This place is beautiful and very peaceful. You can even have a business meeting here. My waitress was very friendly. I ordered the special, which included soup, your choice of pasta, and a drink. I loved this place and would come back many times. read more

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Amazing boutique restaurant in Brandon, a hidden gem! Fantastic service, authentic food and wine, delicious desserts. read more

Tasty Venues - Dessert - citrus ganache - Cafes Near Me - Brandon, Florida

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A Hidden Gem in Valrico, Feels Like Italy We recently moved to Valrico and had been driving all the way to Gulfport for good Italian food, until we found this hidden gem. I booked the restaurant back in the spring after reading great reviews, and we finally went in July. It was worth the wait. From the moment we walked in, it felt like we were visiting someone's home. Mark, our waiter (and the chef's husband), was kind, funny, and made the night even better. We ordered the chef's "Blind Date" tasting menu, letting her surprise us and everything was incredible. We had fresh tomatoes with tomato compote, mozzarella, pesto, olive oil, and bread. Then came handmade pasta with pancetta, a delicious pork dish with mushrooms and pearl pasta, two desserts, and a bottle of wine. Every bite was amazing. The chef even came to check on us a few times. She joked, "If you loved it, I'm the chef. If not, I'm the dishwasher" The dishwasher's ready for a promotion!" This is the first time since my travels in Tuscany that a restaurant made me feel like I was enjoying a home-cooked Italian meal. We won't be driving over the bridge anymore, this is our new go-to spot. read more

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Wow! If you've not been, you are missing out. The food was amazing, the Chef is great! All of dishes were amazing Brandon , we finally have a restaurant to rave about. Compliments to the chef and the staff. read more

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What a perfect place for a proposal. I called ahead and informed the staff of my plans, and they seated us at a very romantic table. They cheered when she said yes, and brought champagne. Food was fantastic too!! I was so nervous I didn't eat much though! read more

Tasty Venues - This is my new Fiancé! - Cafes Near Me - Brandon, Florida

We had our Wedding Anniversary dinner there on Saturday. The staff is great, they make you feel at home. The food is fantastic, kudos to Chef Cinzia!. Great place read more

This was a wonderful experience all together! The service was great, made you feel like part of the family. The food was perfect, just so amazing, we tried 3 apps, 4 dinners, and 2 desserts, with 2 bottles of wine... and everything was so good. We met the chef and chatted with her and her husband for a bit after dinner. This was our first experience here but we will be back for sure. read more

Outstanding food and excellent service! The chef and staff make recommendations and meals are made to order. Great wine and dessert selections, too! read more

Excellent. Atmosphere is perfect for dining. The food is made to order. Wine list is reasonable. And lastly, the service is knowledgeable and nonintrusive. A relatively small place with an excellent chance to browse for that special gift for that special someone. read more

This little shop is a true hidden gem. My husband and I recently discovered it and it was so awesome that we went back to eat there again two weekends in a row. If you're looking for a truly authentic Italian meal, go no further than Tasty Venues. Chef Cinzia is an artist in the kitchen and makes everything taste so fresh; you can literally taste the different layers of flavors in every dish. Her husband Mark was our server on our second visit and he is just so warm and inviting. The Barratta special was awesome as was the Seaside Classic appetizer, which is more than enough to share. Chef chose our wine for us at our request and it was perfect. I chose the Maremonti as my entree, which was so delicious and my husband ordered the Short Rib Ragu, which was another special, and said it was "perfect food". I can't say enough good things about this place; run, don't walk to Tasty Venues. read more

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Amazing as always!! Chef Cinzia and her staff handled our Office Christmas Party with incredible Food and Service!!! We may just have to make this our new tradition!!! read more

This place is interesting, I feel Like the name doesn't do it justice. The food is high quality and inventive. I don't think they allow children after 7 But it's kind of more of a date night spot! Highly recommend read more

I've tried a few of Chef Cinzia's offerings at Tasty Venues. I have ordered her chicken parmesan family meal, I've purchased semolina flour in her gourmet shop, I've ordered her cooking class to-go and I've dined in the restaurant most recently for her afternoon tea with a few friends a few Saturdays ago. Chef and her staff are doing a great job abiding by the new Covid19 safety precautions. They wear masks, have hand sanitizer available for customers to use, seating at 50% restaurant capacity, throw away menus and individual servings of condiments. But lets talk about the Afternoon Tea! I am a tea "party" fan. Chef posts her dining specials and events on the Tasty Venues FB page, so it was easy to pay ahead and reserve my friends and I's seats for tea. Which is a great idea with limited seating in restaurants now- we were guaranteed dining seats! The price per person was $30 and included all of the following: a pot of tea for the table, classic cucumber tea sandwiches, tomato & roast beef sandwiches (MY FAVORITE savory of the tea!) chicken salad canapé, mushrooms vol au vent, mini shrimp cocktail, cream scones, blueberry lemon mini cupcakes, mini victorian sponge cake (MY FAVORITE dessert of the afternoon!) and mini tiramisu. The tea of the day was Versailles Lavender Garden. The chef visited our table as well as the wait staff checking on us often. We never waited for anything we needed. It was a great experience and I cant wait to schedule another tea with my girlfriends! read more

