Great atmosphere! Got the Alfredo and it was delicious. Started off with the badda bing shrimp and followed up with a cheesecake slice. Waitress and food were great. I can see why this place was popular.
(5)
Matthew P.
"Hidden Gem" maayyy be a tad bit overstated - all in all the fillet was good and cooked to my liking. Dinner salad fine as well - baked potato good. Poor wine and really bad beer list. Noise level very loud. So, food was "A-OK" in Yelpers terms. It seem that this place cannot make up its mind - high end steak house (sans nice wine list) or a little better than Outback at twice or three times the price. Would I be back - hmmm, not for a beer.
(3)
Robert T.
Atmosphere very nice. Waitress friendly and knowledgeable. My filet was one of the best I have ever tasted. Will co e back again and again
(4)
Edwin D.
I went to dinner here with my wife out of curiosity. It's parking lot was full even in the middle of the week. We had the shrimp piccata which was very good. My wife had the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken but found the pasta to be a bit salty. I had the veal with the Marsala mushroom sauce, yet it did not have much in the taste or mushrooms. They seemed like canned mushrooms rather than fresh slices. The veal was tender though. The menu is very large and since they've been here since 1948, I would return and try some other things.
(3)
Doug P.
I have been to Iavarone's 100 times over the last 20 years. And I have never been let down. This place is consistent, and not in the bad way. You are always greeted at the door and most of the time greeted by Carmine the owner. It is like everyone is a long lost friend. The bar service is always fabulous and good. When you buy a drink you don't have to wonder if the put liquor in the drink. You get what you pay for. This last visit we had the scallops and spinach. Wow they were good. When you bite into the scallop you know what good taste is. The spinach was good as well but the scallop washes the mind away, and makes you forget everything else. Well it could have been the Tito's and grapefruit juice. This place is great on a date or with friends. It is ones of the best in Tampa.
(5)
Steve G.
Two trips in one. First and last. Had prime rib, it was bland and tasteless. Sad, heard good things about this restaurant from others on yelp. Have to agree with those's who have posted low marks. Might be a good neighborhood bar. Received feedback from management. I do appreciate the fact that they take the time to actually read the reviews left by their patrons. Then I noticed that management leaves feedback to all negative reviews. But it does not make sense to me to go back and spend more money at a restaurant that disappointed me to begin with, I've eaten at some really great steak houses, and I know what a good steak should taste like and how it should be prepared. First impressions are the most lasting.
(1)
Allanna G.
The good - dessert. The bad - the entrees and salad. The ugly - hidden bay leaf surprise. I wanted to like this place, but sadly did not. The salad was bland and totally uninspired - ice burg lettuce, three extra small olives, two unripe tomato wedges - all were drowned in dry store bought tasting Parmesan cheese. No "lite" dressing available here, which I prefer. I imagine McDonald's has a better no frills version. The salmon was overdone on one end and underdone on the other, due to a non-uniform thickness. The potato was partially underdone as well. The prime rib was bland according to my husband, but cooked to order. The unexpected and unpleasant bay leaf under the mashed potatoes was, however, off-putting. Dessert was good - tiramisu and limoncello cake. Don't think we will be coming back. *** Rico thank you for taking the time to respond. Our visit was the evening of Saturday, April 11th. I would like to point out our server and service were fine and give credit where it is due. It was the food that we found disappointing during our visit.
(2)
Leigh C.
Yum! I had the Bada Bing shrimp and Penne Iavarone with chicken followed by the cannoli. The Bada Bing shrimp are similar to Bonefish's bang bang shrimp but these were heavily doused in sauce well before they reached the table. I would prefer the shrimp a little crispier but hey, they were still good. Wow, that pasta was filling and tasty. I have a TON of leftovers! I had to leave room for dessert: cannolis! Very light and satisfying. I had a taste of my husband's chicken Alfredo and my friend's cheesecake. The Chicken Alfredo was very tasting but not too heavy like most places serve it. The cheesecake was rich but again, not overdone. When we first got there they said it would be a 30 minute wait but it was closer to ten. I'll take that!
(4)
Kayla S.
The food saved this review. Bar service was non existent if you weren't a 60 year old man with Lambo car keys. Table server was polite, but not the service I would expect at an establishment with a $40 steak. The food was phenomenal. The tomato soup, house salad, ahi tuna and ribeye were delicious. Because of the flavor, I didn't even care that the steak was a little overdone. Bone in steaks are difficult to make perfect. I'm hoping my server was having an off day and I would be willing to give them another try.
(3)
petaluma d.
Really good food, but what makes this place is the bar! Hang out there for martinis and small plates and you won't be disappointed!
(4)
Angela Maria Y.
Great service, location, and food. I stopped by Friday afternoon to meet a client for my small biz. The food smelled soooooo amazing I decided to stay and have what I thought was going to be a small steak....it was huge! Seasoned to perfection, and melted in my mouth. I recommend paying the 2.00 up charge for the Jenn Salad...it's wonderful. You also get one fresh side I ordered the vegetable of the day. My whole dinner was only $25 before tax and tip....it was AMAZING!!!! They also have free WiFi...so I was able to sit in the bar area at a booth and get some work done too.
(5)
Shannon S.
Sad that Iavaronne's is not what it used to be. We moved farther from this restaurant and because of that don't frequent it as often as we used to. Well it's been about a year since dining there and I'm sad to say it was probably the last time. My husband and I took our daughter and her friend here last night for Valentine's Day. The wait was over an hour, understandably, so we had drinks while we waited. When we were seated we were happy and looking forward to a great meal. We started with the bada bing shrimp. It was good as usual. I ordered the salmon and was looking forward to having it prepared with their sundried tomato, caper, and artichokes. Unfortunately they took that option off of the menu. I was beyond heart broken as this was all I wanted for my meal. My husband ordered the filet (medium well). The food came out and unfortunately my husbands steak came out moo-ing. Which for me would be fine because I like it like that but he on the other hand doesn't. So he sent it back because he could not eat it. While we felt badly about eating without him he insisted we did. 10 minutes later his steak was brought back out. This time it was medium rare. Really? It's Valentine's Day. Can we get the steak right? To over cook is semi understandable. But to keep bringing it back under cooked is not. She took it back again and about 10 minutes later my husband told her to just keep it. They took the steak off the bill and brought out a dessert. The kids were happy but unfortunately my husband and I were left disappointed. Sadly, that will be our last time choosing this restaurant for a nice dinner out. There are many more great options in Tampa at this same price point. Especially newer restaurants that haven't become complacent with their services.
(2)
michelle l.
This is a nice place to get a steak if you don't want to dress up too much. I delayed trying out Iavarone's because of its location and because I hate places that don't take reservations. However, I am glad that I finally tried it out. We arrived close to 9pm, so there was no wait for a table. Our hostess and waitress were really friendly, if not especially professional. We started with the fried calamari, and it was great. A little on the salty side, but well fried and very tasty. We also both ordered the Caesar salad, and it was fine, but not great. I tried the prime rib. It was succulent, and it was perfect with the au jus. I wish they offered horseradish sauce too, because that would have made it perfect. The baked potato on the side was a tiny over-salted, but still quite tasty. My husband had the NY strip, and he thought it was great. For dessert, I had the cannoli, which were fine but just a tiny bit hard. I think I should have had the tiramisu instead. I wasn't impressed by the wine list. We decided to open the bottle we brought instead ($15 corkage), but the cocktails were pretty good. The bartender mixed a mean dirty martini and Hendricks and tonic.
(4)
Andy M.
One of my fav "Local" spots in Tampa. Great atmosphere. Excellent bread, salad, apps and Italian. Had the Lamb last time I was there. I would give it a B+ as it was seasoned perfectly just Cooked more like Med Well instead of requested Med Rare. Love the salad. Miss the Sausage Pizza app. Good spot for consistent food and good service.
(4)
Peter W.
My favorite restaurant of all-time! The ambiance, the food, the service and the authenticity makes this place special.
Ivarone's has been around for many years. It is consistently busy for both lunch and dinner. Why? Because their food and their customer service are also consistently top-notch. We didn't have too much time to eat, so we needed a quick lunch. I started with the soup of the day, Chicken Noodle. The soup was very good, but I felt that there should have been a little more "chicken and noodles" instead more broth. We both had the Filet Tip Salad. The meat was cooked perfectly and the dressing complimented the salad, as well. Great place for both meals if you are in the area, but keep in mind this place fills up quickly!
(3)
Lindsay B.
Always an amazing time. The food and ambiance are incredible. The staff are super friendly and accommodating. This is our go to spot when we want to go out for dinner. The steaks are some of the best that I've ever had. The chateaubriand is the best in town.
(5)
Allison P.
We held my grandmother's 75th birthday party here on Saturday night; reserved the private space on the second floor for dinner. The space is absolutely beautiful and held our group of ~35 with room to spare. We had two really great bartender/servers - Melanie & Amanda. They took care of the group during the cocktail hour and then served dinner to the four tables. Dinner was served family style. We had chicken marsala, salmon, and sirloin with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables (mostly broccoli) for sides. I had the steak (perfectly cooked - medium rare) with a small serving of mashed potatoes and veggies. The potatoes were too mashed (100% smooth) for my liking but the vegetables were seasoned and cooked well. Everything was perfect about our night at Iavarone's. We had a wonderful, relaxed dinner party with good food and great service.
(5)
Apple C.
Arrived at 6:15 on a Saturday - granted, right before the holidays so perhaps that skews things. I had previously called to make a reservation for 2 and was told they weren't taking them for parties that size. So we rolled in and put our names down at 6:15, being quoted a 20-25 min wait by the disinterested hostess. We were seated around 7. By 7:50, we'd had an appetizer but were still waiting on our entrees - and no, we were not slow to order. Service was extremely friendly but slow - I'm guessing she was spread thin. We were seated at a booth along the main corridor, and noise from the myriad waiting patrons huddled around the wall to our booth and entrance to our seating area was extremely distracting (perhaps this is because we had two extremely loud parties seated in booths around us as well). So far, 2 for ambiance and speed. Now for the food. We started with a spicy marinara mussel dish off the specials menu that was pretty tasty; for me, this turned into the highlight of the night at a "pretty good" tastiness level. It was accompanied by some fairly boring (and cold) bread with a tray of dipping sauces with some pesto, balsamic glaze, and a red pepper spread - all were fine; none were special. For dinner I chose a 14oz New York strip with Oscar topping and a side of fettuccine Alfredo. The steak was tough to cut and chew and therefore not up my alley; my husband told me (after I asked) that's a symptom of me not eating steak often enough to know what to expect of a New York strip (ie, it's no tender filet, for example) coupled with an overly firm char (bordering on bark) on the outside of my Medium steak. Unfortunately, even if it hadn't been tough, the oscar sauce would still have ruined it for both of us: there was a lot of very tasty crab, which I loved. However, the bernaise had broken prior to delivery to the table and basically tasted like I was eating steak doused in melted lemon (vinegar, I suppose?) butter - this was not a pleasant combination with the extremely chewy meat. The pasta side had good pasta and was decent but nothing I'd go out of my way for. Now, to be fair, my husband said his bone in ribeye was a "solid 8.5". He agreed his own side of fettuccine Alfredo was ok but not mind blowing. All in all, it was meh. In 2 months I won't remember any of the flavors, but I will remember how I found this place slow and disappointing after such great yelp reviews.
