An Authentic Gem!! Let's start with the food because it truly deserves the spotlight. I ordered the fettuccine Alfredo paired with a Chardonnay, and WOW! I'll be honest: fettuccine Alfredo is usually hard for me to finish because it can feel too heavy. But John prepared it just right . It was light, balanced, and incredibly flavorful. I enjoyed every single bite and finished the entire bowl without feeling overwhelmed. The portion size was just right. It definitely gave the feeling of a homemade dish which I appreciate in these time of days. What truly elevated the experience, though, was the hospitality. I had the chance to speak with John, and he is genuinely sweet, wise, and an exceptional host. His warmth and passion for what he does come through effortlessly and make you feel truly welcomed. Although I live in California, this is absolutely the kind of restaurant I would become a regular at if I lived nearby. The service was thoughtful and attentive, and the atmosphere was low-key, intimate, and most importantly, authentic. If you're looking for a place that feels real, comforting, and full of heart, do yourself a favor and stop by Pizzeria Trattoria. You won't regret it. read more

We stopped in today on the recommendation from our cousins. We ordered a calzone with sausage, a meatball hero and fries as well as a margarita ten inch pizza. The owner John was very nice and helpful and talkative. The food was excellent and I really liked the calzone. The restaurant is a little small and probably more catered to take out, but you can sit for a quick bite. The portions were decently sized. We really enjoyed it! read more

Cafe Amalfi - Table - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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love trying a hole in the wall. grabbed the round table, sunk in the seat, removed cigarette ash from the table. beer was spilled by owner all over the table. didn't offer a new one and charged us for a 1/4 of a beer pizza was over cooked and like a brick. hardly any chicken on the chicken parm sub. Egg plant parm was enjoyed by our mom. Bread that came with it was very hard not editable. we tried but we won't be back read more

Cute and cozy Italian cafe. Unique dishes and traditional ones . The owner John is originally from Brooklyn and friendly towards everyone. Will definitely return read more

Great Brooklyn style pizza my husband went there by accident and it was delicious I highly recommend it I wish I took a picture to add we got take out We did get the cannoli too yum read more

Cafe Amalfi - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Small and quaint, but don't be fooled. Great food and easy menu to find a favorite. Owner is a delight to talk with and aims to make sure you are always satisfied. read more

Sooooo....this one is a bit tricky. This is a place you can go every week and always leave happy or go once and be very unhappy. Its about expectations. What you CAN expect are very tasty, reasonably priced Italian standards. And that is saying a lot. The food is very good- my 79 year old mother licked the bowl! All the kids were very happy too. What you shouldn't expect is anything fancy or exceptional or unique. The place is cozy but definitely not elegant and as some reviewers have mentioned is in need of a better exhaust system as it tends to be smoky. All in all, when you combine the owners charm and pride at serving you their great food....we are definitely in the "go every week" camp! read more

Families are not welcome here. We walked in, and there was one table of 2 people. The owner, busy with takeout I suspect, said he'd "be a while" and motioned us to a table. We waited for 15 minutes before he came to us to even offer waters or anything at all. My children, ages 6, 4, and 3, kept themselves busy by creating shapes/animals out of the disposable place mats. NOT A SINGLE STRIP of paper was on the floor. When he finally came over, the owner waved his hands at us and stated, "I don't go for that. I keep a nice place here," and we thought he may have been joking until he called us "disgusting" (my children? the apparent messy table? does it matter?) I could not imagine giving him a single dollar of our business, so I gathered every piece my kids' placemats, and we left. What a shame. We were hoping to enjoy a good meal and atmosphere, but I can't imagine supporting someone so outwardly unprofessional and insulting toward children. read more

We were pleasantly surprised with how good the food tasted. After reading the reviews, we were a bit concerned because some were good reviews and some were not. We ordered pizza, fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, and eggplant Parmesan. Everything was delicious. It's a small restaurant but we ordered takeout. The owner was very nice. Will definitely go back. read more

The food and service are always good. The ambiance is Italian with Italian music. They are now located at Stickney Point just off 41 in a small strip mall on the left read more

Geear spot. Sauce is delicious and sweet Nice assortment of options. True ny style. Just like back home read more

Good food and service It took a little bit to get the food but that's fine...it was good and hot Ambience was nice (nothing fancy) just right for a dinner out in the town read more

This is Old Italy style - very authentic, delicious, and uses the best ingredients. The owner is a warm, friendly Italian man that really takes pride in his craft. The Margherita pizza was DIVINE. I'll be a regular when in Sarasota! read more

Delicious food! Small restaurant in a plaza with great service and excellent food. Would definitely eat there again. Reasonable prices and a good size menu. read more

