Defina’s Italian Restaurant
1965 Tamiami Trl S,Ste A, Venice, FL, 34293
Defina’s Italian Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Venice for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Venice for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Venice for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
1965 Tamiami Trl S,Ste A
Venice, FL, 34293 - Phone (941) 445-4755
- Website https://www.definasrestaurant.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :4:00 pm - 9:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
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Richard S.
Well, what can I say? Though located in a rather unremarkable strip mall adjacent to the often travelled and frequently busy Route 41, upon entering the restaurant, I was pleasantly surprised. The atmosphere created by the decor and appointments, was both relaxing and pleasing to the eyes. I objectively give the"front of the house" all five stars! Now comes the test. The very purpose, indeed the very reason to suffer through the unpleasantness of "Route 41" travel. Yes at last the cuisine. Appetizers consisted of house antipasto and the very popular calamari. I shall deal with the calamari first. Growing up in a 100 percent Italian home I have some very unpleasant memories of cleaning and preparing the slimy calamari. Though very tedious and time consuming work the end result was always delicious. That sadly and unexpectedly was not the case here. I don't know from whence the calamari came nor do I know if all those tedious hours I so fondly remember of cleaning these little squids actually occurred here or simply a frozen box was "flash fried". My personal conclusion was unfortunately the latter. Short of the Parmesan cheese sprinkled on top, both the calamari and the accompanying dipping sauces were unremarkable . There simply did not seem as though any effort was made. The same could be said for the antipasto. The various meats, salami, pepperoni ( no sign of real traditional Italian deli meats) were wrapped around mozzarella sticks that tasted as though they were extruded from one of those grocery store packages. The included vegetables came right out of a pickle jar. Now the main course: eggplant parmigiana. I have never seen this dish ,in all my travels through Italy or at home,presented in the manner in which it was served. It reminded me of that infamous line in the movie " My Cousin Viny". "No self respecting southerner would ever make "instant grits". Well no self respecting Italian would ever make or call what was served "eggplant parmigiana" . So what was served: A slice of breaded eggplant, flash fried, topped with a sliced tomato, that topped with melted mozzarella cheese covered in a tomato sauce. This is not any kind of Italian eggplant that I am aware of! Then the chicken piccata.... Simply stated , overpowering lacking refinement and any subtlety. I might also add, that fresh brick oven bread is always on an Italian table, though not the major focus. The two rolls served would have had better application, if served to the ducks at the community park! Once again both main course dishes, if , truly Italian, take a great deal of preparation and loving care. Not the case here. In Italy the presentation of the meal is always the end result of a great deal of obvious effort. Perhaps, after reading the other reviews, I walked into the wrong resturant. On a positive note, the entire staff was professional, and as I said the "front of the house" was definitely a five .It is ashamed that the purpose did not even come close to the presentation.
(3)DrGrace G.
Walter was singing for a private party at DeFinas last Sun. I got the grouper with crisp veggies and mashed garlic potatoes and almost had a foodgasm, LOL You have to try DeFinas. It's on Tamiami Trail Next to Hungry Howie's and Fan City. Walter had Veal Marsala, we always feed each other and let the other taste the food and the veal marsala was simply divine. Very nice romantic intimate ambiance, (this IS THE place to take your lady for a romantic dinner) live music and "extremely" friendly & attentive staff. Really worth visiting :) But the grouper ooooooh, the grouper, buttery, melt in your mouth, light, flaky, fresh grouper, yummm lol P.S.The attire should be elegant, not casual, as many have said, this is an elegant restaurant, not Mc Donalds. Let's show some respect and class.
(5)Brian F.
This is my third time here. The staff are extremely friendly and greeted us each time. The food is excellent as always. The owner Pam is awesome and makes sure your dinning experience is wonderful. This is one of our favorite restaurant.
(5)Patti P.
Awesome food and great customer service. Very nice atmosphere and they take reservations!
(5)Jeffrey B.
Great Gnocchi dinner. Meatballs tasted freshly made. Staff was very attentive and friendly. Reasonably priced for the quality and portions of food. I would definitely come back
(4)Kim L.
Comfortable, good dining. Limited menu. Atmosphere excellent, very cozy. Great service. Only issue, meatballs hard as rocks and clearly burnt-hostess apologetic and said she would speak to the chef...a complimentary dessert would have been the icing on the cake and given this place 5 stars.
(3)Mark C.
Been here twice and both times service was great and so was food. No big deal but its too dark and music is too old
(3)Kathleen B.
Defina's has a quaint, charming look. It's an eclectic mix, mostly Italian- family-oriented with lots of family photos. Delicious food, great red sauce. Owner recently sold it but there have been no changes that I can see. We love it.
