Ventura&#x27;s Italian Kitchen &amp; Wine Bar

I really liked this store! We stopped in because we saw they sold coffee, and we were surprised by…read morethe variety of what we had to choose from. I ordered the Rose Vanilla Breve. It was delectable . I did not go wrong. They sold everything from regular coffee, espresso, tea, frozen lemonade, wine, beer, frozen, hot chocolate! Also, if you were hungry, they sold a few different kinds of snacks. While you were waiting on your drinks or snacks, they had a whole entire back of the store that you could look at. It had handmade items by local artists. Consisting off of things from necklaces & earrings, to photographs and shell art. What a wonderful eclectic store. I will be back if I'm in the area.

I love this place. Tried just about every coffee shop on this island during my visit and this was…read moremy favorite. Cute decor for sale. Coffee was very very good. And the service was great, super nice people.

Bridge Street entrance

Menu board

See all

Back of store

Bamboo Island Bar

4.7(220 reviews)

2.4 mi

Small plates that are amazing!! Very quaint environment perched upstairs.. yummy cocktails also!…read moreThe servers were out of this world.. could describe the food choices and make you drool!

Terrible service. We waited an hour an 45min for our food. Our water glasses went empty. Then we…read morewere served warm water with no ice. The server sat and talked to another table while we waited. We had to go to the bar for our check so we could leave. The food was terrible. What a wasted night and money!

Caipirosca

Upper room entrance

See all

Pesto Bistro & Wine Bar

4.7(100 reviews)

2.8 mi

Our top favorite restaurant. Just added a quiet piano bar. Food is delicious and hot. Feels quaint…read moreand romantic and a place to bring guests

Will return. It's more of a full restaurant than a wine bar…read more We've - Shrimp-escargot - Eggplant Napoleon - Pork osso - Toscana Sangiovese - Cerevelli Chianti The portions are large, hot, and delicious, as are the bread and pesto. I particularly like the pork: off the bone soft. Not too crazy about their wine glasses: thick and sturdy. We came from the Sarasota Open (tennis) at IMG, which is about a 10-minute drive away. The surrounding area is yet to be developed. We're happy to find this little gem. Feeling like a huge family with their daughters working the room efficiently - thanks, girls. Diners are mostly seniors. By 6:20, the inner dining area is packed.

Dining room

Bruschetta with goat cheese, made perfectly!

See all

Great vibe in the back dining room with Bar seating available

The Doctor’s Office

4.0(301 reviews)

•$$$

Absolutely -- corrected version:…read more The Doctor's Office was one of those meals where everything we ordered was memorable. Such a cool concept, but more importantly, the food and drinks absolutely delivered. We started with the Lobstercargots -- chunks of lobster baked in herbed garlic butter and served with fresh-baked focaccia for dipping. Forget escargot; this is the way to do it. The bread soaking up that garlic butter might have been worth the trip by itself. The Bistro Blue Tomato Soup was fantastic. Rich, smooth and full of flavor, with the signature syringe of Grey Goose. "Goose the soup!" Great presentation and even better soup. For the main course, the Famous Bistro Bouillabaisse was outstanding. Lobster tail, Gulf shrimp, grouper, mussels and clams in a saffron tomato broth, with more fresh-baked bread for dipping. Beautiful dish and absolutely delicious. And then there's the Street Corn Named Desire cocktail made with butter-washed tequila. What a drink! The street-corn garnish and seasoned rim make it one of the most creative cocktails I've had in a long time -- and it tastes as good as it looks. The Doctor's Office manages to be fun and clever without the concept overshadowing the food. Excellent meal, creative cocktails and great attention to detail. Definitely a place we'll come back to.

The Doctor's Office on Anna Maria Island is SUCH a cool experience. The whole concept is fun and…read morequirky--an old doctor's office turned into an intimate cocktail bar and restaurant, with so many little details that play into the theme. Service was friendly and accommodating, and they start you off with "wellness shots" which is super fun! The cocktails were creative, beautiful, and seriously good. I had the PInk Paloma Club with was equally as refreshing as it was garnished beautifullyrics. The food absolutely held its own! The lobstercargot were rich and delicious, the warm brioche rolls with maple butter were dangerously good. We tried both versions of the grouper, our entrées were beautifully presented and packed with flavor, fish cooked perfectly. Everything felt thoughtful and elevated without being stuffy. We had to finish with two dessert cocktails off the "clinical trials" menu, one was a tequila espresso martini, and one was a take on a Dubai chocolate martini. Perfect ending! The atmosphere is cozy, unique, and a little unexpected--exactly the kind of place I love finding while traveling. Definitely worth an "appointment" if you're on Anna Maria Island.