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We arrive during dinner time, are welcome by the pizza maker and find no other customers. That makes me wonder, why there are more employees/owners hanging around then customers? We grab our menus, with daily specials and pick our spot to sit. Waitress quickly approaches, meanwhile another customer enters. Maybe we are early, even though it is 6:30pm. It is nice that entrees include either a dinner salad or pasta. And prices are very reasonable. Except, we notice a lot of up charge opportunities. We order, get our wines and then the red flag begin. The owner wanders around, while his dog is roaming freely dragging a leash, dog proceeds to spot in front of the register on the customer side to scratch itself. This is all inside! Aren't these health violations? My salad had wilted colored lettuce, not exactly appealing. On the menu it says bowtie pasta with ham, peas and Alfredo sauce. After I order it, the server actually comes back to me and asked if I wanted the peas and ham in with the pasta and sauce? What? Yes, and what I got were chucks of ham, the kind used for a pizza, with peas and bowtie pasta in an Alfredo sauce tossed together quickly. The lack of taste was evident. My can sauce taste better. Meanwhile you eat, no one is doing anything but starring at you eat. Literally standing behind your table, just standing there. Kind of creepy. Two other groups of 4 entered. But all else was relatively quite, other than the Italian music on the speakers. A visit to the one bathroom used by all, indicates that no one ever cleans it either. Disgusting floor and dust on the one piece of furniture. Really if this is the customer area, what does the back look like? Owner is real concern with visiting your table with his dog to make sure you liked everything. Where could I begin? Said nothing, paid and ran out of there. Very disappointing. Made through the night with no illness, thankful. Overall would not recommend. read more

Cafe Amalfi - Bowtie Pasta with Ham, Peas in an Alfredo sauce. - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

This place is nothing fancy, but the pizza was good. The one thing I did not like about it was the crust was very thin and by the time I got it back to eat it was a little soggy, but it still had a good taste. That's about enough said. Would I get it again? Absolutely! read more

I would give a half star if I could. My first red-flag should have been the owner bragging on how many restaurants he's opened and sold. 17. We ordered the Bowtie Pasta with peas, ham, and Alfredo, pasta Natalie, and some kind of pasta with broccoli. We were served on thin throw away plates and 2 of us were served in takeout containers while dining in. I would have only been more shocked if they were paper plates. The servings were small, like sandwich-plate small. The beer mugs appeared unwashed, and the desserts looked store bought. The tiramisu was tasty although not for what we paid. The total should have been a third of what we paid. You can easily do better. read more

Enjoyed a delicious Mediterranean salad as a starter. It had prosciutto, cheese, walnuts, onion, tomato and fresh croutons on to of mixed greens. It was quite fresh and tasty. We next had a vegetarian pizza. It was thin crust and very homemade. Again, all toppings fresh and it came right out of the pizza oven. It was very good. The sauce was a little sweet for my tastes but my husband thought it was delicious. Trust me, that didn't keep me from enjoying it. Just a personal tweak. The menu looks amazing at this place. The owner/chef/server seems to know how to do it all. He was charming and we look forward to going back for more of an entree event. read more

Our group ordered a Margherita pizza, spaghetti fruit di mare, lasagna, salad and other dishes. The food was very tasty and the service was good. read more

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This is our 2nd time visiting this restaurant...both times were equally amazingly delicious. We had meals from spaghetti w/meatballs, stuffed shells, shrimp scampi, penne w/vodka sauce. We were here tonight to celebrate our sons 17th birthday. I called to make a reservation for 9 of us, the owner was so appreciative of our group being there tonight. We met the chef, he made some very special dishes for us tonight. It is a hidden gem in this small plaza. Seating is very limited, so if you are going as a large party, I would recommend making a reservation. Highly recommend this restaurant for your next Italian night. read more

Rolled into town starving and Cafe Amalfi was nearby and had a NYC kinda charm. The owner was indeed from NYC as were we, so we were reassured. However, the first red flag was the enormous food menu considering it was a tiny pizzeria with minimal seating. But we were starving and it 'looked' like it could be a good find. I ordered their 'seafood' pasta dish (pasta a la mare) and I requested the pasta be served al dente (firm). "No problem!" Right..... OMG! Took the food back to our rental. First, let me say my husband's baked ziti was 'okay' according to him. (I don't trust his 'okays'.) Hence one star. I think he got lucky, but it's a simple dish But what was on my plate? A couple of small tasteless shrimps and a few 'scallops?' Not really sure what they were. The sauce tasted like ketchup or maybe tomato paste right out of the can. (But probably ketchup because of its wateriness.) The sauce had no texture and no seasoning. It had absolutely nothing. The 'maybe' scallops were mushy and tasteless. I tried two. Then I just threw it all in the garbage where it belonged. The most amazing part of all this was the size of the portion. It was TINY! Literally just a few fork fulls of (mushy) pasta with a few pieces of mystery seafood, in the 'not so mystery' sauce. Now I understand the menu. The food is old, the portions are tiny (if you dare), and they put ketchup on everything! (OK. Maybe there's tomato paste thrown in too) Oh! And I never got my cheesecake! A blessing? read more

