Clemenza’s
75 Eglin Pkwy,Ste 126, Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548
Clemenza’s Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Fort Walton Beach for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
75 Eglin Pkwy,Ste 126
Fort Walton Beach, FL, 32548 - Phone (850) 243-0707
- Website https://www.clemenzasatuptown.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : Yes
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
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.
Pizza
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
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Elaine T.
From the minute I walked in I was with family - GREAT FOOD and GREAT Service! Indoor, outdoor, large party, private party...the BEST Italian in the Panhandle!
(5)Bea K.
We ordered to go because our lunch time is limited. They will not take an order ahead if we eat it there. The charges for each order 75 cents for packaging and $1 for tip. The food was ok not great. We will not be back. Too bad our office is close by and have over 100 people I guess they don't need our business.
(2)P W.
Poor Service, rude wait staff and the food was cold. Another soon to be piece of crap restaurant thrown in to the Fort Walton Failed Restaurant heap. Avoid this dump.
(1)Emily J.
Delicious! The vodka sauce is really yummy. Great service and a good atmosphere. Pizza is ok but not great. Brunch is good too, although the Eggs Benedict was really salty. And, two words: garlic rolls.
(3)Lin G.
According to my credit card bill after eating at this fine establishment, they charged me for my entree twice. So my meal was $12.77 and I tipped $2, making it a grand total of $14.77. However, the amount charged to my credit card ended up being $27.54, which is twice the amount of the entree plus the tip. That, in all my years of dining out (fortunately I mostly didn't pay), has never happened. At times, a shady restaurant like Bonefish (bone who? bone you? bone fish! more like fish bone... fishbone pumping in the back of your throat!!) will charge a dollar or three more, but here, they doubled it, all over your face!
(1)Jon Z.
The service was alright. Staff was friendly. The bread was pretty good. Tasted fresh and it was still warm. For the meal I ordered a "house special" but it was very bland. My girlfriend ordered a different "house special" that was supposed to have vodka sauce but tasted like bland macaroni and cheese. The food definitely wasn't worth the price. Won't be eating here again.
(2)Agnes A.
First time in this town and try this place because we're attracted to the wood fired pizza. We ordered diavolo pizza and was dissapointed because the base was so soft as if it were underdone, though the sides are crunchy. We also had the calamari for appetizer and it was a bit fishy and bland. Now the Rigatoni ala Vodka was actually decent and has good flavor, I added the Italian meatballs which was okay but it does adds taste to the otherwise light pasta. The Mama Cappa Cappucino is a great coffee that helps lightened my day here :)
(3)Bill M.
Don't believe the 3 1/2 star rating! We just had Sunday brunch at Mama Clemenza's and the food, service and ambiance was terrific. They don't advertise and don't have to, as its loyal fan's would prefer to keep this wonderful restaurant to themselves. As foodies with very selective tastes, our support of this restaurant does not come lightly. The eggs benedict, crepes and egg white omelet were superb. And, you can't beat the coffee here (sorry Starbucks). Don't pass this one by if in the area.
(5)Carissa D.
Best Eggplant Parmesan I have ever had!! The staff was very attentive. I will definitely be back!
(5)Danielle S.
The brunch is AMAZING. The eggs Benedict is the best I have ever had and the Gouda grits are fantastic. They have crepes too! The staff is friendly and helpful. Love going there
(5)Andi R.
I went here and I really enjoyed the meal. My group's food came out all at once and everything was hot. our server was great. we told him that it was our first time and he made a few suggestions from each part of the menu. It may or may not have been a script, but either way, he did a great job. I was pretty tired and misread the menu. I ordered the Chicken Saltimbocca Panni which clearly states that it has Shaved Prosciutto. I don't eat pork and had meant to order the sandwich beneath it (Chicken Milano). When I told the server that I could not eat the sandwich he fixed it right away without any problems. Great food, great service. I will be visiting again.
(5)Kristin C.
Favorite local date night spot for the bf and I. The bread is always fresh, the wine chilled to the right temperature and entrees amazing.
(5)April H.
Such a shame that I can only give this place five stars. We were thrilled to discover our favorite pizza place in Destin ( Fat Clemenzas) had opened this place in Fort Walton just a mile from our vacation house. What can I tell you except this is the best pizza we've ever had. The wine list always delights with new, undiscovered treasures. Service is personal and gracious. Ambience is romantic and subdued, unique lighting fixtures cast a warm glow ( along with the wine). The pasta and entree offerings are extensive if you're not up for pizza. But really, the pizza is a must!
(5)Meagan G.
Service was great. We were seated promptly. Nice ambiance. Clean and tidy establishment. We had a very nice and professional waitress (Christine S.), and the owner dropped by to check on us, which is always nice. The vodka sauce on my pasta was delicious. Unfortunately, the pasta was undercooked and gummy, sticking in my teeth. The waitress offered to have the kitchen redo the dish but I hate to waste food, so I kept eating. My rating would be a solid 4 stars if it weren't for that. Undercooked pasta seems a common complaint (I didn't trust the reviewers to know whether it was al dente or undercooked - my bad!). Someone should remind the cooks to test the pasta before plating it. My teenager enjoyed his chicken and veggie calzone. Will return to try the wood-grilled pizza and cheesecake. :)
(3)Grace Z.
Absolutely horrible! Really long wait , over one hour, for poorly cooked food! There is absolutely no flavor! Had to send the clams back to be fully cooked. Don't go there. Tradewinds has much better food.
