The food overall was very good. We had the eggplant appetizer which was excellent. The marinara was fantastic. My fiancé had the pappardelle which she enjoyed very much. I had the Lasagna which was a generous portion and the flavor was great but, it wasn't heated all the way through and cold in the center. The service was excellent considering only one waiter was working about 10!or so tables and also taking care of the hosting and bussing duties. He handled it very well but, because I felt bad he was working so hard I didn't want to bother him with sending the lasagna back to be heated. I would definitely recommend it and intend to try it again.
BobS
Very welcoming by personable and professional staff. Quaint dining room. Reasonably priced. Most important was the taste of the food - excellent red gravy for the spaghetti cabrese and the veal ciafo (?) In a very light and tasty lemon sauce over cappalini- both delicious. A nice change from the basic Somers Point offerings. A definite return is in order.
Everything was excellent! Food service staff excellent! My husband had the veal chop and he loved it! I had branzino it was delicious! We highly recommend both dishes as well as the restaurant. Definitely a must when visiting the area.
LawrenceC
First time here and it was very good , I would say it was the best food I ever had but it was good. I had the chicken parm and it was good. Husband had the veal chop and said it was really fatty and chewy. We loved that it was a byob . Out of 10 I would give it a 5 just average for Italian food nothing special
ScottB
Food was mediocre. My husband had chicken parm and was not impressed. Pounded extremely thin and sauce was fair. I had the MP shrimp that were $84.95 and were sliced in half & still had heads attached. I had to do all the work of trying to pull them out of their shells to only get a bite full of each one. They were very salty as well. The table that was sat with us was extremely loud and obnoxious cursing through our whole meal. It won't be a spot we revisit. Very disappointed.
JanelK
Second time we have been here and very happy to have such a nice restaurant nearby that takes reservations all year long. Food is excellent and a good value. Staff is professional and attentive. We like that it is a BYOB. Parking can be a little difficult in the summer.
nancy cuevas
Food was wonderful. But we were the first table by door. Sooo its cold every time door opened and everyone’s butt was on our table. (Great memories ?)
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Branzino
TerryW
I am a foodie purist. Only the best ingredients and preparation get my endorsement. Eaten twice (dinner) at Buona Vita and both times meal was excellent. Papardelle Bolognese (sic) best ever and Bronzino perfectly cooked and matched with angel hair pasta. Caesar salad was super- garlicky and fresh tasting. Bread not my favorite- a little doughy and dry, but a chewy crust and a top shelf olive oil rescued it. BYOB helps with the bill, and you get to pick your favorite wine. Our server, Remi (sic) has a gift for friendliness, pacing, and intuitive service. A seashore treasure!
Mark Langendorf
Great atmosphere, feels like you're eating at a home, not a restaurant. Enjoyed the food. Service was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
raffa kupa
Best food in the shore area 3 year voted best of the shore well deservedLove this place keep up the good
Dinner was fantastic. We shared dishes. My daughter had the lobster ravioli special which she loved. We also had the branzino which was very good. Wish had a pasta dish that was very good. We enjoyed the tiramisu for dessert. We had reservations for 7 and were not seated until 8:15 and by the time we were walking out the door, it was close to 10pm. We were told it is normal to have to wait once it's busy for dinner. If we would have known, we would've planned better. I will go back, but will make sure to schedule a much earlier dinner next time or leave for a drink or two somewhere else nearby!!!
jeannie p.
I have eaten here several times but had not been recently until new years eve 2023. I was a little disappointed. First the bread was cold..not room temperature...cold. don't remember that in the past. It was prix fix menu for $64.95. You got an appetizer, main course n dessert. Anything on the menu..so a $28 pasta dish is $64..even if u add the app n dessert it's still a lot.....their food is delicious! Always was, and the osso bucco was great! As was the Branzino.... Dessert came as a dish for the table with the desserts that were part of the pkg. But their was supposed to be tiramisu...server said it wasn't ready??? Then she came with a small piece. Would have preferred to pick my own dessert...which you could do previously...I will continue to go there as their food is excellent and it's a byob. But not for new years eve!
AmusingMyBouche
We had no knowledge that NYE would be prix fixe until we arrived and our server told us. Though nice, the service was severely below par. We were told the family style dessert included tiramisu, limoncello cake, and more, and received a plate with two small cannolis, a kind of chocolate mousse cake, and some ice cream. The plate was just dropped off by the server, with our check soon following, without any offer of coffee or tea or checking if anything was needed. We had asked for sharing plates and never received them. I understand this was a holiday evening and very busy, but the experience was extremely disappointing.
Tom913
First time at restaurant. Everyone was very friendly. Food was very good. A bit of confusion with the cost . A special menu was presented along with the regular menu. You could mix food choices. Even if you ordered from the regular menu the price of dinner was $64.95. That should have been made clearer. Would try again when prices are clear.
NeilK
Holiday weekend, place was packed, with a line out the door. We had reservations and were seated upon arrival. Although we did not feel rushed, the table turnovers were fast and we were there less than an hour. However, the food was outstanding which explained the non stop flow of hungry diners.
