La Trattoria is truly a gem in the heart of Old Cloverdale. While I don't personally know the…read moreowners, it's clear they are fully committed to serving this community. They aren't afraid to take on a high volume of orders--even during a busy dinner service. I experienced this firsthand while dining one evening when more than 30 pizza orders came in, yet we still received excellent, attentive service. Our meals were perfect. They may be a small team, but they are incredibly efficient and dedicated. They go out of their way to ensure call-in orders are ready on time, and their attention to customers never wavers.

Disappointing Experience at La Trattoria - Birthday Celebration…read moreWe dined at La Trattoria on Saturday, August 22, 2026, to celebrate two birthdays. We made reservations in advance and arrived early, expecting a nice evening to celebrate. Unfortunately, the experience started off poorly with the hostess. When we explained that we had reservations and had arrived early, she responded, "Oh, it doesn't matter, we're not busy." She initially walked us to a larger round table, placed the menus down, and moved a chair. She then said, "Oh, not there, but this table," and moved us to a much smaller table crammed up against a party of eight who were also having dinner and celebrating. What was especially frustrating was that the larger table remained empty for our entire visit. It would have been much more comfortable and appropriate to seat us there rather than have us practically sitting on top of another party. Our waitress, Kennedy B., eventually came over and explained one special that wasn't on the menu. We ordered drinks and took some time to look over the menu. The drinks took quite a while, despite the fact that we could see them sitting on the counter. We decided to go ahead and order our entrees while waiting. We ordered the Hero Sandwich with fries, Lasagna with salad, Frutti di Mare with salad, and Chicken Piccata. We were also asked if we wanted bread with our meal, which we did. Unfortunately, the bread that arrived was extremely hard and tasted as though it had been sitting around and was leftover. The salads arrived before the entrees, followed eventually by our meals. While our waitress was setting down the entrees, she began picking up our salads without asking whether we were finished. I had to tell her, "No, I'm not done." Basic table service should include asking before removing someone's plate. Unfortunately, the food itself was also disappointing. The lasagna was bland and had very little filling. There was hardly any meat or ricotta, and it lacked flavor. It honestly tasted more like sauce from a jar than a properly prepared Italian lasagna. The Frutti di Mare was just okay, but it was swimming in an excessive amount of liquid. More concerning, the octopus did not taste fresh and seemed spoiled. The Chicken Piccata was another disappointment. We didn't realize when ordering that the dish came with a choice of salad or pasta rather than pasta being included with the meal. This was never explained to us. In my experience, pasta is commonly served with Chicken Piccata at an Italian restaurant, so this was an unexpected presentation. The chicken itself was dry, and there were an excessive number of capers--far more than necessary. We ordered another round of drinks, and once again we could see them sitting on the counter. Approximately seven minutes passed before they were brought to our table, even though the restaurant was not busy. We also overheard the table next to us trying to order different desserts. They eventually had to ask, "What do you have?" because it seemed there were very limited dessert options. That certainly didn't leave us feeling like we were at a restaurant prepared to provide a complete dining experience. Overall, this was a very disappointing experience, especially because we were there celebrating two birthdays. The service was slow and inattentive, the food was inconsistent and disappointing, and some basic details that should have been explained were not. The waitress was fortunate to receive the tip she did, considering the overall level of service. The restaurant is located in a nice area with beautiful homes surrounding it, but unfortunately, the restaurant itself left a lot to be desired. For a restaurant presenting itself as Italian, we expected much better food, service, and attention to detail. Sadly, our birthday celebration at La Trattoria was not the enjoyable evening we had anticipated.

I was there today for lunch because I have been craving for some De Palma's Spaghetti with…read moreMeatballs, my usual dish, I never get tired of this wonderful dish along with their garlic bread, I don't mind driving 1hr 19 minutes one way just to eat there. Service is fast, the server is very attentive, the ambiance is like you're in little Italy. I will keep coming back!!