(2)
Kelleigh M.
Run by the same family who owns Malio's, Iavarone's is a gem in the north tampa Area. A group of us girls went there during the Christmas holidays. We walked into the old Tampa landmark and were instantly happy. We had a drink at the bar while waiting for a table. You could tell this is the type of place that locals and regulars come to. The menu is moderately priced and consists of your traditional Italian fare plus steaks. We all got a filet and I must say, for the Price, it was superb. I also really enjoyed their house salad that came with me meal. It's not located on a main thorough fare, which causes me to forget about it often, but the meal was quite memorable.
(4)
Dave M.
This was our first trip to the restaurant and it definitely won't be our last. The food was outstanding. My wife had the prime rib and I had the filet. Both were done perfectly! Our server (Kristen) was the only reason I didn't rate our experience as five stars. She was more interested in chatting with her friends than servicing our table. She never cleaned our dirty dishes after the appetizer until we asked her to take them away. When we finished our meal she again left the dirty dished on the table. Another server Tyler, saw what was happening and he cleaned our table while Kristen continued to chat with her friends. After the table was cleared she returned with our check and never asked if we would like coffee, desert or an after dinner drink. I told the owner about our experience with Kristen's service. He said he would look into the matter. I would definitely recommend that you make reservations for dinner, but even if you don't the food is worth the wait! Dave M
(4)
Jim C.
VIBE: Neighborhood restaurant & bar, large bar area (about 1/3rd of entire restaurant) is visited by "mature" regulars, big TVs in bar side, dim lighting. ORDER THE: Filet tip salad. Have steak and salad in one dish. Comes with bottomless basket of hot bread with butter or olive oil. A bargain at $14.00. Ask for Terry for server. Secret for cigar smokers - have outdoor smoking patio in back on 2nd floor. No food service and have to be nice to get server to bring drinks up. Would rate 3.5 but have to go with either 3 or 4 rating
(3)
Steve E.
Iavarone's is a wonderful "date night" restaurant located in Northwest Hillsborough County at the corner of Himes Avenue and Humphrey Street -- not far from N. Dale Mabry and Waters Avenue. This is an old-school family owned and operated Italian Steakhouse & Grill. The Iavarone family opened such well-known restaurants as Carmine's on 7th Avenue in Ybor, Malio's on S. Dale Mabry, and Iavarone's in NW Hillsborough. The restaurant had it's Cigar City Mafia connections back in the day, and there is a lot of history associated with this place. Fast forward to today, and Iavarone's is a very elegant steakhouse where you'll be warmly greeted by the Maitre d' and then wait in the bar area for your table. The whole restaurant is richly-paneled in dark wood and their immense wine collection sits on display between glass windows. You can have a beer or glass of wine in the bar area, or sip on one of their carefully-crafted cocktails. The Maitre d' will come and get you when your table is ready, and then weave you through the dining room to your spot. A basket of hot bread is not far behind. The service is top-notch at Iavarone's, they are quick to refill your beverages but stay discretely out of the way so that you can have a private discussion. You'll find the menu has a high-end selection of appetizers (I highly recommend the Bada Bing Shrimp), soups, and salads. From there you launch right in to the steaks, chops, prime ribs, chicken, veal, seafood, and excellent pasta dishes. Everything is delicious, and the portions are very generous. For dessert you'll find the classic Italian standards of tiramisu, crème brulee, cannoli, and NY style cheesecake. I highly recommend a bottle of their excellent Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon with your meal. Dinner will not be cheap, but the meal and the dining experience will be a very pleasant memory.
(4)
Lucy P.
The restaurant was really cute, it has that like neighborhood restaurant but nicer feel to it,my steak was good.
(4)
Mark H.
This is a conflicted review. I want to go 5 star because I've been eating here for about 15 years with nothing but good experiences in my memory bank, but I guess all good things come to an end, huh? We went to Ivaronne's this past Sunday for my sister-in-law's birthday, AND it was my chica's first time dinning at the establishment. Everything started great. Service was prompt and good, as always. The aps looked and tasted great, especially the AHI TUNA. That was one serious tuna steak! Perfectly seared. The salads came out in a timely fashion, and were delicious. They really do have one of the best Caesar dressings around. Everything was all was good until the main courses came out. My sister-in-law ordered her steak medium, and it came out very much well done. The damn thing was grey. You can't UNCOOK a freakin' steak, so she had to sit there for 10 minutes watching us eat while they cooked another one for her. And then her replacement steak arrived, it was medium RARE. So back to the kitchen it went. Finally, when it came out for the 3rd time, it was properly prepared. But by this time, we were all done eating and the mental damage was done. They did take her steak off of the bill, but at what actual cost??? My steak, ordered medium, was definitely leaning more towards medium well, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I ate and enjoyed my filet to the fullest. My chica had a sirloin and some spinach casserole dish (can't remember the name), and she was enjoying it until she got sick at the table and had to excuse herself. Maybe it's unfair to blame her sudden stomach pains on the Ivaronne's because I sampled everything on her plate and never got sick myself. But one can't help wonder what it was. It had been several hours since we last ate, and food poisoning doesn't take that long to catch up to you. Either way, because we don't have any scientific evidence of what caused the illness, we have to assume it was probably Ivaronne's. For dessert, we ordered the BANANAS FOSTER, which has historically been a good choice. It used to come out to the table and they'd set it on fire like an emergency flare right in your face. The flambe experience was what dreams were made of. What they brought us were some underripe bananas with crappy icecream. And the sauce... It seemed like warm squeeze bottle caramel syrup from the grocery store that was pre-warmed in the kitchen and served on the side in some sort of gravy boat. No dark rum or banana liqueur taste AT ALL. For $8, it made me sad as hell. So given the total experience, last Sunday will most likely go down in the record books as my final visit to what was once one of the best fine restaurants in town. This would have been a 1 star review, but I'm going with a 3 because I have so many fond food memories here. =(
(3)
Kerri H.
We brought our family to dinner there on Saturday night. My son and husband both ordered the ribeye it was horrible. It was tough and very fatty, neither one of them ate it. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs which is a staple on their menu. The meatballs were less than appetizing. My husband notified the waitress of the poor quality of the meat and he asked to speak to someone. Our waitress never sent anyone over. We paid the check and left. I did let the manager know on our way out that it was less than expected. We were very disappointed.
(1)
Sue W.
Really nice place. We went for our anniversary on a Wednesday night and it was quite crowded but no wait. I had prime rib (delicious) and my husband had fettuccine with shrimp. Sangria and chocolate cake too. Great service. Would definitely return.
(4)
Sal M.
Excellent place! The meals I've had have been superb and I will be a regular. When your here you feel like your in NY.
(5)
Tiffany G.
I had the perfect dinner here. My friend and I shared the escargot and crabmeat cocktail for appetizers, and then I ordered the petite filet mignon with the special vegetable of the day: creamed spinach for my meal. The appetizers were very tasty and satisfying. The entree came with a salad, so I ordered the house salad and it was great and had a lot of Parmesan on top. My steak was perfectly cooked and the creamed spinach was yummy!! My friend didn't choose the best entree.. She opted for a shrimp salad and said it wasn't great; however, she has been here multiple times and has had great entrees in the past!! So, if you come here, skip that one!! Also, service was great and valet was complimentary. I don't live in Tampa, but would definitely return when in town!
(5)
Michael D.
When we moved to Tampa about 8 years ago we were very pleased to discover Iavarone's Steak House & Grill, 3617 West Humphrey Street. The dinner menu is reasonably priced with the "pasta favorites" starting at $10.00. My personal favorite is the $15.00 Crab Enchilado, a spicy family recipe. My wife recently had an excellent pork chop special that was about $28.00, if I recall correctly. So the food is excellent, no complaints in that department. The atmosphere of the restaurant is usually fairly quiet, with the music tending to inoffensive Italian restaurant favorites, you know, Frank, Dean, and their ilk, providing a subdued aural environment. On our last visit, however, we were treated to a low-fi aural assault consisting of badly reproduced pop music with a grating beat that was just hard to take, and which was not at all in keeping with the overall atmosphere of the establishment we have grown to know and formerly love. This music was more appropriate to a fast food restaurant in a mall food court rather than a mid-to-high priced sit-down Italian place. When the theme from "Frozen", "Let It Go" started to play, we just could not take it anymore. I strolled over to the manager and asked that the music at least be turned down a bit so we could finish our meals without gritting our teeth. I was met with a very disingenuous frozen smile and basically no cooperation whatsoever. She said she would mention it to the owner, who must have lost any awareness of the importance of appropriate music in establishing a pleasant dining atmosphere in a dark-wood restaurant dining room. Really, the manager and the hostess looked at me seemingly without comprehension, just these forced smiles. It was incongruous; the couple across from us were going to the theatre, were really dressed up, and they looked very uncomfortable. They noticed me talking to the staff about the bad music and we commiserated. We finished our meals, paid (about $65.00 with tip), and left, and we won't be back. For that kind of money I just can't sit still for fast-food music. This is not a restaurant where teenagers hang out, so why should the customers have to endure their music? The two stars are for the spoiled atmosphere, it made the food taste bad.
(2)
Katy S.
One of my very favorite restaurant in Tampa. I have only been here a handful of times but look forward to going back. The family owned ambience is great in here. The staff is nice and friendly. Most importantly the food is DELICIOUS and affordable. My personal favorite is the gorgonzola crusted steaks. They also offer escargot as an appetizer, which is really good too. If you are looking for a good date night spot, Iavarone's is your place.
(5)
Jerry G.
Went here last night for dinner. The parking lot was packed and we waited 5 minutes for the family parked next to the only empty space get their act together and realize we needed to pull into that spot.... a definitely "me first" attitude. So, I was not in a good mood going in. With the parking lot that full and no reservations, I expected to be told that we had a wait, but we were escorted to our table right away. The service was right on with the waitress coming back every 5-10 minutes. We started off with the Large grilled shrimp and the 2 meatball appetizers. The shrimp good, the meatballs outstanding with the marinara and cheese sauce. I had the prime rib "medium" with broccoli and my wife had a small filet with a gorgonzola cheese sauce on it. I loved the prime rib. Tender, and done just right. My wife loved the filet as well. We topped the meal off with a Tiramisu and coffee. The Tiramisu was lighter than normal but had the right taste. Living just up the road in Carrollwood the last 20 years, why have we not been here before? It was great service, great steaks and a great dessert.