(1)Scott H.
I will start by saying my first thought on entering Italian Red Sauce Joints like this one is, could Michael Corleone take out Sollozzo and McCluskey here and the patrons would not even care because they know those two had it coming and they were so into their salads..breads..meats..noodles and gravy anyway?..first impression was Clemenza's is not that type place...a little too neat in the space and customer base...Clemenza's is actually for FWB pretty classy inside and has a real nice bar right when you walk in with a good craft beer..wine..and booze selection...instead of a Coppola Movie for Clemenza's ,a more proper comparison would be to a Dickens Novel..A Tale of Two Restaurants..a couple lunch time visits were superb...great food and great service...Classic Hot Italian Sandwich was excellent as was the Waitress Recommendation to add Hot Giardiniera to it..on another lunch visit The Chicken Milano Panni along with the soup of the day ;Wild Mushroom were both quite good...on both occasions Ma and Pa Clemenza were around making sure the place was running well and personally checking on all tables to make sure everything was ok.. add in the fact prices at lunch were quite reasonable and it's easy to see why this is a favorite of The FWB Business Lunch Crowd...my great experiences at lunch are what makes my two dinner time visits so perplexingly bad...on one visit I got a Veal Saltimbocca...the Veal in this dish had been beaten like a rented mule to make it appear bigger than it was..the Prosciutto on it was thinner than Kate Moss after a 2 week coke binge...pasta side had that strange consistency you get when you microwave something..you know when one side is hot and cremated and the other side is cold?...at 25 dollars and not including a salad, I felt like I had really been hoodwinked..in fact when I walked out the door I went two doors down to 5 Guys and got an order of fries because I was still hungry...on another visit, I got the nightly special which was Chicken Sinatra...well you know how when Chicken gets overcooked it gets tough and stringy?...this Chicken was about 2 minutes more in the oven from disintegrating into dust it was so overcooked...if this dish had been served to Frank himself, he would not be singing Luck Be a Lady about Clemenza's cause this dish was certainly not lucky!!, more likely he would have been singing This Lady is a Tramp...again at 20+ dollars for this dish, it was a robbery so brazen I am not even sure Danny Ocean himself would have attempted it....both Dinner Visits it is also worth noting Ma and Pa Clemenza were NOT around, so maybe this is one of those Restaurants where when the Cats are away the Mice will play...hard review to leave because my Lunch Experiences are 5 Stars and my Dinner Experiences are a 1 Star, so I will just middle it with 3 Stars...would definitely recommend for Lunch..not so much at Dinner..If Ma and Pa are around you will be fine it appears..just like Fredo was
(3)Bonnie D.
This restaurant is Mama Clemenza's on the weekend. Don't miss this special place for brunch. Dined here this morning and had their awesome Eggs Benedict and my daughter the Risotto Milanese, a breakfast special that got rave reviews from her. Prices are so reasonable for such quality food, service and atmosphere. Mama is out delivering plates from her special menu that you might find in Italy but surprised to find in Northwest Florida. Great Bloody Mary's, Bellinis, and Mimosas for starters and a fun and welcoming staff. Dress is beach casual or after church dressy. Treat yourself or visiting friends and family. Not a better brunch around!
(5)Russel W.
One word summary: Disappointing TL;DR The Good -My pepperoni calzone was delicious -Food only took 20 minutes to prepare for a takeout order -Good service The Bad -Fried calamari wasn't very good -Shrimp fettucini alfredo was also not good and may have made my girlfriend sick -Expensive for the quality of food (total bill just under $50 for two people) The Details We didn't feel like cooking on a Friday evening so I ordered takeout from Clamenza's. I ordered fried calamari, shrimp fettuccine alfredo and a pepperoni calzone. The food was ready quickly, and I got my first clue as to why when I walked in to pick it up: the restaurant was about half full on a Friday night at 8:30. I've eaten at Clamenza's on a Friday night before and I remember them having been quite a bit busier. The bartender rang up my order and got me back out the door in short order. I drove home and we heated up the calamari and fettuccine (the calzone didn't need any re-heating) and dug in. The calzone was very good: hot with a crunchy crust and plenty of mozzarella. It was just as good the second day (reheated in the oven). On the other hand, I've had better fried calamari at Olive Garden for quite a bit less money and Clamenza's was way too salty. On top of that, my girlfriend could only manage a few bites of her fettuccine. We ended up throwing it away, and the next morning she had a pretty nasty stomach ache. Overall, I suspect from my own experiences and from reading other reviews that the pizzas and calzones are still very good, but I plan to stay away from the rest of the menu from now on. The only thing saving this place from one-star status was my calzone, which was so good that it partially cancels out the rest of the food.
(2)Bryan S.
Had two of their wood fired pizzas last night along with one of their pasta dishes. All in all, it was pretty good, save the pizza crust, which was a little over done. Really, my rating would have been much higher if the service would have been better. We waited 10 minutes after our food arrived for silverware and another 15 waiting for and paying our check. On the flip side, someone was always coming around making sure our glasses were filled.
(3)Sheryl G.
I feel in love with this delicious sicilian style restaurant. I took my little guy for a mommie and me lunch, we both had spaghetti aka pasta marina for the big kids and added meatballs 2 for $3 extra. The sauce was just right, not too tangy or sweet and the meatballs were yummy! It was worth a trip out there. They also have oven fire cooked pizza and teach classes if you're interested. Our waitress was super nice and friendly to my son. Since it was our first time she gave us the low down on the specials and which dishes she had tried and liked she was very helpful. It's a great date night spot with its romantic style decor and low lighting in the evening and beautiful bright atmosphere during the day.