Today we were invited to a late lunch at DePalma's with some friends after the Alabama-Kentucky…read morebasketball game. For us Bama fans, the afternoon turned out far better than what the football team put on the field a few days earlier. The basketball team showed up ready to play and made up for that New Year's Day disappointment. But let's be honest--we were really here for Italian food, and DePalma's was happy to oblige. It had been over a year since we last stepped inside this establishment, not because of any past experiences, but simply because this place stays busy. On a typical weekend, folks are packed in here like cordwood, and the sidewalk outside looks like someone kicked over an ant farm. That said, there's a reason for the crowd--DePalma's consistently delivers good Italian eats. The old building still carries plenty of character, with wine bottles lining the walls and the nostalgic bar where an old pharmacy once served Coke and a smile. These days, instead of sodas and prescriptions, they're rolling dough and making pasta behind that same bar, and I'd say that's a pretty solid upgrade. We started with the stuffed mushrooms, which were outstanding. When we finished, the plate was so clean you could've put it back in the cabinet--only a few grains of salt remained as evidence they were ever there. For my meal, I ordered the pine nut-crusted salmon along with a Caesar salad. It was my first time having their salmon, and it definitely won't be my last. The dish was excellent--well-prepared, flavorful, and proof that stepping outside your usual order at DePalma's can pay off. I've eaten here many times over the years and can honestly say I've never had a bad experience. Great food, great service, and great company--even the Kentucky fans who made the trip down to watch their beloved Cats get smacked around on the hardwood. All in all, DePalma's remains a Tuscaloosa staple for a reason. Crowded? Usually. Worth it? Absolutely.

I stopped by Trattoria ZaZa for brunch on Sunday after church, and overall, I had a really…read moreenjoyable experience. There was a bit of a wait before my order was taken, but honestly, it worked out in my favor because it gave me plenty of time to look over the menu. There were so many tempting options that it was honestly hard to decide! I ultimately chose three items and enjoyed a few bites of each. Ham & Fontina Scone: This was my first time trying a scone, and I was pleasantly surprised. The texture reminded me of a dry biscuit, but the ham added a delicious savory flavor that I really enjoyed. Frittata Plate: The frittata was SO good! It wasn't too dry, and all of the flavors worked really well together. It was served with polenta, which reminded me of really fine grits, along with fruit. After trying it, I realized that one entrée would definitely be enough for me to enjoy on its own. Breakfast 'ZA: This was essentially a breakfast pizza topped with a fried egg, and the egg was such a nice touch. The 'ZA itself was really good, although I think adding something similar to a gravy or sauce would make it a little less dry. Even without it, though, the fried egg really took it to another level. Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso: I decided to try the Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, which was the barista's pick. This was my first time having a shaken espresso, and I'm so glad I gave it a try! It was refreshing and perfect for a hot day. The inside of Trattoria ZaZa is nice, although it is somewhat small, so I opted to sit outside. It was a very warm day, but the awning provided plenty of shade and made the outdoor seating comfortable. I also appreciated that, even though the restaurant doesn't have traditional table service, someone periodically checked on me to make sure I didn't need anything else. Overall, I had a great brunch experience at Trattoria ZaZa. There were plenty of menu options, the food was flavorful, and I really enjoyed trying a few things that were new to me. I'd definitely be open to coming back and trying more of the menu!

We came for dinner before a show down the street at the Lyric. First time here. She had the baked…read moremacaroni and cheese with vegetables added and absolutely loved it. I had the daily special, which was a broken lasagna. Also very, very good. Mixed greens on the side rounded out our table. The pizza looked very good and reminded us of pizza in a shop we love in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. It's walk up service, no ordering from your table, which was fine. The menu has a nice variety. The store is a downtown casual vibe. We probably should've opted for outdoor seating, because the evening was so nice.

if you're from out of town and love pizza, but sometimes find it hard to decide which pizza place…read morelooks best AND if you like classic New York style pizza that has the delightful balance of foldability in the pie and a slight crispy char'd crust, then don't waste your time shopping around. Many times I have gotten to my hotel room, eager to eat a fresh pie, only to be utterly disappointed. i wasn't disappointed this evening. Locals should support this place for the community and journeyers need not be afraid. Generous with the toppings but not overzealous either. Nice balance in each bite. Enjoy.

My wife and I came by here for the first time for dinner. In particular we were mainly interested…read morebecause they sell Pizza By the Slice and it has a good star rating on Google. Well, upon arriving, the pizzas that were out and available for the pizza by the slice option were not appealing to the eye at all. They unfortunately looked like they had been sitting out for hours. Dry and no signs of being fresh whatsoever. Not to mention we spotted multiple flies crawling on the pizzas and the other food out on the "display" area. Because of this, we quickly changed our mind and almost walked out but still decided to give it a chance by ordering a pizza fresh. As far as the customer service goes, the lady who helped us was very kind. Additionally, we were able to order a half and half pizza (Half Margherita and Half Supreme) and we liked having that as an option. The pizza was done and ready to go within about 10 min. We took the pizza as carry out to eat at home. As far as the taste, it was okay. It wasn't bad but it also wasn't great. The flavor was average. I did question the freshness of the ingredients after experiencing how the other pizza and items were displayed by the checkout counter. Overall, unfortunately we did not have a great first impression/experience and therefore we don't see ourselves going back.