(5)
Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because it was delicious but it was filling. --- --- --- Jack Black was talking about the filet mignon from Iavarone's in Anchorman right? A perfect description of a great meal. All of it was great, I cannot find room to complain. I guess the only couple of things keeping my experience shy of 5 stars were the price and the fact that it was not THE best filet I've ever had. It was very, very good, but I think Acropolis still wears that crown. I ordered to-go during my visit, and look forward to dining in with the girlfriend, or with a friend looking for a romantic dinner with me.
(4)
Chris L.
We had dinner with family and we were all very satisfied with our food, service and atmosphere. I had the crab linguine with a spicy marinara sauce. It was great, the crab meat was cooked to perfection and the spice level was enough to make it an interesting dish. My sister had some steak that also was cooked to perfection. The reason I bring up her steak is that I was able to make the joke that if she ate the whole thing she gets it for free. It was THAT BIG, and yet the cook was perfect. No, she didn't eat it all so I couldn't bother the waitress for a freebie. Anyway, If you want a great meal at a pretty reasonable price then you can't go wrong here. Casual dress, collars and sleeves required.
(5)
Kim O.
When it comes to steak Charley's is my all time favorite, but Iavarone's is a close second for a bunch of reasons. The steaks are priced really reasonably and I have never, ever had a steak here that wasn't cooked perfectly. I have been coming here for years and I've never been disappointed. All entrees come with a complimentary salad and side of pasta which is awesome. GET THE HOUSE SALAD. It is just amazing. The home made dressing is mixed with a ton of cheese and olives and it is just sinful. The pasta with the "princess" sauce is also outstanding. And like I said before the steaks are great. My only complaint is that they took the bone in ribeye off the menu. This sucks. It comes back on the specials menu sometimes but I would love if it was put back on the permanent. Please? Anyway, I will be back. Service and atmosphere are also really nice here. It's fun to sit in the bar area, but more romantic in the dining room.
(5)
Rosie P.
Went for lunch and had the crab wedge salad. It was fantastic. Our waiter was great and very attentive. I'd definitely try this place again!
(5)
Da Vman V.
Not impressed, we walked out after appetizer! We didn't feel like we were in the same place out fellow Yelpers spoke about ?? Restaurant empty @ 6:30pm on a Fri nite.
(1)
Val S.
So so good. By far my favorite Italian restaurant in Tampa. I had to dock a star just for the fact they don't take reservations for parties under 6. Very hard to plan a date night or even a foursome with friends on the wknd without having to wait about an hour! Get it together and knock that number down please.
(4)
Gigi S.
I've driven by this place since I was in grade-school and FINALLY decided to give it a try for a friend's Bday. Bad idea. Besides her steak being cooked wrong repeatedly until they finally decided to remove it from the check (Happy Birthday, indeed!) my boyfriend had to stuff his steak down his gullet out of hunger and desperation while his was at the wrong temperature as well! I asked that my appetizer come out with the meal. Too much to ask. Then I got the worst stomach ache in my life. I eat so much shit on a daily basis, that I'm going to refrain from blaming this place for my gut rot. Instead, I think I'll just never go back. The tuna was really good, but I can get that anywhere, and next time I want to eat dinner in my friend's face while she waits for her steak to come back from repair a couple times, I'm sure I can find a place to pay less for it. I'd rather have a good, 50.00 steak, than a fucked up free one any day. I'd give one star, but I'm pissed at myself for being sick, and my boyfriend loves this relic. Carnivores Unite!
(2)
Mike S.
A bit north to be considered West Tampa but this is one of the triumvirate of cIassic Italian steakhouses. As the name suggests, it specializes in steak, but has a number of other Italian, or Italian-influenced dishes. It is large, but has multiple dining areas to avoid the high-school cafeteria feel. Not too fancy, but a feel of luxury & indulgence. Service is very smooth and the quality of food is generally high, but not our favorite steak house. A bit pricey but not as much as Malio's or Donatello's. This is a mandatory stop if you wish to experience the complete Tampa range of places with Mafia connections in past [check the Scott Deitche book, "Cigar City Mafia'") However even though John Gotti Jr. was recently arrested and jailed here, Tampa has cleansed itself of mob activity. But I still suggest you tip the valet parking generously.
(3)
Joseph A.
Error
(1)
Shane B.
Had dinner here last weekend with four other friends and it was excellent. We were sat immediately at our reservation time and the waitress was very attentive and friendly as well as all of the staff. None of us had to use the valet as we found parking spots. The food was awesome, but had a slight issue with our steak. We and another couple both ordered Châteaubriand's prepared Pittsburgh style (black on the outside and red inside - medium rare). The other couple's steak was a perfect medium rare while our steak was medium. Regardless, it was still super tender and extremely tasty! We informed the waitress and she quickly offered to have a new one made, which we declined. She then gave us two free drinks, which we thought was very nice. Will return again for sure.
(5)
Tara S.
wow.... I walked in and it smelled like old fried food, garlic, and cleaner. all I had were appetizers and they were all terrible i don't even want to know what their main courses taste like. We had the salmon cakes , meatballs with mozzarella, calamari, and the bada bing shrimp. The salmon cakes looked like they were made with canned salmon and not with the $11 dollars. You could tell that the meatballs were frozen and they were all around unimpressive. The calamari was the WORST calamari I have ever had in my entire life... over fried, bland, and i know that their squid was frozen too. The bada bing shrimp (the "bang bang shrimp's cousin 3 times removed)... i would compare it to a bad one night stand... boring, limp and left a bad taste in my mouth. There are too many good restaurants in the Tampa Bay area for me to waste my time on this place again...
(1)
Shannon S.
I love Ivarone's. It is right around the corner from my house. We go there as often as possible. Their martini's are amazing, the salmon is my favorite, and the mood of the restaurant is great. The complementary valet is also nice. Tomorrow is my birthday and we will be going there for dinner. I am looking forward to it already!!
(5)
Miranda A.
Waited 45 minutes for a salad.. Had to get it to go. No discount or apologies were offered. Not worth the money and time wasted
(1)
Nicole E.
I absolutely love Lavarone's, and feel upset that I've missed out on it in all the years I've lived in Tampa! The feel is very romantic and dim and reminded my husband and I of our honeymoon in Italy. We started with an amazing bottle of Chianti and by the time the bread came I was ready to give the place 5 stars, lol. I can't even begin to gush enough about the bread alone-so garlic covered and delicious :) I had the Petite Filet Mignon encrusted with Gorgonzola and it was perfection. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)
Meghan W.
This Italian restaurant is very traditional and old school, and my fiance and I love it here. There is a huge bar where you can sit and wait or have dinner before being seated, and they do their vodka gimlets right (something about Italian restaurants). I always get the Penne Iavaraone, because it has the perfect blend of everything that I like. The portions are huge, and I usually take a lot of it to go and will eat it for lunch and dinner the next day. The steaks are also good, and they can be ordered with a gorgonzola crust on them. We also really like the house salad here, as it's just a great blend of traditional Italian ingredients. And of course, the bada bing shrimp are great, although not that different from the same concept at many other restaurants. Make reservations for large parties on Friday or Saturday nights. We've been with large groups for parties, small groups just to go out, and just the two of us. There really isn't an occasion where Iavarone's isn't appropriate.
(5)
Record S.
Okay it was pretty decent steaks and service was exceptional. Only issue was there were to elderly gentleman making out at the table next to us grunting like tortoises making love. OTher than that I highly recommend
(5)
Tommy ..
Excellent Italian Steakhouse hidden in North Tampa! Went once, had a excellent meal, excellent service and great ambient dim atmosphere. Would highly recommend!
(5)
Eric H.
I order food at an Italian Restaurant that I cannot make at home. Why? Because I can make it better. So when I go to a place like this, it had better be good, real good. Well, this place IS. Outstanding, in fact. They do veal right,. They do everything we have ever had here, right. Nice atmosphere, if not a tad louder than I like, but still nice. Busy, and I know why. Service is very good (you have to be exceptional to get more than a very good from me). Pricy but still good value. Nice wine list. Good bar. A place you should try, most definitely.
(4)
Rob B.
I have been eating here nearly every business trip to Tampa in the past few years. This time we came for lunch. Dinner has always excelled, the service, the food. The house salad tossed table side is wonderful. But the location only locals or yelpers could find. Today"s lunch was no exception to the rule and after sharing the nicely spicy bada bing shrimp, we were unable to eat the large lunches. As I was hotel bound, I had to leave 2 huge grilled U10 shrimp on the table as I could eat no more. I still feel guilty.
(5)
Joe M.
Great sauce, with the meatballs!!!! Old school place but the food was on point.
(4)
Occy V.
Iavarone's is tucked away off of Dale Mabry and is really worth the trip if you live in Tampa. When Malio's closed I was so sad that I couldnt goto my favorite happy hour spot and some of my favorite meals. Thankfully his twin Carmine is around and serving up that same high quality food in a great environment. Iavarone's thank you very much for keeping your picatta and food exactly the way your brother and you have been serving it my whole life!
(4)
Blondie P.
We've eaten here most every trip we take to the area but this time was a big disappointment. The veal piccata was fried veal, with a couple of tablespoons of sauce., and barely warm. I ordered the Alfredo sauce for my pasta side, and it was a glob of pasta with sauce, looked like leftovers that had sat in the refrigerator and then dumped on a plate. The bada bing shrimp and escargot were good - if we go back, and that's a really big if, I'll stick to the bar and order a couple of appetizers. (Hubby couldn't remember what he ordered so that says something about it too, but nothing real good !) our friends said their meals were good, but they weren't raving about them.
(3)
Jacqueline L.
Had my birthday dinner here last year after having it recommended by my in-laws. It couldn't have been better. The restaurant is very loud, so I was nervous when we walked in the door. We were escorted to a private room and my nerves started calming down a bit. The room was beautiful, intimate and quiet. It felt like the type of setting you'd see where you expect to hear the details of a whacking go down or how the next shipment of illegal liquor is going to make its circulation. All that was missing was a mound of cocaine in the middle of the table and at least a dozen felonies between each of us. The service was fast, fancy pinky, and really couldn't have been better. I'm going to be *that* asshole and say the valet could have been a little bit quicker, but that was the only negative thing about the whole experience.
(4)
Mollyana W.
I met the owner's wife while modeling together at HSN. She told me the food at the restaurant was very good. She was wrong. It was AMAZING! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and more importantly, the food. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)
A K.