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I recently went back to Tasty Venue & I'll definitely be back. They have a new menu with wonderful food and drink options. The service was also great! I definitely recommend this gem! read more

I've been wanting to come here for a while so I was excited when I got my boyfriend and another couple convinced to check it out. The vibe was pretty cool with jazz music playing the entire time. The restaurant is very cute and intimate and the store has some cool things. There were do not touch signs on some of the shelves so it was kind of weird trying to look at the items. Also, you have to walk around tables of people that are dining to look at the items displayed and that was quite an awkward experience. When we first walked in we were greeted at the door by our server and she knew who we were right away based on our reservation time. We were told we had to sanitize our hands before we sat at our table. We were only going to touch the foods we were served to us to eat, but we complied and then sat down. We asked our server about the beers and she really didn't know much about them, so we asked for a light Italian and strong Italian beer and they turned out to be delicious. She ended up bringing our food and our drinks to us one and two at a time with several minutes in between. She did not ask about ordering appetizers, but after she had been to our table for the third or fourth time, we asked to order the mussels. They came out and were delicious although they weren't served with a bowl for the shells and she also had to go get a spoon for us to serve them. She came back with a teaspoon. That was strange, but we went with it. My friend asked about the linguine and clams and said decided that she wanted that and our server wrote it down then just walked away. She came back about 10 minutes later and asked if we all ordered. She didn't remember the linguini order at all, so my friend ordered again and then the rest of us did. Our food took about 20 minutes to get to our table and it was brought out one item at a time. I should note that the other two tables in the restaurant had eaten their meals by then. My boyfriend sat for several minutes without his meal. We waited for him while our food was getting cold. Our server did not know which entrees she had in her hands, so we had to guess as to what went where based on what we ordered. Again, so strange. I don't want to be mean in case our server has a medical issue, but being outsiders and not knowing the people at this place personally, it was a very very strange experience. The pastas were very Al dente, but the flavors were all fabulous! It was very messy for my friend to eat her linguine and clams without a bowl to put her clam shells in, but she was very happy with her meal. To sum it up, the place was cute and our server didn't have much of a personality and wasn't really sure of what was going on, but we did eat really good food. While it was a very strange evening, I'm glad we finally tried this local restaurant. I'm not sure that we will be back as it just wasn't a nice experience overall. read more

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My husband and I LOVE food. Like not a normal level of love but a deep appreciation of culture and cuisine! We finally were able to make it to this little slice of Heaven and OMG it was every culinary woman's dream! From the second you walk in you feel like family! The service by far way THE BEST I have seen in a long time since Covid. The chef even comes out to check on you! I don't give reviews lightly and when I say "I will be back" ohhhh honey....this is my new secret place to go! Come as strangers and leave as family. This was by far the best meal I have had in a long time! read more

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Delicious! Everything we had was perfect. The charcuterie, pasta, wines, all fresh. We will return.

Great authentic Italian food with a beautiful and relaxing ambiance! The chef changes the menu seasonally to always use fresh in season ingredients!! read more

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Must visit! Adorable shop with tables throughout. Small and quaint. Limited hours so make sure they are open. Party of more than 4 I would make a reservation. We did girls day today and loved it!! One of the girls in our group is from Italy, her and the chef were able to speak Italian to each other. This is authentic Italian not American Italian! Don't expect to go and have spaghetti with garlic bread. Very pleasant experience. They make you feel welcomed! So many neat things to look at or purchase while you wait for your meal. read more

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Very welcoming restaurant. The service was wonderful. We enjoyed our delish entrees. I had pasta and seafood. The pasta and seafood were both cooked perfectly. My husband had chicken and polenta dish that he loved. We took home almond cookies that we had with coffee this morning! So yummy! read more