(5)Tina O.
Had the amaretto cake.... It was to die for!!!! I am normally a chocolate cake girl and thought about getting the Chocolate Molten....because it looked phenomenal, so happy I went with the amaretto cake!!!! I had to restrain myself from liking the plate...it was THAT good!!
(5)Lee G.
This is outstanding food, great service. Top notch establishment. They have a private room and offer monthly cooking classes!!
(5)Joe P.
great Italian food here. we have loved every dish we have tried. my favorite is the lasagna. OMG! sooo good! add a glass of Chianti and you are set!
(5)Charles R.
I wanted to take the family here for a nice dinner. The wife and kids were all dressed up nice. When we arrived the place looked nice and they seated us at a table near the booths. Then I was immediately turned off by this place when they sat a group wearing swimming trunks and all sopping wet right next to us. I ordered the chicken marsala it had absolutely no flavor. Everyone agreed we won't be back especially for the price, we spent over $100 at our table for sub par food. Save your money they can't compete Marie Callender's frozen spaghetti.
(2)Cliff N.
Looking for something away from the normal fare in Destin, we stumbled upon Clemenzas. The decor was just shy of of white table cloth, not loud at all with plenty of conversation and people enjoying each other's company. We ordered the "fat clemenza" pizza and it was delicious. My son ordered the muscles, which were very well prepared. If you are vacationing in Destin, this place is well worth the drive, we'll be back.
(5)Fwb G.
Came in on a Friday, place was packed out! But, someone came up and greeted us and got us a table for 4 in about 10 minutes. Very friendly service. Make a reservation though just in case. Got the seafood linguine, delicious! Clams, mussels, scallops n shrimp, it was great! Everyone got great portions, except for the meat lasagna, a little small, but the other 3 in our party got some good sized plates. Good atmosphere, busy place, great food, and good service. Definitely will be going back.
(4)Emily R.
I have been to Clemenza's for dinner and breakfast many times. The owners and staff usually are very friendly. Today we went to the Mama Clemenza's European Breakfast on a reservation at 11:30. The bus boy filled our water glasses and took our drink order. The waitress did not come to our table until 12:00 and we still had not gotten our drinks. Our food arrived at different times around 12:30. Three of the five dishes were cold and were sent back. We received the same food that was sent back somewhat warmer. Mama Clemenza came over and said they tested the food with the thermometer and was registered warm. The surface may have been cold, but the food was warm. I am not sure what the acceptable industry standards but the four adults at the table agreed it was not warm. It was a sorry, I'm not sorry apology. It is so unfortunate because this was one of our favorite locals spots. We were ignored the rest our visit. We will not be back after years of patronage.
(1)Daniel Z.
This is the best breakfast I have had in the area. I know the listing here doesn't list their breakfast hours, but this place is great. Mama Clemenza herself greeted us and recommended the eggs Benedict but we had already ordered. I'll be back to take her recommendation.
(5)Jay J.
We came for the breakfast or brunch and were very satisfied with the food! Our waitress was horrendous. I don't review service because I understand service differs drastically with each individual visit, whereas, food, ambience, etc. differs much less. When I say "horrendous", I mean, our waitress visited our table ONE time. We tipped generously and told her to ration it between the other 3 servers who went out of their way to help us. Anyways, we are big fans of Fat Clemenza's in Destin and were not disappointed with their newest venture. My wife had the Croque Madame, which was unbelievable! I had the Melon, w/ Prosciutto, Parmesan and honey, which was very good. A crazy mixture of flavors that surprisingly compliment each other extremely well. We came here because of the Groupon deal (which was a steal by the way). We will definitely return!
(5)John H.
What can I say? Its amazing. Lunch is great with all their sandwiches and pizzas. For dinner I always get the special. This place hasn't ever let me down. Don't forget to fatten yourself up with the garlic knots!
(4)Mitch W.
Good, not great. Super friendly and nice service. Place was caked but we waited for nothing. The fried calamari was very good, the seafood linguine was packed with seafood but at $25, just a square deal. The pizza was good, not good the next day though, not sure why that is at some places. I also had a cannoli which was awesome. One note, the bread on the table isn't good, it is super dense, don't bother with it.
(3)T Y.
This is the Best food I have tasted in Ft Walton Beach. It's high quality food and each dish has amazing flavors. I had the Eggs Benedict and a Mama Capa Cappuccino this morning. The eggs benedict were the best I have ever tired. And the pudding that they make is SO good!! I will leave this vacation spot craving this yummy dish. Mama Capa is a delicious cappuccino made with Borghetti liquor imported from Italy. Not a bad way to start off the day :). The staff and owners are friendly and down to earth. The make you feel welcome and tend to your needs. I highly recommend Mama Clemenza's (breakfast) and Clemenza's for lunch and dinner.
(5)Rudy C.
Amazing pizza baked in brick oven. Nice atmosphere. I would definitely go back. Perfect dinner out if you want good food and good wine. A bit pricey, but worth it.
(4)Samantha E.
Came here with my husband. Great atmosphere, great food and the chianti was delicious. Had wood-fired pizza at the bar which was amazing. Football on TV, good food and good drinks. What more can you ask for?
