We found this place a few weeks ago and had to come back! Pizza was incredible! 20 layer lasagna amazing! Beet salad was the best I've ever had! read more

From start to finish 10/10 The hostess was pleasant followed us to the bar w menus. The bartenders greeted us promptly, the manager came by welcomed us back. Nice when they remember you have been there before. Drinks at the bar were tasty and made nicely. The atmosphere is a dream. Super elegant and sexy place. The food... 10/10 read more

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5 stars is NOT enough recognition to give to Moderna. There's so many wonderful things to say about this establishment, I'm not sure where to start! We (a party of 5) came on a Saturday evening to celebrate my brother's birthday. From the moment we walked in to the very last step outside those doors, everything and everyone was an unforgettable experience. Despite it almost being a full house, it was not loud and chaotic. The dim lighting and subtle romance songs playing in the background brings the upscale, cozy vibe altogether. Our server, Hamlet (yes that's actually his name), was an exceptional server. He's knowledgeable of the drink & main menu and was able to answer any and all questions we had. Not to mention he is very personable and funny so communicating with him was a breeze! I appreciate his openness and honesty to our questions about the different dishes on the menu. So whether you ask him for his personal favorites or his customer's favorites, he will give you an honest answer. Both Hamlet and the owner, Joe Daniel (I think that's his name), visited our table frequently (without becoming overbearing) to ensure everything was up to their standards. There wasn't a single moment where we were left wondering where our server ran off to or when our water canisters were going to be refilled. -- Together, we ordered: * MEATBALLS DELLA NONNA - 3 generous-sized meatballs are paired with a marinara sauce and flame-toasted bread. this was so delicious and is a great shareable for the table! * TAGLIATELLE ALLA RUOTA - great tableside experience that you often see on social media, and it tastes great as well! Pro tip: add any of their delicious protein options from chicken, salmon, and more (we paired it with the chicken) * RIGATONI ALLA VODKA - true story: I asked Hamlet to choose between their Risotto special (steak and mushroom) or the rigatoni alla vodka (+ grilled chicken $10) and he chose the rigatoni for me... and I am SO glad he did omg. I love vodka sauce and this was absolutely incredible. The Calabrian chili flakes enhances the flavor of the sauce so well without it being too spicy. The chicken breast was soo tender and juicy. This was an easy 10/10 in my book! Highly recommend. It would've been part of the clean plate club if I didn't stuff myself with those meatballs. * WILD BOAR RAGU + POLENTA - the birthday boy ordered this dish and it became part of the clean plate club. He said the wild boar was not gamey at all to which he was pleasantly surprised! * SALMONE E SPINACI - a generous portion of salmon atop sautéed spinach and a creamy cauliflower purée. Honestly you wouldn't have known it was cauliflower - it was prepared so well that it truly resembles a delicious creamy mashed potato. For me personally, I didn't care for this dish. I much rather my vodka pasta. Althoughhhh if you're wanting a lighter dish, we'd recommend this one. It became part of the clean plate club. -- If I lived in Austin, I would frequent this restaurant for sure. You wouldn't be able to tell that this was a new establishment ( in business for only 7 months!) The service was incredible. Please ask for Hamlet! The cozy vibes, the warm and welcoming personalities, the exceptional service, and those delicious meatballs and alla vodka pasta have earned their spot in my heart (and tummy). Thank you, Hamlet and JD! We will be back. read more

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This newly opened Italian spot has tough competition for quality Italian food. For starters, the establishment is quite nice. The interior is quite large, and the outdoor seating has mist to keep the atmosphere cool. The staff there are eager to help diners and the food portions were rather generous. But that being said, I have some remarks with the food. The Meatballs Della Nonna were a little too meat forward for me. There was a heavy sausage-like taste that I wish was diminished with more salt. I also would like more marinara sauce, especially since the appetizer comes with 2 pieces of bread. The Crispy Brussel Sprouts were quite a disappointment. Maybe the chef forgot the grape reduction because I really did not taste any sauce. The cook on it was nice, but all I tasted was the bitterness of the vegetable. I got the Wild Boar Ragu + Polenta for my main. I think it could've used less salt and an option for pepper would've been nice. But the Boar was cooked well and the dish itself was very filling. I wanted more from the Panna Cotta. It wasn't overly sweet and the berries were nice. But this dessert would've been absolutely elevated with some elements of texture, like a cookie crumble base. Overall, the food was just alright to me. I'd consider coming back to try a pasta dish. The staff and interior are nice, so I still encourage other diners to give this place a chance. read more

