We have lived nearby for years and have never been. We now have gone the last two weeks and it is awesome. My whole family enjoys everything about it. Great bread with dipping oil, great salads, great pasta dishes including the lasagna.
(5)
Lawry F.
Had the privilege to eat at first "opera night" with performances by 3 guest pros from the area brought in by AACC performing arts director. OUTSTANDING! And the food was good, too. Was so worth it.
(5)
Mary F.
The food is awesome! The Fall menu offers some yummy treats! This place is well priced for the experience! I would recommend this for a family dinner, date night or just to break away from a chain restaurant! Treat yourself to this dining experience, your taste buds will thank you!
(5)
Kari M.
Extremely slow service! Dessert alone took over 30 minutes to get to table, served separately from coffee. We did not get wine at the table until 25 minutes after arriving. Ambiance lacking for $$ restaurant. Food homey but in no way gourmet or worth the cost and delays.
(2)
Eddie S.
Uninspired, overpriced food in a stereotypical suburban restaurant setting that tries really hard to be "upscale". Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.
(2)
Brandi P.
I have nothing but amazing things to say about the "Cafe" - as the locals like to call it. I used to go here at least twice a week when I worked down in the area mostly since the staff is super friendly, especially Rachel who works in the lounge area. If you become a regular they will begin to know you by name and remember your "usual orders". It is a very warm and personable atmosphere. The Cafe is more of an upscale and pricey restaurant, that serves large portions and never fails to impress. The bread that starts the meal makes for a great appetizer and its always fresh, flakey and warm. The lasagna bolognese is delicious and is making me hungry just talking about it! nom nom nom (not classy, right?) oh well..it was my dish of choice. Then to finish off my evening a Vaccarro's cannoli would usually do the trick, although I will admit I have a bit of a sweet tooth and ALL of the Cafe's desserts are heaven. This is a perfect atmosphere for a date but only if you are looking to spend a little bit of money, that is. Wouldn't want to send anyone somewhere that they weren't forewarned about. Honestly though, you can expect great food portions, delicious desserts and an overall friendly and inviting atmosphere. If you can, try and check out the bands playing in the lounge on the Cafe's website. If the Love Story band is playing you should really check them out, they will blow you away! Hoping to get my check-in at the Cafe very soon, it's been way too long.
(5)
B M.
Filthy Bathrooms. Who can review the food after you use the restroom and want to gag? My husband said the men's was even worse the than the ladies as I described it. Looked like no one had cleaned it in days - we were in on a Thursday night to celebrate my mother's birthday. I won't go into detail, but it was what you expect to see in a highly used public restroom, complete with the only toilet paper being what was strewn on the floor. Shame on them. They should know better.
(1)
Susie B.
Went for dinner early on a Saturday evening. We were greeted quite warmly and seated quickly. Our server was Michael, and he was spot on! He could answer any question, checked on us often and was genuinely personable. The food was delicious! We all got chicken dishes. The temperature as perfect, presentation awesome and most importantly, tasted great. I will definitely go back. The menu selection was pretty extensive but not so much that you had to spend hours reading it. A top pick for me--Severna Parkers are lucky to have this place!!
(5)
Carl L.
One of the areas fine establishments that has been around for a very long time. Even though it has changed owners a few times the food and service has never disappointed anyone. This is Italian cuisine that stands above many of the other restaurants in a 25 mile radius. Do yourself a favor and go and enjoy yourself you will not be disappointed.
(4)
Novarro R.
Loved it, taste, portioning, service, atmosphere and all was great only downside was the amount of noise from glasses clanging etc going from lunch to dinner shift which makes it understandable
(5)
Eddie D.
The drink selection is huge, but I struggled to find something I wanted to drink. Not a wine fan, and the 4 "specialty" drinks just didn't sound that good. Settled on a Blue Moon (Bottle) and my lovely girlfriend got a glass of wine. Service was good. Fast, friendly. Not spectacular but no complaints. The fresh bread and olive oil dipping sauce is great. Love it. We got the Formaggio cheese plate appetizer. Disappointment sums it up. 12 dollars for literally 7 slices of cheese, a few apple slices and a small spoon full of fig compote, with some crackers. The menu says "Chef's selection" but we received no explanation from our waiter as to what cheese is what. I figured it out. Parmaggiano regiano, Smoked Gouda, and Feta. It's not what I was expecting from a cheese plate. And a disappointment. Plus everything was covered in mint leaves. I went with the special. Red Snapper over parmasean risotto with PEI Mussels and a saffron infused sauce. The fish was perfect. The risotto was good texture wise, but missed something in the flavor department. Can't pinpoint it. The mussels were a great addition. My girlfriend got a risotto with scallops and filet Mignon and asparagus spears. It was very well put together, and I enjoyed the few bites she let me have. Dessert was a Souffle with dulce de leche ice cream. Very good. Overall, an enjoyable meal. I would love to see changes done to the cheese plate. Teach the waitstaff about the cheeses so that the customers can learn about them. Get some better cheeses. And don't cover everything in mint leaves. I'm also not sure about the atmosphere in the place. It's TRYING to be upscale and nice (and the prices reflect it) but there are people in t-shirts as well.