(5)Kat L.
4 stars for food 0 stars for service hence a 2 star review. At the inaugural dinner of my women's group we decided to try this spot to get a little lush on, and some noms. Our reservation was for 7, but we were not seated until 730. Then we didnt have our order taken until 7:47. Bread and water 8pm. The food is outstanding, and there are a lot of gluten free items on the menu if you pick and choose. The sauteed garlic spinach has a hint of spice- which I was not expecting, but liked very much. Thank goodness for the bar, because if I wasn't tipsy I would have left after 15 minutes of waiting. *THIS* is ridiculous. What's the point of a reservation if I have to wait 45 min for a table anyway? A gaggle of girls drinking, and bonding, and we are made to wait? I don't think so.
(2)Aaron Z.
Pizza is the best......classy environment. I will return
(4)D G.
I had REALLY high hopes for this placed based on the yelp reviews and my first impressions when we sat down. Unfortunately, I was disappointed. The spaghetti carbonara was downright embarrassing. Definitely not restaurant worthy at all. Portion was also very small. The pizza was good, but lacked flavor and texture. For what we got, I thought it was quite overpriced. I think I'll go back and give it another shot based on the high reviews, but they already have a strike one on my book.
(3)Paula F.
If the service had been better I would have given them 4 stars. My friend and I arrived at 10:30 and we were seated at a good table immediately. That's where the "service" pretty much ended. A lady came to take our drink order and give us menus about 20 min later. She never returned to take our brunch order. Another couple and a man by himself came in shortly after us and their orders were taken before ours and they were done eating before we even got our food. We finally had our order taken by another waitress because I think she saw that we were annoyed. Shortly after the 1st lady came back and "thought" she took our order. We waited another 30 min to get our food. The 1st lady comped our $6 mimosas, so that was nice and she gave us each a free dessert. I had the egg white omelette and it was good. It had feta, spinach and tomatoes. It was supposed to come with a croissant but I don't care for them so I asked to substitute grits and was told I couldn't so I had to purchase the grits and a side of bacon. It also came with a spring greens salad but it had raspberry vinaigrette which I don't care for so I didn't eat it. Overall it was good but not spectacular. It's a very nice place and I will go back for dinner some time. Hopefully the service will be better!
(3)Wes N.
Great house chianti, pizza made in front of us and cooked in a wood fired oven just off the bar. Good recommendation from a friend, hopefully more people take to yelp here soon. Great stop for atmosphere and Italian cuisine to include wine and pizza.
(5)Maria E.
Went with my family for a celebratory dinner. The restaurant had been highly recommended by many to us, so we had high hopes. The decor and ambiance is very nice. Soft lighting, Sinatra playing, very clean and crisp. We were seated immediately and our drinks were brought promptly. Our waitress was as helpful and friendly as could be. But we waited and waited for the appetizer and then waited nearly 40 minutes for the food. When it finally arrived, it was cold, as if it had been sitting out for awhile. My husband ordered the veal saltimbocca, and in all fairness, the waitress did say it wasn't as saucy as some dishes. But a better description would be completely dry. No sauce at all on the pasta. And the cheese on the veal had begun to cool so instead of being soft and drippy, it was congealed. I had the mushroom ravioli which was good, not great. Again, the sauce was cold and the pasta lukewarm as if it had been sitting out. Same with our children's meals. We mentioned it to the waitress and she was very apologetic and said they had a huge take out order and the kitchen was backed up. They comped us two free desserts which were delicious. I'd like to give them another go, especially since our server was so helpful. But cold pasta and sauce isn't very appetizing.
(3)Patricia S.
GREAT specials... and wonderful service. The owner always comes by to check on customers, and that means a lot. Could use a pizza containing more meat and some SALMON entres... but other than that I love the place!
(4)Kimberly B.
We found Clemenza's to be an AMAZING experience!! We found them on Yelp when vacationing in Ft. Walton Beach. The service was outstanding and the food even better!! I had the best chicken piccata I have ever had and the vodka sauce on my husband's pasta was to die for! We are trying to figure out how to dine there one more time before we leave. It is the BEST Italian food we have ever eaten!! Totally recommend Clemenza's ~
(5)Peggy V.
European Breakfast - divine! This is our second trip for the European Breakfast which they have on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The crepes were beautiful and tasty and the Italian pannini different and a great breakfast item. The Bloody Mary's were spicy and good. Service was excellent. We sat outside and had a lovely morning to ourselves.
(5)Deb L.
Food was excellent. Excellent variety of sauces for all Italian dishes. Pizza light and crispy. Two visits showed us that service was top notch! Large party room, and bar area.
(5)Rob C.