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What an amazing dinner experience! Our party of 5 was thoroughly taken care of from start to finish. Our server had such a great personality and we were checked up on frequently. We ordered a variety of dishes, but my favorite of the night would be the wild boar ragu and polenta. It was creamy and meaty without being gamey. The tagliatelle had a great presentation to it as it was prepared table side, but because of the preparation, the pasta was too soft and didn't have the firm texture I was looking for. The presentation of all the dishes was beautiful and our server even gave us another plate of meatballs since he noticed the first one was getting cold. The ambiance of the restaurant was moody and low-lit and there was plenty of parking in the garage. I'll definitely be back to try other dishes! read more

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Moderna pizza is tucked away on west 6th street right next to a salon and Pilates studio. I decided to come here after Pilates with some friends. We sat at the cocktail bar, ordered drinks and some bites. The bartender was friendly but made a big deal about us having water bottles in the space so we put them away as told. There was a pretty good crowd inside and on the patio (mostly older adults and families) We started off with a Margherita pizza which was deliciously thin, crisp and layered with just the right amount of cheese and sauce. Pizza, of course, is where they shine. We also ordered the prosciutto tree (charcuterie) it's plated very fun but I didn't like most of the cheeses it came with. I only ended up eating one of them. My friends more so wanted this prosciutto tree but didn't enjoy most of the things on it. For drinks I went with a frozen Bellini and it was so refreshing and airy. I'd love to try more drinks in the future. Parking is free and fully validated. I also appreciated the complimentary limoncello shots after our meal. read more

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Really enjoyable surroundings and atmosphere. Menu selections were very good and service was impeccable. The TAGLIATELLE ALLA RUOTA prepared in a wheel of cheese was really tasty! read more

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I'm honestly not 100% sure how to frame this review, so I'm just going to say it plainly: In another city, Moderna Bar & Pizzeria might land at four stars for me. In Austin, though, this is one of the best Italian spots we've found so far when we're looking for pasta. So I'm giving it five. Just... with context. Let's start with the good, because there's a lot of it. The service here is genuinely excellent. Both times we've been, someone from management has come by the table, introduced themselves, checked in, and had an actual conversation with us. It feels personal without being overbearing, and I really appreciate that. The space is also beautiful. It's always packed, great date night energy, and somewhere I'd feel totally comfortable bringing out-of-town guests. Food-wise, the pasta itself is very well done. The texture is right, the doneness is right, and the dishes are thoughtfully put together. But this is where my only real critique comes in: the seasoning can be a little inconsistent. The last time we went, my husband had the Bolognese and I had the Cacio e Pepe, and both of us had the same reaction: it felt like something was missing. The best way I can describe it is that it tasted like the pasta water might not have been salted enough. Not bad, just lacking that depth that makes a dish really pop. On the flip side, one dish swung hard in the opposite direction. The Casarecce alla Norma with Calabrian chili was honestly shockingly spicy. And I say that as someone who enjoys pretty high levels of spice, and my husband is the type to order the spiciest wings on the menu. This was to the point where we genuinely thought something might have gone wrong in the kitchen. To their credit, our server went above and beyond in handling it. She checked with the kitchen, confirmed that it was intentional, and actually went ahead and put in an order for a replacement with marinara while she was back there, just in case. We ended up asking her to cancel it because we were fine eating it, but I really appreciated that level of care. I do wish there had been a heads-up, though, because if you're not familiar with Calabrian chili, you might not expect that level of heat. Outside of pasta, we've had some great dishes. The zucchini salad is super fresh and nicely balanced, and the fritto misto has great flavor, though it's very heavy on the fried onions. The olive oil cake is a standout -- moist, not overly sweet, and just really well done. I also have to give a quick shoutout to their house wines. I often judge a place by its house wine. Red and white, and both here are very solid and easy to drink, which says a lot. And they sometimes bring around a complimentary limoncello at the end, which is a nice touch when it happens and fits the overall vibe of the place. So yeah -- overall, this is a place we'll definitely keep coming back to. The food isn't mind-blowing every time, but it's consistently good, the service is excellent, and for Austin, it absolutely deserves to be in the conversation for top Italian spots. read more