Dude who stayed too long

Duck tacos - blackberry BBQ to die for!

See all

Old fashioned, cinnamon stick that looks like a cigarette

Château 13 Restaurant & Wine Bar

4.8(220 reviews)

7.9 mi

Absolutely amazing wine and tapas type bar!!!! My husband and I have been waiting for a place like…read morethis to come to Bradenton. Awesome service, wine and food and we can't wait to spend many date nights here! A+++++ for opening night!

Always fantastic! This tony restaurant with a happening wine bar, cool high tops and cozy dining…read moreroom has a n unusual menu filled with delicious choices. The menu changes seasonally and is focused on a Mediterranean style vibe. The wine list is deep, global, and pairs well with the cuisine. The wait staff and bartenders are amazing and will always make sure your evening is special.

Bar view

Steak tartare

See all

Vino

Lazy Lobster

4.2(593 reviews)

2.3 mi

We recently visited for the first time for my husband's birthday, and overall I'd say the…read moreexperience was mixed. Right away, I was impressed by the hostesses. We got there a little early for our reservation and they were immediately ready to seat us. They even made an effort to place us near the fish tank so our toddler could watch the fish during dinner, which I really appreciated. The restaurant itself felt more intimate than I expected. I've seen reviews mention the awkward layout, but I actually thought it gave the space a cozy feel. Unfortunately, the food and service didn't fully live up to the prices. Our waiter was kind, but we barely saw him during the meal and waited quite a while for drink refills. I'd also mentioned in the reservation notes that it was my husband's birthday dinner and our first time visiting, but neither was acknowledged during dinner. Normally that wouldn't bother me much, but with the pricing and the restaurant's elevated presentation - polished uniforms, fresh seafood options, extensive wine menu - it felt like there should've been a little more attention to the overall experience. My husband did absolutely love the coleslaw that came with his fish and chips, especially the pineapple in it, which he'd never tried before. I ordered the grouper tacos and thought they were okay, but not especially satisfying. They came with a salad, and I found myself wishing I could've swapped it for fries or a heartier side. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing or misunderstood the menu options. Most of the crowd during our visit seemed older, and the restaurant definitely feels geared toward that demographic. While I don't think we'd personally rush back, I'm still glad we gave it a try. I also thought it was a nice touch that they offer a 15% discount to the ice cream shop next door if you bring your receipt.

Lets start with, restaurant lay out. It was an oddly shaped restaurant with very dated design…read more The service was ok but forced . We asked for dessert, 2 slices of key lime pie. Seemed to take forever. She only brought one slice. We had to remind her of the second slice. ..... it finally came not dressed at all. The whole meal was meh...

Dining room

Broiled Twin Tails

See all

Fried Clam Strips

The Chateau Anna Maria

4.0(152 reviews)

This was my birthday dinner and they had a placement at the table which was really nice. The food…read morewas excellent! It was very laid back, not too fancy which I appreciated. The waitress was nice but seemed like she may have been having a rough day prior to us getting there. Overall, great birthday dinner!

This is the spot to go for a delicious decadent meal with an attention to detail and service that…read moreis elevated without being uptight. The restaurant is located on the floor of a small hotel. Parking can be tricky but available. Tables vary from family style to banquettes and high tops. There is a full bar with ample seating. Florida casual attire, after all you're on an island. I started with the French Onion Soup and my husband had the escargot. Both were excellent. For dinner, I truly enjoyed the Chateaubriand which is served atop of a carrot purée and their own potato au gratin made with Bleu cheese. These unique potatoes are pie cut and blend perfectly with the meat. It's a symphony for your tastebuds. Dessert was the owner, Buddy, mom's Ricotta Cheesecake. Homemade, Yes! Decadent, Smooth and Delicious, Oh my Yes! Want more, Definitely Yes! This restaurant is a hidden treasure. Yes, it is priced at a higher rate than most restaurants in the area, but the quality and service is also at a higher standard unlike any in our area. A wonderful combination of relaxed, unpretentious and fine dining. Where friends can gather, families can make memories and love stories are built. We need them back in Sarasota. Make the reservation, take the drive to the island, to escape your reality for a couple of hours of the best meat and seafood dishes in a unique restaurant. Guarantee you will leave as part of the family.

