An incredible place… Don’t be fooled by the decor and come with your eyes closed. Provided you have booked well in advance! This small restaurant is booked very quickly and very well in advance.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Diana Box
Chef William is from Abruzzi, authentic food and excellent value. Will be back! Hint: reservations may be necessary although tonight we got lucky.
This place has been a favorite for 6 years now, always call ahead as early as possible for reservations these days. We had a huge Xmas friends dinner here two years ago with 15 of us and it was just spectacular. BYOB and the specials are always where it's at, the quail is killer.Parking: Small lot only a few spaces, carpool if you can!
This is my favorite Italian restaurant. The food is simply amazing. I especially love the lamb with risotto and cannoli, but it is all delicious. You can’t go wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
G Wiz
I had the pasta belognese & a slice of pistachio cake. It was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese
marianna patane
The best italien restaurants I been. Everything was so good. ? Thank you so much William and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese and Carbonara, Tiramisu and Limoncello Cake
roger lee
Hidden Gem! Secret Hole in the Wall! Call this one man operation what you want but be assured that William does a creative and fresh Italian kitchen in the couple of hundred square feet he has to work with.Ambiance - Seriously? Came here on a quiet Sunday afternoon and were one of two groups in the restaurant. Maybe the 6 wood table and 20 or so red plastic chairs add to the old world charm, but lower your expectations and enjoy the Italian photos and view of the kitchen. It does have the look and feel of a small Italian bistro. Just imagine a view of the Mediterranean in place of the busy MLK outside.Pro Tip1 - Make reservations as space is limited.Service - William does almost all of it himself, from cooking, to serving, to answering the phone. He often has one helper (a relative?) but is essentially a one man operation. That being said, service is efficient, the food comes out quickly, and water carafes are plentiful.Food - That’s what you’re here for and you won’t be disappointed. William has 10 pastas (all $14.95) a few appetizers, and no salads on the menu. The one salad available is Caprese, and it’s good. His specials can number from 3 to 10 depending on the day and take good mental notes as he will rattle them off quickly. They all sound incredible, and it’s tough to choose.Pro Tip2 - Make sure you ask the price of the specials as they can be 2X to 3X the price of the 10 regular pastas.Braised Short Ribs on Pappardelle (special $39.95)- An incredible boneless short rib that is fork tender over pappardelle smothered in a red bolognese-like sauce. This is definitely a hearty plate that “meat-lovers” will relish. Perfectly al dente pasta in a rich hearty sauce. Be prepared to share or take some home.Anglio E Olio - Spaghetti pasta with scallions, sesame seeds and red peppers. More delicious than I expected with quite a pop from the peppers. I couldn’t stop eating this …Cannoli - Comes in pairs but we were able to order one for half the price. Crunchy exterior and creamy cheesy interior. There were chocolate sprinkles and I would have preferred shaved chocolate or even chips. The sprinkling of powdered sugar was done evenly and not just dumped on, which I appreciated.Pro Tip3 - Bring cash to avoid the credit card fee…The newest addition to my “Favorite Hole in the Wall” restaurants and worth a trip to Tampa just for the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Aglio E Olio
Michelle Rodriguez
I loved this place. It was very personal and the food was so amazing, very authentic. I would definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pesto Linguine with Salmon, Tiramisú, Bolognese and Carbonara, Spaghetti Carbonara
Sandy Wascovich
This little Italuan Bistro with a true Italuan chef is a gem. The food is great with large portions. I recommend you start withe tasty appitizers and bring your own wine which adds to the uniqueness of this quaint little place. Chef William does it all and cooks one meal fresh at a time. We are regulars!
This place is wonderful! I had the short rib with paparadelle (excellent), my husband had the carbonara with chicken, also fantastic! The restaurant cozy and inviting and cute; it reminds me of Italy. Nice menu and several specials are usually offered. We can’t wait to go back!
This place is amazing. Have not found Italian food this authentic since I’ve been in Italy. The ambiance is small and quaint, definitely reminds me of a restaurant in Italy. William, the owner and chef is very kind and hard working. The guy never took a break the whole time we were there, you can tell he pours his heart into this. The food was so good. I got the amatriciana and my fiancé got the ravioli special. Both were perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. The eggplant parm appetizer was fantastic, so light and perfectly cooked. We got the tiramisu to go so I have yet to try it but my money is on it being amazing. The pricing for the quality of the food was great. There’s not many places in Tampa where you can get an app, two entrees, and a desert for less than $100. We will definitely return and recommend this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli, Tiramisú
Steph Rainspirite
The food and atmosphere prepare me for my upcoming trip to Italy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Michele Soniat
Mother and son owned. I had the puntanesca, braised beef and the caprese salad. Homemade mozzarella ball. Everything I ate was delicious. It's a very small place but you will not go wrong. I suggest you ask what the special are.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caprese Saled, Puttanesca
Griselda Ramírez
I recommend it 100%
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Vilma Tamargo
Extremely authentic and great service. It is very small so calling ahead is probably a wise choice. We were a table of 10 and all of us would go back again.