Moderna Bar & Pizzeria - Zucchini salad - Pizza Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Moderna Bar and Restaurant in Austin was such a pleasant surprise. Everything was really well priced, and the portions were generous - something I always appreciate when dining out downtown these days. The pasta and pizza were solid, comforting, no-frills dishes that hit exactly as they should. It's not trying to be the next high-end Italian spot, but that's what makes it great. You get honest, tasty food that feels worth every dollar. Perfect for a casual night out when you just want good flavors and good value without the fuss. read more

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This restaurant deserves more LOVE! Don't let the name fool you, it is so much more than a bar and pizzeria but a full restaurant. I chose this place to bring family visiting town because we were looking for a vibey place downtown that didn't break the bank and we landed on this and so glad we did. Our whole family loved it! Every bite was amazing and the servers went above and beyond. Highly, highly recommend checking out and come hungry! read more

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Opening weekend, and they did not disappoint! Everything was delicious, and I wish I could have tried everything. I drove from San Antonio to try Moderna out. I have been patiently waiting for it to open and as soon as the reservations opened up, I could not make one fast enough! It was definitely worth the drive, and I will definitely be coming back on a regular basis. We were greeted warmly at the hostess station, and promptly seated at the pizza bar, which we had requested in our reservation. As soon as you walk in, you get a great view of the amazing wood fired oven and the pizza area. The restaurant and bar area are tastefully and thoughtfully decorated, and sets the mood for an unforgettable experience. It is very warm and inviting. The staff is very helpful, friendly, and ready to explain the dishes and make recommendations. We were treated to a complimentary small plate, the Burrata Caprese, courtesy of one of the partners, the Maestro Pizzaiolo, Leo Spizzirri. It was AMAZING! Probably one of the best Burrata dishes that I've ever had. So flavorful and herbaceous. Next, we ordered the Fire Baked Clams. This was definitely a standout for me. Very flavorful, with a touch of heat, and just a squeeze of lemon really added a punch of acid to send this dish over the top. We followed the small plates with 2 pizzas. The 1889 Margherita, which was probably one of the best that I have ever eaten. In my opinion, it was probably better than a traditional Neapolitan. It had a bit of a crisp to the base. So, it wasn't your typical floppy center, that you usually associate with it. As the Maestro explained, it is more of a Post-Heritage Neapolitan pizza. It's definitely something that you have to experience for yourself, because it's just that...an experience. The second pizza was the Harvest. Such a great composition of flavors! The sweetness of the delicata squash, the spiciness of the Fresno chile peppers, and the contrast of the toasty pumpkin seeds, just makes for a great combination along with the other ingredients. We also tried the Tagliatelle Alla Ruota, which is prepared tableside....in a cheese wheel! The presentation is a must see. Flames! Cheese! Scratch made pasta! How can you go wrong? It was delicious, and I don't think you will regret it. Also, don't worry about parking. There is ample space in the garage. The restaurant will validate. It just happened to be free, but idk if that's a weekend thing or not. They do have a separate area for takeaway orders as well. Oh, and be sure to check out the restrooms. Lavish! Enjoy! read more

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From the time we sat down, we were surrounding by the feeling that I was back in Chicago. The pasta, pizza, and drinks were amazing. The servers were amazing, the decor was warm, and I loved the pink chandelier in the bathroom! read more