I had never heard of this place before but when we went, boy was it busy! I heard it's one of the best Italian places in Tampa and it's so hidden away that people don't know about it. The wine selection was great and we enjoyed a bottle of Shiraz. We received bread for the table, which was great, and the house salad is delicious but very big portion wise... I couldn't finish it all. I had the veal piccata and it was delicious. I recommend you go here for a date or special occasion. I would have loved to try the dessert but the meal filled me up.
(5)
Harry R.
Great memories of Iavarone's from back in the day, and our return trip was a fun time, just not as strong as the memory. Service received mixed reviews. I thought it was fine, but the other end of of 10-person table seemed to be less convinced. The bread that arrived as we sat down was fresh and delicious. Kept the four little ones occupied for a while. Calamari was fair. A couple of pieces had that iodine aftertaste that I'm never really sure what to do with. The Caprese Salad was fine, but nothing that couldn't be thrown together with ingredients found at Costco. Main course was a good portion size, and the Pasta Iavarone was a nice blend of tomato cream sauce, sauteed mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, grilled chicken, and goat cheese. One small issue was when the two balls of goat cheese were incorporated into the dish (probably should have thought that one out a bit more) the amount of cheese dominated the plate. When I reheated the half I took home I cut it with some organic milk and that seemed to help a bit. There were mixed reviews on the steaks. Some loved theirs, others were less impressed. Bananas Foster for dessert had a nice taste - but apparantly the tableside flambe has stopped due to someone having an unfortunate accident at another local eatery. I do have to say that I applaud Iavoarone's for never making us feel rushed, even though we were "that table." You know - where one of the kids runs around the table with a paper airplane, and then puts a straw in his mouth, hits the end, and almost chokes himself out. Yeah...we were that table.
(4)
Lariayn P.
My Mom and I took my Dad here for his 75th birthday with another couple. The service was great -- from the nice valets who welcomed us as they opened our car doors to our waitress who was attentive and patient, as there was lots of talking before and between ordering. We were all quite happy with our meals -- I enjoyed my seared scallop special, the birthday boy (my dad) enjoyed his steak and our other guests enjoyed their chicken and veal piccatta (parmigiana style). I pre-ordered a selection of desserts (with candles) -- the cheesecake, chocolate cake, creme brulee and the tiramisu, which they remembered to bring at the end of the meal as scheduled. All were delicious -- my faves were the cheesecake and creme brulee, and I'm not even a dessert person. All in all, it was a lovely evening. The only downside was that they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more (even though we were requesting an early res for 6pm). We had 6 but, as it turns out, one of our party was not able to attend. Thankfully, they seated us immediately even without the 6th, without blinking an eye. Some of the reviews I had read about Iavarone's before we went were mixed, so I thought it was important to share what a positive experience we had. I'd highly recommend this spot for a cozy family outing.
(4)
FutureDentist I.
Secluded from other tables with light lighting which makes it kind of romantic. Filet's are okay.
(3)
Genna H.
I went to this Italian resturant for a graduation party. The service was impecable! There was an open bar and boy were those drinks strong! The food was delicios. We had chicken parm, grilled salmon, fried cheese, salad, bread, pasta and veggies. Everything was very delicios. The only issue we ran into was the parking lot wasn't huge.
(5)
Josh M.
This place has been around for years and most locals know of it. The first time I went was in like 1993 with my parents lol! Now I roll through and sit at the bar ohh yeah! Service here is awesome. I have tried everything on the menu and everything is fantastic. I am hooked on the Surf & Turf though. There is something about their lobster, steak, and mashed potatos that just makes me order it every time. This is place is also great for a date because the booth areas are real quite and the ambiance is lightly lit and real mellow. Ohhh and check out their roof top bar, it's pretty cool. You can't go wrong with Iavarone's. It is one of Tampa's hidden gems.
(5)
Jason P.
We had our Holiday work luncheon here. Amazing food and great service. My manager recommended the steak sandwich. You can have it with the au jus or Bearnaise sauce. I chose the Bearnaise sauce and drizzled it onto the sandwich. It was very delicious and tasty! I would definitely go back again.
(5)
Kelly P.
If you are looking for a perfect date spot give Ivarone's a try. The restaurant is very old school with private wooden booths and tables. It isn't overly fancy or pretentious but it is impressive. You will definitely have a great meal without emptying your bank account. When we arrived without a reservation we were told there would be about a 20 minute wait. We were given a pager and went to have a drink at the bar. Our pager went off about 10 minutes later screaming loudly at us that our table was ready. It was a little obnoxious and there was no way to silence it while we paid the bar tab. We were seated in a private booth and ordered an appetizer of Bada Bing Shrimp. Delicious! Our house salads came on icy cold plates. Unfortunately we were only half way through our salad when our steaks showed up. I didn't expect this place to be a table flipping Chilis but here we sit with salad, pasta, and steak all before my first drink is empty. Back to the meal...I had the 7 oz. Fillet Oscar. It was delicious with HUGE chunks of crab meat. I loved it and it was cooked medium rare just like I ordered it. The side of pasta was homemade and melted in my mouth. For about $40/person you can get a glass of wine, salad, fillet and a side of pasta. I think that is a great deal considering that other Tampa steakhouses cost at least $60/person. Your server will not be a wine connoisseur and the atmosphere won't be fancy but it is a local restaurant and with that comes a lot of character and history. I will be back for sure.
(4)
Stephanie H.
This is a great restaurant! It has a classic old style feel to it and the food is amazing. The bread they bring you is the best I have ever had and is served warm with garlic powder on top. Most entrees are served with a house or ceased salad, I like the house. The menu is varied and features steaks, seafood, traditional Italian dishes and several chicken dishes so there is something for everyone. Two of my favorites are the broiled salmon and a pasta dish with spicy tomato sauce and crab meat. They also have excellent sangria that is topped off with cinnamon. Prices start at around $10 for a simple pasta to $20 plus for some of the steaks but most items are in the 13.99 to 16.99 which given the high quality bread and salad that is included is not bad. They have a large bar area and an outdoor bar on the back of the building upstairs I have not yet gone to. Service is great I highly recommend Iavarone's!
(5)
Linda B.
It is what it is. Iavarone's is a locally owned Italian steak house. It's not fabulous but it's not bad. I've had some things that were pretty good. The prices are much better than you'd see in a high-end steakhouse. Don't get me wrong, I love a good steak but hate paying $50 for one, with no sides. That's fine for special occasions but unless I win the lottery or receive a suprise inheritance, I can't afford to eat high end all the time! Recently discovered a decent wine at Iavarones - Bogle Phantom Proprietary Red. Not a great wine but it's not bad and won't set you back $40, $60 or $100 (depending on your tastes in wine :)
(4)
Jorge S.
Hands down me and my wife's favorite restaurant/steakhouse in Tampa! Atmosphere is intimate and food is ALWAYS amazing. Try your steak blackened, it's amazing. Also you MUST try garlic mashed potatoes Their calamari is amongst my favorite in the area as well. Perfect first date or romantic date night location.
(5)
Brian F.
When I am in Tampa, this is where I eat. Steaks are fantastic, great wines, awesome apps. Romantic little setting for dinner!
(5)
Mike Y.
Simply the BEST Italian restaurant in Tampa Bay - no question. The house salad is delicious and every thing I ever ordered on the menu was exceptional like the Chicken marsala, chicken saute, chicken milano, and veal saute. My wife ordered the prime rib and said it was best she ever had. If you are looking for Italian in Tampa, dont bother trying anywhere else.
(5)
Michele N.
I adore this local jewel. I love their Bada-Bing Shrimp as an appetizer to share. Their specials are always good but my all time go to is the Penne Iavarone....sundried tomato, creamy with goat cheese-OMG! The Sangria is usually very good, but inconsistent.
(4)
David F.
We brought some friends here from out of town and the food was out of sight. The tasty Badabing shrimp were gone in a matter of seconds and the steaks were delicious. Everyone's meat was cooked perfectly, my only complaint is that mine was medium well instead of medium rare, but hey, it was still good. The service was friendly, I love the atmosphere, with lots of wood, low lighting and high backed booths. I'd definitely recommend grabbing a bite here!
(5)
Nona B.
These days not as good as when I first started eating here. Used to be really good....now, just okay. Crab pasta used to be loaded with crab. Now you have to search for it. Had a filet mignon too that was mediocre at best.
(3)
Robin W.
One of my favorites! This last time, I had the dish with the chicken and the pasta with the 2 scoops of goat cheese! So delicious!
(5)
Joshua L.
My wife and I went here for our anniversary since I failed to make a reservation at Bern's. We started with the fried mozzarella and it was delicious. The breading wasn't too thick and it was friend for just the right amount of time. The marinara sauce that came with it was delicious. We both ended up ordering the filet. The steaks come with a side and soup or salad. I got the caesar salad and it made my list of top three behind The Palm and Morton's. My wife got the house salad which she enjoyed. As a side, I got the sage mashed potatoes and my wife got the baked potato. They were both very good, but their side dishes are very limited. As I said before, we both got the filet. They were cooked perfectly and melted in the mouth. The service was pleasant and quick. I would give this 5 stars except for one thing. If I am going to drop $100 on dinner, I expect a little more class, not a bunch of snot-nosed kids running around and people wearing shorts.
(4)
amber s.
Best steak and sangria in the area!
(5)
Vincent W.
I been coming here for a few years now. It's very busy but it seems like only locals come around, I rarely bump into people that haven't been visiting the place for a long time. The food is very very good, if you want steak get the blacken prime rib medium rare. Or their crab salad if you want to some greens. Their unlimited bread is very good too....if you're on a low carb diet, might want to take a break this one time to taste the bread, especially when it's hot and dipping it in their olive oil with herbs. If you're coming here with a large party, should call ahead because they're usually pack. The service really depends which server you get. Most of the time it's above avg, couple times I went it was just avg. but a few times when it was above above avg. Only had one problem out of all the times I been coming...once with a large group, the steaks were a little too cooked than we had ordered. I think this happened because they cooked it fast and was being held over because not everyone in our party was done with their salads/appetizers. So by the time everyone was done with their pre entree stuff the heat within the steak cooked the steak a little longer. So the point of me telling you this...eat you salads faster so steak can come faster or else steak eaters in your party will be eating you.
(5)
Stacy F.
Good food and nice atmosphere. Love the Penne Iavarone! Now you need to ask for the herbs & oil with your bread if you want it.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
David C.
Great atmosphere! Got the Alfredo and it was delicious. Started off with the badda bing shrimp and followed up with a cheesecake slice. Waitress and food were great. I can see why this place was popular.
(5)Matthew P.
"Hidden Gem" maayyy be a tad bit overstated - all in all the fillet was good and cooked to my liking. Dinner salad fine as well - baked potato good. Poor wine and really bad beer list. Noise level very loud. So, food was "A-OK" in Yelpers terms. It seem that this place cannot make up its mind - high end steak house (sans nice wine list) or a little better than Outback at twice or three times the price. Would I be back - hmmm, not for a beer.
