Marcella's is one of those classic happy hour spots that my friends and I keep coming back to. Not…read moreonly do they always accommodate our large parties, but the low lit ambiance and impeccable service cannot be beat. The arancini is a MUST try. I had never tried it before and was pleasantly surprised. I recommend getting a pizza or their mussels on happy hour. Definitely a great spot for a date night or girls night outing!

Marcella's is a classic Columbus staple. What makes it stand out above the rest is their happy…read morehour! M-F half off drinks and apps. My wife and I brought some out of town friends here on a Friday and left stuffed and feeling like we didn't break the bank! Amazing food. The meatball is to die for. Service was great. Our waitress was very friendly. Great ambiance. It stays busy so you'll need a reservation. I can't recommend this place enough.

Lola & Giuseppe's epitomizes small but mighty. There isn't a lot of dining room space, but you'll…read morefeel right at home if you're lucky to snag one of their coveted reservations. Our server was a great cheerleader, instilling confidence in us that we were making great choices from the wine through the desserts. And the best part is that everything that I ordered delivered. The pasta fritto antipasto was an early standout as well as the Giuseppe's Salad with its rich olive oil-based dressing. Then came Giuseppe's Sampler headlined by the lasagna. The meatball and spaghetti was almost as great, but the eggplant parmesan kept the trio from being an all-time sampler. (My wife chose the eggplant option over the chicken parmesan, which would not have been my individual call). She got fettuccine alfredo which I also enjoyed. Wrapping up the meal was some of the best carrot cake I've had in a long time.

Wow! Where do I begin!!…read more I made a reservation for this restaurant after I friend of mine raved about it. Our reservation was at 7:30p and we were seated promptly upon arrival. Our servers name was DJ, she did an impeccable job. Very friendly, answered all of our questions and was very good at her job!) We ordered the Pasta Fritto for an appetizer and it was incredible. Bread service was included with the meal and the garlic bread was good! We both decided to get Alfredo and it was 10/10. Super creamy and rich, noodles were cooked perfectly. We then ordered 3 different desserts and brought them home to try. We got the Cannoli, Tiramisu and Carrot Cake. They're all made in the bakery next door and fresh as can be. The carrot cake was my favorite! I would highly recommend this place! The ambience was quaint and pretty, staff were incredible, food was top notch and the prices were fair. I can't wait to come back!

My husband and I celebrated Valentine's Day at Cento this year! We had a 5-star experience - from…read morethe service to the drinks to the food! Everything was wonderful! Drinks - my husband had a CBC IPA and I had a Spritzer. Appetizer - we went with the whipped ricotta. This was absolutely delish! The whipped ricotta was creamy, smooth, had a lemony flavor with celery leaves and parsley. Seriously, all of the flavors blended so well together! It was also topped with black truffle and honey (from a local vendor)! The sourdough bread that the whipped ricotta was served with was super fresh and warm (and from a local vendor as well)! Salad - we ordered a Caesar salad as well. I thought that it was super nice that they plated the salad on two plates for us knowing that we were splitting it! Super thoughtful! The romaine was crispy (not soggy), the croutons were freshly made, the dressing had the anchovy flavor that I appreciate in a good Caesar dressing, and the salad was topped with a little lemon zest! I will definitely return just for the Caesar salad! Meals - I went with the Rigatoni and my husband went with the Lasagna. We were informed by our server that the flour used for the pasta is imported from Italy and that the pasta is made fresh daily - LOVE this! The rigatoni was SO good! I love that the pasta and shrimp were all cut into smaller bites! The sauce was absolutely delicious! The flavor was like a mix between a thick tomato bisque and curry! Yum! My husband really enjoyed the lasagna as well! The lasagna was plated into little roll-ups which my husband really liked! Will definitely be back soon - we want to check out the patio once we have warmer weather too!

I've lived in the neighborhood for 12 years now and was excited when I saw this place being built…read more I have been there a few times now - both times I had the Rigatoni and Shrimp with a glass of red. Approximately $45.00. Last night I went and must say - very surprised at what I paid; glass of red $14, ceaser salad $16, added a side of chicken $15.0!!! Thqt surprised me - thats 3 chicken breast at the store lol Each time I have sat at the bar - both inside and out (even in winter). Great ambiance. I love the bar inside - gives an upscale 50s diner with great design and mood. The outdoor bar in winter is very nice and warm - haven't had trouble grabbing a seat at either. Bartenders are nice, very attentive and knowledgeable. Parking is easy, there is valet offered. Overall - a bit over priced for generally good food, but a pleasant night out for date night or girls night out.