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Great people from the moment we stepped in. The decor and music really made the vibe perfect. The lights were dim but at your seating area there was a light perfectly set for you. Every single dish we tried was delicious and they did get a bit busy mid way so our meals came out a little late and unorganized, but it actually worked great for us. A few people came up to us and notified us of the delay which was a nice touch, but as mentioned we were relaxing and enjoying our date night and drinks. I highly recommend the house Pinot and the meatballs. We also had the table side pasta which was delicious, but unfortunately we did not get the full experience of the table side as I saw online. I do think this was because of how busy they got which is understandable they just opened and operations needs some TLC. However they still get 5 stars and a returning customer because their food was freaking delicious. Oh and they validate your parking ticket so make sure to take that with you if you park in the garage. read more

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Service was great. I will say the lighting was a little too dark for me. I ordered the Caesar salad and it had way too much vinegar in my opinion. We ordered a margarita pizza and a Hells kitchen pizza. The Hell's Kitchen pizza had the best flavor. We also ordered Tagliatelle ala ruota it was okay but needed salt. The chicken I added had no flavor. The linguine fruta del mare was the best dish out of everything we ordered. It was seasoned just right. I would come back just to try different dishes to see if I liked anything else read more

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Absolutely great restaurant tier one Italian in Austin All the dishes were amazing Their linguine Bolognese with some of the best I've ever had Their lasagna is a mountain of cheese, meat and noodles made for the whole family. Our waitress Katherine was very helpful and fun. She was very pleasant with a friendly demeanor. Joe Vazquez walked us through the whole experience. This is a definite come to anytime especially if you need to impress. read more

Moderna Bar & Pizzeria - Pizza Near Me - Austin, Texas

I had the pleasure of visiting Moderna Pizza & Bar in Austin, and I can honestly say Maestro Leo has outdone himself. He once again showcases his exceptional pizza-making craft and attention to detail. I've been fortunate to try many traditional and contemporary Neapolitan pizzerias -- including Pepe in Grani, Da Michele, La Notizia, Inferno, to name just a few -- and I am comfortable rating Leo's pizza among the very best I've had anywhere. What makes his approach special is that he's clearly pushing the style forward. He has created what I would call a modern Neapolitan -- maintaining the soul of Naples while improving the eating experience. The crust achieves something rare: a beautifully airy cornicione with a light, delicate interior, yet a gentle crispness that gives structure and avoids the overly soft, sometimes floppy texture of classic Neapolitan pies. Leo works with a custom blend of flours, including grains sourced from local Texas mills, and the flavor genuinely stands out. The aroma and taste reminded me of my grandmother's old-school bread baked in a wood-fired oven -- warm, nostalgic, and deeply comforting. If you find yourself in Austin, TX, this is an absolute must-try. Highly recommended. Don't forget to try their in-house made Limoncello as well! Cheer read more

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Absolutely amazing the food was to die for, we got margarita pizza and another pizza also the vodka pasta it was all absolutely amazing. Staff is also amazing and super kind. read more

Outstanding food service and ambience for the minute we walked in the door. We were treated like family Marilyn our waitress was fabulous. The food was delicious in the ambience was perfect for dinner. JOE the PR guy was so fun and Patrick. The manager couldn't have been more delightful. Can't wait to go back. read more

Moderna Bar & Pizzeria - Pizza Near Me - Austin, Texas

This is by far one of the best Italian restaurants we have been to. It's a beautiful restaurant inside and out. The ambiance in this place is amazing And all the food is homemade in house from the pizza to the homemade pasta Our food was amazing and so was our waitress Juliette. She had a few tables that were really big, but she took control of all of them including us we didn't have to wait or want for nothing. This place is amazing and we will be back on top of the wonderful service and good food and clean restaurant, the restrooms are also clean they have mouth wash with little cups read more

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Moderna is a fantastic Italian restaurant! The pizza had a perfectly crisp crust with fresh, flavorful toppings, and the pasta was cooked to perfection with rich, authentic sauces. Their wine selection paired beautifully with the meal, making the whole dining experience even better. Exceptional combination of excellent service and a warm, inviting atmosphere. read more

I forgot the take food pictures.. it was so good! We had the burrata and olives for appetizers. The corn and hot homey pizza, the rigatoni and burrata sandwich for lunch. Love it all! read more

