You'd never expect the environment and ambiance when walking in, it's very elegant yet cozy. The staff were all incredibly kind and welcoming, service was out of this world and went beyond any expectations. Lastly the food here was all around amazing, complimentary dishes, just for dessert it would be worth the drive, decently sized servings and all made from scratch. All around delicious and an amazing experience! read more

Renaissance Cafe - Limoncello Tiramisu - A rectangular slice of lemon-flavored cake with a mint leaf garnish is placed on a white rectangular plate, with a fork nearby. - Italian Near Me - Assaria, Kansas

This is a MUST do restaurant. Great food. Gourmet quality. Small town place with a big flavor.

What a unique experience!! Honestly that is how I can best describe my time here! We came with some friends while visiting town, and I absolutely loved the uniqueness of the building. It had a very vintage feel and decor and also was connected to an older gym from a school. Yet, they made the experience and vibe of your dinner feel nice and elegant. They're only open on the weekends, so make sure you get a reservation as it filled up very fast! They serve your food through many courses so be prepared to stay and enjoy for a few hours. We enjoyed the company of our friends as the environment was very laid back and took our time. You start with options for appetizers, soup/salad, entree, and dessert. They even had complimentary, adorable palette cleansers between each course! (My favorite was the raspberry sorbet-super delicious). For food we had the artichoke bruschetta for an appetizer (very different than normal bruschetta but flavorful). We also had the arugula salad which I thought was really good! For entree, I ordered the stuffed chicken and was pleased and satisfied with the flavors. It could have come out a bit hotter, but was still good. My boyfriend ordered the ribeye, which was a pretty good size and said he thoroughly enjoyed! And for dessert, we had the cheesecake which was homemade and very delicious. The staff was also friendly throughout the night but, again, just be prepared to take your time as they tend to as well! Overall, I had a great time and really enjoyed the experience. I would definitely recommend and would love to experience again! read more

Renaissance Cafe - Italian Near Me - Assaria, Kansas

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It's a lovely place to eat for a date night or special occasion. On the pricey side, but that makes for a memorable occasion. I love the special menus with the wine pairing. read more

Great food, great service and great atmosphere! Had some great craft cocktails and I had the lamb. Delicious!

Amazing food and wonderful date night experience. The course just kept getting better. Although the deserts were delicious that did not compare to the other food. I wish it had wowed me. Will 100% be back again. Make reservations! read more

"I'll meet you anytime you want...at our Italian restaurant." Last night, Penny and I tried The Renaissance Cafe in tiny Assaria, KS (pop. 428). Who would have thought that one could find a high end, elegant and locally sourced dining experience in such a town? Although the menu items were exquisite and the service is what you would expect at a 5-Star international city, I was most impressed with the vision that the proprietor must have had when he/she first walked in to this dying abandoned rural school. This creatively repurposed space fulfilled this entrepreneur's passion and revitalized the entire little town. What a truly unexpected treat! read more

Such a cool setting -- surrounds a basketball court. Space is casual elegance and would not have expected this walking in. Dinner and drinks were good! Split an appetizer and entree and was the perfect amount out by of food. The complimentary bite and palette cleanser were fun touch that you don't get at their places. Would return! read more

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So welcoming coming through the door. The drinks were delightful and original! The food was amazing! Every bite was so flavorful! I almost didn't know what to eat next on my plate! Make your reservations now and go enjoy!! read more

fabulous cafe with upscale food drinks and service. the menu was quite creative with several temping offerings. we were greeted promptly and shared our allergies. we enjoyed creative cocktails and found the right wine for every person. we had lobster tails ( room temperature) shepherds pie, trout, chicken wrapped pancetta and tepid yet tasty rack of lamb. service was attentive and helpful. we were in a rush to make theater and didn't edit the invoice ( my bad) found later we were charged for a full bottle of moscato when my aunt had 2 glasses and a full bottle of syrah with just 1 glass. we didn't mind the $100. a person bill yet didn't expect it would not be accurate. read more

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Incredible gem in north central Kansas! I have had department Christmas dinners here for years and they just keep getting better! Love this place and will keep coming back. Adrian is fantastic. This is not a chain and is located in the cafeteria of an old school in the tiny (though great) town of Assaria Kansas. Everything is hand made, service is extraordinary, food tastes GREAT! Try it out! read more

Delicious food and excellent service as usual. We were happy to find this fine dining restaurant when we moved here and keep coming back!

