La Trattoria Restaurant Da Gaetano
2152 Main St, Dunedin, FL, 34698
La Trattoria Restaurant Da Gaetano Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Dunedin for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Dunedin for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant cholesterol menu details.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
2152 Main St
Dunedin, FL, 34698 - Phone (727) 733-5664
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : No
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : No
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Bob L.
Remember that AMAZING dish your Italian Nana made? - It's here! My family has been eating at La Trattoria for nearly 10 years now (which would never happen if it weren't awesome), and I had fallen into a rut of regularly ordering one of the same handful of delicious dishes (it's easy to do when things are sooooooo good). Tonight, however, I resolved to try something I hadn't had before. (Remember, there's no menu - they simply make you whatever you want and - exactly as you want it.) So, I mentioned to Gaetano that my grandmother used to make a dish that had Italian sausage, red peppers, pasta and a few other things, but I couldn't remember any other details. "Oh sure," he said, "That's Positano - you'll love it." Holy cow was he right! That "old-traditional" dish as Gae called it, knocked my socks off it was so awesome! Oh, how I wish that my "foodie" parents and Italian relatives could have tasted it. They would have LOVED it! - They live elsewhere. This succulent, scrumptious dish features meatballs, sausage, red peppers, pasta of your choice, marinara (I had it fra diavlo) and a dollop of Ricotta cheese. Sure it sounds simple, but I promise, it's killer and SO worth a try! My daughter figured that much out, when I didn't want to share it with her... so she stole - yes STOLE - one of my meatballs. Now she wants to order the Positano on our next visit. How do you say "payback" in Italian? Again, it's called Positano and I can't recommend it enough (BTW - it goes perfectly with the house Chianti). If you like Italian sausage and meatballs, I promise, you won't be disappointed. I can't wait to go back and have it it again.
(5)Jim A.
Don't believe what anyone tells you! This is so much more than just a meal, as they say a dining experience! Our seafood main course was an order and a half. Gaetano said two would be too much. He was right! It had lobster, mussels, clams, scallops, shrimp, crab, squid over linguini in the best sauce you ever tasted! I would give him 6 stars if I could! Outstanding!
(5)Gail L.
Don't go with a group. He is writing down your orders but he is old and makes mistakes. He messed up our orders and brought out pasta when we were done eating. Don't let him talk you into his potatoes or stuffed mushrooms, they were dry and the price 20 dollars! For potatoes was crazy, 18 for dry mushrooms. Then they gave a plain lettuce tomato and cuke salad family style didn't ask, just brought it and it was 11dollars! Crazy, the meal itself was wonderful! But so slow and timing was off. We ask for water, nope never came. I would go back with just one other person, because my lobster ravioli was to die for.
(3)John W.
Great italian food, no menu, see choices on cart, gourmet, personal dishes cookef with a flair.
(5)sharon n.
Best date night ever. We laughed so hard and the Food was delicious! Word to the new visitors.. there is no menu! But you will love what the chef delivers!
(5)Kyle C.
The service was fantastic from the moment we entered the restaurant til the moment we walked out. Appetizers and entrees were presented in their raw state on a tray than explained in detailed how they are cooked and with what. Our salads bread and entrees were wonderful. This is a place for a special occasion!
(5)Deborah B.
It's unbelievable that this little gem is in Dunedin! Who would have thought?? And in the WalMart Neighborhood Market shopping center to boot. The experience is fantastic as is the food. No menu, but you can order anything your heart desires. The owner (and I believe his son) parade trays of proteins and vegetables in front of you for the choosing. Mama is in the kitchen cooking. Everything is fresh, fresh, fresh. Everything is home made. If you order a glass of wine, it is a VERY generous pour. My family and friends have been to this restaurant twice in about 7 months and plan to go again. What an experience. You won't be disappointed. With shared appetizers, entry, dessert and wine, bill comes to about $40-50 per person - very reasonable in my book for such quality and quantity.
(5)Brian S.
