Ordered the chicken parmesan as I usually do. It was the worst I ever had. I asked the waitress if the chicken should be white and light tan. She said that is how they make it. I ate oIt but question going back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
Alex P.
I've now been to The Italian Cousin twice in a the last month. Both experiences were great. The service is excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. It's larger than it seems at first, because there are two separate seating areas, which gives it a nice, intimate feel, while also having plenty of room for walk ins. It is probably a good idea to make a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night though, just to be sure you won't be waiting on a table. At seating, they provide a mixture of olive oil, basil and parmesan cheese, with a basket of bread. Both of these are delicious, and for the person who doesn't have a huge appetite, it would be easy to fill up on the bread and spread. Fortunately, that's not an issue for me, and I could honestly make a lunch of this alone. My table shared the mozzarella caprese on the first visit, and that was delicious. The tomatoes are clearly fresh, the roasted peppers are high quality, as is the mozzarella and the dressing. On both visits, I've had the fried calamari appetizer, which is cooked perfectly. The breading is delicious, with a very slight tinge of spice to it. The marinara served with it is also delicious, thick enough to stick to the calamari, not watery or thin as is too often the case in lesser Italian restaurants. On my first visit I had the linguini with white clam sauce as an entree. It was excellent. The clams were perfectly cooked, so as to be open and not undercooked, but not rubbery. The pasta was also perfectly cooked, not boiled to mush as is too often the case in restaurants. The sauce itself was full of a nicely layered flavor. It's a great mixture of garlic, white wine and a light touch with the parsley and a few other spices. On my second visit, I decided that because the white previous meal had been so good, I would try to Veal Marsala. I'm honestly a little picky about Marsala. It's something I love when it's made well, but is a big disappointment when it's not. This was among the best Veal Marsala I've had that wasn't served in my great grandmother's kitchen. The veal was perfectly prepared, the sauce was balanced, without the wine so overpowering the dish as to negate the other flavors. The balance of flavor with the sauce, the mushrooms and the veal was delightful. The flavor of the mushrooms suggests they're not using cheap, bottom of the barrel ingredients either. Prices are a bit higher than the local pizza joints, but the quality of the food justifies it. These are people who obviously care about the quality of their food and service, and do a great job of keeping a step above what the majority of the other restaurants in Sebastian are offering.
John Duggan
This restaurant is on my list for dinner every time I'm on the Vero Beach/Sebastian area. It was packed the evening we were there, hence very loud, but the service and food was excellent as always. I feel the prices have risen more than other Italian restaurants I frequent, but the quality remains so I'll likely continue to dine here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Salad, Carbonara, Veal Francaise with Pasta
Tom
Not customer friendly at all. Passive aggressive rules list. Credit card fees. No food sharing. Thanks but no thanks.
Service: 1
Bob Martin
The food was excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ian K.
Amazing food! Best Italian in the area for sure! Calamari was delicious, the pasta was wonderful, and we will be coming back for sure!
Stacie S
Wish I had a picture to show you of my Chicken Piccata, but I devoured it before I remembered!Well seasoned, good portion, enough for lunch the next day if you’re not sharing. Need to remember this more often!Dessert was a bit pricy for the portion though.
Food: 5
Adam Jezick
Food was excellentDaughter had the spaghetti and meatball from kids menu, HUGE serving side ?I had something off the early birdVery tastyLeaving cash tip waitress did not pick it up another staff member did and pocketed it.Started getting busy I asked the another waitress on the way out about that she said they split tips. If that was the case it would not have been cash. Kinda heated about it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sausage, Caesar Salad
Samantha Muller
I write this review with a grain of salt. The food was great mostly, the snapper was 10/10 would absolutely order the exact same thing again but the kids chicken was a little chewy. Our waitress, Savannah, was outstanding 10/10 and very polite, prompt and professional. I didn’t want to bring up my main gripe to her because honestly it’s not her responsibility to have to listen to me harp about something she’s been instructed to do, so I must ask and acknowledge- what is up with the fees?!?! If there is any reason I wouldn’t return, it’s the fees and rules and just extra. It comes off a little greedy and we would have spent more $$$ had we not been told of the “split plate fee of $8”. We were ready to order 2 entrees, 3 apps, a bottle of wine and regular soft drinks (would have been 2 adults splitting a special and the kid with their own entree, 3 apps for the table to share, 3 soft drinks and a bottle of wine). After being made aware of the fee for sharing a dish - instead we ordered 2 entrees and 1 kid meal, 3 soft drinks. No apps, no wine and I really wanted the appetizers, but not if I had to pay extra for the entree. My husband and I go out often, we usually get 2 entrees and switch halfway through or we get 1 entree and 2-3 apps. Almost always with wine/drinks. So you can see why I was quite literally talked out purchasing more food, it was 100% because of the fees. Sometimes in small business you need to get creative in how to make up for those extra expenses that may add up, like plate splitting. Or credit card fees. I understand if it were a table of 2 for instance, only ordering a single entree then a split plate fee would be valid but it wasn’t. A split plate fee is right up there with the 3% CC fees, not well received. I really enjoyed the food and the service was decent. I’d consider making minor price adjustments to cover the split plate losses or allow your servers to use their discretion on when it’s appropriate. Or as Gordon Ramsey would say - “just take the money!!” which means take what people are ready and willing to spend, or they just might not.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Hail B.