Cute Fiance in the Entry

Unimpressive Caesar salad

See all

Entry

Freckled Fin Irish Pub

3.7(201 reviews)

Awesome neighborhood pub! They opened for the USA men's hockey game and it was packed at 8 am that…read moreSunday! Great drinks and food. Our bartender, Jordyn, was the BEST. She was our bartender on several occasions and made the best cocktails, and had the nicest personality! Can't wait to return!

Thank goodness we found this place after other dinner plans not working out. We sat outside because…read morewe had kids and the music was loud inside. But the food was great! Just wish there was no smoking allowed in the outdoor seating area

Website shows karaoke as being 7:30 - 11:30. It actually ends at 11 pm (when the bar closes.)

See all

Tons of screens.

Harry's Continental Kitchens

3.8(251 reviews)

1.9 mi

•$$$

Like most people, we visit the DELI a lot more than the formal restaurant -- They offer the most…read moredelicious soups, sandwiches and side dishes - Their macaroni salad is one of their best. BUT combined with all of that are the great people who work there and serve you daily - Our most fav is ANITRA - she has been a Harry's EE for years - She always greets you with a great smile and she is very helpful in making the best choices. If you come enough, she'll get to know you and greet you by name when you come thru the door. All the EE's are very nice but ANITRA is a special ambassador for Harry's Deli!! Enjoy!! Dick & Barb Kent - LBK/Cincinnati OH

A staple of LBK- nice for breakfast- or anytime. Good…read moreservice, great drinks- good food. Nice Sunday lunch today. Two had eggs today... I had the Pear salad with bronzed grouper. Loved mine- the grouper was fabulous. Salad was also delish- just a bit over dressed for my tastes... but still enjoyed. Lots to choose from. Love the little biscuits and bread they serve first. Could eat a whole basket of the biscuits... Waitstaff is helpful and enjoyable. Perfect day outside for a lovely lunch.

Deli counter

See all

Mimosa

Pizzano's Pizza

4.1(136 reviews)

Great pizzas!!! First time in AMI & we decided to get pizzas one night because as a group of 8 it's…read moresometimes hard to get seating at restaurants. Their pizzas are so good that we've ordered from Pizzano's 2 out of our 5 nights on the island. 10/10 highly recommend.

Pizza was like a 4.7 out of ten …read more Maybe the rest of the menu is great, but the pizza wasn't . It tasted like something you'd get from a national chain nothing terrible, it's still pizza . The experience was almost better than the pizza. We ordered a large regular pizza, and the first question was, "Do you want cheese on it?" That one caught me off guard. Then the bill arrived. A $16 pizza and three drinks somehow turned into $32.50. After pointing it out, they brought us garlic knots we never ordered, which was appreciated... but I was mostly hoping for the receipt to make sense. The place was packed, and they're the only game in town, so business is clearly good. Hopefully the rest of the menu is better than the pizza.

Things to do in Longboat Key

Mild wings

See all

Garlic Pizzano Breadsticks

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

Hundreds of millions of reviews are posted on Yelp, and our automated recommendation software works in the background to showcase the reviews that it …

5 reviews that are not currently recommended

The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Mark T.