(3)Robert T.
Atmosphere very nice. Waitress friendly and knowledgeable. My filet was one of the best I have ever tasted. Will co e back again and again
(4)Edwin D.
I went to dinner here with my wife out of curiosity. It's parking lot was full even in the middle of the week. We had the shrimp piccata which was very good. My wife had the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken but found the pasta to be a bit salty. I had the veal with the Marsala mushroom sauce, yet it did not have much in the taste or mushrooms. They seemed like canned mushrooms rather than fresh slices. The veal was tender though. The menu is very large and since they've been here since 1948, I would return and try some other things.
(3)Doug P.
I have been to Iavarone's 100 times over the last 20 years. And I have never been let down. This place is consistent, and not in the bad way. You are always greeted at the door and most of the time greeted by Carmine the owner. It is like everyone is a long lost friend. The bar service is always fabulous and good. When you buy a drink you don't have to wonder if the put liquor in the drink. You get what you pay for. This last visit we had the scallops and spinach. Wow they were good. When you bite into the scallop you know what good taste is. The spinach was good as well but the scallop washes the mind away, and makes you forget everything else. Well it could have been the Tito's and grapefruit juice. This place is great on a date or with friends. It is ones of the best in Tampa.
(5)Steve G.
Two trips in one. First and last. Had prime rib, it was bland and tasteless. Sad, heard good things about this restaurant from others on yelp. Have to agree with those's who have posted low marks. Might be a good neighborhood bar. Received feedback from management. I do appreciate the fact that they take the time to actually read the reviews left by their patrons. Then I noticed that management leaves feedback to all negative reviews. But it does not make sense to me to go back and spend more money at a restaurant that disappointed me to begin with, I've eaten at some really great steak houses, and I know what a good steak should taste like and how it should be prepared. First impressions are the most lasting.
(1)Allanna G.
The good - dessert. The bad - the entrees and salad. The ugly - hidden bay leaf surprise. I wanted to like this place, but sadly did not. The salad was bland and totally uninspired - ice burg lettuce, three extra small olives, two unripe tomato wedges - all were drowned in dry store bought tasting Parmesan cheese. No "lite" dressing available here, which I prefer. I imagine McDonald's has a better no frills version. The salmon was overdone on one end and underdone on the other, due to a non-uniform thickness. The potato was partially underdone as well. The prime rib was bland according to my husband, but cooked to order. The unexpected and unpleasant bay leaf under the mashed potatoes was, however, off-putting. Dessert was good - tiramisu and limoncello cake. Don't think we will be coming back. *** Rico thank you for taking the time to respond. Our visit was the evening of Saturday, April 11th. I would like to point out our server and service were fine and give credit where it is due. It was the food that we found disappointing during our visit.
(2)Leigh C.
Yum! I had the Bada Bing shrimp and Penne Iavarone with chicken followed by the cannoli. The Bada Bing shrimp are similar to Bonefish's bang bang shrimp but these were heavily doused in sauce well before they reached the table. I would prefer the shrimp a little crispier but hey, they were still good. Wow, that pasta was filling and tasty. I have a TON of leftovers! I had to leave room for dessert: cannolis! Very light and satisfying. I had a taste of my husband's chicken Alfredo and my friend's cheesecake. The Chicken Alfredo was very tasting but not too heavy like most places serve it. The cheesecake was rich but again, not overdone. When we first got there they said it would be a 30 minute wait but it was closer to ten. I'll take that!
(4)Kayla S.
The food saved this review. Bar service was non existent if you weren't a 60 year old man with Lambo car keys. Table server was polite, but not the service I would expect at an establishment with a $40 steak. The food was phenomenal. The tomato soup, house salad, ahi tuna and ribeye were delicious. Because of the flavor, I didn't even care that the steak was a little overdone. Bone in steaks are difficult to make perfect. I'm hoping my server was having an off day and I would be willing to give them another try.
(3)petaluma d.
Really good food, but what makes this place is the bar! Hang out there for martinis and small plates and you won't be disappointed!
(4)Angela Maria Y.
Great service, location, and food. I stopped by Friday afternoon to meet a client for my small biz. The food smelled soooooo amazing I decided to stay and have what I thought was going to be a small steak....it was huge! Seasoned to perfection, and melted in my mouth. I recommend paying the 2.00 up charge for the Jenn Salad...it's wonderful. You also get one fresh side I ordered the vegetable of the day. My whole dinner was only $25 before tax and tip....it was AMAZING!!!! They also have free WiFi...so I was able to sit in the bar area at a booth and get some work done too.
(5)Shannon S.
Sad that Iavaronne's is not what it used to be. We moved farther from this restaurant and because of that don't frequent it as often as we used to. Well it's been about a year since dining there and I'm sad to say it was probably the last time. My husband and I took our daughter and her friend here last night for Valentine's Day. The wait was over an hour, understandably, so we had drinks while we waited. When we were seated we were happy and looking forward to a great meal. We started with the bada bing shrimp. It was good as usual. I ordered the salmon and was looking forward to having it prepared with their sundried tomato, caper, and artichokes. Unfortunately they took that option off of the menu. I was beyond heart broken as this was all I wanted for my meal. My husband ordered the filet (medium well). The food came out and unfortunately my husbands steak came out moo-ing. Which for me would be fine because I like it like that but he on the other hand doesn't. So he sent it back because he could not eat it. While we felt badly about eating without him he insisted we did. 10 minutes later his steak was brought back out. This time it was medium rare. Really? It's Valentine's Day. Can we get the steak right? To over cook is semi understandable. But to keep bringing it back under cooked is not. She took it back again and about 10 minutes later my husband told her to just keep it. They took the steak off the bill and brought out a dessert. The kids were happy but unfortunately my husband and I were left disappointed. Sadly, that will be our last time choosing this restaurant for a nice dinner out. There are many more great options in Tampa at this same price point. Especially newer restaurants that haven't become complacent with their services.
(2)michelle l.
This is a nice place to get a steak if you don't want to dress up too much. I delayed trying out Iavarone's because of its location and because I hate places that don't take reservations. However, I am glad that I finally tried it out. We arrived close to 9pm, so there was no wait for a table. Our hostess and waitress were really friendly, if not especially professional. We started with the fried calamari, and it was great. A little on the salty side, but well fried and very tasty. We also both ordered the Caesar salad, and it was fine, but not great. I tried the prime rib. It was succulent, and it was perfect with the au jus. I wish they offered horseradish sauce too, because that would have made it perfect. The baked potato on the side was a tiny over-salted, but still quite tasty. My husband had the NY strip, and he thought it was great. For dessert, I had the cannoli, which were fine but just a tiny bit hard. I think I should have had the tiramisu instead. I wasn't impressed by the wine list. We decided to open the bottle we brought instead ($15 corkage), but the cocktails were pretty good. The bartender mixed a mean dirty martini and Hendricks and tonic.
(4)Andy M.
One of my fav "Local" spots in Tampa. Great atmosphere. Excellent bread, salad, apps and Italian. Had the Lamb last time I was there. I would give it a B+ as it was seasoned perfectly just Cooked more like Med Well instead of requested Med Rare. Love the salad. Miss the Sausage Pizza app. Good spot for consistent food and good service.
(4)Peter W.
My favorite restaurant of all-time! The ambiance, the food, the service and the authenticity makes this place special.
(5)Chad L.
I have friends who swear Iavarone's is the best steak house in Tampa. In a city known for steak houses, I'm not sure Iavarone's is number 1, but it's darned close. With places like The Palm, Capital Grille, Ruth's Chris, Charley's, Malio's, etc. steak lovers have lots of choices in the area. However, if you don't mind driving a little bit north of downtown and searching off the main roads you will find one of Tampa's best places for steak and Italian food. Unlike most steak houses in Tampa Bay, the steaks at Iavarone's are not a la carte! You actually get soup or salad with your entrée, vegetables or potato/pasta too! The steaks are mouth watering. Fine cuts of beef cooked and seasoned to perfection. I also love their house salads made with fresh parmesan cheese, olives and an awesome Italian dressing. I have had their pasta dishes too, Fantastic! The bartenders are all heavy pourers. You get a good drink for your dollar. AND they have a great happy hour. By the way, I suggest ordering at least one vodka martini with blue cheese stuffed olives. You probably won't be able to drink more than one! If there is a downside to the restaurant. . . it's they don't accept reservations and are not open for lunch. You will not go wrong at Iavarone's.
(5)Anna M.
Ivarone's has been around for many years. It is consistently busy for both lunch and dinner. Why? Because their food and their customer service are also consistently top-notch. We didn't have too much time to eat, so we needed a quick lunch. I started with the soup of the day, Chicken Noodle. The soup was very good, but I felt that there should have been a little more "chicken and noodles" instead more broth. We both had the Filet Tip Salad. The meat was cooked perfectly and the dressing complimented the salad, as well. Great place for both meals if you are in the area, but keep in mind this place fills up quickly!
(3)Lindsay B.
Always an amazing time. The food and ambiance are incredible. The staff are super friendly and accommodating. This is our go to spot when we want to go out for dinner. The steaks are some of the best that I've ever had. The chateaubriand is the best in town.
(5)Allison P.
We held my grandmother's 75th birthday party here on Saturday night; reserved the private space on the second floor for dinner. The space is absolutely beautiful and held our group of ~35 with room to spare. We had two really great bartender/servers - Melanie & Amanda. They took care of the group during the cocktail hour and then served dinner to the four tables. Dinner was served family style. We had chicken marsala, salmon, and sirloin with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables (mostly broccoli) for sides. I had the steak (perfectly cooked - medium rare) with a small serving of mashed potatoes and veggies. The potatoes were too mashed (100% smooth) for my liking but the vegetables were seasoned and cooked well. Everything was perfect about our night at Iavarone's. We had a wonderful, relaxed dinner party with good food and great service.
(5)Apple C.