We dined this evening at the Renaissance Cafe. Again a most enjoyable evening. This is our place of choice for those special celebrations. We were not disappointed with our food selection. The meal was delicious. The atmosphere is always relaxing and refreshing. We can easily converse. Our servers are most attentive. We were greeted with a welcoming voice. Everyone there strives to make your evening their priority. Thank you Adrienne and staff for yet another very enjoyable evening. BJ and Jim Splichal read more

Overpriced and the service can be just slow and awful. We dined here frequently at one time, but the last experience was expensive and underwhelming -will not go back. read more

A must-stop anytime we visit our family in Kansas. Food is unique and excellent. You will not be disappointed. Menu changes frequently, which is a breath of fresh air. read more

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Outstanding. Service was wonderful and accommodating. The building is an old grade school and the restaurant overlooks the gym. Incredible food. It's worth a visit from OOT. read more

This is the best gymnasium I've ever had a Petit Filet Mignon in, and also the best fine dining restaurant I've ever played basketball inside of. The fact that those activities took place a mere 15 feet from each other is a major bonus. read more

The location is really interesting because it is located in an old elementary school, but that's where my positive comments end. I ordered the lamb sirloin. It was gristly and cooked more than well-done (I ordered medium). It was tough and hard to cut with a steak knife. It was unseasoned and bland. There was a gloopy nondescript sauce on the steak. It came with vegetables which were fine, but unseasoned. There was something they called polenta under the steak. It was gelatinous and room temperature and tasteless. I don't remember the last time I had such a bad meal. Three other people got pork tenderloin. They were pork chops. My mother said they were entirely unseasoned (this was a theme for the meal) and that the mashed potatoes were almost inedible. My wife liked her pollo cacciatore and brother his baked trout. The citrus salad was uninspired but acceptable. The prices were twice what they should be (over $300 for 7 people, no alcohol, no appetizers, no desserts). Our server was efficient but pushy in a used car salesman way. Given the cost, bad food, and irritating server, it would take a lot for me to return. read more

A hidden Gem in a small town. 5-star dinning with top notch menu and an extensive cocktail, wine, & beer list to chose from. We had a crabs cakes, Filet Mignon steak with veggie sides. Finished with the chocolate cheese cake with a Delicious port provided by compliments of our waiter. They bring out a starter along with bread to enjoy while waiting for the main course as well. The Resturant was an old school house back in the day. The gymnasium floor is still in such good shape. So fun how this is converted into the Resturant it is today. Would highly recommend. 10/10 read more

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What a wonderful experience.!! I truly enjoyed the atmosphere and the delicious gourmet meal. The "cafe" is located in the old Assaria schoolhouse. When you walk through the Renaissance you will pass photos, prints and artwork on the wall. When you get to the end of the room you can look down over the old gym floor. Very unique place and an excellent way to reuse an old vacant school. When we arrived a small appetizer was on the table of fresh mozzarella with a small tomato and olive. I ordered the nightly special; Chicken Marsala. It was the best Chicken Marsala I have ever had. The chicken was not over cooked. We ordered the Lemon Bundt Cake topped in strawberries. Three of us shared this wonderful dessert. I hope to go again soon. I've never had a better meal. read more

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Driving by the State of Kansas at dawn, we wanted to eat someplace other than a generic restaurant but obviously we where in the middle of nowhere(no offense intended), the name of this restaurant captured my attention despite the fact that the app rated it as a number 6, I looked at the reviews but couldn't find the website, hesitant but out of time we decided to go for it. When turning into the exit and more so the Center Street, we thought to ourselves there isn't anything here!. Cliche but true, never judge a book by its cover: there it was in an old school gym, pretty imaginative by the way this gem of a restaurant, the food was simply put top notch, not rushed, beautiful and rivalling and competitive with any fancy Italian restaurant from a big city. The server, a witty and entertaining man made the experience even more pleasant. We are so glad we got to experiencing The Renaissance Café. Truly impressed! Sussie Tulsa, Oklahoma. read more

I have ordered Tenderloin Steak in the finest restaurants but this will stand out in my mind as the absolute perfect steak! I would drive out of my way to eat here again (and again:) read more

Not too fast (1 1/2 hrs+). Not too cheap ($40+/person incl. drinks) Not to be missed! Great food and very helpful staff. Worth every minute and every dollar! read more