No extensive menu review because we only had two dishes, but I was very impressed and will return. The Eggplant Parmesan is one of the best I've had in town, with perfectly fried exterior and some crispy edges. Sauce was flavorful and they didn't bury the dish in too much of it, which is a problem in many places. Accompanying spaghetti with tomato sauce was fine. And not mushy which is a cardinal sin for people who understand al dente. The Pizza Margarita is also quite pleasing with decent size and value. My wife says it is very good, but her personal preference would've been for a bit more cheese. Just her preference. The evening was accented by excellent, friendly service from Joshua. It's nice looking inside. Location is a little tricky, but GPS will get you there. Plenty of parking. read more

Moderna Bar & Pizzeria - Pizza Margarita. Well prepared, good size and value. - Pizza Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Espresso martini by Diana at the bar. Moderna has a great bar to enjoy. Stop by by great drinks and pasta read more

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So ...this review is way over due. We visited Moderna on January 15th right at 5PM. I had received the info thru Yelp as a place to maybe try out and after looking at the few pictures it had at the time on Yelp, we decided to book a reservation and give it a try. Let me tell you, this place did not disappoint. Upon entering the restaurant we were approached by the hostess who was very nice. We had requested seating by the pizza oven, so we were seated. There is a huge bar with seating for about 20 people and a dining area that could easily sit 50 plus. Our waitress Evelyn came over and we placed our order for drinks. Let me start off by saying it is lovely inside. The color, the lighting and the layout are perfect for a dinner date night or a girls night out for drinks and small plates as the colors and lighting set the mood. Water was brought out with our Lemon Tini's. Wow..this drink is serious but very good. We placed our order for Scarpetta and a 1889 Margherita Pizza. The food was amazing ! The bread was delicious. And the pizza was light and full of flavor. The pizza dough was perfect. Service was spectacular! Thank you Micheal for the dough tour and Evelyn for being such a nice attentive waitress and to Joe who gave us the back history to how this place came together. We had such a nice time speaking with everyone and will definitely be back soon. If you're thinking about checking this place out don't hesitate..make a reservation! read more

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The food, the service and the personal touch by Mike, the owner, make this one of the best in town. Doni & "O.W." Wright

No walk ins! Though I understand that Valentine's Day can be busy for any restaurant...at 11:43am at a restaurant that specializes in Neapolitan style pizza, and is the size of a large dinning hall...I would think they would be able to accommodate a party of two...this was my mistake. Though the restaurant had only 4 other patrons during this time, the hostess informed us that we would be unable to dine at their establishments due to being fully booked. Our plan was simple to get 2 margarita pizzas so we could fuel up for the half marathon we were running the next day...we would have been out in 30 minutes. Was this an option that was provided...no...do I believe that they were fully booked, sure...BUT for a new restaurant that should be striving to accommodate as many people as possible to get the word out... this was a miss. As a Clarksville resident who loves Neapolitan style pizza...but rarely makes lunch reservation...looks like I will have to sadly look elsewhere. read more

This place is awesome! Went last week for dinner and as a Jersey Italian, this place ia the real deal. The red sauce is fire! I could not gwt enough of it. Each person we encountered on staff was so warm ans friendly, it felt like they were welcoming you into their home which made this east coaster feel right at home. The warm olives were divine. Even my kids devoured them. The rice balls were delightful and HUGE! Everyone loved their pastas and the ambience ia exceptional. We would have preferred not to be seated by restrooms, but really no complaints other than that. We got the pasta prepared tableside which was not only a show, but also incredibly yummy. The salad was delightful ans not overdressed. We didn't even get to try dessert because we were all so full and happy. They offered a free homemade limoncello shot to me and mt husband but we are not drinkers, but so appreciated the hospitality. They also have free valet! If you want real Italian food in a nice environment with friendly people, run, don't walk to this place! No notes. read more

So delicious! Great staff. Don't miss the tableside tagliatelle! Vodka burata pizza was scrumptious, as well as the shaved zucchini salad. Warm, friendly vibe. Free valet. read more

I love the 1889 Margherita pizza. But the basil coverage is minimal like 1 leaf per slice. Please up the basil coverage to at least 50 percent. read more