An owner who cares about the details. What amazing dishes--all house made. Dolma as good as dads which says it all. Stop! Enjoy!
(5)Vito G.
One of the most unique restaurants. You're sat down and the owner comes out, he tells you what he has and you tell him what you like, and he goes and he makes you something wonderful. There is no menu, no prices (which can cause a tiny bit of stress for people who like to calculate beforehand, but no biggie), and a lot of homeiness. The owner and his wife are the cooks, and they buy the food fresh that day. Italian food for those that don't want to just go and get a cheap pizza. When I went, he asked me what I most desired and I told him something with a little taste of all his seafood. He goes off and comes back with this immaculate seafood fra'diablo. There must have been 15 clams and 15 mussels, giant shrimp, giant scallops, and just the right amount of linguini underneath. Terrific. Eggplant salad, eggplant rollentini, potato croquettes... it's all lovely. A solid 7 if there ever was one.
(4)Julie B.
Seriously this place could not get better in my book. I felt like I was eating at my grandparents house. This place was recommended from a friend and we took an old friend here when visiting. There is no menu which I love. Everything is cooked to order and fresh which I also love. The owner takes your order and his wife cooks which is even better. The wine was delicious. My sea bass was so good and the pasta my husband and friend had, they ordered seconds! They wanted a meatball and the owner said yes we will make it. From Scratch! There is nothing fast about this place so if you are in a rush, then come back when you have time. We had such a great experience we will be bringing our Italian family back for seconds.
(5)Daniel d.
Yes! Very personal attention to what you want to eat. No menu that I have ever read. They show you all the meat and seafood choices and ask you how you would like it prepared. If you feel like something simple, or complex it is on your table. Children and very sophisticated foodies eat here. Very friendly Mom, Pop, and family restaurant. I believe son is cooking. If you watch the food travel shows, this place is that type of eating. Five star food and you do not put on a suit to enjoy it. Very fun experience.
(5)Cathy C.
Where do I start. I was looking SO forward to going here after reading the reviews. Made reservations based on ubanspooon.com comment turned away. I left VERY disappointed. Had 6 in our party - outside the door everyone rated the place a 4. I believe that they felt they needed to push up the number because my husband I had picked up the tab ($240 + tip, that's with have 2 bottle of wine opened we brought - $24 to uncork, should have be $20 based on previous call made to verify corking charge). Price fair going towards high side - ingredients we had on table for main course / soup we realize are not cheap. Service was good, Lowered to a 3 since I THREW UP during the night from my meal! I believe it was due to the pink amaretto sauce that was put on my pasta. Only one that got sick. AND NO, I haven't threw up from something I ate for many years! I should have ordered the veal! Started out with artichoke they everyone shared - those that are use to this, stated it was done very nicely. Then followed by lobster bisque that I offered to pass around the table - BEST I believe I have eaten, had good size pieces of lobster. Then everyone shared a large bowl of salad which consist of head lettuce, thin sliced tomatoes, I believe eggplant that was very thin and LOTS of olive oil. The bread that was offered on the table didn't seem as it was just baked that day - seemed a day old. Note we were the first customers in the door at 5:15 pm. States they will fix the ingredients how you want - WRONG. I ask to have lobster, shrimp and sea scallops made into a lasagna with a white sauce. TOLD they do not have lasagna. REALLY, you are making pasta for other dishes. One makes the flat noodles first that is used to make lasagna (based on thickness) then cut into other pasta. I know this because I also make my own pasta. Stated never heard such a think - told him I had it made by a 5 star chef and figured that they could make a nice dish as well. NO. So I choose to have pasta with lobster, shrimp and scallops with the pink sauce - which came with also clams, oysters and squid which I did not ask for. Another person had seafood paste with garlic & olive oil (he stated the olive oil was of good quality) without the lobster - guess what, he didn't have any clams, oysters or squid on his????? My husband had a steak along with sea scallops which he stated was good. Two had grouper - one ask for it to be lightly breaded and then pan fried, I felt as he was pushed into having it baked with lemon & butter. While the other one had it baked with a sauce without the spinach he suggested (which is their grouper picante) The last person had Chilean sea bass - she stated it was good. Two had American coffee and one cappuccino - coffee was good. No one had dessert. Except for the steak & scallops - you can see pictures of soup and main dishes on urbanspoon.com - urbanspoon.com/cities/30… Since they seem to push you to how they want to fix things WHY don't they just list their menu with everything as of market price. I believe this is why they don't offer a menu because of the cost of ingredients that vary especially on the seafood. No different than a restaurant that you request to have a item slightly changed to your liking. On the cart of raw ingredients - huge porterhouse, thick beef filet, strip steak, chicken breast, thin veal cutlets, sea scallops, shrimp, lobster, grouper, & bass. They do offer ravioli of different types as well as having parm of chicken or veal. Would go back for the soup....meal, I don't think so.
