Ordered kalimari as an appetizer. First time trying it for one of us, and it was above…read moreexpectations! We got chicken alfredo and spaghetti and meatballs, respectively. They were both very good. (This review gets a bonus star for being our first date )

At 7:45 p.m. on Saturday the 12th, I went out with my partner; we absolutely love Calderone, My…read morefamily and I have been to this location a few times and even went to their other location for my birthday--all great experiences, and I adore their tiramisu. Anyway, I ordered the Mama rose chicken and so did my partner. I tried theirs and liked it better. Any chef knows that when you use wine as a base, it needs time to reduce so it's not as potent. Coming from a family of chefs, I can tell you mine was just sour and tasted like straight wine. I was nothing but respectful, though I am actually very timid. My partner was the one who brought it up to the waitress because this meal was not cheap, and we expected quality food. (But we are humans who make human mistakes! No big deal) Anyway, the waitress asked, "Well, what can we do for you?" I did not know--maybe an extra pasta? It was a simple fix that I was expecting, but I could barely get a word in before the owner came bolting over and towered over me, saying, "They are made at the same time; your taste buds must be off, or what? Want it bagged?" At this point, I was too stunned to speak, so I croaked, "Yes, please." When I asked for the bill, it took a long time; it was like we were being shunned. Any other person would have walked out. The chef was the one who ended up apologizing, I am not mad, honestly, just disappointed. The chef has better decorum than the management; something is not right. That is backwards. FYI they couldn't have been made at the same time the same way it takes 2 pans 2 different makes. I know what I am talking about. You got a poised and graceful interaction from me. But that doesn't mean you will the next time you roll up on someone in that manner Tony or whatever your name is. I PAY you not the other way around! I was born and raised in the Eastcoast I know that cuisine! You would have gotten punched if my dad was present. Work on your customer service!! You don't talk to a customer better yet a lady that way! I will not be coming back. I'll go to a location were the owner isn't present. Because he is insufferable... Micro managing everything. Maybe if you didn't rush the cook without knowing all the details, my meal would have been better. There are other Italian restaurants you are not worth the hype because your attitude is disgusting! It overshadows the food. FYI! What are you a family man? Or a gangster please make up your mind.. Your energy is dark, taints the atmosphere. Work on it! Conclusion,Food good management sucks. -Stay blessed all the other employees hope you all are being paid well.

I went to Sorella with a girl friend to celebrate my birthday. We arrived without a reservation on…read morea Thursday evening around 7:30PM and were seated right away at a high-top in the bar area. Our waitress was friendly and attentive; we started our dinner with a glass of wine and shared the Cavatelli with "Monday Sauce" for our main entree. The Cavatelli was absolutely delicious! I loved the texture of the house-made noodles and the sauce was so good! The portion was huge so I was glad we split the meal. I'm definitely looking forward to my next dinner at Sorella!

Lively Italian spot with a chic atmosphere and some standout dishes!…read more Sorella is such a cute date-night restaurant in Milwaukee! The atmosphere is lively and chic, the staff was friendly, and overall we had a really enjoyable experience. We ordered several dishes, and my favorite was definitely the octopus! It was delicious and easily the standout of the meal for me. The Chicken Piccata Meatballs were also really good. The lemon and caper butter sauce was flavorful and complemented the meatballs really well. The Rigatoni alla Vodka was just okay. The pasta was cooked perfectly al dente, but the flavor felt like it was missing something. It was also a little on the salty side. I've definitely had better vodka sauce. (skip this dish) The salmon was cooked perfectly, and the crispy potatoes on the side were seasoned beautifully. The potatoes were probably one of my favorite sides! And you absolutely need to save room for the cheesecake! It literally melts in your mouth and was SO good. Unfortunately, the apple tart was a major miss. It felt like very little effort went into it -- basically a graham cracker crust topped with slices of apple. We honestly didn't enjoy it at all and ended up sending it back because we didn't want to eat it. Despite the dessert disappointment, there were definitely more hits than misses. I'd come back to Sorella, especially for a date night, meeting, or getting together with friends. Cute space, friendly service, lively vibe, and several really good dishes!