An incredible place… Don’t be fooled by the decor and come with your eyes closed. Provided you have booked well in advance! This small restaurant is booked very quickly and very well in advance.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Chef William is from Abruzzi, authentic food and excellent value. Will be back! Hint: reservations may be necessary although tonight we got lucky.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caprese Saled, Seafood Risotto, Burrata Caprese Salad, Tiramisu and Limoncello Cake, Lemon Cake, Spaghetti Carbonara
This place has been a favorite for 6 years now, always call ahead as early as possible for reservations these days. We had a huge Xmas friends dinner here two years ago with 15 of us and it was just spectacular. BYOB and the specials are always where it's at, the quail is killer.Parking: Small lot only a few spaces, carpool if you can!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli, Shrimp Carbonara Pasta, Seafood Risotto, Bolognese, Spaghetti Carbonara
This is my favorite Italian restaurant. The food is simply amazing. I especially love the lamb with risotto and cannoli, but it is all delicious. You can’t go wrong.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I had the pasta belognese & a slice of pistachio cake. It was delicious.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese
The best italien restaurants I been. Everything was so good. ? Thank you so much William and
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Bolognese and Carbonara, Tiramisu and Limoncello Cake
Hidden Gem! Secret Hole in the Wall! Call this one man operation what you want but be assured that William does a creative and fresh Italian kitchen in the couple of hundred square feet he has to work with.Ambiance - Seriously? Came here on a quiet Sunday afternoon and were one of two groups in the restaurant. Maybe the 6 wood table and 20 or so red plastic chairs add to the old world charm, but lower your expectations and enjoy the Italian photos and view of the kitchen. It does have the look and feel of a small Italian bistro. Just imagine a view of the Mediterranean in place of the busy MLK outside.Pro Tip1 - Make reservations as space is limited.Service - William does almost all of it himself, from cooking, to serving, to answering the phone. He often has one helper (a relative?) but is essentially a one man operation. That being said, service is efficient, the food comes out quickly, and water carafes are plentiful.Food - That’s what you’re here for and you won’t be disappointed. William has 10 pastas (all $14.95) a few appetizers, and no salads on the menu. The one salad available is Caprese, and it’s good. His specials can number from 3 to 10 depending on the day and take good mental notes as he will rattle them off quickly. They all sound incredible, and it’s tough to choose.Pro Tip2 - Make sure you ask the price of the specials as they can be 2X to 3X the price of the 10 regular pastas.Braised Short Ribs on Pappardelle (special $39.95)- An incredible boneless short rib that is fork tender over pappardelle smothered in a red bolognese-like sauce. This is definitely a hearty plate that “meat-lovers” will relish. Perfectly al dente pasta in a rich hearty sauce. Be prepared to share or take some home.Anglio E Olio - Spaghetti pasta with scallions, sesame seeds and red peppers. More delicious than I expected with quite a pop from the peppers. I couldn’t stop eating this …Cannoli - Comes in pairs but we were able to order one for half the price. Crunchy exterior and creamy cheesy interior. There were chocolate sprinkles and I would have preferred shaved chocolate or even chips. The sprinkling of powdered sugar was done evenly and not just dumped on, which I appreciated.Pro Tip3 - Bring cash to avoid the credit card fee…The newest addition to my “Favorite Hole in the Wall” restaurants and worth a trip to Tampa just for the food.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Aglio E Olio
I loved this place. It was very personal and the food was so amazing, very authentic. I would definitely recommend!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Pesto Linguine with Salmon, Tiramisú, Bolognese and Carbonara, Spaghetti Carbonara
This little Italuan Bistro with a true Italuan chef is a gem. The food is great with large portions. I recommend you start withe tasty appitizers and bring your own wine which adds to the uniqueness of this quaint little place. Chef William does it all and cooks one meal fresh at a time. We are regulars!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caprese Saled, Chicken Carbonara, Bruschetta, Puttanesca, Tiramisú, Bolognese
This place is wonderful! I had the short rib with paparadelle (excellent), my husband had the carbonara with chicken, also fantastic! The restaurant cozy and inviting and cute; it reminds me of Italy. Nice menu and several specials are usually offered. We can’t wait to go back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Chicken Carbonara, Bolognese
Restaurantji Recommends
This place is amazing. Have not found Italian food this authentic since I’ve been in Italy. The ambiance is small and quaint, definitely reminds me of a restaurant in Italy. William, the owner and chef is very kind and hard working. The guy never took a break the whole time we were there, you can tell he pours his heart into this. The food was so good. I got the amatriciana and my fiancé got the ravioli special. Both were perfectly cooked, perfectly seasoned. The eggplant parm appetizer was fantastic, so light and perfectly cooked. We got the tiramisu to go so I have yet to try it but my money is on it being amazing. The pricing for the quality of the food was great. There’s not many places in Tampa where you can get an app, two entrees, and a desert for less than $100. We will definitely return and recommend this restaurant!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ravioli, Tiramisú
The food and atmosphere prepare me for my upcoming trip to Italy.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Mother and son owned. I had the puntanesca, braised beef and the caprese salad. Homemade mozzarella ball. Everything I ate was delicious. It's a very small place but you will not go wrong. I suggest you ask what the special are.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Caprese Saled, Puttanesca
I recommend it 100%
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Extremely authentic and great service. It is very small so calling ahead is probably a wise choice. We were a table of 10 and all of us would go back again.