(3)Robert K.
The best Italian food we have ever had! The steamed mussels the best. My wife had the petit filet with shrimp, crab, scallop, and shrimp cooked rare with a warm center. It was prepared and served perfectly. I usually do not order red meat in an Italian restaurant because it is usually over cooked. I ordered the Veal Parmasen which was equally as good. It was served in a sweet tomatoe sauce that was very good. We also had the Caprice Salad, the tomatoe was not really ripe, perhaps time of year, however the mozzarella was very good. We also had an order of the Penne Pasta served in a cream type sauce which was fine. The service was very good, our dishes promptly and correctly served. As others have mentioned, a food tray is brought to your table, the evenings dinner entre's are explained for your selection. I had read the various reviews in Yelp and was intrigued that this restaurant had all 4 or 5 stars. The reason I rated 4 stars is they do not serve spirits and the furnishings do not rate 5 stars. The food served here was absolutely delicious. Italian food always seems to give me some indigestion later on. However they prepare their food,it was not over spiced, just perfectly seasoned. As the other guests were leaving, they were loudly praising the food as well. We had the Ricotto cheese desert which was good, not spectacular. This restaurant claims to be a family style place. The chianti I had was excellent, very smooth and not acidic. We really had an enjoyable dinner here and plan to make a regular dining spot for us. This place was really a find and all those Yelp reviews I will completely agree with. This place is not pretentious, just a wonderful place to a great freshly prepared delicious meal with wonderful service, a difficult thing to find these days.
(4)Joel M.
We have enjoyed great Italian cuisine in New York, Wasington DC, and throughout Italy. Gaetano's is the best Italian food we have ever had, hands down! The veal melts in your mouth!!
(5)Dana M.
I have been going to this place for over 10 years. In a word...Amazing! My brother only lives a couple of miles away so when I visit from out of town it is the MUST go place for me. There is NO Menu. Gaetano presents everthing to you personally. Basically, you can have any of the of the meats or seafood presented with your choice of pasta and sauce. Everything is FRESH. My dish is the lobster ravioli with fresh crab with the pink sauce. FANTASTIC! My brother loves the seafood diablo and my dad loves the veal. It all starts with a great anti-pasta plate(they make their own homemade mozzarella), a salad, an appetizer and then the meal. The service is wonderful. They are a family that truly cares about your dining experience. And they will guide you with your selections when you have never been there. My kids are now in the teens and they have always remembered this place as something special. They are very kid friendly and have wonderful desserts. Dress is casual. Its Florida so shorts and golf shirts work well. And yes its in a strip mall...but it is a hidden gem.
(5)Rick S.
