Are there any good Italian restaurants around?

[Talk Host]

;D

[Donna]

Hey Jan,
You live here full time, you have to tell us!! LOL ;D

[LG]

Govanni's in Southern Trace is GREAT as is Little Joey's Baily Plazza :#1:

[deej]

We like Dominic's... Good food, good pizza, good service, friendly bar... perfect on a hot summer day..!

[Frank2]

In Leesburg, Naples is among the better Italian restaurants.

Enjoy. :bigthumbsup:

[Patty]

My preference is for the calamari at Giovanni's over Little Joey's. For caesar salad, my preference is Isabella's. Although Isabellas is not Italian per se, it is mediterranean and has a variety of Greek, Italian, Spanish tapas, etc.

[villager99]

giovanni's in southern trace, dominics in sumter landing, mom's and dad's in lady lake(delivers to villages via go go gourmet)

[zcaveman]

I always liked Augustines. Unfortunately it is gone. Dominic's had very weak marinara sauce and tough sausages. Never went back.

[opbob77]

The concensus among us Italians is the Naples Resturant in Leesburg.

[Frank2]

Opbob,

:agree:

Oh, no.. now the secret is out!

However, I hope eveyone has a chance to enjoy the great cuisine and reasonable prices at Naples. :bigthumbsup:

[JUREK]

NAPLES IN LEESBURG BELLA LUNA IN OCALA :bigthumbsup: :bigthumbsup:

[maurgino]

My 2 favorite Italian restaurants are Giovannis in the villages and Little Joey's on 27/441

[rdhdleo]

We've never tried Naples yet will have to do that! Augustine's was the absolute worst food I have ever had, we even gave it a second and third chance and each time it was horrible. Prego out of a jar was better. We have never had a bad dinner at Dominics and have eaten there many times. Their garlic bread twists are to die for. Svc. has been slow a couple of times but I think like many restaurants in the Villages turnover of help sometimes leaves them shorthanded. Giovannis is pretty good, Little Joey's is good value nice place but Phil's in Belleview (suddenly gone) was wonderful!!!!

[Fallchicks2]

javascript:void(0); with Frank. I vote for Naples!
javascript:void(0);

[Taltarzac]

I always liked Augustines. Unfortunately it is gone. Dominic's had very weak marinara sauce and tough sausages. Never went back.


Thought Dominics was very average food while the price seemed anything but average, i.e. high for the quality of food. I have only been there once though.

I like the little pizzas at Katie Belles. Anyone else like those? They seem reasonably priced too.

[henryconnie]

???Really good Italian restaurants ??? Maybe Carrabbas comes close. Why aren't there any restaurants that have real Italian bread? Most of the breads are soft, like hot dog rolls, and smothered with garlic and oil, so you don't notice they're not really Italian breads. But, Hey, this is not New York, or Philly, so you take what you can get.

[mdspchldy1]

Naples is probably the best around. Delicious food, large portions, and good service. It can't be beat. Giovanni's is good if you want to stay local.

[zcaveman]

Had the chicken cacciatore at Olive Garden in Ocala on rt 200 yesterday. Very rich marinara sauce and a great tasting piece of chicken encrusted in a tasty shell. Great salad and bread sticks.

[ashines]

Isabella's was about the worse overpriced food I ever ate. Of the ten at our table all agreed to never go back.

[jadebox]

Try Pasta Faire on north 441 near KMart.

[gingersmom]

Pasta Faire was like eating cardboard. Try Bella Luna in Ocala or Goodfellows in Bellview.

[MSNPA]

I'm repeating what someone else said - Naples in Leesburg is great. I judge good Italian by the sauce and their sauce is the best.

[JUREK]

I agree Naples in Leesburg and Bella Luna in Ocala.
Both excellent :agree: :agree:

[nhsnowbird]

Olive Garden is my all time favorite. No matter where you are (tried NH, NJ, and PA), you know what you are getting. I've never been disappointed.

Pat :)

[Russ_Boston]

There is no way i could call Olive Garden my favorite Italian restaurant. Not with all the fine places in the North End of Boston or even Federal Hill in Providence.

BUT - OG is certainly consistant. Not great but very good.

[Skip]

Little Italy (hands down)!

Skip

[EYANKOWSKI]

THE OLIVE GARDENS MUST BE DIFFERENT IN FLORIDA I WENT TO ONE IN LONG ISLAND
AND ONCE WAS MORE THAN ENOUGH

[Russ_Boston]

Skip - Little Italy (in NYC of course) is a big disappointment now. It's mainly become a Chinese location with fewer and fewer Italian restaraunts. The Chinese restaurants are good but Little Italy is certainly not the same culture that is was years ago.

Boston's North end (its Little Italy) has remained mostly true to its roots and there are still dozens of relatively small true Italian restaurants.

[Skip]

Skip - Little Italy (in NYC of course) is a big disappointment now.
Boston's North end (its Little Italy) has remained mostly true to its roots and there are still dozens of relatively small true Italian restaurants.


No - Little Italy in Inverness.

