Visiting Providence and stumbled upon this Italian gem. I understood that Federal Hill is known for…read moreits Italian restaurants and we searched for a place that had a good crowd. Massimo's has street parking or valet. They also take reservations. We came on a Monday and chose to order from their prix fixe menu. They also have a great à la carte menu. Our dinner came with focaccia and olives, a glass of house wine, an appetizer, entree, and dessert for $38/pp. Portions were smaller than the à la carte dishes but enough for us. Between my husband and I, we ordered the caprese salad and meatballs appetizers, sliced strip steak with mashed potatoes and mushrooms, a fettuccine with asparagus and prosciutto with cream sauce, and dessert was the pannecotta and cannoli. Pasta was freshly made and al dente, steak was tender and flavorful. We loved everything. My only complaint that for a large restaurant, bathroom was small. Only one unit per gender.

Was in town for a few days and xame here for a walk in meal around 5pm on a Saturday and was able…read moreto get a table right away. The venue is fairly big and can host a good number of parties. The place is fairly loud if that's a consideration. For food we shared a plate of muscles and a pasta. The pasta was huge for a portion size so we were glad that we didn't order too much since we weren't too hungry. The food itself was pretty good. My 2 star review really goes to the service that I experienced that night b/c it really coud have been better. When we finished our muscles, a woman came over to clean up and clear our plates. She dropped one of the knives on the table and then proceed to drop the sharing plate into the plate of red sauce that the muscles were in which splashed my face and get over my white tank top. All I got was a sorry and she walked away. As I was trying to clean my own shirt with my nakpin with the water from my cup the waiter asked if i needed a alcohol wipe and gave me a new napkin. I wasn't addressed the rest of the night by the server so instead of making up for the issue, they avoided it. It's a strange way to handle a poor situation and I wouldn't recommend going back.

Brought a fellow from way out of town and used Andinos as the example of an old Providence venue…read more We were both pleased and entertained. The food was good and the prices were quite reasonable. The wait staff were attentive, entertaining, and knowledgeable. Also, some goomba got whacked for insulting Joey "Dogs" Petrillo's gun moll right in front of us, so that was authentic and fun.

Pros: The bread they bring you with the garlic dip…read more10/10-if you love garlic. Caprese- good appetizer with added prosciutto Service- impeccable. Always there when we needed someone. Cons: Entrees were disappointing. Clam's Linguini- needed some more flavor added to it Gnocchi Alla Vodka- sauce tasted like it came from Chef Boyardee. Not trying to be mean, it's literally all I could think about when eating. Noisy- we couldn't even hear ourselves think -sensory overload. We were seated in the last table in the back. Between the loud table next to us, the espresso machine and all the traffic in and out of the bathrooms we were excited to leave. Restaurant feels cramped like there is one or two too many tables.

We had a reservation for 6 and were seated upstairs. The upstairs quickly filled up with large and…read moresmall groups. The noise dampening ceiling tiles did not help reduce the overall noise level, making it very difficult to hear the dinner conversation. The menu provides a range of options, and it was difficult to choose. The portions are extremely generous so consider sharing. The gnocchi was pillowy with a pink sauce that did not lack layers or depth of flavor.

Delicious food and HUGEE portions, my pasta was literally 3 meals for the price of one. The service…read morewas a bit slow but we were a big table so it kinda makes sense. For appetizers, I had Bruschetta on Italian bread (again, HUGE portions). For entree, I had Pink Vodka Pesto (Rigatoni pasta house made chicken sausage). We went during lunch hours so it wasn't busy at all and they were easily able to seat our table of 18 people. The restaurant is kinda cute and a ton to do around the area.

Absolutely amazing dining experience from the grilled mushroom pizza to the apple crisp tart with…read moreour server Donny C. as a fantastic ambassador of Al Forno. My sister in law lives in Jamestown and has spoken highly of Al Forno for years with us, but every time we came to visit we couldn't get a reservation. Not this visit! She planned well in advance & the three of us enjoyed a delicious Vermentino wine with our octopus fennel salad and a Caesar salad. Both bright flavors! The entrees were spectacular with a Baked Eggplant and Venetian Chicken that were so plentiful we had to take some of both dishes home. This space is beautiful and Donny made the dining experience very special!

