we went with a group of friends and we all had a wonderful evening. The food was fantastic. I had their NY Strip Steak and found both the quality and quantity to be great. Others at the table had a variety of items and I didn't hear a single complaint. I finished my dinner with their Pecan Pie, more pecan than filling and almost rock hard to get a fork into, but well worth the effort. Service was fine, we weren't rushed at all. They had a very short menu but also several specials, which our server easily described...a couple of times for us. We sat in the back room where we could see the chef busily cooking away. Lighting was a bit subdued, hence my bad photo of my excellent steak, but gives the place a nice ambience. The table next to us was a bit loud, we may have been as well, but I can see Puccini's as a special place to bring your special friend. I should re-mention a few things explained in other reviews. It is cash only, BYOB and expensive. None of those things are good, even if it makes Puccini's interestingly unique. Obviously not accepting credit cards is inconvenient. Can a place be BYOB (which seems very popular) and still offer their own alcohol? I don't know, but it would have been nice to at least offer soft drinks and from reading other reviews, coffee. Still, with a little planning ahead and making a required reservation, these inconveniences are minor. We had a wonderful evening with food to rave about.

    You can watch the chef prepare the meals if you choose to be seated in that room.

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    Page 1 of 5

    Ask the Community - Puccini's

    Can I bring my own wine? Idf so Is there a courage fee and how much?

    Yes bring your own wine , no fee

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

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    Puccini's - italian - Updated May 2026

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