Very disappointed. An overnight trip from KC just for this much lauded restaurant. Touted as Italian, there were some pasta offerings, but heavy on meats. Companion ordered pasta with shrimp, and it was big amount. Why DO chefs leave shells on shrimp tails? My unfortunate rib-eye steak was blanketed in cracked pepper. Couldn't even taste meat. Romaine salad was served on rectangular plate. There was a battle between the sparse lettuce and gigantic shavings of cheese. read more

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I really wish there were more places around like this. If you are looking for something special - for a place that cares about a dining experience on a deeper level, do yourself a favor and stop by for a meal. Classy rustic furnishings and interior, friendly staff, creative and delicious food combinations, and a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. The food is amazing and the whole experience is something quite special and memorable. read more

Overpriced, seating uncomfortable, subpar food. The server was generally attentive except he did not ask why less than half the lamb (was it actually horse?) not eaten. The ambiance was poor. This is not authentic Italian food based on my experience of eating food in Italy. My experience is that it's an untrained Kansan's idea of Italian food. The lamb was gristly: poor quality and overcooked. The chicken included what tasted like and appeared to be canned black olives. The halibut (was it Cod?) tasted ok, but the pecan crust did not taste right or adhere to the fish. It was supposed to be served on pasta ... but was more like a pea mash variation inspired by UK pea mash. Today, I am feeling quite unwell ... and hoping the food was ok to consume. Quite candidly, I am hoping I don't vomit. I've been to the toilet quite a few times. The seating was uncomfortable: cheap cafe chairs too close to other people in such a big open place. I really did not want to hear a pretentious man seated behind me trying to impress his table mates with his golf scores ... but I did. Speaking of cafe, this place is NOT a cafe. I am not sure how it would be classified ... but not a Renaissance and not a cafe. The individual entrees (at least one) were $5 and up more on the bill than on the menu. I've lived in Kansas since 2014, and this is truly one of the most disappointing dining experiences of my time here. I was so hopeful it would be the hidden gem mentioned in other reviews. It is not. I will not return or recommend it to anyone else. If you want a good Italian meal and can't get to Italy (or the Hill in St. Louis, or Little Italy in NYC...) you'd be better off finding an Italian chef teaching online and trying their recipes ... it will save you a lot of money, and your stomach the next day. read more

What a slice of heaven in this little Kansas town between 10 miles south of Salina, KS. I found this on Open Table while looking for a place to eat when visiting McPherson College. It's seemed a bit odd at first given the location, but we ventured out anyway. Wow, is all I can say!! Of our five meals, only the Lasagna was actually on the menu. Due to some dietary constraints and other questions, 4 elected chef prepared alterations to the menu and couldn't have been more pleased. Also, they made the best Manhattan I have ever tasted. Service was also perfect! I wish I had recorded my kids concerns about where we were heading as we pulled off 135 at exit 82 to compare to the absolute delight in their voices as we left. Trust me when I tell you - if you like northern Italian food, venture out and try this place. There is a damn good reason why they've been here for 13-years. read more

Renaissance Cafe - Pan seared scallops - Italian Near Me - Assaria, Kansas

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Wow, what a find! We were driving thru Kansas on our way to South Dakota and Yelped up this charming little place in Assiria Kansas, truly the middle of nowhere just south of Salina. Everything was awesome! I had the caprese salad, perfect tomatoes and the balsamic reduction was delicious. I had the gnocchi with peccarino...devine and my husband had the pork, perfectly cooked, tender, flavorful. We had the chocolate torte with port reduction and macerated berries...heaven. You have to stop here, the food, atmosphere and the people are fantastic! read more

Since we were out of town (visiting my son at his college) I had to rely on yelp to find a place to celebrate my husband's 50th birthday. I absolutely chose the right place! This was a top notch experience....food, service and ambience was all amazing. It was very reasonably priced too. We will definitely be returning to this wonderful restaurant anytime we're in the area. read more