4 years ago

So I really wanted this place to be good and understand that mistakes happen. It's all about how you recover from mistakes. We went out to dinner on Friday night at 4:45pm - it opens at 4:30pm. The server was great so no issues there but she can only work with the product she is given. Two of us had pasta and a marinara sauce with meatballs and bolognese with meatballs. The salads never came but they offered to pack us up salads to go - put the dressing on the side if take home/take out. The salad was mushy and limp as anything. Not able to eat. The pasta was cold, the sauce was cold and both dishes were bone dry. No sauce on the meatballs etc. We asked for extra sauce and we did receive - definitely hotter. So all of this is fixable but the owners lack of taking accountability etc was unreal. Emailed her and she said she was sick and would talk to staff. Nothing about being sorry - how can we fix this for you - we spent $150 and we could have made a far better dinner for 3 for under $50 at home. I emailed her or responded 3-4x to keep giving her a chance to fix it for her to only say "what is it you would like me to do?" I am sorry, if you don't know that answer as an owner you probably should not be in this business. Again, things will go wrong and I did not go straight to social media, rather tried to let her know in the hope that the owners would be educated that their product is sub par to say the least but potentially fixable. Why would sauces be cold at 4:45pm when you just opened at 4:30pm. Nothing was handled correctly and as I let the owner know - La Norma is a superior product and experience just down the street. My hope is that Ventura's would be a great option for Longboat visitors and residents but my confidence level is not very high that this establishment will survive in the long run with this type of product offering , food quality and management. It's too bad as this could have been fixed very easily. BTW - we also witnessed 2 tables send back their food as well. Disappointing food Poor presentation Poor Management read more

Taylor ..

4 years ago

AMAZING! Brand new owners who are down to earth and so accommodating. The food is really good, the best pizza in Florida. Real authentic Italian dishes. Great atmosphere and great service. I'm so happy that we have this addition to longboat key. It's a must visit!! I've been three times this week and I can easily see it becoming my favorite restaurant on the island. read more

Deb M.

110

182

3 years ago

The restaurant was having a bad night. So I can't really write a review that will provide good insight and I do not want to provide specifics. Every business has their bad nights. The owners were excellent and tried their best to right a bad situation. The reviews by others reflect that people like this place. I'll let those reviews speak for themselves. read more

Jim J.

2 years ago

Prided a pizza for pick up and it was delicious . Pizza was ready when we arrived, service was prompt. Next time going to eat in the atmosphere is very nice. read more

Martha C.

3 years ago

Went with my parents and it was very nice! nothing inherently bad but the ground was a little dirty.

Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar - italian - Updated September 2026

Best of Longboat Key

People found Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar by searching for…

People who viewed Ventura's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar also viewed

15 South Ristorante by Napule

4.0

(45 reviews)

Came here to say for an early dinner. They still had "happy hour" with $10 pizza, which we ordered…read more Pizza was pretty good. Ambience is pretty pleasant and inviting. Service was also friendly and attentive. They had a pretty decent size menu. We had linguine with clams, arugula salad and pizza. Food was pretty good. I woukd say that linguine meal was on a smaller side and had super tiny clams, was hard to eat them. Pizza was pretty decent but not amazing. Overall I would say's a solid 4 star place.

15 South has three distinct areas, outdoor seating, a dining room inside, and a live music venue…read moreupstairs with drinks and food. There was a private party upstairs when we visited last night and there were no tables available outside. It was a beautiful evening to sit outside and most diners were already taking advantage. Rather than wait we opted to sit inside. With the exception of it being quite loud, the bright dining room with a modest décor was also a nice place to dine, and our server did a top-notch job taking care of us. My wife and I decided to share our food, a Ricca Salad and a Capricciosa Pizza. We added Italian sausage to the pizza for an upcharge. The salad was fine and a good start as our pizza was being prepared. The pizza was outstanding. It brought back memories of when I learned to love the very thin crust Neapolitan style pizza we had in Italy. Full of flavor, I could have eaten slice after slice after slice after slice. This was the best pizza I have had in a long time.

Clasico Italian Chophouse

4.1

(516 reviews)

Clasico serves some of the most delicious dishes!…read more The service is quick and the staff is attentive. The place is nice as well and can get busy. Would highly recommend the carpaccio, brushetta and the braised short rib.

Stopped for an early dinner. Decided to get a steak and ordered the NY Strip cooked Medium. The…read moresteak was a little overcooked. The potato that came with it was cooked perfectly, but could have used a little more spice as it was a little bland. My daughter enjoyed her cheeseburger and wife enjoyed her Caesar salad. Our server was a little slow and didn't check on us often enough. We felt like we had to flag him down. All in it's a nice restaurant with some solid options and we would likely come back.

