Dolce Vita Italian Ristorante

Starting with the very strange reservation experience I should have known not to try this restaurant. I asked for a 6:30 or 6:45 reservation and was told only 7:15 was available. I was then asked to confirm the reservation with a credit card hold of $25 per person. When we arrived the restaurant was empty except for one table. Very strange but could not leave as we could not cancel without a 100.00 charge. The restaurant is run by an older wife and husband. The table cloths are vinyl and the flatware is smudged. The bread was served in a basket with a dirty napkin. The waiter brought the wrong wine twice before bringing the correct bottle. The food was very poorly presented and not good. The restaurant actually states they have a dress code but the husband/cook came out in a wife beater t shirt with greasy long hair with tatted arms and chest hair and a large gold chain. Absolutely repulsive. He then started screaming at us that we were not welcome in his restaurant when we said we would not be returning for many reasons.

The owner/chef of this restaurant is not at all nice. I made a reservation at 12:00 pm one day for 7:00 pm. Same day and had to cancel. I canceled before 3:00 pm. He told me he was charging my card 25.00 per person because I didn’t cancel 24 hours in advance. I had only made the appt at noon. That day. There was no way to cancel 24 hours before. He was rude and mean and I would never go back there to eat again.

Hands down the best meal we have had in ages! Great food and great people. Can’t wait to go back.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Homemade Bread and Chardonnay, Dolce Vita's Signature Lasagna, Homemade Sausage

The food was fabulous. Hats off to Chef Joe and his wife Arlene for a nice dining experience

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

My husband and our two little boys dined here this evening. We were delighted. My boys are 5 and 7. They loved the food as did we. Our waiter was so pleasant and kind. I had the black and white ravioli with lobster and loved it. I think the hostess prefers adults and I understand since this is an elegant restaurant.
Definitely would recommend.
Jennifer Davis

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Mussels in White Wine, Caprese Salad, Risotto, A Very Well Priced Bottle of Vino

We made a reservation for the same afternoon at 5:15. Made reservation at 12:00 same day. The owner, Joe, told me that if i were unable to make it that I needed to call back before reservation or I would be charged $25.00. I had to cancel because if something out of my control and called them at 3:30. The co owner was very rude and told me I would be charged $25.00 per person (2) because I had not called 24 hours ahead! I had not made the reservation 24 hours ahead. I made it 5 hours ahead. She was VERY rude and VERY disrespectful and hung up on me. Finally Joe responded and after him not giving me much time to talk, as he was shouting at me, he said he would cancel reservation. Not trusting him, I had to freeze my credit card! I will NEVER eat there. Rude and disrespectful owners!

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

The worst over-priced meal we’ve had since we moved to Bluffton!

Atmosphere: 2

Food: 2

Service: 3

Horrible!!! Rude, disrespectful, racist owners!

Excellent food and service

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Nasty, disinterested staff, mediocre food, not an especially worthwhile restaurant for Italian food. There are better in the area.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 2

Service: 1

Me and my friends went for dinner. Everything we ate was absolutely delicious and we had great service. Arlene came to our table a couple of times to make sure everything was good. We will definitely go back!

I have had some bad experiences before at small restaurants but this one tops the cake. My meal was rancid. I asked for some else and was told I was wrong. This place is absurd. Will not ever recommend.

The most ridiculously overpriced with food mediocre at best. Most restaurants in the area you get much much MUCH better meal for half of the price if not less .To start our “amazing “ experience when we tried to make a reservation over the phone the owner was very rood to my husband but we decided to still give it a try.I ordered pasta special with and pasta had absolutely No flavor. Basically butter with garlic. That’s it. For that “masterpiece” they charged us $60 which the server conveniently forgot to mention.My son wanted salmon which originally was served over risotto and priced around $30. I asked to substitute the risotto with pasta so they did and charged us $26 for pasta +$20 for salmon add on. Again, never mentioned the price increase.So our kids meal ended up being a $46 mediocre pasta with a small piece of salmon.Separate compliment deserves the interior that hasn’t been updated for 40 years and dirty windows and doors.Very Disappointed.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 1

Service: 1

We absolutely love Dolce Vita! Their food is incredible and we are always made to feel like family when we are there. They make authentic Italian in a place where it's almost non existent. We have used them for catering orders and it is always the highlight of the party. Not only are the appetizers and entrees amazing, but their desserts are on a different level! We go monthly!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: 18oz Braised Veal Chop, Lobster Ravioli Special, Tiramisu, Calamari and Stuffed Zucchini Flowers, Gnocchi

The entire experience is simply superb. Thanks Arlene and Joe, for all you do!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Caprese Salad, Eggplant Special Appetizer, Homemade Bread and Chardonnay, Tiramisu, Dolce Vita's Signature Lasagna