Arrived at 6:15 on a Saturday - granted, right before the holidays so perhaps that skews things. I had previously called to make a reservation for 2 and was told they weren't taking them for parties that size. So we rolled in and put our names down at 6:15, being quoted a 20-25 min wait by the disinterested hostess. We were seated around 7. By 7:50, we'd had an appetizer but were still waiting on our entrees - and no, we were not slow to order. Service was extremely friendly but slow - I'm guessing she was spread thin. We were seated at a booth along the main corridor, and noise from the myriad waiting patrons huddled around the wall to our booth and entrance to our seating area was extremely distracting (perhaps this is because we had two extremely loud parties seated in booths around us as well). So far, 2 for ambiance and speed. Now for the food. We started with a spicy marinara mussel dish off the specials menu that was pretty tasty; for me, this turned into the highlight of the night at a "pretty good" tastiness level. It was accompanied by some fairly boring (and cold) bread with a tray of dipping sauces with some pesto, balsamic glaze, and a red pepper spread - all were fine; none were special. For dinner I chose a 14oz New York strip with Oscar topping and a side of fettuccine Alfredo. The steak was tough to cut and chew and therefore not up my alley; my husband told me (after I asked) that's a symptom of me not eating steak often enough to know what to expect of a New York strip (ie, it's no tender filet, for example) coupled with an overly firm char (bordering on bark) on the outside of my Medium steak. Unfortunately, even if it hadn't been tough, the oscar sauce would still have ruined it for both of us: there was a lot of very tasty crab, which I loved. However, the bernaise had broken prior to delivery to the table and basically tasted like I was eating steak doused in melted lemon (vinegar, I suppose?) butter - this was not a pleasant combination with the extremely chewy meat. The pasta side had good pasta and was decent but nothing I'd go out of my way for. Now, to be fair, my husband said his bone in ribeye was a "solid 8.5". He agreed his own side of fettuccine Alfredo was ok but not mind blowing. All in all, it was meh. In 2 months I won't remember any of the flavors, but I will remember how I found this place slow and disappointing after such great yelp reviews.
(2)Kelleigh M.
Run by the same family who owns Malio's, Iavarone's is a gem in the north tampa Area. A group of us girls went there during the Christmas holidays. We walked into the old Tampa landmark and were instantly happy. We had a drink at the bar while waiting for a table. You could tell this is the type of place that locals and regulars come to. The menu is moderately priced and consists of your traditional Italian fare plus steaks. We all got a filet and I must say, for the Price, it was superb. I also really enjoyed their house salad that came with me meal. It's not located on a main thorough fare, which causes me to forget about it often, but the meal was quite memorable.
(4)Dave M.
This was our first trip to the restaurant and it definitely won't be our last. The food was outstanding. My wife had the prime rib and I had the filet. Both were done perfectly! Our server (Kristen) was the only reason I didn't rate our experience as five stars. She was more interested in chatting with her friends than servicing our table. She never cleaned our dirty dishes after the appetizer until we asked her to take them away. When we finished our meal she again left the dirty dished on the table. Another server Tyler, saw what was happening and he cleaned our table while Kristen continued to chat with her friends. After the table was cleared she returned with our check and never asked if we would like coffee, desert or an after dinner drink. I told the owner about our experience with Kristen's service. He said he would look into the matter. I would definitely recommend that you make reservations for dinner, but even if you don't the food is worth the wait! Dave M
(4)Jim C.
VIBE: Neighborhood restaurant & bar, large bar area (about 1/3rd of entire restaurant) is visited by "mature" regulars, big TVs in bar side, dim lighting. ORDER THE: Filet tip salad. Have steak and salad in one dish. Comes with bottomless basket of hot bread with butter or olive oil. A bargain at $14.00. Ask for Terry for server. Secret for cigar smokers - have outdoor smoking patio in back on 2nd floor. No food service and have to be nice to get server to bring drinks up. Would rate 3.5 but have to go with either 3 or 4 rating
(3)Steve E.
Iavarone's is a wonderful "date night" restaurant located in Northwest Hillsborough County at the corner of Himes Avenue and Humphrey Street -- not far from N. Dale Mabry and Waters Avenue. This is an old-school family owned and operated Italian Steakhouse & Grill. The Iavarone family opened such well-known restaurants as Carmine's on 7th Avenue in Ybor, Malio's on S. Dale Mabry, and Iavarone's in NW Hillsborough. The restaurant had it's Cigar City Mafia connections back in the day, and there is a lot of history associated with this place. Fast forward to today, and Iavarone's is a very elegant steakhouse where you'll be warmly greeted by the Maitre d' and then wait in the bar area for your table. The whole restaurant is richly-paneled in dark wood and their immense wine collection sits on display between glass windows. You can have a beer or glass of wine in the bar area, or sip on one of their carefully-crafted cocktails. The Maitre d' will come and get you when your table is ready, and then weave you through the dining room to your spot. A basket of hot bread is not far behind. The service is top-notch at Iavarone's, they are quick to refill your beverages but stay discretely out of the way so that you can have a private discussion. You'll find the menu has a high-end selection of appetizers (I highly recommend the Bada Bing Shrimp), soups, and salads. From there you launch right in to the steaks, chops, prime ribs, chicken, veal, seafood, and excellent pasta dishes. Everything is delicious, and the portions are very generous. For dessert you'll find the classic Italian standards of tiramisu, crème brulee, cannoli, and NY style cheesecake. I highly recommend a bottle of their excellent Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon with your meal. Dinner will not be cheap, but the meal and the dining experience will be a very pleasant memory.
(4)Lucy P.
The restaurant was really cute, it has that like neighborhood restaurant but nicer feel to it,my steak was good.
(4)Mark H.
This is a conflicted review. I want to go 5 star because I've been eating here for about 15 years with nothing but good experiences in my memory bank, but I guess all good things come to an end, huh? We went to Ivaronne's this past Sunday for my sister-in-law's birthday, AND it was my chica's first time dinning at the establishment. Everything started great. Service was prompt and good, as always. The aps looked and tasted great, especially the AHI TUNA. That was one serious tuna steak! Perfectly seared. The salads came out in a timely fashion, and were delicious. They really do have one of the best Caesar dressings around. Everything was all was good until the main courses came out. My sister-in-law ordered her steak medium, and it came out very much well done. The damn thing was grey. You can't UNCOOK a freakin' steak, so she had to sit there for 10 minutes watching us eat while they cooked another one for her. And then her replacement steak arrived, it was medium RARE. So back to the kitchen it went. Finally, when it came out for the 3rd time, it was properly prepared. But by this time, we were all done eating and the mental damage was done. They did take her steak off of the bill, but at what actual cost??? My steak, ordered medium, was definitely leaning more towards medium well, but I wasn't going to let that stop me. I ate and enjoyed my filet to the fullest. My chica had a sirloin and some spinach casserole dish (can't remember the name), and she was enjoying it until she got sick at the table and had to excuse herself. Maybe it's unfair to blame her sudden stomach pains on the Ivaronne's because I sampled everything on her plate and never got sick myself. But one can't help wonder what it was. It had been several hours since we last ate, and food poisoning doesn't take that long to catch up to you. Either way, because we don't have any scientific evidence of what caused the illness, we have to assume it was probably Ivaronne's. For dessert, we ordered the BANANAS FOSTER, which has historically been a good choice. It used to come out to the table and they'd set it on fire like an emergency flare right in your face. The flambe experience was what dreams were made of. What they brought us were some underripe bananas with crappy icecream. And the sauce... It seemed like warm squeeze bottle caramel syrup from the grocery store that was pre-warmed in the kitchen and served on the side in some sort of gravy boat. No dark rum or banana liqueur taste AT ALL. For $8, it made me sad as hell. So given the total experience, last Sunday will most likely go down in the record books as my final visit to what was once one of the best fine restaurants in town. This would have been a 1 star review, but I'm going with a 3 because I have so many fond food memories here. =(
(3)Kerri H.
We brought our family to dinner there on Saturday night. My son and husband both ordered the ribeye it was horrible. It was tough and very fatty, neither one of them ate it. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs which is a staple on their menu. The meatballs were less than appetizing. My husband notified the waitress of the poor quality of the meat and he asked to speak to someone. Our waitress never sent anyone over. We paid the check and left. I did let the manager know on our way out that it was less than expected. We were very disappointed.
(1)Sue W.
Really nice place. We went for our anniversary on a Wednesday night and it was quite crowded but no wait. I had prime rib (delicious) and my husband had fettuccine with shrimp. Sangria and chocolate cake too. Great service. Would definitely return.
(4)Sal M.
Excellent place! The meals I've had have been superb and I will be a regular. When your here you feel like your in NY.
(5)Tiffany G.
I had the perfect dinner here. My friend and I shared the escargot and crabmeat cocktail for appetizers, and then I ordered the petite filet mignon with the special vegetable of the day: creamed spinach for my meal. The appetizers were very tasty and satisfying. The entree came with a salad, so I ordered the house salad and it was great and had a lot of Parmesan on top. My steak was perfectly cooked and the creamed spinach was yummy!! My friend didn't choose the best entree.. She opted for a shrimp salad and said it wasn't great; however, she has been here multiple times and has had great entrees in the past!! So, if you come here, skip that one!! Also, service was great and valet was complimentary. I don't live in Tampa, but would definitely return when in town!
(5)Michael D.
When we moved to Tampa about 8 years ago we were very pleased to discover Iavarone's Steak House & Grill, 3617 West Humphrey Street. The dinner menu is reasonably priced with the "pasta favorites" starting at $10.00. My personal favorite is the $15.00 Crab Enchilado, a spicy family recipe. My wife recently had an excellent pork chop special that was about $28.00, if I recall correctly. So the food is excellent, no complaints in that department. The atmosphere of the restaurant is usually fairly quiet, with the music tending to inoffensive Italian restaurant favorites, you know, Frank, Dean, and their ilk, providing a subdued aural environment. On our last visit, however, we were treated to a low-fi aural assault consisting of badly reproduced pop music with a grating beat that was just hard to take, and which was not at all in keeping with the overall atmosphere of the establishment we have grown to know and formerly love. This music was more appropriate to a fast food restaurant in a mall food court rather than a mid-to-high priced sit-down Italian place. When the theme from "Frozen", "Let It Go" started to play, we just could not take it anymore. I strolled over to the manager and asked that the music at least be turned down a bit so we could finish our meals without gritting our teeth. I was met with a very disingenuous frozen smile and basically no cooperation whatsoever. She said she would mention it to the owner, who must have lost any awareness of the importance of appropriate music in establishing a pleasant dining atmosphere in a dark-wood restaurant dining room. Really, the manager and the hostess looked at me seemingly without comprehension, just these forced smiles. It was incongruous; the couple across from us were going to the theatre, were really dressed up, and they looked very uncomfortable. They noticed me talking to the staff about the bad music and we commiserated. We finished our meals, paid (about $65.00 with tip), and left, and we won't be back. For that kind of money I just can't sit still for fast-food music. This is not a restaurant where teenagers hang out, so why should the customers have to endure their music? The two stars are for the spoiled atmosphere, it made the food taste bad.
(2)Katy S.
One of my very favorite restaurant in Tampa. I have only been here a handful of times but look forward to going back. The family owned ambience is great in here. The staff is nice and friendly. Most importantly the food is DELICIOUS and affordable. My personal favorite is the gorgonzola crusted steaks. They also offer escargot as an appetizer, which is really good too. If you are looking for a good date night spot, Iavarone's is your place.
(5)Jerry G.