Great! It's a bit on the pricey side, about $50 to me including 2 glasses of wine and tip, but I don't know of another place that is quite so unique. I first dined at La Trattoria about 15 years ago (It's been open since about 1991) and loved it then. The quality of the food and the home-like atmosphere both make it enjoyable. It's located in a strip mall, not a stand alone building, which seems odd but there it is after almost 20 years in business! First: There are no menus. No prices. Just the owner who comes over and asks what you'd like to eat. He tells you what he has in stock that day (usually chicken, some steak, and pork chops) and what he can make out of them. So you construct your meal and he happily puts it together. I asked about chicken cacciatore but he said he couldn't make it because it needed to be made with chicken on the bone. I like that! How many places would have just make up some boneless chicken breast and smothered it pasta sauce? All of them, but NOT La Trattoria. Instead I had chicken piccata with capers. The lemon in in the piccata was noticeable without being overpowering. It was served with pasta. We also had antipasto that featured homemade mozzarella cheese, peppers and shitake mushrooms. Second (after all that!): At the end of the meal you're presented with a check. All I remember it listing is your meal with a price next to it, so it's not broken down at all. The wine was listed separately. So if you have problems trusting people think twice about going here, you may not enjoy it! :-) I feel I've ALWAYS gotten my money's worth at La Trattoria. The food is great, the atmosphere is relaxed, and the owner is great. If you want good food, albeit more expensive than some, this is the place to go. If you want beautiful surroundings and a team of waiters then go elsewhere. I'll be back again!
(5)Catherine C.
Such a wonderful surprise!!! Located in a strip mall, very little ambiance but what a meal. The owner is your waiter. No menu's, he can pretty much make any type of dish you want. He did have a cart with special meats he was serving that night. My husband had grouper.. Amazing I had a ravioli stuffed with spinach and mushrooms... Loved!!! My mom order lamb chops, which she ended up sending back because they were a little tough. He didn't even blink an eye, went back to the kitchen and came out with another wonderful meal. Would highly recommend!!
(5)Zahris V.
Excellent! All is fresh and made to order. There is no Menu... Which is all part of the experience, whatever you want, they will make it. :-)
(4)Tung P.
You go into this restaurant with very few expectations to be honest. It lies in a quaint corner of a shopping center with a Walmart grocery store. Once you get in and you're seated, the decor isn't anything you'd find typical of any chain Italian restaurant. The plates don't even match. But you get blown away. I can't even describe how delicious and the experience was. As previous reviewers have noted - there is no menu - don't even bother asking for one. The chef/owner simply just cooks you what he has on hand. But he does it with the loving art of a traditional Italian master, going table to table, telling you about what he can make and making sure you get it. If you want it, and it's within his power, he will do it for you. The appetizers of artichoke and portebello mushroom sauteed in some type of alcoholic sauce were delicious. Really. The portobello appetizer was simply the best appetizer I've ever had. Then when it came to order, I decided to share a lobster pasta with someone else. Unexpectedly, he walks away and proceeds to rip the lobster's arm off and slams them into the bowl. It happened very quick and scary, but ultimately entertaining (we were all in tears and shock at what happened). We couldn't find much else to talk about during dinner other than that, it was just so deeply ingrained in our minds. You never expect any spectacle like that anywhere else. Ultimately, the food was delicious. Better than any chain Italian restaurant I've been to anywhere. I will certainly be back again when I'm in the area!
(5)joseph b.
My mother lives in the area so I arranged for her , my Uncle and Aunt to have dinner at Gaetano. I handled everthing over the phone and everything was flawless! Food, service , wine everything. I appreciate the kind service my family received
(5)Andrea W.
Go for the experience... It's unique and memorable... Do not go with a budget in mind - go to have fun and let the chef Gaetano guide you in your selection - that was the fun part... "You want this lobster or that lobster?" while holding up two live lobsters! "Fra Diavoli sauce?" "Some eggplant rolatinni while you wait?" "A nice chianti?" Yes.... Sounds good... The little extras kept coming, antipasto - more olives, fresh bread.... It was fun, I felt surprised as if someone was cooking just for me... The chef sat and chatted for a while - it was a great time and the food was freshly prepared and good - it did run about $50 a head before tip - but for a one time unique experience - I'd say go for it!!!
(4)Joe C.