This was the perfect dinner to carb‑load the night before our big 23‑mile hike, and it did not…read moredisappoint! We started with the baked feta dip, and as always, you can't go wrong--it arrived still bubbling at the table and was absolutely delicious. We each followed up with salads and pasta dishes, all of which we thoroughly enjoyed. The portion sizes were generous enough that we even had leftovers to take to‑go, which is always a win. The staff were incredibly friendly and helpful, offering recommendations when we had questions about the drink menu. Our server checked in on us multiple times and made us feel genuinely valued as guests. Great food, great service, and exactly what we needed to fuel up for the next day.

Everything was so fresh and a 10/10! From the friendly wait staff to the delicious food. We ate so…read moremuch we didn't have room for dessert but we knew we had to try it and at least get to go, that was the best idea ever. The manicotti pasta was a first for me and reminded me of an Italian enchilada ha! Paired with the meatballs it was so good. I guess you could say it's a whole in the wall and it's definitely worth trying!

a quick, casual meal. I always get the Classic with the potato soup, and it never disappoints. The…read morelittle cookie they give you is so good, and all of their drinks are great too. The only thing is that sometimes the food can make you feel a little queasy afterward, but honestly, it's still super tasty and worth it. The restaurant itself is clean, cute, and laid-back -- a nice, easy spot for lunch or a light dinner. Overall, a dependable, delicious place if you're craving chicken salad and a chill atmospher

Perfect for solo dining, casual date night, or family outings. I enjoy dining here by myself. The…read morewindows offer plenty of lighting wherever you sit. I always get the classic carol and mac & cheese and I am never disappointed! The chicken salads are great with the complimentary crackers and the mac & cheese is perfectly creamy! Prepare to spend $10-20 per person. Perfect portion sizes that leave you satisfied! The staff are always friendly and helpful.

Lé Fresca has been on the "must try" list for a while, but we often forget about it because you…read morehave to call for a reservation instead of the usual Resy or Open Table apps. Anyway, I finally called and made a reservation with the friendly person who answered. I even called back to change the reservation time and they were very accommodating. The restaurant is located in the downtown Birmingham area and there's lots of street parking and a pay lot about a block away. They do not offer valet service, but this wasn't a big deal on this particular weekday evening. We were promptly seated by the host who was stationed outside. Water arrived and shortly thereafter our server, Marco, appeared. She was very friendly and gave us a quick run down of the menu offerings and answered any questions we had without hesitation. We started with the arancini, and for entrees chose the rainbow trout with seasonal vegetables and the tagliatelle al funghi. Everything was super fresh and delicious. Nothing to complain about this experience. It checks all the important boxes... good food, friendly service and an inviting atmosphere. We will definitely return to support this locally owned Italian restaurant. I will note that there are more menu options and specials available than you'll find on the online menu.

Don't walk, RUN! This place was absolutely amazing. My friend and I sat at the bar, and the…read morebartender was phenomenal, she was knowledgeable about the menu and made some incredibly refreshing cocktails. The staff and owner were also very welcoming and friendly. The food was fresh, flavorful, and authentic. The ambiance was dark, cozy, and perfect for a relaxing meal. And you HAVE to try the White Banana Bread ..it was unbelievable! I'm a picky eater, so that says a lot. I'm so glad we stopped here for lunch and would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a great dining experience.

Service is great. Manager and bartenders made the experience perfect. Oh yeah. Food was great too.read more

The restaurant is bright and airy and is welcoming from the minute you walk in the doors. The bar…read moreis nice and big so you can sit either inside or outside and get attentive service. The servers are all professional and give great recommendations. Our server, John (sp?), was terrific. He suggested I add a side of hot honey for the Funghi pizza, definitely do it. It's great! The lasagna was nice, but if you're not a fan of Italian sausage and fennel, this is not the lasagna for you. The Ricotta Cavatelli is that star of the show for our lunch. It is so light and tasty. You can't go wrong eating here for lunch or dinner. The Caesar salad is big enough to split with 2 others to make it into a side salad.

Luxurious, lively, Italian dining! Expect a full experience and all the people watching you could…read morewant! A divine wine list and scrumptious apps to start off. The hits were the Lamb Chops and the Branzino, with nods to the Halibut and Seafood Pasta special, Lasagna, and Mushroom Pasta. A perfect setting for a lively group or celebrating a special occasion!

Fantastic food, service and atmosphere! It's loud, which wasn't good for my 80+ yr-old dad, but…read morevery good experience overall. Great wine list, as well.