Went here last night for dinner. The parking lot was packed and we waited 5 minutes for the family parked next to the only empty space get their act together and realize we needed to pull into that spot.... a definitely "me first" attitude. So, I was not in a good mood going in. With the parking lot that full and no reservations, I expected to be told that we had a wait, but we were escorted to our table right away. The service was right on with the waitress coming back every 5-10 minutes. We started off with the Large grilled shrimp and the 2 meatball appetizers. The shrimp good, the meatballs outstanding with the marinara and cheese sauce. I had the prime rib "medium" with broccoli and my wife had a small filet with a gorgonzola cheese sauce on it. I loved the prime rib. Tender, and done just right. My wife loved the filet as well. We topped the meal off with a Tiramisu and coffee. The Tiramisu was lighter than normal but had the right taste. Living just up the road in Carrollwood the last 20 years, why have we not been here before? It was great service, great steaks and a great dessert.
(5)Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because it was delicious but it was filling. --- --- --- Jack Black was talking about the filet mignon from Iavarone's in Anchorman right? A perfect description of a great meal. All of it was great, I cannot find room to complain. I guess the only couple of things keeping my experience shy of 5 stars were the price and the fact that it was not THE best filet I've ever had. It was very, very good, but I think Acropolis still wears that crown. I ordered to-go during my visit, and look forward to dining in with the girlfriend, or with a friend looking for a romantic dinner with me.
(4)Chris L.
We had dinner with family and we were all very satisfied with our food, service and atmosphere. I had the crab linguine with a spicy marinara sauce. It was great, the crab meat was cooked to perfection and the spice level was enough to make it an interesting dish. My sister had some steak that also was cooked to perfection. The reason I bring up her steak is that I was able to make the joke that if she ate the whole thing she gets it for free. It was THAT BIG, and yet the cook was perfect. No, she didn't eat it all so I couldn't bother the waitress for a freebie. Anyway, If you want a great meal at a pretty reasonable price then you can't go wrong here. Casual dress, collars and sleeves required.
(5)Kim O.
When it comes to steak Charley's is my all time favorite, but Iavarone's is a close second for a bunch of reasons. The steaks are priced really reasonably and I have never, ever had a steak here that wasn't cooked perfectly. I have been coming here for years and I've never been disappointed. All entrees come with a complimentary salad and side of pasta which is awesome. GET THE HOUSE SALAD. It is just amazing. The home made dressing is mixed with a ton of cheese and olives and it is just sinful. The pasta with the "princess" sauce is also outstanding. And like I said before the steaks are great. My only complaint is that they took the bone in ribeye off the menu. This sucks. It comes back on the specials menu sometimes but I would love if it was put back on the permanent. Please? Anyway, I will be back. Service and atmosphere are also really nice here. It's fun to sit in the bar area, but more romantic in the dining room.
(5)Rosie P.
Went for lunch and had the crab wedge salad. It was fantastic. Our waiter was great and very attentive. I'd definitely try this place again!
(5)Da Vman V.
Not impressed, we walked out after appetizer! We didn't feel like we were in the same place out fellow Yelpers spoke about ?? Restaurant empty @ 6:30pm on a Fri nite.
(1)Val S.
So so good. By far my favorite Italian restaurant in Tampa. I had to dock a star just for the fact they don't take reservations for parties under 6. Very hard to plan a date night or even a foursome with friends on the wknd without having to wait about an hour! Get it together and knock that number down please.
(4)Gigi S.
I've driven by this place since I was in grade-school and FINALLY decided to give it a try for a friend's Bday. Bad idea. Besides her steak being cooked wrong repeatedly until they finally decided to remove it from the check (Happy Birthday, indeed!) my boyfriend had to stuff his steak down his gullet out of hunger and desperation while his was at the wrong temperature as well! I asked that my appetizer come out with the meal. Too much to ask. Then I got the worst stomach ache in my life. I eat so much shit on a daily basis, that I'm going to refrain from blaming this place for my gut rot. Instead, I think I'll just never go back. The tuna was really good, but I can get that anywhere, and next time I want to eat dinner in my friend's face while she waits for her steak to come back from repair a couple times, I'm sure I can find a place to pay less for it. I'd rather have a good, 50.00 steak, than a fucked up free one any day. I'd give one star, but I'm pissed at myself for being sick, and my boyfriend loves this relic. Carnivores Unite!
(2)Mike S.
A bit north to be considered West Tampa but this is one of the triumvirate of cIassic Italian steakhouses. As the name suggests, it specializes in steak, but has a number of other Italian, or Italian-influenced dishes. It is large, but has multiple dining areas to avoid the high-school cafeteria feel. Not too fancy, but a feel of luxury & indulgence. Service is very smooth and the quality of food is generally high, but not our favorite steak house. A bit pricey but not as much as Malio's or Donatello's. This is a mandatory stop if you wish to experience the complete Tampa range of places with Mafia connections in past [check the Scott Deitche book, "Cigar City Mafia'") However even though John Gotti Jr. was recently arrested and jailed here, Tampa has cleansed itself of mob activity. But I still suggest you tip the valet parking generously.
(3)Joseph A.
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(1)Shane B.
Had dinner here last weekend with four other friends and it was excellent. We were sat immediately at our reservation time and the waitress was very attentive and friendly as well as all of the staff. None of us had to use the valet as we found parking spots. The food was awesome, but had a slight issue with our steak. We and another couple both ordered Châteaubriand's prepared Pittsburgh style (black on the outside and red inside - medium rare). The other couple's steak was a perfect medium rare while our steak was medium. Regardless, it was still super tender and extremely tasty! We informed the waitress and she quickly offered to have a new one made, which we declined. She then gave us two free drinks, which we thought was very nice. Will return again for sure.
(5)Tara S.
wow.... I walked in and it smelled like old fried food, garlic, and cleaner. all I had were appetizers and they were all terrible i don't even want to know what their main courses taste like. We had the salmon cakes , meatballs with mozzarella, calamari, and the bada bing shrimp. The salmon cakes looked like they were made with canned salmon and not with the $11 dollars. You could tell that the meatballs were frozen and they were all around unimpressive. The calamari was the WORST calamari I have ever had in my entire life... over fried, bland, and i know that their squid was frozen too. The bada bing shrimp (the "bang bang shrimp's cousin 3 times removed)... i would compare it to a bad one night stand... boring, limp and left a bad taste in my mouth. There are too many good restaurants in the Tampa Bay area for me to waste my time on this place again...
(1)Shannon S.
I love Ivarone's. It is right around the corner from my house. We go there as often as possible. Their martini's are amazing, the salmon is my favorite, and the mood of the restaurant is great. The complementary valet is also nice. Tomorrow is my birthday and we will be going there for dinner. I am looking forward to it already!!
(5)Miranda A.
Waited 45 minutes for a salad.. Had to get it to go. No discount or apologies were offered. Not worth the money and time wasted
(1)Nicole E.
I absolutely love Lavarone's, and feel upset that I've missed out on it in all the years I've lived in Tampa! The feel is very romantic and dim and reminded my husband and I of our honeymoon in Italy. We started with an amazing bottle of Chianti and by the time the bread came I was ready to give the place 5 stars, lol. I can't even begin to gush enough about the bread alone-so garlic covered and delicious :) I had the Petite Filet Mignon encrusted with Gorgonzola and it was perfection. I can't wait to go back again!
(5)Meghan W.
This Italian restaurant is very traditional and old school, and my fiance and I love it here. There is a huge bar where you can sit and wait or have dinner before being seated, and they do their vodka gimlets right (something about Italian restaurants). I always get the Penne Iavaraone, because it has the perfect blend of everything that I like. The portions are huge, and I usually take a lot of it to go and will eat it for lunch and dinner the next day. The steaks are also good, and they can be ordered with a gorgonzola crust on them. We also really like the house salad here, as it's just a great blend of traditional Italian ingredients. And of course, the bada bing shrimp are great, although not that different from the same concept at many other restaurants. Make reservations for large parties on Friday or Saturday nights. We've been with large groups for parties, small groups just to go out, and just the two of us. There really isn't an occasion where Iavarone's isn't appropriate.
(5)Record S.
Okay it was pretty decent steaks and service was exceptional. Only issue was there were to elderly gentleman making out at the table next to us grunting like tortoises making love. OTher than that I highly recommend
(5)Tommy ..
Excellent Italian Steakhouse hidden in North Tampa! Went once, had a excellent meal, excellent service and great ambient dim atmosphere. Would highly recommend!
(5)Eric H.
I order food at an Italian Restaurant that I cannot make at home. Why? Because I can make it better. So when I go to a place like this, it had better be good, real good. Well, this place IS. Outstanding, in fact. They do veal right,. They do everything we have ever had here, right. Nice atmosphere, if not a tad louder than I like, but still nice. Busy, and I know why. Service is very good (you have to be exceptional to get more than a very good from me). Pricy but still good value. Nice wine list. Good bar. A place you should try, most definitely.
(4)Rob B.
I have been eating here nearly every business trip to Tampa in the past few years. This time we came for lunch. Dinner has always excelled, the service, the food. The house salad tossed table side is wonderful. But the location only locals or yelpers could find. Today"s lunch was no exception to the rule and after sharing the nicely spicy bada bing shrimp, we were unable to eat the large lunches. As I was hotel bound, I had to leave 2 huge grilled U10 shrimp on the table as I could eat no more. I still feel guilty.
(5)Joe M.
Great sauce, with the meatballs!!!! Old school place but the food was on point.
(4)Occy V.
Iavarone's is tucked away off of Dale Mabry and is really worth the trip if you live in Tampa. When Malio's closed I was so sad that I couldnt goto my favorite happy hour spot and some of my favorite meals. Thankfully his twin Carmine is around and serving up that same high quality food in a great environment. Iavarone's thank you very much for keeping your picatta and food exactly the way your brother and you have been serving it my whole life!
(4)Blondie P.
We've eaten here most every trip we take to the area but this time was a big disappointment. The veal piccata was fried veal, with a couple of tablespoons of sauce., and barely warm. I ordered the Alfredo sauce for my pasta side, and it was a glob of pasta with sauce, looked like leftovers that had sat in the refrigerator and then dumped on a plate. The bada bing shrimp and escargot were good - if we go back, and that's a really big if, I'll stick to the bar and order a couple of appetizers. (Hubby couldn't remember what he ordered so that says something about it too, but nothing real good !) our friends said their meals were good, but they weren't raving about them.
(3)Jacqueline L.
Had my birthday dinner here last year after having it recommended by my in-laws. It couldn't have been better. The restaurant is very loud, so I was nervous when we walked in the door. We were escorted to a private room and my nerves started calming down a bit. The room was beautiful, intimate and quiet. It felt like the type of setting you'd see where you expect to hear the details of a whacking go down or how the next shipment of illegal liquor is going to make its circulation. All that was missing was a mound of cocaine in the middle of the table and at least a dozen felonies between each of us. The service was fast, fancy pinky, and really couldn't have been better. I'm going to be *that* asshole and say the valet could have been a little bit quicker, but that was the only negative thing about the whole experience.