Last night was our second time eating at Moderna in the last week. Both times the food, service, and ambience were fantastic. Last night we sat at the pizza bar with the kids to watch how the pizza is made. It was a fun way to have dinner. Our three boys who don't normally eat the crust on pizza ate all the crust...the pizza is that good! Easy parking and a central location make it an convenient place to eat at, as well. read more

Moderna Bar & Pizzeria - Pizza bar - Pizza Near Me - Austin, Texas

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Excellent food! Probably one of the best meals we have had in a while. Also easy to get in and out and has free parking.. I will go back for sure.. read more

Just an overall phenomenal dining experience. We started with the Scarpetta and the Meatballs. Entrees ranged from a Classic Pizza with pepperoni to Chicken Parm to Osso Buco w Risotto .. and everything was perfect. Everything had crazy levels of flavors and felt intentional and well executed. The staff was attentive and amazing. Finished with desserts that included the best tiramisu I've ever had .. the Lemoncello Olive Oil Cake which was like no other cake I've ever tasted before and the Vanilla Gelato which wasn't as heavy as a lot of gelatos but had all the flavor and creaminess. The restaurant itself is an amazing blend of casual and comfortable but elegant. The only thing we didn't sample was the bar menu .. but there's always next time. read more

This place was so good! This GM, Art, introduced himself and was very kind and made sure we were having a great experience. Service was quick, and food all came out hot and delicious. The vibes inside were really good and felt very new and clean. We loved the chicken parm, it was extremely tender and the spaghetti it came with was all super yummy! Will be back read more

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took five kids 1. They loved all the pasta, especially the lasagna and table-side tagliatelle in the cheese wheel 2. they demolished the pizza; vodka sauce pizza was a big hit 3. chicken parm and veal Milanese was also solid This is elevated Italian, but not white table cloth... great place to take the kids and they seem to be able to handle large groups well. read more

Wow! Beautifully and tastefully done. The moment you walk in, you know you're in for something special. It's very open and the seating was comfortable and well spaced. Someplace you can have an intimate dinner without feeling like you're eating with other patrons. The staff was exceptional from the hostess to our extremely attentive server Hamlet. We started with the arancini, meatballs, and burrata caprese. All perfectly done, the fire roasted tomatoes with the burrata? Wow! All went well with the Pinot that Hamlet made sure we never lacked. We ordered more arancini with our entree it was that good. I personally had the 1889 Margherita as I think a classic like that is the perfect way to judge! Perfection. Crust was airy and somehow crispy and chewy at the same time. Excellent balance of flavors and texture. Others at the table had the prosciutto and arugula, linguine di mare, and eggplant parm. All were very happy with their choices. We topped it all off with their house made limoncello, a surprise ending! Almost forgot the bread! The scarpetta came with a prosciutto butter that blew us all away. Well done! On our way out, we got to meet Chef Leo and chat with one of the owners, Chris. Super nice people and we were happy to have met them. Chef Leo spent a good amount of time with us talking pizza and explaining the awe inspiring pizza oven you see when you walk in and all the intricacies of how it's different than any other you will see along with how it makes the pizza at Moderno unique. His reputation it well deserved and I hope this is our new spot for years to come! read more

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We enjoyed the vegetarian, allergen-Friendly menu at this restaurant offers. We were here for the pizzas and they didn't disappoint. We really enjoyed the mushroom pizza and the spicy sweet corn pizza. Note- even if you're full, don't miss the chocolate cake and the tiramisu (you won't regret it!) I took away 1 star because we were seated outside but the heater wasn't on (& it did get a bit chilly). We will be back to try more from the menu :) read more

Delicious meal great service I loved the environment great price points all around worth it the valet made it easy and accessible for parking read more

Great romantic upscale spot! Delicious food, delicious service, and trendy. Everything we got was delicious. Recommend family style.

This was the best Italian food outside of the food we had when we went to Italy. The service was amazing we will definitely go back again.

My husband and I went there last night for our 25 year anniversary and they went above and beyond to make it the best experience. The chef came out and introduced himself as well as the GM. The whole staff was friendly and helpful. The FOOD was a 10! We are definitely going back with our whole family next time. read more