Just what you expect from a family owned Italian restaurant. Expect that it will take time to get your food as all is fresh and made to order. Everyone was extremely happy with the food. I will definitely be going back!
Recommended dishes: Large Calamari Fradiavolo, Garlic Bread
Gregg
1st time diners last Friday night, Awesome experience, great food and wine. Going back tonight (Friday) with another couple and really looking forward to another fun time with friends. Marina was very social and it is so nice to spend my money with a mom and pop restaurant local owners who cares about great food and experiences for their customers.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Joe Marciano
Had dinner there last night. Food was average at best. They ran out of pasta! How do you run out of pasta at 6:30pm in an Italian restaurant on a Saturday night?! The pizza had the worst crust imaginable. We actually ate the pepperoni and cheese separately. Service was arguably worse than the pizza. We waited over 2 hours to get served! There is no legitimate reason why this restaurant had a 4.9 rating. Needs to be corrected to be fair to consumers.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
woody mason
We have followed papa Lorenzo from restaurant to restaurant for the last 25 years, each one and each one wonderful in its own unique way. He and Marina have always served some of the best authentic Italian food to be found. There new Cafe di Lorenzo might just be their best on yet. 4 of us ate in, and we can recommend the chicken Parmesan, pasta primavera and the Sicilian pizza with an order of stuffed mushrooms for the appetizer. All excellent. We went back last night for a Sicilian pizza down the special way they’ve made for us all these years. They may have made us the best pizza we’ve ever had in this lifetime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Garlic Bread, Chicken Parmigiana with Rigatoni, Chicken Parmesan w Penne, Penne Alfredo, Garlic Bread, Stuffed Mushrooms
Tina M.
We tried this new Italian Cafe twice.....and had two different experiences.
First of, the staff are very friendly and welcoming. We had a personalized visit the first time sitting at the bar talking with staff, being a slow time there.
They offer beer, wine and coffee. We had a few appetizers. The artichokes were really good and can't say we've had those any where else in this area. We also had the eggplant rollatini and it was wonderful too. I had to try the pistachio cake.....it was good....
The second time we went we also sat at the bar and again staff friendly. This time it was busier and it was apparent they were overwhelmed, being short staffed. We probably wouldn't have noticed but it kept being mentioned to everyone who walked in. They probably could have saved time with salads by pre-making them. We ordered a pizza and app. It was a slower service but they were short staffed.....they did the beat they could. I think once they have the personnel this will be a fantastic spot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Stephanie Ray
Vegetarian options: Baked broccoli, baby artichokes and cheese, eggplant, roasted peppers with rigatoni. Spaghetti aglio and oil. Primavera pasta. Pizza, salads and much more
Dietary restrictions: They will help deciding if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Parking: Double entrance, front and back of the house. You can park in then back by the Gypsy soul boutique on either sides. The lot next to the building is also for them to use even though the sign says taverna and sunz building
Kid-friendliness: Yes
Wheelchair accessibility: Front entrance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tomato Caprese, Chicken Marsala, Large Calamari Fradiavolo, Rack of Lamb, Side of Meatballs
Scott Carson
The stuffed mushrooms are heavenly. We both had the special, veal cutlet and a veal chop. I can’t remember having Italian food that was so tasty. And our server, Katherine, was both attentive and thoughtful.
If you’re looking for authentic Italian that’s tasty and creative!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Side Salad
Kevin Stanley
Wow, Bradenton is stepping up by getting family based restaurauters attracted to set up shop here. The owner has owned multiple family restaurants over his 50 year career. The food is absolutely authentic Italian, still made by the chef himself. Famous 5 times for making the world's largest pizzas (Guinness Book) is just a cool side note. The portions are fantastic, prices are excellent. There is another Italian place in close proximity, completely different feel, and just not as warm. I rate them equally in their space, but the feel of each is very different. Corporate styled restaurant and then the family owned that just has a great family feel, service and general authenticity. Wine/Beer only, no liquor for now. Very good and affordable wine options. Good for groups to.
I wanted traditional spaghetti and Italian food and this was the perfect place! I was so eager to eat my food that I didn’t snap pictures of all of our items but I tried the eggplant, spaghetti and meat sauce , and tiramisu. All of my food was delicious and flavors true to the authentic Italian cuisine. The service was great and everyone was so kind and loving. Everything was made to order super fresh , so be patient and don’t come hangry but by all means please stop in and support a beautiful family owned business with delicious food! We shall return ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hattie
My group and I had a wonderful time at dinner here. We were greeted at the door by our server James, who did an excellent job. I will be requesting him in the future! The food is excellent with generous serving sizes. The dessert menu was extensive and I opted for the tiramisu, which was delicious. We are so excited to find a new Italian place in town and we will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Angela Scott
Very relaxing dinner… great garlic bread, the Chicken Marsala was very good and had an excellent sauce, good lasagna, and great salmon dish. Super nice wait staff! :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigiana with Rigatoni
catherine freure
Nobody cooks like Lorenzo...his flavors are brilliant, Marina is an awesome hostess and keeps a sharp eye on her customers, her Tiramisu is to die for, and they have a wonderful selection of Italian wines. We recommend this place as a go-to for everybody!!
Parking: Lots of parking, easily accessible
Kid-friendliness: These people know how to cater to children
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Limoncello Mascarpone Cake, Tomato Caprese, Cheese Garlic Bread, Chicken Parmigiana with Rigatoni, Chicken Parmesan w Penne, Side Salad
David Englund
Well, the spaghetti and sausage were fantastic! The salad and garlic bread were fantastic! The service was fantastic! And it seemed like a very nice atmosphere! Wonderful meal and the price was great for the value! Thank you!
