I visited for lunch with coworkers and hadn't done any research so I wasn't sure what to expect but…read morewas very pleasantly surprised. The decor is cute, the staff were friendly and attentive and the food was good. It's a little on the pricey side but there isn't much in DTSP that isn't so that is to be expected. I will definitely be adding it to the rotation when I am working DT.

Made a same-day reservation for Friday at 6pm for 2 people with no problem. Showed up and were sat…read moreimmediately. Inside of the restaurant is pretty cool and has a modern but dim vibe. We ordered the Cast Iron Focaccia, Snapper Crudo, and both got the Rigatoni Tartufo as our entrees. The Snapper Crudo was decent. It was refreshing overall. One random comment is I wish the cucumbers were cut more thin. The Focaccia bread was good but not an average focaccia. The olive oil & vinegar was a unique add that I enjoyed since the focaccia alone wasn't show stopping. The Rigatoni Tartufo was underwhelming. I was so excited about it but it was rich and didn't have a flavor I loved. I was disappointed in the dish and wouldn't order it again. Overall, service was good and the meal itself was fine. I won't rush to come back, but I have also definitely had worse meals in my life.

Four of us came for dinner. Our first time at Gratzzi Italian Grille. The restaurant is quaint and…read morecrowded. We had reservations and were seated immediately. Our friends decided we should start with the Cavatelli Bada Bing entree as a shareable appetizer. It is prepared table-side. Whatch out for the flame! Everything about this is entirely phenomenal. The padana parmesan, vodka sauce, and Cavatelli, created a creamy masterpiece of a flavorful meal. Bravo! For my entree I ordered the Rigatonnaci Alla Vodka. Another perfect blend of flavors. I am not one for spicy food and was happy the sausage mild. The pancetta added a nice savory touch. The vodka sauce was just the right amount and consistency. A winner for me. DH ordered the Pappardelle Alfredo with Chicken. Another chart topping mix of flavors. Just looking at the plate you know you're in for a great experience. Chicken was seasoned exceptionally well and perfectly cooked. Pasta was just right too. Everything about it was delicious. Our friends both ordered the Chicken Parmigiana. Both were extremely pleased saying the chicken was juicy and tender. This is their favorite meal. This just might be our go to Italian restaurant.

Wow- Hidden Gem in Downtown St Pete! The bar was full,…read moreeveryone eating at the bar and I got to watch how he handled the rush- Awesomeness! Efficient and non flappable even though the ladies next to me were having a " My man... complaining session" Ok back to the food - I had the Veal Chop Saltimbocca and the way it was laying on a layer of fresh spinach allowing the juices to drip was delicious!!!!! Fresh cut Veggies ( Zucchini & Squash) perfectly cooked! The Espresso Martini was a great night cap!

Loooooove this place! It's a go-to for m and my girl friends…read more The vibe is great, team is usually upbeat and friendly, and the food is delicious. I've been here several times and I haven't come across a single thing on the menu that didn't come out fantastic. Any of the pastas will hit the spot. Caesar salad is phenomenal. Meatballs are delicious. And the strawberry balsamic martini is INCREDIBLE. always consistent too!

There's a reason BellaBrava stays busy. It somehow manages to feel lively and polished without…read morecrossing into overly scene-y territory, and the food actually holds up to the atmosphere. The standout for me was easily the meatballs. Super tender, rich without being heavy, and the kind of appetizer that immediately makes the table go quiet for a second. I'd go back for those alone. I also had the chicken cacciatore which felt very comforting but still elevated. The sauce had that slow-cooked depth that tastes homemade in the best way, and the chicken was cooked perfectly without drying out. Drink-wise, the Hugo Spritz was a surprise favorite. Light, crisp, refreshing, and dangerously easy to keep ordering in Florida weather. Service was attentive without hovering, and the whole place has that warm Italian energy that makes you want to stay longer than planned. Definitely one of those spots that works equally well for a casual dinner or when you want somewhere that still feels a little special.

When it comes to Italian food in St Petersburg, there is always a place to go. Just march down…read moreCentral Avenue and you can find a few places on one block. It depends on what you want. And the competition is there since many will claim to be home-made and fresh. Each will have their own style and recommendations. Nothing is formal. This is casual. And, depending on the time of day you go, the crowd will be different. As for Matteo you cannot miss it. It is on the corner of a block right next to a bar and clubs called Cock Tail...It is hard to miss. That place is open to everyone no matter what you might think. And the drinks are good. So, it is no surprise that rights next to it is Matteo. And that is a good thing to know. Make your reservation and you can get in (or sit outside) and have a good Italian meal. I tis everything you might imagine and nothing fancy or over done. The place to start is with an appetizer. There is a good variety to have. As for dinner, we selected several options and decided to share what we each had. Very typical of Italians if you ate at someone's house. You share your meals while having an extensive conversation. (Of course, a glass of wine does help.) It was a delightful meal. The team there is perfect. They can answer questions and make suggestions. The food is fresh and freshly made. As for the price, it is fine and as you would suggest. Overall, I will go back and bring some friends. It is a good place to have a good dinner and experience the crowd that are there. Best, after dinner, just step next door and get an evening cocktail (literally). You do not have to go far to have a good evening. Ciao...