WARNING! Don't go there "off" hours, the servers are more interested in getting cut than serving a late table! I wish that my third visit wasn't such a huge fail, but it really was? We have gone for breakfast (awesome) dinner on a date night (great!!) and for a late lunch (utter disaster.) Breakfast we ate with our three kids under 10 and we loved just about everything. Dinner on a Friday night was bustling and busy but not overly so. We ended up enjoying a very good (though also very rich) meal. The Friday afternoon at 1:20 lunch was a pathetic excuse for a meal even though we arrived STARVING. I am SO glad that this visit wasn't our first, it would likely have been our last. We were seated right away to a half set table with dishwater and crumbs on the dishes, polished water glasses and no silverware at all. Waiters passed us and hovered and not a single one greeted us for the first 10 minutes. Finally with our menus set down a server finally asked if we had been helped. We ordered some drinks and a pizza and a few minutes later the drinks were served to us by our missing server. We ordered a soup to share and a couple of sandwiches. The pizza arrived and likely would have been excellent...except that it was warm at best. We also needed refills and weren't offered any. I even had to get up and find someone to fetch us silverware and they never offered any refills either. The dough in the middle of the pizza was very soggy and greasy and without much tomato sauce. The soup was delivered right on top of the pizza so we were left eating them both at the same time. The vichyssoise was flavorful but far too salty for my tastes.The sandwiches arrived and I ordered a beer and had to ask for a refill of water and teas. I told her that I thought that the soup was very salty and was indignantly told that I was the first one to complain about it, so it must be my tastes? She also commented that I had already eaten most of it (there was probably 2/3 of it left because I tried to "just eat it" but couldn't. I had my wife try it and she also remarked that it was very salty.) The sandwiches were average at best and she forgot my beer completely. Being of Italian descent I was probably spoiled by great cooking. The sausages were bland and taut, obviously boiled then quickly grilled to re-heat them and the bread was completely soggy. I was spoiled by slow-cooked sausages left for hours in a good gravy. We always froze them and even thawed they were far better than the ones on my sandwich as they practically dissolve into unctuous, spicy goodness right on your tongue. My wife's sandwich was very "pickly" tasting without explanation. It said that on the menu her sandwich was available "Gardienere" but we sure didn't order it that way. The fries once again? Would have been very good had they been hot. It's so terrible when restaurants this good fail so miserably but I guess that it happens? I'll be back but just a lot more careful and a little less trusting? Great spots can sure as hell be ruined by a server more interested in their sidework than their service. No manager was to be found. We saw the owner talk to several tables, but he never stopped by ours.
(3)Julie S.
Ate here twice while vacationing in Destin, great food and atmosphere- pizzas are great as well as the eggplant parmesan.
(5)Megan R.
Love this place! My go-to dish is the rigatoni ala vodka. Pizza's and breakfast are great too! Small restaurant so I would recommend making reservations.
(5)M B.
Great food! Decent service.
(4)Lorenzo S.
NIce atmosphere, great decor, and excellent italian food. Place has chalk boards with specials which are really good. My family has been there three times in as many weeks. Recently, my daughter had the stuffed portobello ravioli and I had the Gemelli Arabiata and both were delicious. Service was great and servers were very attentive. People need to understand this is a traditional Italian resturant...that means relaxed service with the expectation you will wait for your food as it is prepared. Traditional restuarants like these are for socializing not just for fast food. The server on our first visit even advised us to this aspect. If you want fast food, hit the Taco Bell down the street. Check out their website too see which days are special event days. On those days, they reserve portions of the dining area for wine/food tastings and cooking lessons; expect some delays then but otherwise it's casual and delicious.
(4)Kitty K.
This restaurant was opened by the owners of Fat Clemenza's in Destin. The menu is similar but there are some different items. The decor is more upscale but still casual enough that you can feel comfortable in beach clothes. I had the pasta marinara with meatballs. It was delicious. My husband had chicken Parmesan. The noodles were cooked perfectly. For dessert we had cappuccino and split an espresso biscuit and a slice of homemade ricotta cheesecake. I'm leaving here stuffed and satisfied. I can't wait to come back this weekend for the European breakfast.
(5)Boo L.
I have visited twice thus far, the first time for a luncheon and then my most recent visit was for the European Breakfast. Love the atmosphere of this place, and eveyone who works here goes out of their way to make you feel welcome and see that you have what you need. For the luncheon we were offered specific items from the menu to expedite our ocassion. I had the "Fat Clememza", I believe it was called. It was Italian sausage, peppers and onions on a crusty roll and it was delicious. The European Breakfast menu has some pretty unique offerings, and I ordered the lemon crepes filled with ricotta cheese and lemon curd. I was just a little bit disappointed with the crepes because I had envisioned them to be actually *filled* with ricotta and these weren't. More accurately, there was a lemon curd sauce poured on top of the three crepes and a little inside of each. The ricotta cheese was not very visible and the crepes were basically flat. I am a sweets lover, but I have to admit that the lemon curd sauce was EXTREMELY sweet. I had coffee with mine and I'm glad I did, as it helped cut the sweet a little. Overall this place is very nice and worth a try.
(4)Arnold N.
OK, I have been trying to get down to Fort Walton to try this place out since it opened. I finally made it Friday night. We normally make the trek from Pensacola to Destin every couple of months to eat at the sister restaurant "Fat Clemenza's", so this is about half as far for us. It, as it's sister restaurant, is located in a strip mall. This one is in a place called Uptown. The Place is slightly larger than the original place and is a lot more open. I felt that they wasted a lot of space with the large bar area, but otherwise it is very nice. The wait staff is very attentive and professional. As always, one of the owners is always there meeting the guests, and making sure everything is good. Now for the food. If you like "Fat's", and who doesn't,, you will like this place. The menu and food items are pretty much the same. Both myself and my wife absolutely loved our dinners. Always check out the boards for the daily specials. Many times they are absolutely to die for. For people not familiar with Clemenza's, even though there are a lot of excellent choices on the menu, you can request items to be to your liking. I love the seafood linguine, but I prefer it with the vodka sauce instead of the white wine sauce. No problem here, just ask. If you like good Italian food, look no farther, this is your place, but a word of warning, be prepared to wait, or make reservations.