Skip

[KathieI]

Russ, its been 30 years since I lived in Manhattan and I'm not sure about this, but the Italian restaurants may have moved more towards the west village. 2 years ago was there on business and took a taxi from Jacob Javits south towards the village. Stopped the cab in front of 2 small Italian restaurants and after reviewing the specials, went into 1 that had only about 10 tables. Of course, I sat facing the front door.....

It was utterly fantastic. After so much food and lots of authentic red Italian wine (not Californian), I was very very happy.

So bottom line, I think they're still there but perhaps not in abundance as they used to be. But you can't beat that food... dreaming. Now I have to go eat sprouts!!!

[MMC24]

Regrettably, There are no authentic Italian restaurants in or near TV. No self respecting Italian food aficionado would think that the Olive Garden is one. I will admit that they do have great salad and breadsticks. Following that logic, Burger King sells a Chicken Parm. sandwich, does that make them an Italian Restaurant too?

My wife and I are on a mission to find a good Italian Restaurant. We did find a very respectable one in Clearwater, Fl a couple of years ago but haven't been back in that area in a while.

[Talk Host]

Regrettably, There are no authentic Italian restaurants in or near TV. No self respecting Italian food aficionado would think that the Olive Garden is one. I will admit that they do have great salad and breadsticks. Following that logic, Burger King sells a Chicken Parm. sandwich, does that make them an Italian Restaurant too?

My wife and I are on a mission to find a good Italian Restaurant. We did find a very respectable one in Clearwater, Fl a couple of years ago but haven't been back in that area in a while.




Check out "Antonio's" or "Enzo's on the Lake". Both in Orlando

[MMC24]

Jan:

Thanks for the two suggestions. We will check them out next time we are in the Orlando area.

[ejp52]

http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0199
Very good Italian,even better than Naples in Leesburg.

[algi45]

I'll have to try Naples--thanks for the tip. Giovanni's can be good at times, but probably not on a weekend during "season." Ask for your pasta al dente, or else you'll get it overcooked ("scotto"). The Italian-American food down South just isn't as good as it is up North.

[Frank2]

If you're willing to go to Orland try Bucca De Beppo, at the mall. In fact, just viewing the web site makes me hungry.

[MMC24]

http://www.maggianos.com/locations/detail.asp?unit_id=001.025.0199
Very good Italian,even better than Naples in Leesburg.


Maggianos is very good BUT their proportions are just too large. A dogie bag is not an option if you are traveling.

[Russ_Boston]

For a chain Italian we like Brio's Tuscan Grille at the Millenia Mall in Orlando.

[woody]

Angelo's in Tavares is very good. I think Little Italy in Inverness is way over-priced

[vitacr]

I'm Italian, and critical about restaurant Italian food. Try the Baked Ziti at Bravo's in Lake Sumter Landing - made with "fresh" sauce and 3 cheeses, served with salad and garlic knots all for $6.95. It's as good as I make. Give it a try - we'll meet you there.

[Skip]

I think Little Italy in Inverness is way over-priced


It's a show with 7 courses and free wine. You get what you pay for.

Skip

[MMC24]

Dominic's has the absolute best garlic knots anywhere in the free world but the rest of their menu is average.

[chuckinca]

That's for sure and not only I-A but the seafood in New England is the best in the States.

barb1191



Our sea is bigger than your sea; our sea food is good too

[Rokinronda]

Heard Naples was the best. Mom and Dads was good but overpriced. I used to make my own "gravy" italian recipe from Gramma Bastianelli! , then found the best bottled ever. Original CLUB 400 RI recipe!! I order it by the case from RI. Perfect for my veal parm, lasagna, my meatballs, add pork and beef and simmer!!! Found Italian bread at Sweet bay and good pepperoni! YUM just finished my last bottle!! Thanks for the reminder! http://porinos.stores.yahoo.net/ Porinos beef and pork flavor is best. I'm a great cook with 25 years watching some great chefs....need ideas? ex. melt some bleu cheese in brown gravy for a great sauce for steak!! enjoy!

[Rokinronda]

um? Spaghetti? We are having BBQ pulled pork sandwiches mmmmm I love my crock pot for this!!

[Willaim]

We also like Takis,good portions and reasonable priceing.
Second to Naples is the Greek salad

[inholmdel]

There are few . Best one I have found is Cafe Gianni in Eustice.
Try it - food is excellent even though palce is small.

[Jullie]

I vote for Naples! Good food & the price is good. We go there at LEAST 2-3 times a month. ;D

[angnypd]

I like the food at Bravos at Lake Sumter Landing. That goes for the pizza and their dinners.

[Muncle]

Heard Naples was the best. Mom and Dads was good but overpriced. I used to make my own "gravy" italian recipe from Gramma Bastianelli! , then found the best bottled ever. Original CLUB 400 RI recipe!! I order it by the case from RI. Perfect for my veal parm, lasagna, my meatballs, add pork and beef and simmer!!! Found Italian bread at Sweet bay and good pepperoni! YUM just finished my last bottle!! Thanks for the reminder! http://porinos.stores.yahoo.net/ Porinos beef and pork flavor is best. I'm a great cook with 25 years watching some great chefs....need ideas? ex. melt some bleu cheese in brown gravy for a great sauce for steak!! enjoy!