(4)Mollyana W.
I met the owner's wife while modeling together at HSN. She told me the food at the restaurant was very good. She was wrong. It was AMAZING! My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed the atmosphere and more importantly, the food. I highly recommend this restaurant!
(5)A K.
I had never heard of this place before but when we went, boy was it busy! I heard it's one of the best Italian places in Tampa and it's so hidden away that people don't know about it. The wine selection was great and we enjoyed a bottle of Shiraz. We received bread for the table, which was great, and the house salad is delicious but very big portion wise... I couldn't finish it all. I had the veal piccata and it was delicious. I recommend you go here for a date or special occasion. I would have loved to try the dessert but the meal filled me up.
(5)Harry R.
Great memories of Iavarone's from back in the day, and our return trip was a fun time, just not as strong as the memory. Service received mixed reviews. I thought it was fine, but the other end of of 10-person table seemed to be less convinced. The bread that arrived as we sat down was fresh and delicious. Kept the four little ones occupied for a while. Calamari was fair. A couple of pieces had that iodine aftertaste that I'm never really sure what to do with. The Caprese Salad was fine, but nothing that couldn't be thrown together with ingredients found at Costco. Main course was a good portion size, and the Pasta Iavarone was a nice blend of tomato cream sauce, sauteed mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, grilled chicken, and goat cheese. One small issue was when the two balls of goat cheese were incorporated into the dish (probably should have thought that one out a bit more) the amount of cheese dominated the plate. When I reheated the half I took home I cut it with some organic milk and that seemed to help a bit. There were mixed reviews on the steaks. Some loved theirs, others were less impressed. Bananas Foster for dessert had a nice taste - but apparantly the tableside flambe has stopped due to someone having an unfortunate accident at another local eatery. I do have to say that I applaud Iavoarone's for never making us feel rushed, even though we were "that table." You know - where one of the kids runs around the table with a paper airplane, and then puts a straw in his mouth, hits the end, and almost chokes himself out. Yeah...we were that table.
(4)Lariayn P.
My Mom and I took my Dad here for his 75th birthday with another couple. The service was great -- from the nice valets who welcomed us as they opened our car doors to our waitress who was attentive and patient, as there was lots of talking before and between ordering. We were all quite happy with our meals -- I enjoyed my seared scallop special, the birthday boy (my dad) enjoyed his steak and our other guests enjoyed their chicken and veal piccatta (parmigiana style). I pre-ordered a selection of desserts (with candles) -- the cheesecake, chocolate cake, creme brulee and the tiramisu, which they remembered to bring at the end of the meal as scheduled. All were delicious -- my faves were the cheesecake and creme brulee, and I'm not even a dessert person. All in all, it was a lovely evening. The only downside was that they only take reservations for parties of 6 or more (even though we were requesting an early res for 6pm). We had 6 but, as it turns out, one of our party was not able to attend. Thankfully, they seated us immediately even without the 6th, without blinking an eye. Some of the reviews I had read about Iavarone's before we went were mixed, so I thought it was important to share what a positive experience we had. I'd highly recommend this spot for a cozy family outing.
(4)FutureDentist I.
Secluded from other tables with light lighting which makes it kind of romantic. Filet's are okay.
(3)Genna H.
I went to this Italian resturant for a graduation party. The service was impecable! There was an open bar and boy were those drinks strong! The food was delicios. We had chicken parm, grilled salmon, fried cheese, salad, bread, pasta and veggies. Everything was very delicios. The only issue we ran into was the parking lot wasn't huge.
(5)Josh M.
This place has been around for years and most locals know of it. The first time I went was in like 1993 with my parents lol! Now I roll through and sit at the bar ohh yeah! Service here is awesome. I have tried everything on the menu and everything is fantastic. I am hooked on the Surf & Turf though. There is something about their lobster, steak, and mashed potatos that just makes me order it every time. This is place is also great for a date because the booth areas are real quite and the ambiance is lightly lit and real mellow. Ohhh and check out their roof top bar, it's pretty cool. You can't go wrong with Iavarone's. It is one of Tampa's hidden gems.
(5)Jason P.
We had our Holiday work luncheon here. Amazing food and great service. My manager recommended the steak sandwich. You can have it with the au jus or Bearnaise sauce. I chose the Bearnaise sauce and drizzled it onto the sandwich. It was very delicious and tasty! I would definitely go back again.
(5)Kelly P.
If you are looking for a perfect date spot give Ivarone's a try. The restaurant is very old school with private wooden booths and tables. It isn't overly fancy or pretentious but it is impressive. You will definitely have a great meal without emptying your bank account. When we arrived without a reservation we were told there would be about a 20 minute wait. We were given a pager and went to have a drink at the bar. Our pager went off about 10 minutes later screaming loudly at us that our table was ready. It was a little obnoxious and there was no way to silence it while we paid the bar tab. We were seated in a private booth and ordered an appetizer of Bada Bing Shrimp. Delicious! Our house salads came on icy cold plates. Unfortunately we were only half way through our salad when our steaks showed up. I didn't expect this place to be a table flipping Chilis but here we sit with salad, pasta, and steak all before my first drink is empty. Back to the meal...I had the 7 oz. Fillet Oscar. It was delicious with HUGE chunks of crab meat. I loved it and it was cooked medium rare just like I ordered it. The side of pasta was homemade and melted in my mouth. For about $40/person you can get a glass of wine, salad, fillet and a side of pasta. I think that is a great deal considering that other Tampa steakhouses cost at least $60/person. Your server will not be a wine connoisseur and the atmosphere won't be fancy but it is a local restaurant and with that comes a lot of character and history. I will be back for sure.
(4)Stephanie H.
This is a great restaurant! It has a classic old style feel to it and the food is amazing. The bread they bring you is the best I have ever had and is served warm with garlic powder on top. Most entrees are served with a house or ceased salad, I like the house. The menu is varied and features steaks, seafood, traditional Italian dishes and several chicken dishes so there is something for everyone. Two of my favorites are the broiled salmon and a pasta dish with spicy tomato sauce and crab meat. They also have excellent sangria that is topped off with cinnamon. Prices start at around $10 for a simple pasta to $20 plus for some of the steaks but most items are in the 13.99 to 16.99 which given the high quality bread and salad that is included is not bad. They have a large bar area and an outdoor bar on the back of the building upstairs I have not yet gone to. Service is great I highly recommend Iavarone's!
(5)Linda B.
It is what it is. Iavarone's is a locally owned Italian steak house. It's not fabulous but it's not bad. I've had some things that were pretty good. The prices are much better than you'd see in a high-end steakhouse. Don't get me wrong, I love a good steak but hate paying $50 for one, with no sides. That's fine for special occasions but unless I win the lottery or receive a suprise inheritance, I can't afford to eat high end all the time! Recently discovered a decent wine at Iavarones - Bogle Phantom Proprietary Red. Not a great wine but it's not bad and won't set you back $40, $60 or $100 (depending on your tastes in wine :)
(4)Jorge S.
Hands down me and my wife's favorite restaurant/steakhouse in Tampa! Atmosphere is intimate and food is ALWAYS amazing. Try your steak blackened, it's amazing. Also you MUST try garlic mashed potatoes Their calamari is amongst my favorite in the area as well. Perfect first date or romantic date night location.
(5)Brian F.
When I am in Tampa, this is where I eat. Steaks are fantastic, great wines, awesome apps. Romantic little setting for dinner!
(5)Mike Y.
Simply the BEST Italian restaurant in Tampa Bay - no question. The house salad is delicious and every thing I ever ordered on the menu was exceptional like the Chicken marsala, chicken saute, chicken milano, and veal saute. My wife ordered the prime rib and said it was best she ever had. If you are looking for Italian in Tampa, dont bother trying anywhere else.
(5)Michele N.
I adore this local jewel. I love their Bada-Bing Shrimp as an appetizer to share. Their specials are always good but my all time go to is the Penne Iavarone....sundried tomato, creamy with goat cheese-OMG! The Sangria is usually very good, but inconsistent.
(4)David F.
We brought some friends here from out of town and the food was out of sight. The tasty Badabing shrimp were gone in a matter of seconds and the steaks were delicious. Everyone's meat was cooked perfectly, my only complaint is that mine was medium well instead of medium rare, but hey, it was still good. The service was friendly, I love the atmosphere, with lots of wood, low lighting and high backed booths. I'd definitely recommend grabbing a bite here!
(5)Nona B.
These days not as good as when I first started eating here. Used to be really good....now, just okay. Crab pasta used to be loaded with crab. Now you have to search for it. Had a filet mignon too that was mediocre at best.
(3)Robin W.
One of my favorites! This last time, I had the dish with the chicken and the pasta with the 2 scoops of goat cheese! So delicious!
(5)Joshua L.
My wife and I went here for our anniversary since I failed to make a reservation at Bern's. We started with the fried mozzarella and it was delicious. The breading wasn't too thick and it was friend for just the right amount of time. The marinara sauce that came with it was delicious. We both ended up ordering the filet. The steaks come with a side and soup or salad. I got the caesar salad and it made my list of top three behind The Palm and Morton's. My wife got the house salad which she enjoyed. As a side, I got the sage mashed potatoes and my wife got the baked potato. They were both very good, but their side dishes are very limited. As I said before, we both got the filet. They were cooked perfectly and melted in the mouth. The service was pleasant and quick. I would give this 5 stars except for one thing. If I am going to drop $100 on dinner, I expect a little more class, not a bunch of snot-nosed kids running around and people wearing shorts.
(4)amber s.
Best steak and sangria in the area!
(5)Vincent W.
I been coming here for a few years now. It's very busy but it seems like only locals come around, I rarely bump into people that haven't been visiting the place for a long time. The food is very very good, if you want steak get the blacken prime rib medium rare. Or their crab salad if you want to some greens. Their unlimited bread is very good too....if you're on a low carb diet, might want to take a break this one time to taste the bread, especially when it's hot and dipping it in their olive oil with herbs. If you're coming here with a large party, should call ahead because they're usually pack. The service really depends which server you get. Most of the time it's above avg, couple times I went it was just avg. but a few times when it was above above avg. Only had one problem out of all the times I been coming...once with a large group, the steaks were a little too cooked than we had ordered. I think this happened because they cooked it fast and was being held over because not everyone in our party was done with their salads/appetizers. So by the time everyone was done with their pre entree stuff the heat within the steak cooked the steak a little longer. So the point of me telling you this...eat you salads faster so steak can come faster or else steak eaters in your party will be eating you.
(5)Stacy F.
Good food and nice atmosphere. Love the Penne Iavarone! Now you need to ask for the herbs & oil with your bread if you want it.
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