Disappointed... A good friend who goes to Providence…read morefrequently told me I HAD to try Al Forno. We have friends in the area who had heard of the place, but had never gone, so we made a reservation (2.5 months ahead for a 4 some on a Friday, so it must be special...) and finally got to see what the fuss was about. (Still wondering.) We started with what ended up being a high point, "beets and frites." A very interesting take with a lot of frites, not enough beets (5 slices under the stack), and about 2 tablespoons of the lemon aioli. The few tastes of the 3-part combination were great. The frites, crisp and soooo thin, were good on their own. The olive oil that came with the bread was very green (young), with a strong flavor but I was surprised that there was no pepper grinder. I had the (special) cod, which came with a lazy prep of broccoli rabe and OK potatoes. The fish was cooked well, moist and fresh, but I'm still not sure what the flavorless green topping was. Our table also had oxtail ravioli, which consisted of tasty little purses of thin pasta and nicely flavored meat inside. (Probably the best entree, and gained the second star.) The eggplant was unremarkable in terms of flavor of the sauce, and the veggies that went into it did not seem to be very fresh. For dessert, we had rhubarb peach tart and chocolate bread pudding. The tart was mostly crust and very shy on the rhubarb. The bread pudding apparently used Hershey's chocolate powder which was not a great flavor and left a grainy texture. The server was not very friendly, somewhat pushy, and insisted that we order the dessert when we ordered everything else. Allegedly, this was because the dessert is made to order, but we had the impression that it was to expedite our table time. Even so, with all that "careful planning" only 3 of the 4 entrees made an entry and we waited quite a while for the 4th to show up, even after asking. Overall, not a good experience and not a place I'll plan to revisit.

One last magical dinner at Rosalina! All our favorites - the most amazing eggplant parmesan with…read morericotta cheese & crostini, a decadent thick cut pork chop with peppers & grape tomatoes over magical mashed potatoes & the best bolognese with tagliatelle I've ever eaten. SOOOOO GOOD! We wish Lauren & Tom all the best in their next endeavor. And we can't wait to have them over for dinner sometime soon!!! NOM NOM NOM #YUM NOTE: Rosalina is closing for good on 2/15/26.

Four of us went to dine at the restaurant before going to attend a performance at the nearby…read moreTrinity Rep. It is a place we like. We were seated at a semi-circular booth by the window - more comfortable than at the table and metallic chairs. We had a number of cocktails: Tommy Pickles, the Trinity and a Limonata. The fourth, a tea totaled, had a Ginger Ale. The generous portion main dishes were a shrimp bucatini, a squid ink pasta, swordfish, a thick pork chop and an eggplant parm. All very tasty. We took some of the food home. To end we shared a good tiramisu. And two of us had coffees. Our server, Desiree, was efficient and cheerful. The check came to over $215, to which we added a generous tip. We will return when we are next in the area.

you really get what you pay for here. this is a "once a year if youre lucky" kind of establishment…read more the kind you default to when its your anniversary and you really love your spouse lol. points of interest: -2 drinks got me pleasantly drunk, but not hammered. the perfect balance. -the arancini was flawless. we both marveled over how it managed to maintain its structural integrity despite being a pile of wet rice in a breaded coating. -husband completely cleared his squid ink seafood dish, leaving only soupy remains. i should have asked to take it home so i could dip a loaf of bread in it. -my pasta was crazy good. ive had so many "just ok" pasta dishes in restaurants using the same damn sysco sauce that i forgot that you can get something novel and fresh. -we both split a cheesecake at the end. perfect meal. service was awesome, as it always is. everyone is so polite and (seemingly?) unstressed to work there despite being slammed for dinner. see you next year, hopefully, pan e vino!

We recently visited Pane e Vino in Providence Rhode Island to celebrate my fiancé's father's 85th…read morebirthday, and unfortunately, the experience was very disappointing. Our server, Dwight, seemed rushed and inattentive throughout the evening. From the start, we felt like an inconvenience rather than welcomed guests. We asked if we could move to a nearby table that was already set for eight, as our current table was cramped and located in a very tight walkway where people constantly brushed past us. We were told the table was reserved, yet from the time we arrived just before 6:00 PM until we left at 8:45 PM, no one was ever seated there. It was frustrating, especially since the cramped space made our dining experience uncomfortable. Service overall was lacking. Dwight rarely checked on us, and when we tried to get his attention for drinks or assistance, he would quickly pass by before we had the chance to ask. It often felt like we were bothering him. We were not offered water, and getting additional beverages was unnecessarily difficult. The food itself was just okay, nothing memorable. When we ordered dessert and cappuccino, the cappuccino tasted like it was made with spoiled milk, but again, no one came back to check on us, so we had no opportunity to address it. The most disappointing moment was the birthday acknowledgment. We asked for a dessert with a candle to celebrate an 85th birthday, and instead received a plate with "Happy Birthday" written in chocolate, a small amount of whipped cream, and a candle. It was underwhelming and, honestly, a bit embarrassing. We would have gladly paid for a proper dessert. Jacob the busser was the only attentive one there. We have come to Pane e Vino every year for family birthdays because we've always enjoyed the atmosphere, but after this experience, we will not be returning.