Tucked along Central Ave, Matteo Trattoria & Pizzeria delivers the kind of cozy Italian experience…read morethat feels both neighborhood-casual and quietly impressive. The atmosphere immediately sets the tone. Warm lighting, the aroma of simmering tomato sauce, and the hum of conversation make the space feel lively without being overwhelming. It's the type of place where you can settle in for a long dinner and a glass of wine without feeling rushed. The real highlight, though, is the food. The pasta tasted unmistakably fresh, with that perfect tender bite you only get from house-made noodles. The sauce was rich and balanced, clinging to every fold of pasta and finished with a generous dusting of parmesan that brought everything together beautifully. Service was attentive and welcoming throughout the meal, striking that ideal balance of being present without hovering. St. Pete has no shortage of Italian spots, but Matteo manages to stand out with its combination of authentic flavors, comforting ambiance, and genuinely well-executed dishes. If you're craving fresh pasta and a relaxed dinner on Central, this is absolutely a place worth visiting.

Bavaros never lets me down!…read more I love they have nice wines , by the glass, on happy hour. Not just your basic cab. This time I, of course, had to start with a cup of the tomato basil soup, which is always delicious but then I opted for their spring special: A peach and prosciutto pie with creamy burrata and hot honey, topped with arugula. This baby was full of deliciousness and layers of flavor. Service is always wonderful as well

I really wanted to like Bavaro's, but my experience was disappointing. For starters, the pizza was…read moreunderwhelming. There was an excessive amount of crust on my pizza, it felt like nearly half the pizza was plain crust which made it not very satisfying. I got the whipped limoncello pizza, I did like the flavor combination, it is a more unique pizza. Our server was not attentive at all. It took awhile to be greeted, then he seemed rushed to take our order, dropped the food off and never checked on us again. Not even for basics like red pepper and parmesan, or a table touch to make sure everything turned out well. It so happened my beer glass had a crack in it, I had to try and grab his attention while he came to the table next to us to chat multiple times completely ignoring our existence. Finally got his attention for a new glass, and he still didn't ask how anything was or check if we needed anything. In fact, he rushed off before I could even mention I wanted red pepper flakes too. I completely understand the server may have been busy or had a long night, and glasses break. However nothing really went well for us here and I don't feel the need to go back.

I'm visiting my best friend and she lives across the street from this place. She loves this place…read moreso much. We had to stop here to get dessert and a drink. I got the reposado espresso tequila and it was absolutely delicious especially for the price like you will never get better prices for Italian food and especially drinks. Then here this is the best place for Italian and drink drinks in the Saint Pete area. The worst Italian restaurant in the area is Olivia that place is the most terrible restaurant I've ever had their food and their drinks are horrible.

Really enjoyed my experience here. The food was delicious, everything tasted fresh and the…read moreatmosphere was very nice. I ordered the porcini pasta and it was honestly amazing, the mushrooms gave it such a rich flavor and the pasta tasted so fresh that it genuinely felt homemade, even though I didn't ask is it was. The only thing I would say is that the service felt a little rushed at times, like everything was moving very fast. Other than that, it was a great experience. I definitely want to come back to try more dishes and drinks because everything coming out of the kitchen looked amazing.

I can for lunch and the food was great. the service wasn't good at all from Caleb. he was a little…read morerude and sounded annoyed. I then asked to move tables and we got a different waitress and she was amazing. So nice, Caleb needs to take notes.

This was such a great brunch experience! Came in on a Sunday morning. While the restaurant was…read morecrowded, we really didn't have a weight to get a table. Our waitress was so sweet with us and answered all of our silly questions that we had about the menu. She was very patient during all of that. We decided to split some entrées and that was definitely a good choice. There's so much on the menu that sounds delicious. I'm a sucker for anything that has pimento cheese on it. So the breakfast sandwich was perfect. The breakfast pizza was also made very well, with a great crust. Luckily for me, I had leftovers and ate the rest of the pizza for a midnight snack. The perfect meal! I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone moving forward.

Exceptional customer service the food is authentic italian we return often for girls nite outread more

We wanted to try this place out because of the reviews and the pictures of the good looks…read moredelicious. Our try was a month ago. We walked in and no one acknowledge us. After a few minutes we left. Then after a couple of weeks later we went back. Saturday night before 7pm just 2 of us with no reservations. The kid(host) seated us right away. Then this is where everything kinda Spiral downhill. The service was slow so we put in our dinner right away. We asked for the wine menu and didn't NOT order because it was overpriced. Will go to another place to have drinks. We ordered Lasagna ($38) and spaghetti with meatballs ($28) not sure on the price but it was way overpriced for pasta and waited way too long for our food. All I have to say is that I was disappointed.