This is the third version of a restaurant at this location with the same clueless owners. Hostess is clueless, not sure if they have reservations or tables available. Very cramped , no atmosphere and incompetent staff.
CHRISTINA
Cena was Closed - no warning!!! We called, heard a message to go to their web page to reserve, so we did. The web page directed us to Open Table and we reserved a table. We even received a confirmation that the reservation was a go. We arrived to find a closed restaurant - no explanation, no nothing. It being a Saturday night and restaurants only at 1/2 capacity,we had trouble finding another good eatery that had room and outdoor seating... VERY disappointing. Cena is one of my favorites in Delray Beach... I cannot recommend Cena until they decide if they are re-opening or closing down...I hope they find their way back.
SunnyCyn
This is our second time and both times the food was fantastic and the service was equally great. Seafood, meat and pasta all recommended. They also have a small parking lot which is a plus in Delray!
Frank
My date and I both enjoyed our dinner. We shared an outstanding mixed fish appetizer which was excellent. Also the portion was so generous we couldn't finish it. Next we shared pasta with bolognese sauce. They split the portion for us before bringing it out and it was delicious. For desert we shared the tartufo leaving virtually no trace on the plate! The only strange thing was that they only had decaf espresso because they had run out of regular!! Some of the prices are a bit high though some are average. However, for us the atmosphere, the quality of the food and the service justify the pricing. I fully intend to return soon.
Yan Kar
On the expensive side. Food are not bad
Marsha Per
Delicious food but very pricey.
DMC1951
Theia was my second trip here. First visit I ordered lobster francaise, it was delicious. I decided to order it again. I wouldn't call this lobster anything. It was a lot of risotto with crab and a pinch of lobster somewhere on my plate plus the lobster shell. This dish is not served in the shell. $49 They responded quickly and replaced it with salmon that was very bland. Perhaps it was the chef that was cooking Friday night? Thanks for the free dessert. Not sure if we'll return.
BethanieG
The noise level was terrible. There is nothing to absorb sound and it is small so tables are close together. Food was good. Coffee was lukewarm and sent back for a heat up. Not a good place for conversation. Music was loud but they lowered at our request.
CHRISTINA
Cena is consistently Excellent - one of our favorite restaurants in the City of Great Restaurants! The beautiful cottage/garden setting, the service, the ambiance - all consistently excellent. And the food....yummy, Yummy, YUMMY authentic Italian...so good... The menu can be daunting - so many wonderful choices. Don't miss the Polpete (meatballs) or the Barrata Prosciutto Salad - both are House-specialties and outstanding! My guy always orders the Branzino and LOVES it...my choices are less predictable and often are the Specials which change daily... Cena is a little Delray Beach Gem - don't miss it!
It was a birthday dinner. We were seated quickly and on the patio. The noise level was just right. The service was a bit slow The food was very good. We split the entree and it was more than enough. A little pricey but very nice.
Pete G.
This is a real Gem just off Atlantic Ave. Not the biggest range of choice on the menu but it's all top class dishes. 1st class service and a lovely atmosphere in what feels cozy and friendly surroundings
Patricia M.
Went to Cena on Thursday night with a party of five because it was booked on Friday night for valentines. Glad I didn't go on valentines because it wasn't crowded on Thursday and it was really loud. We had to practically yell to hear any conversation at our table. Wasn't impressed with the food. We all ordered something different and it was just okay. Definitely doesn't warrant those prices. My friend ordered the seafood with pasta and it was smothered in red sauce that looked as if it came out of a jar. I ordered the Chilean sea bass and on the menu it included fingerling potatoes and season vegetables. Well I did get the sea bass but I instead got mashed potatoes and a sprig of spinach. When I asked the waiter if I made a mistake about the potatoes he said he would check but never brought it up again and ignored the situation. I feel if you are charging $55 for a special dish you should get what was on the menu. Don't think I will return there.
Mick
It all started off with a few issues that were disappointing, but the owner of the restaurant came by and made everything right beyond expectation. Once we got past that, the food and service were outstanding. So, other than a minor issue at the beginning, I wholly recommend this place. Can't recall a better meal of this type of cuisine.
Crone
Food and service were fantastic. The fettuccine bolognese was outstanding, as was the ricotta cheesecake (fluffy, not heavy). I had the same wine as at my last visit, the Justin Hope cabernet - good option. The night we visited was an odd one - there was noisy road work being done directly in front of Cena. At 7 PM!! Staff did a fine job helping us find a "quieter" table, making the best of a bad situation.