The food overall was very good. We had the eggplant appetizer which was excellent. The marinara was fantastic. My fiancé had the pappardelle which she enjoyed very much. I had the Lasagna which was a generous portion and the flavor was great but, it wasn't heated all the way through and cold in the center. The service was excellent considering only one waiter was working about 10!or so tables and also taking care of the hosting and bussing duties. He handled it very well but, because I felt bad he was working so hard I didn't want to bother him with sending the lasagna back to be heated. I would definitely recommend it and intend to try it again.
Very welcoming by personable and professional staff. Quaint dining room. Reasonably priced. Most important was the taste of the food - excellent red gravy for the spaghetti cabrese and the veal ciafo (?) In a very light and tasty lemon sauce over cappalini- both delicious. A nice change from the basic Somers Point offerings. A definite return is in order.
Everything was excellent! Food service staff excellent! My husband had the veal chop and he loved it! I had branzino it was delicious! We highly recommend both dishes as well as the restaurant. Definitely a must when visiting the area.
First time here and it was very good , I would say it was the best food I ever had but it was good. I had the chicken parm and it was good. Husband had the veal chop and said it was really fatty and chewy. We loved that it was a byob . Out of 10 I would give it a 5 just average for Italian food nothing special
Food was mediocre. My husband had chicken parm and was not impressed. Pounded extremely thin and sauce was fair. I had the MP shrimp that were $84.95 and were sliced in half & still had heads attached. I had to do all the work of trying to pull them out of their shells to only get a bite full of each one. They were very salty as well. The table that was sat with us was extremely loud and obnoxious cursing through our whole meal. It won't be a spot we revisit. Very disappointed.
Second time we have been here and very happy to have such a nice restaurant nearby that takes reservations all year long. Food is excellent and a good value. Staff is professional and attentive. We like that it is a BYOB. Parking can be a little difficult in the summer.
Food was wonderful. But we were the first table by door. Sooo its cold every time door opened and everyone’s butt was on our table. (Great memories ?)
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Branzino
I am a foodie purist. Only the best ingredients and preparation get my endorsement. Eaten twice (dinner) at Buona Vita and both times meal was excellent. Papardelle Bolognese (sic) best ever and Bronzino perfectly cooked and matched with angel hair pasta. Caesar salad was super- garlicky and fresh tasting. Bread not my favorite- a little doughy and dry, but a chewy crust and a top shelf olive oil rescued it. BYOB helps with the bill, and you get to pick your favorite wine. Our server, Remi (sic) has a gift for friendliness, pacing, and intuitive service. A seashore treasure!
Great atmosphere, feels like you're eating at a home, not a restaurant. Enjoyed the food. Service was great.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Best food in the shore area 3 year voted best of the shore well deservedLove this place keep up the good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Dinner was fantastic. We shared dishes. My daughter had the lobster ravioli special which she loved. We also had the branzino which was very good. Wish had a pasta dish that was very good. We enjoyed the tiramisu for dessert. We had reservations for 7 and were not seated until 8:15 and by the time we were walking out the door, it was close to 10pm. We were told it is normal to have to wait once it's busy for dinner. If we would have known, we would've planned better. I will go back, but will make sure to schedule a much earlier dinner next time or leave for a drink or two somewhere else nearby!!!
I have eaten here several times but had not been recently until new years eve 2023. I was a little disappointed. First the bread was cold..not room temperature...cold. don't remember that in the past. It was prix fix menu for $64.95. You got an appetizer, main course n dessert. Anything on the menu..so a $28 pasta dish is $64..even if u add the app n dessert it's still a lot.....their food is delicious! Always was, and the osso bucco was great! As was the Branzino.... Dessert came as a dish for the table with the desserts that were part of the pkg. But their was supposed to be tiramisu...server said it wasn't ready??? Then she came with a small piece. Would have preferred to pick my own dessert...which you could do previously...I will continue to go there as their food is excellent and it's a byob. But not for new years eve!
We had no knowledge that NYE would be prix fixe until we arrived and our server told us. Though nice, the service was severely below par. We were told the family style dessert included tiramisu, limoncello cake, and more, and received a plate with two small cannolis, a kind of chocolate mousse cake, and some ice cream. The plate was just dropped off by the server, with our check soon following, without any offer of coffee or tea or checking if anything was needed. We had asked for sharing plates and never received them. I understand this was a holiday evening and very busy, but the experience was extremely disappointing.
First time at restaurant. Everyone was very friendly. Food was very good. A bit of confusion with the cost . A special menu was presented along with the regular menu. You could mix food choices. Even if you ordered from the regular menu the price of dinner was $64.95. That should have been made clearer. Would try again when prices are clear.
Holiday weekend, place was packed, with a line out the door. We had reservations and were seated upon arrival. Although we did not feel rushed, the table turnovers were fast and we were there less than an hour. However, the food was outstanding which explained the non stop flow of hungry diners.