I was totally in love with this space and the food served inside. We ate around 6 PM and it was…read moregolden hour so the lighting was gorgeous. The space is very bright and airy: loved the floral and plant vibes. Our server was kind but maybe a bit apprehensive because we brought our two daughters. Sometimes I feel bad bringing kids but honestly we deserve to have good food even if there are little mouths involved. We had the focaccia starter and it was as pillowy and sumptuous as it looked. Next was broccolini which our 8 month old devoured. I tried the funghi pasta and my husband had the sausage ragu. Both had generous portions. The kitchen made butter noodles for our daughter and she LOVED them. I was pleased they didn't try to doll them up because she really did just want noodles and butter. Finally, the octopus was sooo tasty. The sauce was super flavorful and I love a good bean addition. Delicious meal all around.

I was exploring the downtown area around 7 PM looking for a place to have dinner. This restaurant…read morecaught my attention because of its aesthetics, so I decided to give it a try. The ambiance was enjoyable, and our waitress provided decent service. For starters, I really enjoyed the gem salad -- it was refreshing -- and I also ordered a couple of glasses of Poggio Costa Prosecco to go with my Funghi pasta. Both were very good. However, we also ordered the lobster spaghetti and were not impressed. It was very bland, and the few pieces of lobster tasted slightly gamey. I would not recommend the lobster pasta, especially considering the price, as it appeared to be the most expensive pasta on the menu. The bill also included a fee labeled as "healthcare," which was not mentioned by our waitress. I had to look it up afterward since it was the first time I had seen a charge like that on a restaurant bill. I wanted to share this so others are aware of what to expect.

I had the pleasure of being in Ohio last night, well for this week, we're in town for my son's…read moregraduation. My son and his wife took us to a an amazing place they stumbled into what may very well be the culinary pride of Columbus: La Tavola, a family-owned, family-run Italian restaurant that feels like someone teleported you straight into Nonna's kitchen... but with better lighting and no guilt about not calling enough. If you love yourself a great, unapologetically stinky pizza and I'm talking Parmigiano-Reggiano and ricotta levels of heavenly funk then this is your place. This pizza didn't just have cheese; it was knee-deep in cheese. Handmade, hand-rolled, and clearly crafted by people who know their way around a dairy situation. The appetizers? Fantastic. The waitstaff? Friendly, attentive, and exactly the kind of people you'd hope are handing you carbs by the plateful. But then, the main dishes arrived. I ordered seared scallops over a bed of handmade buttery fettuccine with capers, and I swear I heard an angel sing. The scallops were perfectly cooked, the pasta was the kind that ruins you for boxed pasta forever, and the whole thing tasted like someone's Italian grandmother blessed the plate personally. If I could say "WAY TO GO!" in Italian, I absolutely would but instead I'll say this: If you're ever in Columbus, go to La Tavola. Go hungry. Go ready to eat like you're visiting family. And go prepared to fall a little bit in love with this place. Family-owned, warm, cozy, and outrageously delicious. Highly recommend.

Nice neighborhood Italian restaurant. Warm wood decor and friendly service. Big selection of…read moreItalian wines and expertise to help you discover them. We had the he prosciutto board - I didn't really think about prosciutto varieties! Pretty big even for 2. I had a special - confit duck keg over polenta. Savory m, rich, delicious. My friend had the pasta burro, described as the original Alfredo. It was very nice - but he chicken breading was light and crisp. Overall a very good experience.

Basi Italia is one of those places you almost want to gatekeep. It's tucked away in Victorian…read moreVillage and has the cutest, most charming vibe. The space is super intimate and classy, perfect for a slower, more special dinner. The food was so good, you can tell everything is really high quality and made with care. Everything we ordered felt elevated but still super comforting, which I loved. I got the rigatoni which was some of the best sausage/pasta dishes I've had in a while. The service was also really prompt and attentive without being too much, which made the whole experience even better. Such a good spot for a special dinner or date night if you want something that feels a little more unique and memorable. Next time I'm saving a little more space in my stomach for the Tiramisu!

Look at My Review & See Exactly Why‼ No Atmosphere…read more No Proper Service No Meat Variety NOT Worth It

5 stars. OMG. We will definitely be back…read more Went on a Friday night and the place was PACKED. People were standing outside waiting, so I'd definitely make a reservation. The employee who helped us was very friendly. We got the chicken parm, Alfredo, pizza, and bread with homemade butter. Everything was delicious. The pasta tasted fresh, the Alfredo noodles were my favorite, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. The pizza was AMAZING. Hidden gem. The crust was soft, chewy, and perfectly crisp, and that pizza sauce is perfection. My only complaint is they didn't have utensils available for takeout. We had a 20 minute drive home and were ready to dig in immediately, so that was a little disappointing. Already looking forward to our next visit.

If you're looking for a good Italian food, then look no further. This place has never let me down…read more Portion sizes are large. The staff is great. Grabbed a seat at the bar since they had a lot of reservations scheduled. The ambiance was quiet enough to hear conversation with person next to you. Do you have a couple TVs in the bar area that had some sports on. Will definitely come back as long as I have time before they close.