Had a delicious pizza at this restaurant. Cozy little place. Service was excellent. Will certainly go back for a dinner. The amount of choices on the menu are amazing. read more

We wanted to check this restaurant out. Ok food and service, not much in the way of style or class. Our meal was served on paper plates with plastic wear. Large menu but everything we ordered was mediocre. We brought 2 pizzas home as takeout so we don't know what they are like. I suggested to the owner John that he use silverware and at least plastic plates. He really didn't like my suggestion but the place had very few people having dinner there. My least favorite restaurant in the area. I don't recommend this place and I gave it only 3 stars. read more

Omg... what a delight! I was sitting outside eating ice cream at one of his tables cause all were full at the ice cream place... he came out and asked if he could help us. I said no I just needed a place to eat my ice cream. No problem he said just take a me u with you and come back and try my food. So... today was the day... I have never tasted such fresh sauce in my life!!!! The garlic knots were so freakin good... the pizza is crispy and has the wonderful sauce on it... I feel like I'm in Brooklyn... do not miss this place!!!! read more

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We decided to pick up a pizza here because it was close to our hotel, and were pleasantly surprised by how GOOD it was! Authentic Italian food from a family-owned kitchen. Easily the best margherita pizza I've had. The employees (possibly the owners themselves?) were incredibly friendly. It seemed like most of the clientele were older townies and tourists. I would happily eat here again next time I'm in town! read more

Cafe Amalfi - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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If you are looking for excllent authentic Italian food this is the place for you! You need to not care that it is served on plastic plates and enjoy how delicious it is! It is a very friendly place and their Cannoli's are like the ones my Nana used to make so dessert is also a must. read more

We stopped in for the first time yesterday. We ordered the Carne (all meat) pizza, some wine and a desert. Both of us thought this was the best pizza we have ever had. My wife said it was the best crust she had ever had. read more

Wonder atmosphere in the garden and the interior. Excellent food and a good selection on wines. read more

Cafe Amalfi - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

witnessed owner yelling and screaming at the top of his lungs at multiple women. food was gross and was scared that i was going to get food poisoning. Owner does not know how to run a restaurant and should shut down immediately. read more

My dinner had the consistency of red mush. Forgot my meatball order Grossly over cooked. Wasted my time

I was disappointed in the size of the food which came in foil takeout containers for rating in. The pizza took 20 minutes and my friends meal was served 10 minutes before mine. When I asked for spices for the pizza I was told they don't have any more. I would definitely consider other places. The meal was not worth the money. read more

Stopped by and was surprised by the amount of food that they had there, I had the mozzarella sticks and margarita pizza and they were delicious read more

Iam not sure why this Gem pizza spot only has 3/12 stars but anyway if you are in the mood for AMAZING, Tasty NY pizza then you have to go to this spot! The white pie was super flavorful, also the plain white cheese pie wasn't overly loaded with pasta sauce either. No heartburn! Haha. Must try! read more

Great pizza right off Siesta Key. Authentic, hand tossed and the owner always has flour on his apron! Give it a try!

Their food was amazing and so was the service keep up the good work!and the place looked amazing thank you for letting my puppy come in also! read more

2nd time ordering a Pizza for takeout and it was totally burnt!! 1st time order it was the wrong Pizza!!

Great food and great atmosphere. Pleasant surroundings and ambiance, music wasn't crazy loud but at a comfortable volume and the music choice made me feel like I was in Italy. We had the Calzones they were fresh made, the sauce was good for the calzones We will definitely go back again when we come back to Florida next Summer. read more

This place is highly underrated, likely by whiny food brats. Great food, great atmosphere. Definitely coming back. read more

Cafe Amalfi - Eggplant Florentine - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

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Best Italian food anywhere. I wish we lived closer. Worth the drive! Best pizza and food and service all at reasonable prices! Love love love this place! read more

Cafe Amalfi - Italian Near Me - Sarasota, Florida

Absolutely not the restaurant to choose. Regardless of the plastic bowls and plates. Regardless of the food that was horrible. Regardless of how smokey the restaurant was and regardless of how empty the place was. The customer services from the owner was the horrendous highlight of the evening. He lacks the maturity to own a restaurant or even interact with other humans when something does not go his way. As unfortunate as it is to have a dish sent back which happens & is part of owning a restaurant. Customer service should be the highest priority as a restaurant owner not personal ego. He yelled, gave us his restaurant resume while yelling, told us how many years he's been making this particular dish & continued to have a tantrum to himself behind the counter. So with all that maybe just stick with take out but if you have an issue be prepared to have zero resolution. Maybe best for the vacationers on SK who only order once and leave the area. Definitely not a local spot! read more