I'm really excited about this new store! Our local newspaper ran an article highlighting the opening of Tasty Venues a little over a month ago. Today I was in the area so I stopped in to see what it was all about! The inventory of unique, one-of-a-kind kitchen and household items, many of them suitable as housewarming gifts, is mind-blowing! The owner, Chef Cinzia, is a native of Italy. She is cordially engaging and greeted me very warmly. I asked her if she minded if I took some pictures for Yelp, and she eagerly allowed me to do so. I told her all about Yelp and how it will help people to find her. She was all in! I also told her there was no Yelp listing for her business so I made one. She was excited to be on Yelp! Chef Cinzia's associate, Kathy, was generous in offering me a sample of today's soup dish. It was delicious! The store also holds cooking classes. You can access their website to find the day's and times. Also offered is Lunch Monday thru Friday 11 a.m. To 2 p.m., and Brunch Sunday 10:30 a.m. To 2:30 p.m. Chef Cinzia also features High Tea complete with sandwiches and Pastries, plus Champagne, a few afternoons a month (the next one is July 8), and a Dinner menu also is currently in the works. The artwork she currently sells is by local artists Maria Cuevas Brennan and Bonnie Dyson. They produce one of a kind, signed and numbered hand-painted prints. Chef Cinzia knows what she's doing as her keen sense of business acumen is quite evident. She is personable and is kind to everyone, which is a big part of life to me, in my business and my personal life. There is so much to look at that I wished I'd had more time to explore, but I will definitely be coming back! I even bought a cute Ceramic Green Pepper (it's really a soup bowl) - $15. I'm using it as a container for my shallots and garlic. I look forward to see what's coming next and I wish Chef Cinzia all the best of luck for her new business in this wonderful land of opportunity. 52/100 read more

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My girl and I were trying to decide between Bubuque. And Italian and I decided to do the nose test. I stuck my nose in each restaurant. Bubuques smellled really good but then I went into Tasty Venues and the scent of fresh bread lured me in like a siren calling to sailor. I was not disappointed. The sign on the door states no coke products no spaghetti or meatballs. This is an Italian restaurant not a Italian American one. The food justifies the arrogance of the sign. It was delicious. We had the veal and the fruit de mare. So good. Fresh pasta and a refined use of garlic sets this place apart. read more

My wife and I had dinner Friday evening . It was our first time there. I can't say enough good things about the entire experience. If you are looking to have a culinary experience then you must try. The service is top notch and Chef Cinzia creates incredible dishes. You can tell there is thought that goes into every aspect of the restaurant all the way to the dish. Amazing experience and food. We will definitely be back!! read more

This little gem of a place is incredible. Authentic Italian cooking with all the charm that comes with a restaurant you would stumble upon in Italy. Amazing service with warm, knowledgeable staff. Brandon is lucky to have this in the area. read more

Like sitting at my grandmothers kitchen table! Food was very tasty and the wine was great. Shared four entrees with friends and everything was tasty. Almond cookies are a must! read more

The food at this small and quaint restaurant could absolutely not be any more authentic Italian. We loved the charming atmosphere, and Italian wine selections. The chef was great at helping with wine pairing suggestions. We were a large group of nine, and everyone enjoyed their menu choices. The marinara sauce was delicious and tasted like it had been simmered for hours. Penne with mascarpone, truffles, and sausage was rich and loaded with flavor. Bolognese was perfection. One in our party had the steak marsala, which I thought seemed like an odd pairing because you usually find veal on chicken marsala, but it was a delicious combo. Portions were generous, prices very fair for the quality of food. If there was any downside, it was just that the pastas were not fresh homemade. They were a very good quality dried pasta from Italy, but it's always hard to beat the fresh made, real deal. Overall, we loved it, the service was good, and the cozy atmosphere made you feel like you were eating in your Italian Nonna's kitchen. Made me want to go back to Italy! read more

Disappointed service from the moment we weren't greeted.... They say service can make or break you. To say it bluntly our service SUCKED. We were shocked at how little attention was given us. We felt rushed for drinks when we were seated then made to wait long periods of time with out any returns to fill wine. Our waitress, never told us her name, never asked had we been here before, horrible at recommendations, realized after cleaning the table did not offer water, was truly the downfall and reason why we will never go back. Even the way she handled the check was ridiculous. We were not alone in the waiting game, others around us waited way to long for their check...it's as if we were the forgotten in a dining room of 20 people. The menu was inviting. You get 2 stars because the soup was served piping hot. The entree was not and the rabbit was over cooked. In response to mngmt, telling the chef we were unhappy with the service when she visited the table would have been awkward and quite possibly could have made things worse as our meal was not over. An apology for poor service instead of thanking me for a the review would have been nice. read more

Super rude owners and not kid friendly. Avoid this place!! Many better restaurants in the area with friendly staff.