I dont think I will come back since the terrible food and service last time. Horrible!
Drove to Sebastian to meet with a relative visiting the area; all other restaurants we called were full, but The Italian Cousin had a table for us! We ordered some wine and got the wrong bottle, fortunately we noticed and were then told they didn't have the one we had ordered... Asked for the wine menu again and ordered a different wine together with the 3 specials they were offering and which included either a soup or a salad. My Softshell crab Angel hair pasta was ok, a bit greasy but the food came out quickly even though they were pretty busy. They had run out of the brownie we wanted for dessert so we ordered o e Tiramisú. When the check arrived, it showed a charge for the wine we had originally ordered and which they didn't have which was more expensive than the one we did end up having so it took a bit of extra time to change it to the correct price. Overall, check that they bring the wine that you order and that they charge you for the correct bottle once you get it...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
kevin danahy
Really enjoyed my birthday dinner with friends, I've repeatedly had the linguine with clams(blanco) I've had this dish all over...but this is always tops!!! Outfuckingstanding.... thanks again chef!!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Janet Desola
Our food and drinks were excellent. OUR waitress was very professional and friendly .she served our food right away and we love the bread and oil dip and when ask for more she was right there with more her service and personality was EXCELLENT. also put our left over delicious food in a to go box .I would differently go back there not just for the delicious food but the Women server was Great .Parking: There is no problem in parking at this restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Salad, Caesar Salad, Sauce, Rigatoni with Sausage in Meat Sauce, Veal Francaise with Pasta, Manicotti, Chicken Parmesan
Avraham P.
I discover that place on 2019 and the smell saying it all when you enter the place. And after comes the test and for sure you know these Italian food is special. The service is great and some how the ambiance will take you to the God Father's days.
Paul B.
Mediocre at best Italian restaurant. I had chicken Parmesan and the chicken was not pounded flat the pasta was over cooked and the sauce tasted like it was canned. The restaurant is also small and guest next to us felt on top of us Will not be going back.
Ordered the chicken parmesan as I usually do. It was the worst I ever had. I asked the waitress if the chicken should be white and light tan. She said that is how they make it. I ate oIt but question going back.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 2
Service: 5
I've now been to The Italian Cousin twice in a the last month. Both experiences were great. The service is excellent, friendly and knowledgeable. It's larger than it seems at first, because there are two separate seating areas, which gives it a nice, intimate feel, while also having plenty of room for walk ins. It is probably a good idea to make a reservation on a Friday or Saturday night though, just to be sure you won't be waiting on a table. At seating, they provide a mixture of olive oil, basil and parmesan cheese, with a basket of bread. Both of these are delicious, and for the person who doesn't have a huge appetite, it would be easy to fill up on the bread and spread. Fortunately, that's not an issue for me, and I could honestly make a lunch of this alone. My table shared the mozzarella caprese on the first visit, and that was delicious. The tomatoes are clearly fresh, the roasted peppers are high quality, as is the mozzarella and the dressing. On both visits, I've had the fried calamari appetizer, which is cooked perfectly. The breading is delicious, with a very slight tinge of spice to it. The marinara served with it is also delicious, thick enough to stick to the calamari, not watery or thin as is too often the case in lesser Italian restaurants. On my first visit I had the linguini with white clam sauce as an entree. It was excellent. The clams were perfectly cooked, so as to be open and not undercooked, but not rubbery. The pasta was also perfectly cooked, not boiled to mush as is too often the case in restaurants. The sauce itself was full of a nicely layered flavor. It's a great mixture of garlic, white wine and a light touch with the parsley and a few other spices. On my second visit, I decided that because the white previous meal had been so good, I would try to Veal Marsala. I'm honestly a little picky about Marsala. It's something I love when it's made well, but is a big disappointment when it's not. This was among the best Veal Marsala I've had that wasn't served in my great grandmother's kitchen. The veal was perfectly prepared, the sauce was balanced, without the wine so overpowering the dish as to negate the other flavors. The balance of flavor with the sauce, the mushrooms and the veal was delightful. The flavor of the mushrooms suggests they're not using cheap, bottom of the barrel ingredients either. Prices are a bit higher than the local pizza joints, but the quality of the food justifies it. These are people who obviously care about the quality of their food and service, and do a great job of keeping a step above what the majority of the other restaurants in Sebastian are offering.