If you truly love food, not just eating, but the creation and balance of flavors, textures, and aromas, this place is for you. You'd like a menu? Since they actually know how to cook (instead of how to prepare the same 9 dishes of mostly pre-made ingredients like Olive Garden or large mediocre chains), they don't have a menu. They show you what is fresh and give you some options for how it could be cooked and you can modify to make it best for your personal preferences. I had a pork chop stuffed with prosciutto and some mozzarella, topped with a brown marsala mushroom sauce. Amazing. Typically, the side is some homemade pasta like a spaghetti or fettuccine, but I opted for a gnocchi topped with the same brown sauce. Dessert was the best tiramisu I've had in a long time. Definitely worth it, unless you have a hard time knowing what you want without reading it off a menu.
(5)Ryan D.
The food here is awesome. There is no menu which is not a problem. The waiter comes over shows you what meats there are, and now he could prepare it. Top notch food.
(5)Sara T.
First of all we don't frequent chain Italian restaurants. We like the authentic mom and pop experience and I did research here on yelp to help pick this place. Worst experience and meal especially at an Italian restaurant ever. We had reservations and the owner was rude from the minute we walked in the door. We had made reservations an hour earlier and it was as though he wanted us not to have reservations. It said kid friendly but wasn't sure if it was our 4 year old twins that are and were extremely well behaved that set him off. I would NOT rate this as a kid friendly establishment. We were seated and a server whom was hard to understand showed us a choice of appetizers. None had interested us but we had the house salad and that was iceberg lettuce, a few mushrooms and tomatoes with oil and maybe vinegar. Okay but nothing special. Then we waited 45 minutes and the owner told the server to take our order and delegated another few tables to the servers. We had no menu and the waitress just asked what we wanted. Never explained sauces- nothing. Felt very fast food-like. The other tables the owner brought his cart and did a nice speel and showed them all his "proteins". He listened to what the people wanted and took their orders. My hubby got pork chops and they were huge, tasteless and covered with mushrooms and a brown sauce. It was stuffed with prosciutto and cheese. It was thick, touch and dry yet still pink in it and the worst pork chop it ever had. I definitely make better myself. I had eggplant parmesean and it was soggy and the 2nd to worst I've ever had. I didn't like the sauce at all. Very bland. The worst I've had would have been better had it been cooked through, it would have been better. We were really hoping for a nice experience and some great food as we have many mom and pop Italian restaurants across the west coast we've feel in love with. Absolutely not this one. The owner came over trying to get my hubby to encourage the table next to our give a good review to entice them and my husband was honest and was even nice and said it was "good" not wanting to insult him. He really tried pushing him to up his opinion. He wasn't concerned he didn't like his plate rather more About how could you not like it. I'd give zero stars but my kids liked their fettuccine a lot and are the spaghetti that cake with my eggplant parmesean. I'm 5 months pregnant and had an appetite and leaving hungry because I just couldn't stomach the food. The owner never greeted us. The pork chops were $25, fettuccine was $15 and eggplant parmesean was $15 and $4 for salad and my hubby had a glass of wine and the bill came to $70. I cringed having that experience and paying that much. I've never had such a bad experience so had no clue what to do!! We ate at Broadway deli for lunch and had an awesome meal though! Serendipity cafe was awesome too! You want mom & pop go to serendipty as the mom cooked, dad visited with us and their daughter was our server! This is my first review ever to warn people of the experience they may have:-( Hopefully yours is better! Update- I think both my husband and I got food poisoning from this place:-( both are sick as I had tried his pork chop. Luckily the kids never tried any. I should have showed them how pink it was inside:-(
(1)R G.
While attending a technical conference, had an opportunity to try this restaurant using Yelp reviews. My guests and I enjoyed the friendly ambiance. Good food and service at a reasonable price.
(5)Adiel C.
Wonderful food! Found this place on Yelp because of the great reviews and was not disappointed! Everything is made fresh to order, service was great, everyone was friendly, helpful and very accommodating. Thank you for a great birthday meal!
(5)Jim P.