I have been waiting to try this place out because their hours didn't match up when I wanted to go. first off what Italian restaurant doesn't give you bread while waiting for your food or whenever. Italians love their bread! i ordered the Friday saturday Sunday pasta. The sauce had good flavor but they failed to mention it is served on penne pasta. I'm not a fan of penne. The pasta was extremely under cooked. They apologized and the chef came out and asked and I explained and she told me she cooked it for 9 minutes like it always cooks in the same amount of time . The time is just a guideline . I always test my pasta to ensure it's fully cooked. Her offer was to microwave it ‍ no offer to replace or anything. oh well I will patronize better small Italian restaurants. read more

5-Star Italian cuisine out of a tiny kitchen tucked into an intimate set of tables tucked into a ... curio shop. And somehow, they made it work! We've now had lunch here, a birthday dinner here, and ten of us for a catered anniversary dinner. Quite a range to compare, really, and every meal was truly something special. Chef Cinzia has managed to wow us on every dish we have been served. I mean WOWED us. Extraordinary dishes by an artist - always appreciated. We don't give 5 Stars out often (enough), much less tell you we've been here multiple times and it's 5 Stars every time. This treasure has earned the stars. The food is excellent, and the curio shop creates wonderful places to wander between courses. And you WILL want courses. read more

Fantastic little place on Brandon Ave with fabulous Italian fare. I only visit the Tampa area on a fairly regular basis, and always seek out what other Yelpers recommend. Seeing this place already has a solid 5 star following I had to check it out. Having lived in southern Italy for two and a half years, I'm a bit picky when it comes to this cuisine. Try the Amazing Amalfi Coast - particularly if you've actually been there - it will take you back. Next time I'm back in town, I will be coming back to Tasty Venues. Mille grazie Capocuoca Cinzia. read more

Tasty Venues - Calabrian tomatoes with feta - Cafes Near Me - Brandon, Florida

Dont let the non discript name fool you. This is the real deal. The restaurant is small and shares space with their retail gift store fearuring all things Italian. Chef Cinza creates your meal in an open kitchen in full view of each table. Keeping an eye out for her quests and making us feel like we walked I to a close friends home for a great meal and conversation. We celebrated my moms birthday here with 27 guests. From first course to last Chef Cinza and her staff went out of their way to make it extrordinary. If you love authentic Italian cuisine try it out read more

Wow!!! Get the best experience and italian cuisine here. No joke, authentic. Great paring of wine with our meal. read more

What an amazing meal! I have been reading great reviews of this restaurant for a long time and finally had the perfect opportunity to try it out. Every morsel of food that passed my lips was exceptional. From the bruschetta to the penne alla Genovese to the cream puffs everything was delicious. I highly recommend this hidden gem. The chef takes a personal interest in her customers and puts lots of love in her food. I cannot say enough great things. read more

If you have an hour to spare, you can visit a bit of authentic Italy. Chef Cinzia creates the flavors and aromas worth flying to Europe for, only right here in our neighborhood. I lived in Vicenza, Italy, for a couple years with the Army, and I've often wished I were back. Tasty Venues is a nice consolation when I crave real Italian cuisine. If you're an omnivore, you simply can't go wrong--I've learned to ask my server to have Cinzia send whatever she has going for the day to my table. Vegan and vegetarian options are always on the menu as well. Tasty Venues is the Real Thing, and I've never been disappointed. read more

I should've taken a photo of our dinner but it looked so delicious we dug right in. We ordered Tyrrenian Red Snapper and the Stracotto. Amazing. The beef was so tender, and the fish was cooked to perfection . The beer choices were few but the beer offered was excellent. They bring in small batches of wine, and the chef came out and explained the menu and offered to make any dietary changes I made need. She was great. Wonderful Italian music as well. A little hidden Italian gem in Brandon. read more

Picked up one of their Togo meals. We ordered the #5, Lasagna and Eggplant Parm. The best Italian food in the area. We are very picky about our Italian food. The food is authentic and tasty. We will make this one of our regular places. read more

My wife and I went here after hearing many good things about it and it was even better than we expected the food was absolutely exceptional the service was very good and the three ladies working that night were very pleasant we would highly recommend this to anybody read more

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All other reviews are spot on! Just had Mother's Day brunch there and couldn't have asked for a better experience. Incredible food, attentive staff, lovely ambiance - an absolute gem! read more

What a wonderful place. From beginning to end it was a great experience. We arrived a few minutes before closing without realizing it and they were so gracious and attentive and did not rush us. The food was amazing! So fresh and delicious. Will definitely be going back!! read more