(4)bill s.
this little place is a great surprise. unassuming, located in a small strip plaza along 41, you might not look twice...but the food is excellent and the service is tops. the atmosphere is is fine...somewhat simple. you would go here for the food, for sure. superior tomato sauce, homemade sausages, best lasagna. salads crisp and fresh.
(4)Mick F.
I love DeFina's restaurant. The food is exceptional, tho it's better in season. Love their menu and staff. Agree it is a little dark and dated inside, but I'm there for the food anyway.
(4)Ben D.
Inconsistency led to another terrible dinner - this time a family birthday dinner - both chicken parm dinners were very tough, other 3 dinners were average at best - didn't have their usual good bread and not even an apology. Waitress was quite "matter of fact" about it all. And a dessert for the birthday girl which I was told would be complimentary I saw later was instead added to my check. Then my email comment to Defina's was ignored . . TWICE!! My family was visiting from Ohio - all I could do was apologize for this very disappointing birthday celebration.
(1)Jorge D.
A great family owned and operated Italian restaurant ... Great daily specials and value!! I had the Mahi Mahi special and wouldn't have changed a thing. I was in town visiting from New England and felt like I was back home (until I walked outside and saw the Palm trees). A great choice and far better than any of the well known national chains...take a chance and you'll be glad you did. Cheers !!
(5)Elise B.
We ate here tonight while vacationing and it was delicious. Great food and great service.
(5)Joe T.
Great Italian food.
(5)Louise B.
The lasgena was the best I ever had thick layer of creamy ricotta, homemade crepe type pasta perfect sauce and a meatball that is better than mine. I cannot wait to go again to try something else. Another positive is being able to get a vegetable rather than pasta with main dishes. I was wish it was light rather than romantic AND there's no dessert menu.
(5)Al G.
Unassuming little restaurant that has a big surprise - the food. The lasagne was excellent. Mounds of melted cheese with the perfect seasoning. Wine was good as was the service. Well worth stopping. We went early so cannot speak to waiting time later in the evening.
(5)Eric H.
Great family restaurant, service was excellent. Loved the specials, calamari, mussels, chicken Marsala, chocolate gelato were among our favorites.
(4)Ellen B.
We dined on a Wednesday evening with friends, the first time for all of us. One of the best meals we have had in a while. The interior of the restaurant is lovely, the staff are friendly and welcoming and our server (Jessie, I think) was very knowledgeable. He recommended a red wine with dinner that was excellent. The sea bass was outstanding, as was the linguini with clam sauce and the veal piccata. Everything, right down to the serving dishes, was a cut above. And leave room for the gelato, because it's yummy. You would never know from the outside just how nice this place is on the inside. We will be back!!
(5)Rob I.
Great food, great atmosphere! Very clean and great staff. I've eaten here many times.. love the Montepulciano!
(5)Claudia F.
Very, very good! I had the broiled shrimp and scallops over pasta. Light and lemony, just the way I like it. My father had the lasagna bolgnesse and raved!! We will definitely go back. You can't beat the the 3 dollar glass of wine, either!!
(5)Bob W.
I had dined at DeFina's since it's reopening in 2010 and always had a great meal. The latest visit was disappointing though. The food was subpar, almost seemed like it was shoveled out of a pre made pan. Hope our next visit will find a return to quality food.
(1)Pat A.
I said I would give this place another try and I am so thankful I did. (And no, the Italian Squad did not come and get me from my last review) We went on a Saturday night at 7:30 pm and the place was hopping. The ambiance is beautiful, as if you are stepping into a dining room in Napoli. It does not seem like it would be this nice from the parking lot and front facade off 41. We had a large round table for 6 that was set beautifully. We were greeted at the entrance by a hostess. The specials were listed on an Italian Blackboard next to the bar. They only serve wine and beer. The ambiance was lively and all of the patrons and staff were smiling. Good sign! We ordered our drinks and appetizers and meals. The house Merlot was very smooth. When our meals came they were piping hot and delicious. My Filet Mignon was flavorful and like "butta". The green beans were crisp and flavorful. The grouper was amazing and fresh, fresh, fresh. My husband loved his eggplant parmesan. The linguini with clam sauce was "one of the best I've had" as a friend said. And every one of us loved the meatballs. The cheesecake is decadent. We had it with all 3 sauces.... caramel, chocolate and strawberry.... I know, we are so bad. The cappuccino was the way it should be hot and steamy. All 6 of us said that we had a terrific evening of great food, excellent service and beautiful ambiance and laughter. In addition, our bill for myself and my husband including wine and dessert was less than $60....Love it. We will be back. Note: I am giving only 4 stars because they do not have a full bar.... I enjoy a cocktail before dinner and a liqueur after dinner.
(4)