The food was great but I went for the Lobster Ravioli and they were out by 6pm…read more linguine pescatore and rigatoni bolognese were delicious however!

Awesome restaurant Great , food and service ! Was in…read moreMilwaukee for a trade show and I took a customer there ( friend recommended it ). Really enjoyed it. Place was hopping

This is a good spot for special occasions, just don't order the pasta…read more The service is impeccable, much better than at Il Ritrovo or Field to Fork. The dining room is tastefully decorated. Be prepared to spend a pretty penny here. I didn't think my pasta was anything to write home about, I wouldn't even say it was al dente. It felt over cooked. I typically don't have high expectations with pasta, but for the price point, I would expect the pasta to be perfectly cooked at the very least. Their nicer entrees that don't center around pasta are likely a better bet.

What an amazing experience. It was my son's 19th birthday. Not only were the staff accommodating as…read morethey sat us in the best table in front of the window! What a fun night. First time here and we already plan to go back. Every single food item we ordered was amazing. From the seafood pasta and the mussels to the dessert of tiramisu! Great place for a nice "fancy" great meal.

The food is always amazing and a step above. The service has been excellent on every visit. It's…read moreour new favorite restaurant!

This is a small place, but the food and service are amazing. From the time we were seated we were…read moretalking care of quickly.Friendly service with a smile.Food was amazing bursting with flavors. This place is a game changer for me. Nice laid-back atmosphere..Great place to hang out with a few friends. This is going to be one of my favorite places for i Italian food..... Try this place, you will definitely come back for more

Oh, where do I start?!? My friends & I had the most perfect dinner at Ca'Lucchenzo. We had a…read morereservation for 7:30pm & we're seated right away. We were quickly greeted by the most wonderful server whose knowledge & love of the menu was quickly evident. He helped us choose a great bottle of red to share which we had to get a second of & provided the best recs for apps & mains. Our appetizers included the focaccia which was buttery & warm with the perfect amount of flavor, the goat cheese crostone with a great crunch & loved the honey, the deviled eggs were amazing & the insalata with tomatoes & peaches were so fresh that you could tell it was sourced locally. For our main meal, we decided to try four different pastas & they were all incredible in their own way. The fresh pasta was so well made & the flavors were mouthwatering. My favorite was either the trofie with sweet corn or the ricotta filled girasole. Every single one was perfect & I wish I could eat there every night! The service was incredible & the love that fills the restaurant is so evident. We are all proud dog moms & each member of the staff came by our table to greet us with a loving photo of their dog/cat. We felt like we were eating a family cooked meal with our closest loved ones with the vibes of the place & the care the staff showed us. We ended our night with a delicious dessert & full bellies. Can't wait to be back!! My new favorite Italian in Milwaukee!

Went here for date night in June, and while it's a little bit on the pricier end for my husband and…read moreI, it was definitely worth it! We had Friday night reservations and sat at the bar. The bartenders are amazing, friendly, personable without being too much, knew the menu and made fantastic cocktails. When I asked for a wine pairing suggestion for the pasta we ordered, they provided a great recommendation that I was very happy with! The time between ordering, appetizers, and main entrees was well paced! Get the focaccia to soak up the any of the pasta sauces... I don't care if it's considered bad manners.

Upscale restaurant in a suburban business park. Fine food; interesting choices, like chicken…read moreravioli. Very good salads, eggplant parmigiana. Good fried calamari but the sauce was Way too spicy for that dish. A moderate cocktail sauce would be better. Extensive wine list. Big, airy but warm space. Check the prices on the menu before you go. It's worth what you pay but not for someone on a budget.