This place has "Amazing Food" décor is a little old but clean. I don't understand the comments about No Menu or Prices. Just ask what the prices are before you order. As to No Menu, it is an Italian Restaurant: they can make just about any Italian Dish, it is that simple. We go to this restaurant every other week for years. Again The Food Is Amazing.
(5)Linda A.
The utmost arrogant owner who should just save himself the trouble and just permanently shut this restaurant's doors. Avoid this place like the plague.
(1)William H.
Went here the first time almost by accident. Located behind a bad Chinese place! Fantastic food and service. Wife and I had veal, wine, appetizer and dessert. Had no idea what it would cost. Told my wife if it was less than $200 it would be a bargain. Total was under $100. Wow. Been back with friends, and they all rave about being able to get whatever you want made however you want it. All Agee it it a great value. Deserves more than 5 stars. Will open on Mondays for groups of 8 or more.
(5)Emily D.
Amazing! We tried for the first time tonight based on yelp reviews. The food is unreal. No menu. Just the amazing owner coming over with his meat cart. He can make you whatever you want. His presence makes this place! He's an old school Italian. Friendly and warm. Huge wine pours. Food was divine. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Rich D.
Can there be a more authentic Italian family restaurant in the bay area than La Trattoria? This is the real deal and makes me feel like I've stepped into one of several favorite places in Philly I used to frequent. I visited with 3 friends and each of us were so impressed with every aspect of our meal. The service was extremely good from the moment we stepped inside. And when the cart arrived at the side of our table and the entire list of available entrees was offered, I wanted to try each and every one of them. When you order a steak, do you sometimes wonder how thick it will be? Or when you order fish, do you wonder is it fresh? At La Trattoria, those questions are answered because you can choose it straight off the cart. As tempting as every entree looked, I opted for the seafood pasta in a pink sauce with Amaretto, also mentioned by another reviewer. Outstanding flavor, and so fresh tasting. My friends were equally impressed with their choices (steak, pasta, salad). And we all agreed that overall the value/price of each entree was commensurate with quality. This is definitely the kind of restaurant you want to visit often so you can try the breadth of the menu. I hope to get back soon. My scores on the Italian family restaurant scale: Atmosphere: 4 Service: 5 Food: 5 Value: 5
(5)Frank A.
Truly amazing ! I have read the negative reviews and it puzzles me. No, this is not Carrabbas so it's not a typical dining experience. This is like being in Italy, run by the Italian grandfather. He wheels a cart out w all the protein choices. There is no menu. He makes what you like. We went with another couple. We brought 2 bottles of wine, had appetizers, entrees, dessert and the total was $211 not including tip. A great deal in my opinion. The sauces to try are the Amaretto and the Gorgonzola. My wife had angel hair w scallops in Amaretto sauce. Incredible. They didn't rush us. You must make reservations because they need to know how much food to have. If you just show up they may turn you away. I like the fact that everything is fresh. If you are looking for a place like Italy w authentic Italian food, this is ur place. If you r in a rush and want to just show up or get a cheap meal, go to the Olive Garden. By the way, when people post negative reviews it impacts the business This is a mom and pop establishment. Don't rain negative reviews on them because you expected a chain restaurant. The negative reviews are obviously not posted by people who own / run a business.
(5)Scott M.