What a great idea for the steak sauce. I'll have to be careful not to put too much cheese in, but it sounds really good. I love to take regular stuff and combine it to form something different. And I get on kicks --- I was on a steak butter roll(?) for awhile years ago. I mixed butter with just about every spice and tried it on all form of meat. Most were quite good. Some just interesting.

[tucson]

BRAVO'S is the best in the villages. I was told by one of the waiters that the owners are from NYC and I think that's why they stand out from the others.

[nONIE]

We love Carraba's! Their lobster stuffed ravioli is to die for! Yummmmmmm!

[Donna]

BRAVO'S is the best in the villages. I was told by one of the waiters that the owners are from NYC and I think that's why they stand out from the others.


I like Bravos, they have good eggplant parm, and pizza..No one makes pizza like the places in NY..They need the NY water with every one, http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/didisaythat.gif (http://www.millan.net)..I mean every thing, floating it it...

[nONIE]

1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl 1rnfl

[francesco]

There is no better then my kitchen !

[Donna]

Your kitchen sounds great...Pizza...

[engriel@comcast.net]

Sorry I can't make a recommendation but if you haven't checked out the Villages Gourmet restaurant review, that would be a good place to start. I can say I always find Carabas (not positive of spelling) to be good, definitely better than the Olive Garden.

[ricthemic]

regarding italian food and with a name like ricthemic ....and fortunately married to a sicilian who is a great cook...
russ is right boston's north end is the best that i know of. however between bravos, olive garden, carrabas, (red sauce , i've never been) giovanes (sp) etc.. and my wife's cooking guess what, i love being in TV and love dining out in my golf cart. NO WAY are we interested in driving twenty, thirty, forty plus miles each way for any type of food. i could be and probably am wrong but if these places like naples are so good why don't they open a place here..
two months ago our neighborhood drove twenty miles north to mimi's cafe then drove home in the pitch dark on a seemingly deserted road next to rte 75. food was ok but no different than any other chain like olive garden or macaroni grille just my opinion but not way worth the trip but maybe your not married to a great italian cook.

[BernieJr]

What about Red Sauce? I think their meals are very good.

[lightworker888]

We just had a great shrimp and pasta dinner last night at Giovanni's. It was so good that we are planning to go again to try their pizza. I am fairly fussy about the butter and garlic sauce and this was delicious and the shrimp were big and cooked just right. And the homemade pasta was lovely. A real treat. I'm enjoying it again, just writing about it!

LW888

[zcaveman]

My wife and I have tried a number of the places mentioned that are cart accessible and car accessible. We still prefer Olive Garden over all of the choices.

[vegmum]

Yes, I think Red Sauce is a great choice for Italian in the Villages!

[Mallory]

Don't forget Traditions Cafe in Wildwood for excellent lasagna and chicken parm among other Italian entress. Quiet, not rushed, white table cloth restaurant. Closed Sunday & Monday; open for lunch and dinner.

Well worth the car trip to Wildwood - about 3 miles west on 466A from Buena Vista and 1 mile south on 301.

[Bosoxfan]

There is no way i could call Olive Garden my favorite Italian restaurant. Not with all the fine places in the North End of Boston or even Federal Hill in Providence.

BUT - OG is certainly consistant. Not great but very good.

:agree:Never been to fedral hill but La famiglia in the north end of beantown is my favorite..and by the way pizza in florida isn't good at all!!:yuck::yuck: I miss good pizza :cry:

[Bosoxfan]

BRAVO'S is the best in the villages. I was told by one of the waiters that the owners are from NYC and I think that's why they stand out from the others.
Mrs.Bosoxfan & I went to Bravo and absolutely disagree!!We had a pizza that wasn't good at all & was on the expensive side.Never tried anything but their pizza & don't intend on doing so !!barfbarf

[nONIE]

I just gotta brag!:blahblahblah: STAVRO'S in Leesburg has absolutely the best Italian food I have had in this area. The food was incredible, they give you huge portions, and it was very inexpensive. Definitely worth the ride!!

[zcaveman]

What is it about Italian food that makes it the best for you? Flavor, presentation, etc? I have eaten at many Italian restaurants and it sees that some go for each.

One of the best Italian restaurants I ate at was Don's 21 in Newark. But the best meal I had there was the Chicken Murphy - chicken with hot cherry peppers - not necessarily an Italian dish.

I judge the Italian restaurants by their Chicken Parmesan. Olive Garden has a crisp and tasty Chicken Parmesan - much tastier than Carrabba's.

Bravos is too expensive and pedestrian for me.

Little Joey's Chicken Parm was soggy. Napoili's (in Spanish Plaines) was tasteless and inconsistent - one entrée got a salad and the other entrée did not. Go figure.

[bluedog103]

I know and Italian chef in New York who refuses to put chicken parm on the menu. He considers it too pedestrian. He considers is pizzeria food. He also doesn't serve pizza. Same reason. He has definite thoughts about what should be served in an upscale Italian restaurant. His menu constantly changes but even though some customers have asked for these items, and he will make chicken parm as a special order, he never puts them on the menu. His restaurant is always busy.