(5)Benjamin G.
Ever wonder what Italy tastes like? Try this. Staff: 5/5: these folks are non-stop. From entry to check payment it's like you're one of them. Even had a chance to talk to the owner while waiting, and I must say this. It shows even more credibility as an owner if you jump in and help your people. Location: 5/5. The ambience was superb, lighting was on point, it's like one of those great places to bring a date or celebrate an occasion Food: 5/5 - No BS, no lies, perfection. It tasted like there's a portal to an actual Italian kitchen in the back that goes from the restaurant in Venice to here. Aside from the main courses (and bruschetta that killed it all day) somehow managed to find room for tiramisu. The last time I had tiramisu was an absolute disaster. This time was a completely different story. Pricing: 4/5. A tad on the pricey side but what do you expect, its a bit more upscale. Overall: 5/5: Wow - impressive from start to finish.
(5)Lisa B.
For now, I'm going to give Clemenza's 4 stars, but I will reconsider after dining-in (will it go up to 5 stars, stay at 4, or plummet...?). My guess from my experience is that it can only go up! I placed a large order for pick up and my mom picked up the order, so I did not see the inside of the restaurant nor did I experience table service, but I am looking forward to it; I will definitely be going back for a dine-in experience. My order was ready for pickup promptly and on time, within about 30 minutes of placing it, and it was all neatly packaged and nice and hot when we got home. They even walked out with my mom and loaded it into the car for us (it was a big order, but not that big... They were just being courteous, and it was very appreciated). Also of note, shortly after I placed the order someone called me back to make sure I knew that the restaurant I called was the FWB location and not the Destin location. Fortunately, I had called the correct location, but I definitely appreciated the consideration and courtesy of the call. Mimmo's Homemade Garlic Rolls - Good, but the dough itself was too buttery and heavy for me. Grilled Eggplant Caponata - Also very good, but I was wanting more intense flavors. It is topped with capers and anchovies, so I was expecting a heavy salty and briny flavor. It was too mild for me, but still good. Sautéed Spinach - Tasty. Simple, but that's what wanted; spinach and garlic. Caesar salad - Good. Not the best I've ever had though (again, I prefer bold flavors and wanted that punch of anchovy). It was crisp, fresh, and light. Chicken Saltimbocca - Very good. Moist and lots of flavor. Lasagna - My husband said it was the best he has ever Pasta Bolognese - Delicious. Full of flavor and texture. Classic, "simple" dish done right Margherita Pizza - Nice subtle flavors. Exactly what I wanted. Lovely, light and crisp, yet somehow slightly doughy crust. Perfecto!
(4)Beth B.
Was really looking forward to enjoying dinner here. I'll spare the details and just get to the point....do not waste your time or money. The calamari was bland and marinara tasted like it was straight from a jar. The overpriced entrees lacked flavor...I was really expecting more.
(2)Tanya S.
BLUF: I very much disliked this restaurant. I had high hopes for Clemenza's. It came highly recommended by people I know. But I could not be more disappointed. It did not live up to my Olive Garden scale. If Olive Garden has better food than your restaurant, then you're in trouble. Fort Walton Beach is a small town... hell, Destin, FWB, and Crestview combined is still a small town, so I can see why most people think this place is the balls. Sadly it's just average. We drove by to make sure it wasn't packed. We saw several tables that were empty so we decided to try it. We had attempted to try it before, but the wait was 45 minutes. We go in, and there's no one to greet us at the door. We stand around for a few minutes until finally someone shows. Looks like the manager. He tells us to hold on. Then the host shows up and he couldn't be any less welcoming. We felt like we were inconveniencing him just by being there. He tells us the wait is going to be 10-15 minutes even though there were at least 5 tables open. Finally we are seated. Our waitress was great. Very quick and did not engage in unnecessary and awkward interactions. The food was so blah! The bread was very thick and heavy. It tasted nothing special. Any chain of restaurant has better bread than this place. I ordered the roasted pepper gorgonzola bruschetta and it was incredibly soggy. The taste was ok but it was impossible to eat because of the sogginess. Bruschetta is supposed to be toasted but this had no crunch to it at all. For my entree, I ordered the pasta emiliana. It smelled great.... but it was just ok. We ordered tiramisu for dessert and it was good. We paid about $50 for everything, and my husband even had a beer, so I think prices are fine. Overall, I did not enjoy the food. On top of everything, I feel super bloated and gross and guilty for eating this as a cheat meal that I didn't even enjoy that much. Can't recommend.
(2)Heidi V.
Nope. Nope. Nile. Nook. Moor. Nooe. No thanks. Is this enough letters yet? No. Try hard swanky. No.
(1)Chris W.
Good food, excellent atmosphere. We had the pizza which was well prepared and cooked in a brick oven. Overall it was a good meal. The service was excellent and very attentive to our every need. I would certainly recommend trying this place if you're in the area.
(4)Jason K.
Decent food but small quantity. Definitely not worth the money. Wait staff had the personality of a wet blanket. Owner was really awkward and would have been better if he stayed in the back. After a poor experience I asked around and found out this was the norm. I can't believe all these good reviews, won't be going back.
(1)Ipek Y.
The food is okay. I would have said the food was perfect if our breads were more fresh. The service was slow. It was very crowded so that might be the reason. Servers were nice.
(4)trista b.
