One hour wait between small plates and our entrees
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
Kiara Ruth
My bff and I have both been Gocciolina separately and we decided to make it a girls night and go together. We scheduled a reservation because we were both aware of how things fill up.
When we first arrived we were greeted by the host who was very kind. Originally we thought one person who we thought was our server but later met Justin. Justin was matter of fact and basically there todo his job. He was not overly chatty and straight to the point.
My friend and I were looking for a bottle of their Lambrusco and while they did not sell it by the glass we decided to move forward with the bottle.
We ordered the oyster (beware they don't come in a shell) but they are packed with flavor. We also ordered the Bolognese and the steak. The Bolognese was solid and the stick was delicious. We ended up sharing everything.
The bathroom was really clean and the parking lot has plenty of parking. It is such a cute little restaurant, very unassuming and truly a solid Italian place. Would definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Amanda Ford
Such lovey authentic food. Even more lovely, authentic people. Being here is always like being with family even the first time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danielle Cooley Hines
It's been years since my last meal at Gocciolina. I kind of assumed it wouldn't be as top notch. I was blissfully wrong. Food was inspired and amazing. Service was great. Drinks were delicious. You must have a cannoli!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
alvin hong
attentive and accommodating staff would recommend. the food was excellent as usual.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Logan
Great food and service! I enjoyed the chalkboard specials and that there’s always something new to try. They do run out of things, so good to have a couple of options. Parking is a little tricky, especially if busy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chris Collins
Really good Italian food and the waiter was helpful and friendly explaining the menu and their daily menu. Not to pricey for the food either.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Meaghan McGrath
I'm giving this rating with a bit of a heavy heart. I've dined at Gocciolona numerous times in the past 8-10 years and it's always been a favorite Italian spot. However, I went for the first time in ~8 months in May and was honestly quite disappointed with the experience. Prices have increased (but they have everywhere, not necessarily dinging for that), and the portions of food have also decreased dramatically in tandem with price increases. Some of the appetizer/small dishes we ordered were on the order of $14-$16 per item for an amount of food I would expect to be served as a first or second course in a set meal at a high end restaurant. However, the quality of the food just wasn't there to justify the portion sizes and price. We ordered baked oysters (which were actually wonderful) but the cheese small plate and our mains left a lot to be desired. Our red sauce pasta dishes were quite bland in flavor, and the sauce itself was very thin and had issues sticking to the pasta itself. I ordered the lamb (medium rare) which arrived at the table maybe even below rare in the center, and the cut was quite gristly. The staff were very kind as usual but it was apparent they were stretched too thin for the amount of tables that night as service was quite slow. All in all, I believe we spent around $200 between food and two glasses of wine, and it just did not feel worth it. I'm not sure if/when I'll be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
Heather House
We have visited twice now. Once for Valentine's a few years ago and recently for our 8th wedding anniversary. There is a menu, but it is limited because they create the menu that is on the chalkboard. Everything has been delicious that we have tried. This time around, the cheapest bottle of wine was $46. The last time, there was a Montepulciano for $28. The Puglia we got was very good and paired well with our food. You can't go wrong with their Burrata to start. I always get pasta because I want pasta when I go for Italian. Therefore, I got the eggplant and roasted red pepper ravioli and sautéed swiss chard and garlic. 4 huge homemade ravioli and the chard was perfectly cooked and not mushy. Husband got the yellow fin tuna medium rare with cucumber and onion salad and brussel sprouts. The sprouts were charred with a good mix of spices and salt. The tuna was cooked perfectly and melted in your mouth. We finished with the chocolate torte, ice cream (can't remember the name) and I had an espresso martini. Rich and chocolatey! Rhe martini was perfect - nit too sweet, good espresso/vodka mixed flavor. We did spend ~$200 with tip,, but that's not terrible for all we had and an anniversary. Make a reservation and go!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lawrence Greenblatt
Exceptionally good food and lots of variety. The wait staff were spread a bit thin though always friendly and helpful.
Food was good but although they didn't have any chicken dishes on the menu. The menu is not very big. The dessert was really good. They don't have any soda on tap except in small bottles (Mexican coke).
Nick Senese
My favorite restaurant in Durham.
Carey Sharpe
Very disappointed as we have always enjoyed this restaurant. We took guests here and after the meal we all agreed, the prices were ridiculous for what was served. For example 3 of us ordered the flounder at $28, touted as tomato sauce with olives. The dish came ungarnished, nothing else, just the fish. If there may have been 1 olive, it was sliced so thinly you couldn't taste it. The buratta at $16 came with 1 sliced of tomato. The chick peas were $11 and there was 1/4 cup, no garnish, had to ask for bread which we were charged for. We will not go back.
Matt Fowler
One of our favorite local restaurants. Hand made pastas, specials, wine and a full bar. The wine is sometimes warm but otherwise the food is great and the service is always perfect.
Max Weber
Poorly seasoned, poor kitchen timing, portions were oddly sized (small). And a cardinal sin among “italian” restaurants, pre-shredded packaged waxy parmesan strands on food!