Cafe Gabbiano

4.2

(764 reviews)

Ambiance, food, and service were top notch! The food was amazing! We all ordered something…read moredifferent to try. The server sang to our birthday girl! It topped off this review giving it a five star!

This is where you bring family. That includes your besties…read more Even when we have reservations I don't mind waiting. The food & service, are that good. The atmosphere makes you feel like you're surrounded by family. The bathroom is clean! Thank you to everyone at Cafe Gabbiano, Especially the Chef's, and the entire kitchen staff.

Cafe Amici Downtown

3.5

(168 reviews)

Cafe Amici provides excellent service and authentic Italian food. With an extensive wine list and…read moremenu (daily specials included), there are so many great options to select from. My family especially enjoyed the stuffed poblano pepper appetizer. My branzino special was a filet in garlic and butter sauce with a side of carrots and green beans. Absolutely delicious. I included each family member's dish below. Everyone enjoyed for sure! A must visit when in Downtown Sarasota.

Great experience! The apps and entrees were incredible! Food tasted fresh & flavorful. The staff…read morewere helpful and attentive. The cooking classes in the other side looked fun as well.

La Norma Ristorante & Pizzeria

3.7

(89 reviews)

JUST WOW. If you dont eat anywhere else in LBK, eat here!!…read moreNormally we pretty much dine on seafood the entire time. Tried this place just for something different. Very small on the inside and the hours open are minimal, but WOW was the food amazing!!. Service was top notch. Watress was incredibly knowledgeable and attentive. We started with the antipasta and burrata cheese, pesto was the best part. Could put that on a shoe and eat it. Had veal saltimbocca and the chicken parm. Pasta is made in house and you can definitely tell. Veal was tinder and well presented chicken you could cut with a fork.. we were stuffed to gills.. this place will for sure be a regular spot on vacation in lbk.

By far the best meal I've had in 6yrs living on Longboat Key. I'm actually mad at myself that this…read morewas only my first visit...what an amazing, authentic Italian restaurant with reasonable prices. Bruschetta, meatballs, branzino & tiramisu all surpassed expectations

Portofino

3.9

(18 reviews)

•$$$$

Back home (finally) so we hit the club. Eric always takes care of us and tonight was no different…read more My Caesar salad was excellent as well as the bread. My salmon was cooked perfectly and accompanied with fingerling potatoes. After dinner we walked home and realized how lucky we are to be members and live on Longboat.

The bread! The olive tapenade was amazing! They also have gluten free bread upon request. Butternut…read moresquash soup was great, I do wish it would have been hotter. The filet was cooked perfectly and lots of flavor. The view of the marina is impressive and good people watching! The waitress we had was very attentive and helpful.

Villa Sorrento

4.5

(13 reviews)

A Hidden Gem in Bradenton!…read more From the outside, Villa Sorrento may look quiet and like there isn't a whole lot to see, but once you step inside, you're in for a wonderful experience. The food was absolutely phenomenal: delicious, authentic, and full of flavor. Everything came out quickly, and there was truly nothing left to be desired. The hospitality was just as impressive. The host and her daughter were warm, welcoming, and made us feel right at home. It's not often you find a place where both the food and the service stand out this much. Villa Sorrento is a true gem and definitely a place to visit when you're in Bradenton, Florida. Definitely beats our favorite place in San Diego, California! No names need be mentioned... Great job, keep doing what you're doing! Highly recommended!

Meatballs just ok nothing special, stuffed shells and fettuccine with garlic and oil the same ,…read morebig portions but still nothing stood out as far as flavor was concerned service seemed a bit slow within a nice little 10 table restaurant casual ambiance

The Fountain Kitchen & Wine Bar

4.1

(133 reviews)

On the way to the Berns Court theater decided to try this place. My wife ordered a pizza and I…read moreordered a cheeseless pizza and they made us two great pizzas they were small, which is just what we wanted and they were flavorful waitress was a young girl. Very nice easy five star

So Julia and Tatiana provided great service and hospitality…read more But.... Starting a breakfast program shouldn't make me drink warm wine You shouldn't take the wine out of the wine fridge t store your milk for breakfast

Fav's Italian Cucina

4.1

(164 reviews)