After reading the reviews, I was setup for a disappointment, that frankly, never occurred. The strengths are very strong, and the small imperfections are part of the experience. The strengths are the quality of the food, and the genuine Italian family experience. Gaetano is a masterful MC/host/server. I listened to him adapt from table to table changing his presentation of the menu to suit his audience. He has the old world charm and superior product to back him up. The "menu" is a food cart teaming with fresh cuts of meat, lamb, pork, veal, rabbit, sea bass, salmon, lobster (still crawlin'), lump crab, scallops, mussels, clams, and shrimp. Gaetano's direction: name a dish you' like, and we'll make it. Despite not seeing chicken on the cart, my son asked for spaghetti with pesto and chicken, and voila! No wine list, you ask for a wine, and he brings it to you. We asked for a Barolo and were treated to a gorgeous 2006 vintage. All of this is very good, but has some limitations. Because Gaetano himself serves every table, getting the check at the end of the evening took a while. Given the overall experience, this was certainly an acceptable trade-off. The other thing that occurred to me was, without a menu, I have no idea what I was being charged for any of the meal. We were two adults and one child and we were $210 for three entrees, three appetizers and bottle of vino. Also, one can look past the stale decor, but some ambient music would be nice. Let's get back to the food. Freshly prepared, abundant in quantity and created with skill and imagination. Really, really strong showing. I had seafood pasta in a pink sauce with Amaretto--- terrific, but I couldn't finish! My partner had the filet with Gorgonzola cheese, handled delicately. The appetizers were the artichoke, the stuffed mushrooms, and a wonderful potato creation. A terrific overall experience.
(5)Christie F.
Best authentic Italian I've ever had. Love the free range given to the professionals. I have never been disappointed and crave Gaetanos often! Excellent fresh meats and seafoods. Also thoroughly enjoy chatting with the owners. Be prepared to let them run the show and you won't be disappointed.
(5)Max W.
Great hole in the wall place that I have driven past more times then I care to admit here. No menu just a man and his cart full of fresh delicacies that can be prepared anyway your heart desires in any combination you can imagine. And to be perfectly honest I don't care for Italian food, so this review is all the more better for that reason.
(5)Mariah S.
We heard amazing things about this place from a few friends and finally decided to try it. We weren't expecting much from a restaurant in a strip mall (type place) but we couldn't have been more wrong. This place was amazing! It isn't anything fancy and you don't get a printed menu with prices so come with an open wallet. The owner comes by and tells you a variety of meats, sauces, pastas and good combinations and by finding out what you like he helps choose an amazing meal for you. Even the olive oil/Italian salad dressing is simple but delicious! The meal was delicious, the ambience was nice, the price is reasonable for all the wonderful food and we will definitely go back!
(5)Warren R.
That awkward moment when you disagree with all the five star ratings... My wife brought me here for a late birthday dinner (I'm 29 again, ten years in a row thank you). She remembers eating here with her with her family when she was in high school, so the place has been around forever. (Not an old joke, I love you honey) The premise is pretty cool at first: there is no menu. They pull a cart of meat and seafood up to your table, and you make your selections. The very authentic Italian gentleman then "suggests" how you would like your meal. I wanted the veal, but so did the wife, so I let her have it because I'm a loving, caring husband. (Is this getting me out of the doghouse for the old joke?) The Italian gentleman suggested that she have it breaded, fried, seasoned with whatever, and even proposed the pasta and sauce to accompany the dish. I went with the steak and scallops. The Italian gentleman than proceeded to tell me how it would be seasoned, and what it would be accompanied with. As we sat waiting for our meals, I overhead others ordering. If they ordered veal, it was suggested to them that they have it prepared the same way as my wife's, right down to the pasta and sauce. So, there is a menu, it just happens to be in the Italian gentleman's head. Yes, you can request changes, but Burger King will do that as well. The mystique of the "no menu" was ruined. Now it's just about food. My wife's veal was slightly above average. My steak was chewy, but the seasoning was pretty good. Scallops? Didn't receive any. I guess he was too busy telling me how I would like my steak to remember. The service was slow, and even after asking for a new beer it didn't happen. This is just a three for me.
(3)Jennifer H.
Truly amazing place. Was concerned with it being in a Plaza but it would be a loss to not go because of that. Can't help but to leave with a smile on your face. The owner and staff is extremely nice and provides great service. Authentic Italian deliciousness.
(5)Doreen D.
Authentic Italian .... the food is amazing, the owner -- wonderful, the wait staff -- wonderful!! The chef --- AWESOME!! When you order a glass of wine, you GET a glass of wine...not a taste of wine that other places charge you $$ for! You have to get over not having a menu ...in my mind, it just adds to the ambiance!!
(5)