Mezza Luna
 

We've been wanting to eat there since we heard good things about the food but hadn't gotten there until today.

Let me preface this by telling you I worked for a Mom and Pop Italian restaurant for 7 years in Tampa back in the 70's. The owners were straight from Italy and knew how to make great sauce and food. So I have a wonderful comparison and I've done nothing but come up short on decent Italian restaurants around here.

We waited for about 15 minutes before I finally asked the waitress if we could have some bread and olive oil dipping sauce. Some one mentioned in another post, that they always have plenty of this behind the bar. Apparently at the table you won't get it unless you ask. By the time the waitress brought it out, our food was already on the table. The bread was warm and very good, but the dipping sauce seemed to be a butter garlic sauce with some parmesan cheese thrown in it....very heavy and not light like olive oil with seasonings.

The red sauce did have a great flavor to it and I'm not one who usually eats red sauce. I had the eggplant parm and my hubby had the chicken parm (about all he'll usually get in any Italian rest.). The portions were VERY generous, However, I hate to see watery sauce peeking out from around my pasta. I probably could have poured a 1/4 cup of water off the pasta. Next the eggplant parm was loaded with cheese and very mushy. If it had been breaded, you'd never know it. All you could taste was cheese and sauce.

Since price is an issue to any business, I would have preferred a SMALLER portion and a small salad before the main course.

They really didn't have anything fantastic or out of the ordinary. I didn't even see bricole on the menu. It was your basic Italian fare. I doubt we'll ever go back, but at least now we don't have to wonder how it is!

Yawn!:icon_hungry:

I was about to ask which is better Mezza Luna or Ricciardis. I understand a third Italian restaurant will be arriving in May, Chefs of Napoli which has very nice reviews.

Shcisa - was wondering the same thing.

had dinner tonight with my wife. Everything was excellent from the soup to the entree. Best place to eat in the Villages.

Mission impossible!
 

If everyone has been reading the myriad of restaurant reviews posted herein, it should be obvious that you should quit wasting your time and roll the dice. Take that big leap, ignore the reviews and just try each bistro as it opens. That is the only way to know for sure.

The Villages is a melting pot of regional tastes and varying levels of expectations. The only two restaurants with consistently good reviews are Vic's Embers Supper Club and The Fisherman. Every other place ranges from disgusting to superb, and that is often all at the same eatery.

Bon Appetit!

All I can add is Amen

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

I didn't even see bricole on the menu................What do you think that would cost????!!!

I think it's spelled Braccciole. I have never seen it on an Italian menu I think it's a homey dish, like sausage and peppers.

Back on topic!!!

I've eaten at Mezza Luna quite a few times in the past 3 weeks, although my first take-out order a while ago was unimpressive, I thought I would give them another chance.

Thankfully, I've had very good experiences with them now. They've brought in a very good garlic bread, replacing that bland bread I had with my original order. I've had the Chicken Parm, Veal Marsala and Veal Piccata, all came with a delicious angel hair pasta. I've been very impressed with the improvement in the food and presentation, and the service has been superb.

Its kinda nice to have an elegant restaurant so close to home that you can be proud to bring visiting friends.

We go to Mezza Luna quite often. They have very good food. I love the stromboli !!

In NJ my local supermarket has braciole already made in the fresh meat case. Over the years I have looked in all areas and supermarkets in Florida and have never seen it. Now that we are moving here..does anyone know where I can buy it locally? Have already checked the local supermarkets to no avail. I can't be the only one who would love to buy it!

where is The Fisherman ??

It's in Inverness.

I think that all restaurants have good nights and bad nights and that everyone's taste is different. If you want to know if the food is good - go there yourself and taste. Go for yourself - take a chance - live a little - you probably will be surprised.

The Fisherman is located on Hwy 44 just east of Inverness. As you head west, it is located on your right. Don't blink or you will miss it. About 1/4 mile east of The Fisherman, you will see a tiny bright orange camping trailer on your right. The next business is The Fisherman.

Looks like nothing special from the exterior, but it is a very nice, homey, clean restaurant. It has a very loyal clientele dating back about 30 years. Robin and I have been eating there regularly for the last 12 years. Super cheeseburgers, homemade sweet potato chips, etc.

Italian food is my favorite- I was unimpressed with Mezza Luna (at lunch)- poor service and bland food. Just ate at Ricciardis and can't wait to go back! Loved the food, service, decor, and wine. A little price-y- but don't mind paying a little extra for an exceptional meal!:bigbow:

The Fisherman
 

Where is "The Fisherman"? I googled it and didn't come up with it.

I agree with your comment, especially the part about the range of restaurants. Not sure where The Fisherman is but Vic's burned down in January. I loved that restaurant.

This might be The Fisherman.

Fishermans

Trip Advisor

meza luna
 

Ate their very recently. the food was good. the service deplorable. had to beg for bread. no olive oil for dipping. 1 of our party ordered salmon and received chicken. I spoke to owner abut the experience. He apologized for server, James, who also had an attitude. About the wrong order, he absurdly offered to reduce the price of his chicken 10%. I was floored. The food took too long to wait for the proper order . Given the history and posts to this website, they can not last long.

We and our friends around will vote with our feet.

See post #20 in this thread.

Loved Ricciardis every time we went. Food is superb. Better than Mezza Lunas.

Had Grouper Cheeks there this week. Very tasty.

had an excellent meal at mezza luna; attentive staff, fast service, great good. even had dessert as we did not want to leave. and ricciardi's.......more than disappointing, but that is due to a lack of effective general management. when a manager refuses to come to a table to resolve an issue, and sends the server back to re-present the bill (no adjustments), well that is just wrong.

And please don't forget the $8.00 fee to split an entrée!!! Ughhhhh

Really? $8.00??? Just lost me.

Have eaten at Mezza Luna twice and won't hesitate to return. Loved the food!

We have been to MezzaLuna twice now. Very good food, nice atmosphere and service was good. No complaints. We would definitely go again! Also, great cosmos!

Braciale
 

Publix sells the thin sirloin strips to make it. If it is not in the case, just ask at the meat counter to make you some. It is a very easy recipe to make and don't forget the string to tie them with.

I also buy pork braciale already made when I go down to Palm Harbor. There is an Italian pork store. I understand there is an Italian pork store in Ocala, but I do not know where. I am sure one of the TOTV members would know.

Ever heard of leftovers?
By the time we have salad and bread we are almost full. We each brought home half an entree and got 2 more meals each out of it.
Either buy the entree or pay a split plate charge.
Your choice.
Seems fair.

I'll add that we recently went there as a group of 5 couples, with 5 separate checks, and we were not even sitting together as couples...you know women at one end of the table and men at the other. All our orders were correct as were the checks. The food was fine, not the best Italian but good. My husband and I did share a meal and we were informed of the $8.00 split plate charge which was fine. However, you each get your own bowl of soup, or salad, with that split so given that a bowl of soup is probably $4.00, it was really more like a $4.00 charge. I will say that this is the only restaurant I have encountered recently that does charge, but it all worked out and a good time was had by all.

You cant beat Olive Garden

I like Olive Garden. Love the salad, hubby loves the zuppa tuscana soup !