This restaurant is on my list for dinner every time I'm on the Vero Beach/Sebastian area. It was packed the evening we were there, hence very loud, but the service and food was excellent as always. I feel the prices have risen more than other Italian restaurants I frequent, but the quality remains so I'll likely continue to dine here.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Salad, Carbonara, Veal Francaise with Pasta
Not customer friendly at all. Passive aggressive rules list. Credit card fees. No food sharing. Thanks but no thanks.
Service: 1
The food was excellent
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Amazing food! Best Italian in the area for sure! Calamari was delicious, the pasta was wonderful, and we will be coming back for sure!
Wish I had a picture to show you of my Chicken Piccata, but I devoured it before I remembered!Well seasoned, good portion, enough for lunch the next day if you’re not sharing. Need to remember this more often!Dessert was a bit pricy for the portion though.
Food: 5
Food was excellentDaughter had the spaghetti and meatball from kids menu, HUGE serving side ?I had something off the early birdVery tastyLeaving cash tip waitress did not pick it up another staff member did and pocketed it.Started getting busy I asked the another waitress on the way out about that she said they split tips. If that was the case it would not have been cash. Kinda heated about it.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Sausage, Caesar Salad
I write this review with a grain of salt. The food was great mostly, the snapper was 10/10 would absolutely order the exact same thing again but the kids chicken was a little chewy. Our waitress, Savannah, was outstanding 10/10 and very polite, prompt and professional. I didn’t want to bring up my main gripe to her because honestly it’s not her responsibility to have to listen to me harp about something she’s been instructed to do, so I must ask and acknowledge- what is up with the fees?!?! If there is any reason I wouldn’t return, it’s the fees and rules and just extra. It comes off a little greedy and we would have spent more $$$ had we not been told of the “split plate fee of $8”. We were ready to order 2 entrees, 3 apps, a bottle of wine and regular soft drinks (would have been 2 adults splitting a special and the kid with their own entree, 3 apps for the table to share, 3 soft drinks and a bottle of wine). After being made aware of the fee for sharing a dish - instead we ordered 2 entrees and 1 kid meal, 3 soft drinks. No apps, no wine and I really wanted the appetizers, but not if I had to pay extra for the entree. My husband and I go out often, we usually get 2 entrees and switch halfway through or we get 1 entree and 2-3 apps. Almost always with wine/drinks. So you can see why I was quite literally talked out purchasing more food, it was 100% because of the fees. Sometimes in small business you need to get creative in how to make up for those extra expenses that may add up, like plate splitting. Or credit card fees. I understand if it were a table of 2 for instance, only ordering a single entree then a split plate fee would be valid but it wasn’t. A split plate fee is right up there with the 3% CC fees, not well received. I really enjoyed the food and the service was decent. I’d consider making minor price adjustments to cover the split plate losses or allow your servers to use their discretion on when it’s appropriate. Or as Gordon Ramsey would say - “just take the money!!” which means take what people are ready and willing to spend, or they just might not.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I dont think I will come back since the terrible food and service last time. Horrible!
Restaurantji Recommends
Drove to Sebastian to meet with a relative visiting the area; all other restaurants we called were full, but The Italian Cousin had a table for us! We ordered some wine and got the wrong bottle, fortunately we noticed and were then told they didn't have the one we had ordered... Asked for the wine menu again and ordered a different wine together with the 3 specials they were offering and which included either a soup or a salad. My Softshell crab Angel hair pasta was ok, a bit greasy but the food came out quickly even though they were pretty busy. They had run out of the brownie we wanted for dessert so we ordered o e Tiramisú. When the check arrived, it showed a charge for the wine we had originally ordered and which they didn't have which was more expensive than the one we did end up having so it took a bit of extra time to change it to the correct price. Overall, check that they bring the wine that you order and that they charge you for the correct bottle once you get it...
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 3
Service: 2
Really enjoyed my birthday dinner with friends, I've repeatedly had the linguine with clams(blanco) I've had this dish all over...but this is always tops!!! Outfuckingstanding.... thanks again chef!!
Food: 5
Service: 5
Our food and drinks were excellent. OUR waitress was very professional and friendly .she served our food right away and we love the bread and oil dip and when ask for more she was right there with more her service and personality was EXCELLENT. also put our left over delicious food in a to go box .I would differently go back there not just for the delicious food but the Women server was Great .Parking: There is no problem in parking at this restaurant
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chopped Salad, Caesar Salad, Sauce, Rigatoni with Sausage in Meat Sauce, Veal Francaise with Pasta, Manicotti, Chicken Parmesan
I discover that place on 2019 and the smell saying it all when you enter the place. And after comes the test and for sure you know these Italian food is special. The service is great and some how the ambiance will take you to the God Father's days.
Mediocre at best Italian restaurant. I had chicken Parmesan and the chicken was not pounded flat the pasta was over cooked and the sauce tasted like it was canned. The restaurant is also small and guest next to us felt on top of us Will not be going back.