The chef recently changed here and I once again recommend this restaurant. The menu is not extensive, but has enough tasty options that it is hard to choose. I think it also has a nice balance of "safe" options like lasagna and foodie options like herb-crusted tuna with crispy polenta. The seafood cakes appetizer with the corn bisque is OUTSTANDING! Every time that we have been here recently, they have had a special that was freshly flown in fish or shellfish. The scallops I had were perfectly seared. I also loved the trout with crab on top and a lemon sauce. The chocolate trio dessert is sooooo decadent and delicious. One of my favorite changes is that the new chef (Rachel?) is a little more flexible. The first chef (Kevin) was amazing, but 100% take it or leave it the way it is. I don't like couscous and the new chef lets me swap it out with a different side dish. There are not a lot of vegetarian/vegan options, but I could easily see how the chef could accommodate those dietary restrictions with several items. The service here has always been fantastic since it opened. We especially enjoy having Casey as a waitress, she has been here since we started coming years ago and is always so friendly and welcoming. read more

This is a wonderful unexpected delight in a small rural community!! The atmosphere is unique and comfortable! The staff are very friendly and welcoming! The service is timely and not rushed!!!! The food...fabulous!! I would highly recommend this place! read more

I really enjoyed my visit to the Renaissance cafe. The food was great, service friendly, and the ambiance was exceptional. There were a few small things that kept me from a 5 star review such as a very poorly poured beer, and some bread that could have been softer. Overall it was a really fun place well worth the visit. read more

Ok back again, almost forgot about this place. Often not open when I'm in Salina but am staying the weekend sooo... So glad I remembered as the options in Salina are well, not great. Had the Duck Ravioli, boom! Very good. Rhubarb sauce and pistachios were a great combo. Heirloom salad good too. Love the place. read more

Nicest restaurant in Saline County / Salina. Not kid friendly but well worth the drive for date night.

We were completely impressed by the food and service here. You will not find a better meal within a 100 mile radius. They do have italian on the menu, but I am not sure that captures the nature of the menu. read more

Definitely Kansas best kept secret nestled in the tiny town of Assaria, just off I-35 @ Assaria exit south of Salina. We have eaten at The Renaissance Cafe several times, each time outdoes the previous dinner. Last night we had blue nosed sea bass that was flown in that day! It was perfect! Our friend had a ribeye perfectly cooked to her liking. My husband has had a duck dish...impeccable, they're pastas and sauces are always freshly cooked and tender. The menu changes seasonally, the homemade cheese cake is awesome oh and the tariasmu!!! Yes yes yes! The servers are excellent and knowledgeable of their dishes, It's always such a treat for us. If you want a seriously fine dining experience this is the one! It isn't kid friendly dining, you will not find chicken nuggets here!!!!! read more

Awesome food - Adrian is excellent! I travel to McPherson every week and love staying Thursday night just so I can go here for dinner. I love this place! read more

Took the office to the Renaissance for Christmas dinner. There have been some changes and Beautiful Spouse and I were a little concerned about the very slight increase in costs and a change in chefs. Our concerns were quickly laid to rest. First and foremost, the service is beyond fantastic. Our server remembered us from last year! Service was fantastic. The salad part was excellent with lots of choices. I had the panzanelli salad and it was excellent. Lovely Spouse had Caesar salad and reports that it was excellent. In addition to this was a little sorbet palette cleanser. For dinner, the steaks were great and the pasta was excellent. The special was a steak with shrimp and scallops which was also reported to be excellent. A couple folks, including Lovely Spouse shared some desert. Lovely Spouse had creme brûlée which was excellent. Then, a couple 12 year Macallan scotch's to top things off. Great evening, lots of fun, excellent food. If someone tells serving size is too small, don't believe them. If some tells you this place is too expensive, don't believe them. 10 people, deserts, drinks (2 bottles of wine) for a very reasonable $$ amount. We will be here next year for sure! One year later (December 2019)...had the office for dinner again. I can't begin to say how nice an evening it was. I felt like we were in a Hallmark movie. Our server, Adrian, even remembered what kind of wine each individual ordered LAST YEAR!!! How does that happen? This place is just magical and fantastic. read more

My husband and I just moved out to Salina, and this place came highly recommended by a local. We were blown away! Not only did this place have a charming, unique ambience, but on top of that the food was DELICIOUS. I had the pork & penne pasta, he had the gnocchi, and we shared the freshly baked house made cheesecake for dessert. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. The herbed bread with herb butter was super yummy as well. We will definitely be back! read more

How is this hidden in a small town in Kansas? Sooo good. The meals was delicious thelocation unique and the place was very clean. Affordable too. Definitly recommend! read more