This is the top breakfast place in the Destin area. The eggs Benedict is the best I have ever had. Superb ingredients and the hollandaise sauce is fantastic. This is a must try on weekends for their breakfast!
(5)Harvey G.
1 word - OUTSTANDING! Every bite was just incredible. I'm sorry, Tradewinds fans, but Clemenza's has taken over as the best Italian food in the Northwest Florida Area. Not only was the food great, but the service was impeccable too. Everyone on the staff is committed to making this an experience second to none. When we left, the entire staff, including the owner, thanked us for coming in. Water stayed full and they were there to take care of our every whim. We had: Veal Parmigan, Ravioli in a vodka sauce, vegetarian pizza, Shrimp in white sauce, extra meatballs, calamari starter and a chocolate stout cake for dessert. I highly recommend all of them.
(5)Kelly M.
BLUF...atmosphere, wine/beverages, desserts and staff will not disappoint. Food is hit or miss. Great atmosphere for a casual celebration gathering. Always good for brunch. Called a couple of weeks ago and made a reservation for later that evening. As feared, we arrive and guess what? No table for my party of four. "Who did you talk to?" I spoke to the person working here that answered the phone! We got a table without much waiting so no harm done. Food was good, dessert, though...excellent. Next trip soon after with my date. Great wine specials, fresh salad but...if the menu says: Primavera prepared with carrots, peas, and mushrooms, why, why, why would I expect you to ADD overpowering chunks of green peppers and onions? I was told they don't tell you everything about the dishes on the menu. Huh? I prefer my purchases be "as advertised". My sensitive taste buds did not care for this unexpected surprise. It was like Fajita Primavera. This classic dish could be done so much better, right? Their pasta dishes just seem a bit heavy. Bigger is not always better. Stick with the standard...or at least as advertised. However, the highlight of a Clemenza's meal is the Limoncello Cake. Please don't ask me to share! Will return.
(3)Steve S.
We had a pepperoni pizza which was very good. The crust was thin. We also had rigatoni in a vodka sauce with chicken and it was good too. Had the garlic knots as a appetizer and they were tasty. I would definitely recommend this place!
(5)Danielle C.
we had a large group of people & they were the only place to accept our party size, or even entertain the idea to be honest. their food did not disappoint, their staff was awesome & very courteous even with the large group we had! the chicken parmesan was scrumptious & large portioned. their sweet tea was delicious, and the price was right on point as well! the wine selection was huge & the desserts looked delicious! thanks to them for being a great business! we'll definitely be back here!
(5)Angie M.
Very good food! Great service. Pizza and calzones are legit! Great drinks and service!
(5)Carla M.
Love Clemenza's! They have amazing soups, salads, pasta and the veal and chicken dishes are amazing !! The staff makes you feel like family!
(5)Johanna B.
Brunch was pretty good. Ordered the panini with egg on top, it was good though a little on the tough side. He ordered the croque madame, which was heavenly, open faced thin sliced ham with light bechemel smothering it - yummy. We each had a belini, which were tasty as well. Side greens were smothered in a rasp vinaigrette, a little heavy handed for my tastes. We'll def be back for brunch, maybe more.
(4)Kelli G.
Food pretty good, a little pricey. Wait was incredibly too long for everything. Especially considering we were the first table seated at a slow time. It was very difficult to get my water refilled. It finally was refilled once in an hour and a half. After I tracked another server that wasn't mine. Staff can really make or break a place. I don't easily drop over a $100 tab and can't get a glass of water. Sorry I won't be back.
(1)Adam B.
I honestly don't think I've been this satisfied by a meal in a while... So satisfied, that I ate half of my sister's meal as well! I had the Mushroom Ravioli with Arrabbiata sauce-- the sauce was so sweet and spicy... Totally unexpected as it wasn't a traditional Arrabbiata, but fantastic nonetheless. My sister got the Tortelloni and it was almost better than the Ravioli. 5/5
(5)Miranda L.
Lord, have mercy. I had the most amazing breakfast I have ever had. Evah. My husband and I showed up for a European breakfast after reading reviews on Urban Spoon. We were the first customers and were treated like a king and queen by our delightful waitresses. We ordered mimosas and had the award-winning eggs Benedict in a Yorkshire pudding pop-over. I damn near licked the plate! It was soooo delicious! The atmosphere was very "mob" Italian! I can't wait to go back. I'd drive 3 hours to Destin just for the breakfast! Do it! Check it out!
(5)Karoline K.
Service was good at this place. I remember being seated immediately and our waitress would check up on us. There were a few things that were disappointing about this place. Bread was decent came with olive oil to dip your bread in. Bread was fresh and yummy. We ordered the gnocchi in a sage brown butter sauce and it was pretty good. I ordered a margherita pizza, and it was not to my liking. I should have just got the original house pizza. The crust was not to shabby. The bf ordered Lobster Raviolli in cherry tomato cream sauce. That was a let down because there was only one raviolli with lobster meat. It was the house special!! How could they set our hopes so high! (I always try his food, tehehe.) The actual sauce was rather weak too. We ordered dessert which was the Tiramisu and cheesecake. They put whip cream all over the Tiramisu. We ate whatever didn't have whip cream on it. Way to take away from the dessert. I'll have to try the pizza again but it was better than to Cafe Italia.
(3)Rachel P.