Delicious
This is the third version of a restaurant at this location with the same clueless owners. Hostess is clueless, not sure if they have reservations or tables available. Very cramped , no atmosphere and incompetent staff.
Cena was Closed - no warning!!! We called, heard a message to go to their web page to reserve, so we did. The web page directed us to Open Table and we reserved a table. We even received a confirmation that the reservation was a go. We arrived to find a closed restaurant - no explanation, no nothing. It being a Saturday night and restaurants only at 1/2 capacity,we had trouble finding another good eatery that had room and outdoor seating... VERY disappointing. Cena is one of my favorites in Delray Beach... I cannot recommend Cena until they decide if they are re-opening or closing down...I hope they find their way back.
This is our second time and both times the food was fantastic and the service was equally great. Seafood, meat and pasta all recommended. They also have a small parking lot which is a plus in Delray!
My date and I both enjoyed our dinner. We shared an outstanding mixed fish appetizer which was excellent. Also the portion was so generous we couldn't finish it. Next we shared pasta with bolognese sauce. They split the portion for us before bringing it out and it was delicious. For desert we shared the tartufo leaving virtually no trace on the plate! The only strange thing was that they only had decaf espresso because they had run out of regular!! Some of the prices are a bit high though some are average. However, for us the atmosphere, the quality of the food and the service justify the pricing. I fully intend to return soon.
On the expensive side. Food are not bad
Delicious food but very pricey.
Theia was my second trip here. First visit I ordered lobster francaise, it was delicious. I decided to order it again. I wouldn't call this lobster anything. It was a lot of risotto with crab and a pinch of lobster somewhere on my plate plus the lobster shell. This dish is not served in the shell. $49 They responded quickly and replaced it with salmon that was very bland. Perhaps it was the chef that was cooking Friday night? Thanks for the free dessert. Not sure if we'll return.
The noise level was terrible. There is nothing to absorb sound and it is small so tables are close together. Food was good. Coffee was lukewarm and sent back for a heat up. Not a good place for conversation. Music was loud but they lowered at our request.
Cena is consistently Excellent - one of our favorite restaurants in the City of Great Restaurants! The beautiful cottage/garden setting, the service, the ambiance - all consistently excellent. And the food....yummy, Yummy, YUMMY authentic Italian...so good... The menu can be daunting - so many wonderful choices. Don't miss the Polpete (meatballs) or the Barrata Prosciutto Salad - both are House-specialties and outstanding! My guy always orders the Branzino and LOVES it...my choices are less predictable and often are the Specials which change daily... Cena is a little Delray Beach Gem - don't miss it!
Restaurantji Recommends
It was a birthday dinner. We were seated quickly and on the patio. The noise level was just right. The service was a bit slow The food was very good. We split the entree and it was more than enough. A little pricey but very nice.
This is a real Gem just off Atlantic Ave. Not the biggest range of choice on the menu but it's all top class dishes. 1st class service and a lovely atmosphere in what feels cozy and friendly surroundings
Went to Cena on Thursday night with a party of five because it was booked on Friday night for valentines. Glad I didn't go on valentines because it wasn't crowded on Thursday and it was really loud. We had to practically yell to hear any conversation at our table. Wasn't impressed with the food. We all ordered something different and it was just okay. Definitely doesn't warrant those prices. My friend ordered the seafood with pasta and it was smothered in red sauce that looked as if it came out of a jar. I ordered the Chilean sea bass and on the menu it included fingerling potatoes and season vegetables. Well I did get the sea bass but I instead got mashed potatoes and a sprig of spinach. When I asked the waiter if I made a mistake about the potatoes he said he would check but never brought it up again and ignored the situation. I feel if you are charging $55 for a special dish you should get what was on the menu. Don't think I will return there.
It all started off with a few issues that were disappointing, but the owner of the restaurant came by and made everything right beyond expectation. Once we got past that, the food and service were outstanding. So, other than a minor issue at the beginning, I wholly recommend this place. Can't recall a better meal of this type of cuisine.
Food and service were fantastic. The fettuccine bolognese was outstanding, as was the ricotta cheesecake (fluffy, not heavy). I had the same wine as at my last visit, the Justin Hope cabernet - good option. The night we visited was an odd one - there was noisy road work being done directly in front of Cena. At 7 PM!! Staff did a fine job helping us find a "quieter" table, making the best of a bad situation.