Just what you expect from a family owned Italian restaurant. Expect that it will take time to get your food as all is fresh and made to order. Everyone was extremely happy with the food. I will definitely be going back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Garlic Bread, Chicken Parmigiana with Rigatoni, Chicken Marsala
Just perfect
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Large Calamari Fradiavolo, Garlic Bread
1st time diners last Friday night, Awesome experience, great food and wine.
Going back tonight (Friday) with another couple and really looking forward to another fun time with friends. Marina was very social and it is so nice to spend my money with a mom and pop restaurant local owners who cares about great food and experiences for their customers.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Had dinner there last night. Food was average at best. They ran out of pasta! How do you run out of pasta at 6:30pm in an Italian restaurant on a Saturday night?! The pizza had the worst crust imaginable. We actually ate the pepperoni and cheese separately. Service was arguably worse than the pizza. We waited over 2 hours to get served! There is no legitimate reason why this restaurant had a 4.9 rating. Needs to be corrected to be fair to consumers.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 2
Service: 1
We have followed papa Lorenzo from restaurant to restaurant for the last 25 years, each one and each one wonderful in its own unique way. He and Marina have always served some of the best authentic Italian food to be found. There new Cafe di Lorenzo might just be their best on yet. 4 of us ate in, and we can recommend the chicken Parmesan, pasta primavera and the Sicilian pizza with an order of stuffed mushrooms for the appetizer. All excellent. We went back last night for a Sicilian pizza down the special way they’ve made for us all these years. They may have made us the best pizza we’ve ever had in this lifetime.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Garlic Bread, Chicken Parmigiana with Rigatoni, Chicken Parmesan w Penne, Penne Alfredo, Garlic Bread, Stuffed Mushrooms
We tried this new Italian Cafe twice.....and had two different experiences.
First of, the staff are very friendly and welcoming. We had a personalized visit the first time sitting at the bar talking with staff, being a slow time there.
They offer beer, wine and coffee. We had a few appetizers. The artichokes were really good and can't say we've had those any where else in this area. We also had the eggplant rollatini and it was wonderful too. I had to try the pistachio cake.....it was good....
The second time we went we also sat at the bar and again staff friendly. This time it was busier and it was apparent they were overwhelmed, being short staffed. We probably wouldn't have noticed but it kept being mentioned to everyone who walked in. They probably could have saved time with salads by pre-making them. We ordered a pizza and app. It was a slower service but they were short staffed.....they did the beat they could. I think once they have the personnel this will be a fantastic spot.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vegetarian options: Baked broccoli, baby artichokes and cheese, eggplant, roasted peppers with rigatoni. Spaghetti aglio and oil. Primavera pasta. Pizza, salads and much more
Dietary restrictions: They will help deciding if you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions.
Parking: Double entrance, front and back of the house.
You can park in then back by the Gypsy soul boutique on either sides. The lot next to the building is also for them to use even though the sign says taverna and sunz building
Kid-friendliness: Yes
Wheelchair accessibility: Front entrance
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Tomato Caprese, Chicken Marsala, Large Calamari Fradiavolo, Rack of Lamb, Side of Meatballs
The stuffed mushrooms are heavenly. We both had the special, veal cutlet and a veal chop. I can’t remember having Italian food that was so tasty. And our server, Katherine, was both attentive and thoughtful.
If you’re looking for authentic Italian that’s tasty and creative!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Side Salad
Wow, Bradenton is stepping up by getting family based restaurauters attracted to set up shop here. The owner has owned multiple family restaurants over his 50 year career. The food is absolutely authentic Italian, still made by the chef himself. Famous 5 times for making the world's largest pizzas (Guinness Book) is just a cool side note. The portions are fantastic, prices are excellent. There is another Italian place in close proximity, completely different feel, and just not as warm. I rate them equally in their space, but the feel of each is very different. Corporate styled restaurant and then the family owned that just has a great family feel, service and general authenticity. Wine/Beer only, no liquor for now. Very good and affordable wine options. Good for groups to.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Cheese Garlic Bread, Garlic Bread
Best true Italian restaurant in town!Thank you very much. John.
Restaurantji Recommends
I wanted traditional spaghetti and Italian food and this was the perfect place! I was so eager to eat my food that I didn’t snap pictures of all of our items but I tried the eggplant, spaghetti and meat sauce , and tiramisu. All of my food was delicious and flavors true to the authentic Italian cuisine. The service was great and everyone was so kind and loving. Everything was made to order super fresh , so be patient and don’t come hangry but by all means please stop in and support a beautiful family owned business with delicious food! We shall return ☺️
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
My group and I had a wonderful time at dinner here. We were greeted at the door by our server James, who did an excellent job. I will be requesting him in the future! The food is excellent with generous serving sizes. The dessert menu was extensive and I opted for the tiramisu, which was delicious. We are so excited to find a new Italian place in town and we will be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Very relaxing dinner… great garlic bread, the Chicken Marsala was very good and had an excellent sauce, good lasagna, and great salmon dish. Super nice wait staff! :)
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Parmigiana with Rigatoni
Nobody cooks like Lorenzo...his flavors are brilliant, Marina is an awesome hostess and keeps a sharp eye on her customers, her Tiramisu is to die for, and they have a wonderful selection of Italian wines. We recommend this place as a go-to for everybody!!
Parking: Lots of parking, easily accessible
Kid-friendliness: These people know how to cater to children
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Limoncello Mascarpone Cake, Tomato Caprese, Cheese Garlic Bread, Chicken Parmigiana with Rigatoni, Chicken Parmesan w Penne, Side Salad
Well, the spaghetti and sausage were fantastic! The salad and garlic bread were fantastic! The service was fantastic! And it seemed like a very nice atmosphere! Wonderful meal and the price was great for the value! Thank you!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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