Two times I have ordered lunch and both times they missed the mark! When you charge so much for lunch you need to get it right, esp for takeout. This time was too much. I ordered a chicken Caesar salad and the garlic rolls. The total came to a little over $20.00. There was no dressing on the salad or with it, but most importantly the chicken was under cooked. I did not not notice the semi raw chicken until I had eaten several bites of salad! I only have 30 minutes for lunch so I missed out . They said they would put the money back on my card but it was a long lunchless day!
(1)Seepferdchen J.
You will NOT have a better eggplant parmesan sandwich on the Emerald Coast. Perfect crusty bread with delicious eggplant, sauce, and cheese. Make time to go for lunch, because they don't offer sandwiches on their dinner menu.
(5)Terra B.
Oh my gosh. This place is my favorite for Italian food. It is excellent quality and I have honestly never met a dish I haven't liked (although there are certainly a few I absolutely love). The staff is very courteous and attentive. You can tell these folks take pride in their restaurant. The eggplant Parmesan is hands down my favorite but the Strombolis are freakishly huge and you could deliciously survive on them for days. AND they give you the homemade bread and oil & herb sauce prior... SO GOOD.
(5)Liz D.
This is a great place to go for a slower paced, enjoyable, romantic dinner on date night, or any night. This is not fast food italian. I have been more than satisfied with all the dishes that iv'e had there. There lunch has cheaper, but similar versions of dinner entrees. I recommend this place to anyone in the area looking for great and fresh italian food. Service is friendly and attentive. Reasonable prices, and great wine from what I remember!
(4)Scott P.
In desperate search for an awesome pizza for Friday takeout and ran across reviews for Clemenza's...wood fired pizza, absolutely! Ordered their Capricciosa, and picked it up about 15 mins later. Walked out to my car and opened the box to make sure it was the right one, and already I was disappointed...pizza was not HOT, just warm. Got home and put it back in the oven to re-crisp. Crust was good--crisp, and slight chewy but the overall flavor was rather bland. Overall, takeout pizza was "good" but not my favorite.
(3)Carrie M.
The wood fire pizza is a must try! Everything is authentic Italian at its best. Sat at the bar because the restaurant was packed, suggest reservations if you are more than two. Cheesecake was a perfect ending to our meal. We will be back.
(5)M M.
When the place opened up a while back. I was like "yaay,finally some real Italian cooking " I ordered pizza and I was disappointed . It was soggy
(2)Wade C.
First. Pizza is ok. Thats it. Nothing else realty lives up to a true Italian standard. Eggplant disappointing. Pasta disappointed. Sauce not good..portions small. Atmosphere bland.
(2)Allison C.
I'm so over this place! It's like being in an abusive relationship - they tell you they love you but treat you like shit. That is consistently how I feel about this restaurant and this morning settled it for me. Great ambiance, great sounding menu, managers/owners(?) helicoptering about the dining room. Everything "seems" great but it's just not! This morning's brunch was an excruciating experience for me. Restaurant not even half full, seated straight away. And then the wait. Everything is in slooooooow moootion! Like coma casual. Server doesn't have enough water in the pitcher to fill our five glasses, and it's like, "ohhhh, I might need to get some more water" dream sequence. Shuffle to the drink station ever.so .nonchalantly.... Takes our order, and something like seven minutes pass before orange juices and coffee get to the table. The server was holding the tray at my eye level and I notice a chip on the coffee cup. Apparently she sees it at the same time, and rather under her breath, mumbles, "ohhh, I might need to get another cup. Sorry." And the dead-slow-stop speed back to the bar to languidly get another cup, literally minutes pass. Anyhow, you get the idea. Zero pep, zero personality, seemingly indifferent to, oh, everything. We waited 45 minutes for our food. Pumpkin pancakes, french toast, cheese blintzes, chicken omelet, and eggs benedict. We were asked by 1 of 3 manager/owners if everything was all right before we even got our food. How do you even respond to that? Then assured again by another owner/manager that "Your food is coming and it's worth the wait!" The server inching her way with three of five plates from the kitchen to our table.... STOPS to have a "Hi, how are you, good to see you" conversation with another table. I'm about ready to scream at this point. She drops off the lukewarm food.... Three small pumpkin pancakes, no garnish. Heavy and wet texture, bland. Omelet was also on the small side. Chicken super salty. Strange part is that the description said caramelized onions, which it had, but also chopped onions, too. Husband said that the bites without chicken were pretty good. My benedict looked good, but also not hot. Popovers were too dry on the outside and eggs were overcooked. Prosciutto, which I know is supposed to be salty, was overboard. For the prices and the wait, I was hoping that this was going to be awesome, like I do just about every time we come here. Nope. Looks great, tastes not so great. (Very European!) Requested the check, charged for two coffees, only had one, which ordinarily wouldn't be a big deal, but I wanted to leave!! Took FOR-FUCKING-EVER to pay for this experience. So long, in fact, that I left with my kids to get in the car while my husband waited to finish the transaction. Basically ruined our Saturday because by the time we got out of there, we didn't have enough time to go to the festival before my husband had to go to work. We're talking an hour and a half for breakfast?!?! Good God. Not to mention $$$. I feel deceived by this place because it SEEMS like such a great place, and I WANT it to be a great place, the food LOOKS good, but I have been more disappointed than satisfied and I am tired of trying to kid myself that it's worth it. With all of the "award-winning-best-in-Fort-Walton" all over the windows, I feel like there's something wrong with me or I am nuts, but today I didn't drink the koolaid. Put a fork in me - DONE.
(1)