I took my in-laws there for dinner before going to ppac We…read morewere pleasantly pleased with our server,Jay and the food was delicious Swordfish was exceptional. Scallops was cooked just right I am definitely going back

Food was good. My steak was definitely not worth the price. I've had better for half that. But…read moreoverall my husband liked it. It was for him so that's what matters. Definitely a pricey ticket so be aware of that. The decor is so unique the entrance all of it! Staff was great. Really nice people. Also top 3 best oysters I've had in Rhode Island. Limited parking on street but I think they have a valet.

We've been coming here for years with and without the kids. It reminds me of old school little…read moreItalian places. No frills and drama. Just really solid, straightforward Italian cooking. In my mind, it's how all casual Italian restaurants must've been back in the day. The stuffed artichoke is a must. Chicken and eggplant parm are both fabulous. One of the coziest spots to visit in the winter and around Christmas. The girls who work here are all so friendly. Definitely worth your dinner plans!

Delicious food! The lunch special is truly a steal! Will definitely return the next time I'm in…read moretown.

Casual dining at Venda Ravioli. Think of a large Italian deli with things like a huge olive bar,…read moremixed Italian food for purchase, Italian hams and more. We tried the Lasagna, sausage & peppers and Chicken Vendi.... All were good and reasonably priced. A nice coffee bar with your favorites and martinis...

Venda is great. Most recently came in for RI Food Fights best iced coffee. The coffee is good and…read moreCarina waited on us, she was hysterical. My friend added a whipped tiramisu topping to her coffee and it looked great! I also love coming here and getting a bunch of fresh pasta for my parents to try. I almost bought myself potato gnocchi today, but saw it was made with ricotta. Next time I'll stay longer and find some food for me! The bread looked and smelled amazing!

Food was excellent. Server was attentive. Ambience was a bit loud with the duet singing. Beautiful…read morenight to eat outside.

There are restaurants you enjoy, and then there are restaurants that quietly become part of your…read moreroutine. Costantino's Venda Bar & Ristorante falls squarely into that second category for me. Years ago, when I was living in Providence, Friday nights often meant a trip to Federal Hill and a pizza from Venda to take home. It became such a regular thing that the drive over felt automatic. Even now, whenever I'm on the Hill and trying to decide where to eat, this is usually one of the first places that comes to mind. I've eaten here enough times that I honestly think I've worked my way through just about everything on the menu. That's not an exaggeration. The impressive part is that I can't think of a meal that left me disappointed. Whether it's pasta, seafood, pizza, or one of their specials, the food is consistently good. In a restaurant business where consistency can be surprisingly hard to find, that's worth recognizing. The wine list deserves a mention of its own. If you're a wine enthusiast, you could spend a lot of time exploring the selections here. I know I certainly have, and I'm afraid to calculate how much money I've spent doing exactly that over the years. No regrets, though. The staff behind the bar know what they're talking about and are always happy to make recommendations. The same goes for the cocktail and spirits selection. Friendly, knowledgeable, and never pretentious. Don't skip dessert, either. Every time I tell myself I'm too full, I somehow end up looking at the dessert menu anyway. One thing I appreciate is the parking situation. Anyone familiar with Federal Hill knows parking can sometimes feel like a competitive sport. The valet service is especially helpful on busy Friday and Saturday evenings. If valet isn't your thing, there are independent lots nearby, and occasionally you'll get lucky and find a spot on the street. During the warmer months, sitting outside in DePasquale Square is one of the best dining experiences in Providence. Good food, a glass of wine, live music drifting through the square, and people enjoying the evening. It's hard not to have a good time. One practical note: I'm a cash guy, so it doesn't affect me personally, but friends have mentioned there's a processing fee when paying by card. Just something to be aware of before the check arrives. It's also a great place to stop for an afternoon drink before heading elsewhere in the city. Whether you're settling in for a full dinner or just grabbing a glass of wine and people-watching for a while, Costantino's Venda Bar & Ristorante continues to be one of the most reliable spots on Federal Hill. Some restaurants have great nights. This place has been delivering great years.