Suggest one of the other much better italian restaurants durham offers!
One hour wait between small plates and our entrees
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 2
My bff and I have both been Gocciolina separately and we decided to make it a girls night and go together. We scheduled a reservation because we were both aware of how things fill up.
When we first arrived we were greeted by the host who was very kind. Originally we thought one person who we thought was our server but later met Justin. Justin was matter of fact and basically there todo his job. He was not overly chatty and straight to the point.
My friend and I were looking for a bottle of their Lambrusco and while they did not sell it by the glass we decided to move forward with the bottle.
We ordered the oyster (beware they don't come in a shell) but they are packed with flavor. We also ordered the Bolognese and the steak. The Bolognese was solid and the stick was delicious. We ended up sharing everything.
The bathroom was really clean and the parking lot has plenty of parking. It is such a cute little restaurant, very unassuming and truly a solid Italian place. Would definitely go back.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Such lovey authentic food. Even more lovely, authentic people. Being here is always like being with family even the first time.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
It's been years since my last meal at Gocciolina. I kind of assumed it wouldn't be as top notch. I was blissfully wrong. Food was inspired and amazing. Service was great. Drinks were delicious. You must have a cannoli!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
attentive and accommodating staff would recommend. the food was excellent as usual.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great food and service! I enjoyed the chalkboard specials and that there’s always something new to try. They do run out of things, so good to have a couple of options. Parking is a little tricky, especially if busy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Really good Italian food and the waiter was helpful and friendly explaining the menu and their daily menu. Not to pricey for the food either.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I'm giving this rating with a bit of a heavy heart. I've dined at Gocciolona numerous times in the past 8-10 years and it's always been a favorite Italian spot. However, I went for the first time in ~8 months in May and was honestly quite disappointed with the experience. Prices have increased (but they have everywhere, not necessarily dinging for that), and the portions of food have also decreased dramatically in tandem with price increases. Some of the appetizer/small dishes we ordered were on the order of $14-$16 per item for an amount of food I would expect to be served as a first or second course in a set meal at a high end restaurant. However, the quality of the food just wasn't there to justify the portion sizes and price. We ordered baked oysters (which were actually wonderful) but the cheese small plate and our mains left a lot to be desired. Our red sauce pasta dishes were quite bland in flavor, and the sauce itself was very thin and had issues sticking to the pasta itself. I ordered the lamb (medium rare) which arrived at the table maybe even below rare in the center, and the cut was quite gristly. The staff were very kind as usual but it was apparent they were stretched too thin for the amount of tables that night as service was quite slow. All in all, I believe we spent around $200 between food and two glasses of wine, and it just did not feel worth it. I'm not sure if/when I'll be back.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 3
Service: 4
We have visited twice now. Once for Valentine's a few years ago and recently for our 8th wedding anniversary. There is a menu, but it is limited because they create the menu that is on the chalkboard. Everything has been delicious that we have tried. This time around, the cheapest bottle of wine was $46. The last time, there was a Montepulciano for $28. The Puglia we got was very good and paired well with our food. You can't go wrong with their Burrata to start. I always get pasta because I want pasta when I go for Italian. Therefore, I got the eggplant and roasted red pepper ravioli and sautéed swiss chard and garlic. 4 huge homemade ravioli and the chard was perfectly cooked and not mushy. Husband got the yellow fin tuna medium rare with cucumber and onion salad and brussel sprouts. The sprouts were charred with a good mix of spices and salt. The tuna was cooked perfectly and melted in your mouth. We finished with the chocolate torte, ice cream (can't remember the name) and I had an espresso martini. Rich and chocolatey! Rhe martini was perfect - nit too sweet, good espresso/vodka mixed flavor. We did spend ~$200 with tip,, but that's not terrible for all we had and an anniversary. Make a reservation and go!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Exceptionally good food and lots of variety. The wait staff were spread a bit thin though always friendly and helpful.
Restaurantji Recommends
Food was good but although they didn't have any chicken dishes on the menu. The menu is not very big. The dessert was really good. They don't have any soda on tap except in small bottles (Mexican coke).
My favorite restaurant in Durham.
Very disappointed as we have always enjoyed this restaurant. We took guests here and after the meal we all agreed, the prices were ridiculous for what was served. For example 3 of us ordered the flounder at $28, touted as tomato sauce with olives. The dish came ungarnished, nothing else, just the fish. If there may have been 1 olive, it was sliced so thinly you couldn't taste it. The buratta at $16 came with 1 sliced of tomato. The chick peas were $11 and there was 1/4 cup, no garnish, had to ask for bread which we were charged for. We will not go back.
One of our favorite local restaurants. Hand made pastas, specials, wine and a full bar. The wine is sometimes warm but otherwise the food is great and the service is always perfect.
Poorly seasoned, poor kitchen timing, portions were oddly sized (small). And a cardinal sin among “italian” restaurants, pre-shredded packaged waxy parmesan strands on food!
Suggest one of the other much better italian restaurants durham offers!
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