I've been wanting to stop at Zarletti Mequon for quite a while and finally made it a priority on a…read morenight solo from the family. The weather was gorgeous so I chose to sit outside on their patio. For an appetizer I couldn't decide between the wood fired breadsticks or the veal & beef meatballs, so I got both, and went with the bianca pizza for my entree, adding mild Italian sausage to it. The wood fired breadsticks were meh. Unfortunately, I didn't taste any of the herb mix that they were supposed to be brushed with. The meatballs, on the other hand, were flavorful and delicate. If I were to do an appetizer next time I visit I would consider the meatballs and pass on the breadsticks. The bianca pizza was outstanding. The sauce was initially a little runny, so I had to let it firm up a bit before picking up a slice, but it was worth the wait. The crust had fantastic chew and was a stark contrast to the harder breadsticks. This is something I would gladly get again.

Simply put...Onesto is amazing! A friend and I decided to try Onesto for the first time, during…read moreDowntown Dining Week, after YEARS of it being on both of our list! Upon the walk up, the patio transports you somewhere else. The interior is beautifully designed (loved the local artwork on the walls). The staff was phenomenal- from the hostess to our server (shoutout to Mars)! The food was amazing! I started with the bruschetta and I haven't had any this good since a certain Bayshore restaurant went out of business in 2019. In general I'm a huge fan of Benson's restaurants, especially when branzino is on the menu and Onesto's is the best I've had from their group! Drinks...between my friend and I, we probably had every spritz on the menu, in addition to a few others! Onesto is a must try and I will be back (many times), to make up for lost time!

I had a fantastic dinner at Onesta and can easily see why it's so highly rated…read more I started with the Berry Burrata, which was fresh, flavorful, and a perfect way to begin the meal. For my entrée, I ordered the Gnocchi, and it was one of my favorite dishes of the trip. The combination of scallops, shrimp, lobster, and a rich fennel cream sauce was outstanding. I also had the opportunity to try the Agnolotti, filled with Maine lobster and house ricotta, finished with a peppercorn cream sauce and lemon oil. It was just as impressive. I sat at the bar, where the service was warm, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. I enjoyed a Barbera during my meal. I am not sure it was the right parring, but I care more about eating great food and enjoying great wine regardless of it matching perfectly. Great food, excellent wine, and outstanding service. I'll definitely be back the next time I'm in Milwaukee.

This Italian restaurant is in the heart of Oconomowoc. I had high hopes for dinner because I had…read morewanted to try this restaurant for awhile. The service from the time we arrived till the end of dinner was perfect. Rob, our server was attentive and polite. The ambiance was lovely as well. I love a restaurant with white tablecloths and lights on the table. We were seated at a window with a view of the lake. The wine list was extensive. As was the cocktail menu. My martini was perfect. As was my husband's Manhattan. We ordered the meatballs as a anti-pasta starter. That's where things started to go wrong.. the meatball was to be made of short ribs, peas, and rice. There was a tiny speck of short rib. One. Tiny. Speck. It was all rice. My husbands dish was amazing. I ordered the eggplant Parmesan. It was probably the worst I've ever had. Rubbery and lacking flavor. I normally love eggplant Parmesan. How can you screw this up? They knew we were there for our anniversary. Not one person mentioned it, until we did. Rob did bring us a complimentary dessert, which was very sweet. Overall, I would not return. Maybe for a lunch, but not for dinner.

Okay, Su Lago... we see you Just wow--across the board…read more The building itself is stunning, perfectly situated right on Lac La Belle Lake and serving up all the dreamy lake-country vibes. Inside, the décor is clearly intentional, with thoughtful details that make the space feel warm, elevated, and inviting. The service was outstanding. We had a fairly large group (around 10 people), and not once did anyone go without water, drinks, or a friendly check-in to make sure everything was perfect. Truly attentive without feeling overbearing. If you're an Italian food lover, this is absolutely the place. Pasta, bread, steak--they have it all, and nothing disappointed. And the cheese wheel?! You don't need a trip to Italy for that experience. Watching my son's noodles get coated in rich, melty cheese tableside was both delicious and memorable--an experience all on its own. Su Lago delivers on atmosphere, service, and food. We'll definitely be back.