My friend and I went out for happy hour and had such a great time on the outdoor patio. It was the…read moreperfect day to be outside--finally feels like winter is breaking! I ordered two seafood apps: the seared scallops and the garlic roasted shrimp, and both were excellent. The scallops had a perfect sear on both sides, which was a great start, and the shrimp were seasoned really well. For drinks, we both got the Supremo Peach--so delicious and refreshing. I also tried the espresso martini. It was good, but honestly, I wish I had just stuck with the Supremo Peach because the switch was a bit of a shock to my palate. We spent time chatting and really enjoyed the atmosphere. Service was quick, and our waiter was very attentive--he even checked back in with us before happy hour ended, which I appreciated. This experience was night and day compared to my last visit, and I'm really glad I gave this place another chance. For me, this might be the perfect happy hour spot. The apps feel more like small plates, which I love for the variety, and a great cocktail like the Supremo Peach definitely seals the deal. Thanks, Forno!

If you're in the Short North & craving Italian, Forno should be on your list of go-to's! They have…read morea ton of great pizza options, delicious appetizers and amazing Italian dishes! The atmosphere here is very inviting and lively making this the perfect place for a girls night or casual date night. The service here is spot on and they have a really yummy brunch as well! You can't go wrong with any pizza, dish or cocktail when you come here; you've got to give them a try if you haven't already!

My girlfriend and I went to Pasqualone's in Columbus Square last evening. To say that we were blown…read moreaway would be an understatement. From the time we walked in the door, a gentleman in the kitchen looked up and said greeted us. (There's a door so you can see into the kitchen from the foyer) I later learned it was Dave Pasqualone himself. We were promptly shown to our table and within a few minutes, a gentleman by the name of Chris introduced himself and told us what the specials for the evening were. Everything sounded great but my girlfriend picked the saccettini with the amatriciana sauce and I had the veal scalopini with a small side of saccettini. The meal was PERFECT! You could taste richness of the homemade saccettini stuffed with cheese. I was told that the pasta for the lasagna noodles are made on site which is used for the saccettini. The veal scallopini was so tender, I could cut it with a fork. Not too many capers, the right combination of butter, white wine and lemon. My girlfriend's amatriciana sauce (she was kind enough to give me a taste of two) had a little bit of a bite to it but not too much. It was mouth watering. We finished off the evening with a homemade cannoli which was superb. Towards the end of the evening, Dave came out into the dining room and personally greeted each table. We learned that Dave was the head chef at Monaco's Palace on Cleveland Ave many years ago. They always had wonderful food. To find this gem of a restaurant in Northeast Columbus, in a part of town where many restaurants come and go each month or year, is like finding a needle in a haystack. This quiet little Italian restaurant is tucked away in an unassuming strip mall that was incredibly popular in the 80's and 90's and has been churning out delicious homemade Italian dishes for over 20 years. We will definitely become regular patrons of this gem of a place. Thank you Dave, Chris and the other members of their staff to make a date night with my girlfriend a memorable experience.

A strip mall by a bowling alley, sign me up! Is probably not what you are thinking. This place is…read morereservation only, and you have to call them....on a phone. It's worth the work! This place is old school and I love it! When I walked in for my reservation the Owner/Chef popped out from the kitchen and said "Good Evening Mrs. Wilson" because well, we were the only reservation at that time. Really impressed my friends lol. We picked the day before Thanksgiving to dine out with friends we hadn't seen in a while. This is a great place for a small group to sit and talk (and be heard) without being rushed. Restaurant was 60% full? Fantastic full premium bar, great wine list and helpful servers. Just top to bottom great food and service. From the menu, it seems like a limited selection of standard Italian fair. Order from the specials, they are chef recommended and always fantastic. Even the basic spaghetti + meatballs is great! Entres $30-50 which is really pretty reasonable. Just me but, I would love more vegetables on the menu as sides with my pasta. Most meals do come with soup or salad. Great for small group (less than 10) but not sure how many they would take honestly. You will get fantastic service, great food, in a nice quieter environment. Looking forward to going back in the new year!

Wow wow WOW. When I say this was one of the best dining experiences I've ever had, I am not…read moreexaggerating. This little gem in Victorian Village is a must visit for anyone who loves authentic Italian food and stellar service. I came here with my roommates family for a celebratory dinner and had an amazing four course dining experience. I was intimidated at first by the number of courses, but each dish is in a small tasting format. Not only was the food delish but our water was incredible. He took time to go through each dish and explain the ingredients and origin. You could tell he was super passionate about his job and the food there. I'm going to come back to try their cacio pepe that they mix in a cheese wheel in front of you!! 10/10!!

For the price point let's get some new street numbers above the door so it doesn't look like a…read moremailbox. The experience was perfect. The atmosphere was cozy. The dinner made for an amazing dinner out. The presentation of every dish was remarkable. The service was phenomenal and a pretty cool seasonal menu! We did the four course + started with bread that we enjoyed through the meal. Great experience and made for a lovely dinner. Chris has been wanting to check this place out forever. I didn't care for my main dish and they swapped it out rather quickly. A bit pricy especially if anyone in the party orders drinks but I would say worth the experience.