This is an authentic Italian restaurant that feels like I'm having Sunday dinner at my papa's home…read more First and foremost the customer service is stellar. The waitstaff was lovely and owner Pietro told my son and I the story of their beautiful pizza oven that came all the way from Italy and visited our table to welcome my parents and tell us about the resturant and their family. This place is owned and operated by an incredibly talented and caring family that has opened their recipes and hearts to the community. The food was perfectly executed. From the seasoned and crips calamari to the margarita pizza that was flavorful with a thin crisp crust, our appetizers were loved. And then the pasta; just perfect. It's hard to find legitimate Italian pasta and this is it. The pasta was al dente with delectable homemade sauces. We enjoyed the chicken Marsala, chicken parmesan, a la vodka pasta, and pasta Alfredo-which my kids said was better than mine! All of these dishes were perfectly seasoned, fresh, piping hot, well sauced, and just delectable. The portions are perfect leaving just enough for lunch the next day if you can keep yourself from eating the whole plate! It was easy to get a reservation for a larger party, which I appreciate! The dining room and bathrooms were accessible for my mother who uses a wheelchair and she felt extremely comfortable dining. My two younger kids also enjoyed themselves and the atmosphere was versatile; perfect for kids, dinner with the grandparents, or a date night out. All in all we are excited to come back for another fantastic meal. Thank you to the owners and family for building this gem in Milwaukee.

I might have deducted three stars, rather than only two, if I'd included my feelings about my…read moreentree . . . which I hated. But that would be unfair and inappropriate. I had the beef Spiedini -- something we served at the venerated east side institution, Palermo Villa, when I waited tables there, years ago. But as delectable as it looked, it was one of our dishes that I never tried! And so, I think I ordered it at Carini's with unrealistic and inaccurate expectations. Suffice it to say that, FOR MY TASTE, the meat was undercooked and too chewy. I also found the stuffing off-putting, in both taste and mushy consistency. But again, THAT'S ME. It's entirely possible that this dish was prepared perfectly. It's just not for me. Now, on to the positives: * The Mussels Macchiato (in "a garlic wine sauce, splash of Carini's marinara") were the best mussels I've had anywhere. And, if you utilize the provided bread, so as not to let any of the ample sauce go to waste, you'll find it a "sopper's delight". * Is it possible to ruin Tiramisu? I doubt it . . . but its quality certainly can vary. In this case, I'll venture that Carini's is the best by far. The unfortunate negatives (and the reasons for the two-star deduction): * What could have been, and should have been, a very pleasing, simple and straightforward spinach salad (with cucumber, fontinella cheese and kalamata olives, in a sundried tomato vinaigrette) was ruined by the fact that whomever added the dressing drowned this unfortunate little salad that never did nothing to nobody. * The coffee -- both my first cup and the refill -- were barely warm enough to count as "tepid", much less hot. Details, even those as small as this, matter in a fine dining establishment with fine dining prices. * And, speaking of fine dining establishments with fine dining prices: These, of all places, should not commit that cardinal sin: jumping on board the "me too" train, shamelessly taking on the feel and appearance of a sports bar. In short, guys, 86 the giant TVs (of which there were, I think, at least two, in the not-all-that-huge bar area. I had to choose my seat in the dining area so as not to have to see either of them.) The prices, menu and marketing of Carini's all say "class" and quality (and/or an attempt to project class and quality). TVs say "tacky". Lazy. Like almost every other tacky, lazy, fungible place one might choose to step into these days. Because a Brewers game was on, and because I noticed it (behind and above the head of the understanding young lady at a table to my left), I succumbed to the temptation to steal (pun intended) several glances. But had I been left with nothing more than people-watching and my own thoughts, I would have survived just fine. Just fine, thank you.