(3)
Perry W.
The food quality is similar to a chain Italian place like Carrabas, but more expensive. I ordered the Mussels appetizer tonight, but only ate half because it smelled oh not so fresh. The waiter was detached and unfriendly. My glass of sav blanc was the only saving grace of the night. However the woman at the next table had a great looking cannoli, but I couldn't do it after trying to force down my meal.
(2)
Steven S.
After living in the area for 11 years and passing this restaurant many times, I finally came in with my date. And friends. Good friends, I should add. The best. And these best friends are regulars at Cafe Mezzanotte and big fans of it. So we were game. Of course, I had to check the Yelp reviews as I do before I eat anywhere except Subway and McDonald's. And I was a little concerned at all of the negative reviews. But I trust my friends' good taste and did not regret it. The food is very good. I ordered the Veal Mezzanotte and it was excellent. Had the Souffle Special for dessert and recommend it as well. The atmosphere is comfortable and service good. Some earlier reviews described this restaurant as trying hard to be more upscale than it really is. If I'm completely honest in this review, I will say I did see evidence of that. It was more of a feeling than anything else. If you go to a few upscale restaurants - both here and in other parts of the country - you'll feel the difference the moment you enter the restaurant. And it's not only the staff that makes this difference but the customers that patronize the establishment. You can just tell what caliber restaurant they've created by the time you're seated and survey the room. To give you an example here, there were some diners in nice shirts and sport coats and others in shorts and t shirts. Some reviewers mentioned rude service. We didn't encounter anything I'd call "rude," but just a little unprofessional. For example when we asked to split the check, the waiter pretended he didn't know what we meant. He said, "Oh, you mean split it in half." When we explained we wanted it split by what we actually ordered (two by two), he hesitated for a while then said, "Oh. Ok." Come on, dude. We both know - ehhhh it's not important. The other thing we noticed that kind of kept Cafe Mezzanotte in the three star category was the smell of cigarette smoke on our server. He had apparently taken several smoke breaks during our evening together. And it had just rained outside. So during several of his approaches to our table, the smell of wet cigarette smoke was overpowering. And it lingered. As a reformed smoker myself, I don't fault him for taking his breaks. And if you need a hit of nicotine then by all means, take it. But an upscale establishment is pretty conscientious of things like that. And the difference shows. So all in all, I enjoyed the cuisine at CM, as did everyone at our table. I think if they packaged themselves as a family-style restaurant (Like Romano's Mac Grill) it would be a better fit. The food is slightly better than in such places but the service exactly the same.
(3)
Austin H.
I have lived and worked in the area for over 10 years, and sadly have only been to Cafe Mezzanotte, a total of 4 times. Thankfully, in the last two weeks I have been there twice. It is really hard to find a nice place to go in and around Severna Park, especially if you live here the pickings while bountiful, tend to be the same casual bar type eateries. If you are in the mood for true Italian food, look no further. I have found my favorite meal that used to be at Carpaccio's down in Annapolis and now I don't have to go there. The dish? Lobster Diavalo. Check it out if you like a red spicy sauce with a 8ox lobster tail perched on top. This place has a formal dinning room, with a separate bar/lounge with TV's and a fun atmosphere. Caffe Mezzanottte is definitely in the top 5 places to eat in the local area.
(4)
Janet K.
I have been going to Cafe Mezzanotte since moving to this area more than 10 years ago. Yes, they are not on the cutting edge of the noveau cuisine, but they are quite good, service is efficient without being overbearing and the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing. Sure, there have been glitches here and there, but overall, I am a fan. I no longer live close by, so I don't go as often, but when I do, like today, I am always happy with my food. The only REALLY disappointing change which I TOTALLY DO NOT understand is why they changed their bread dip. The new version is good, but the older version was totally orgasmic. I do not find their prices too high, in fact, I think they have some pretty great deals. For example, for lunch today I got the $15.00 trio which allows the choice of any soup, any salad, and any half sandwich. I had the wonderful cream of crab soup which had lots of big lumps. I would only have wished for a little carafe of sherry on the side as I like more in mine. I ordered the filet mignon sandwich which was served on a crusty artisanal roll--very nice, And for the salad I had the bistro with house dressing-yum. Personally, I think that's a lot of quality food for a reasonable price. And don't forget the delicious bread and dipping sauce comes with it which I could eat as a whole meal by itself. My friend got a huge bowl full of pasta and mussels which she loved. I passed on dessert since I could hardly move but in the past, I have had some really wonderful selections from a talented pasty chef. I don't really understand the low reviews--yes, it is old school, but then I am old school...(even though I can appreciate some of the cutting edge cuisine as well) but there must be many like me because this place is sometimes so crowded you can't get throught the door. Now, PLEASE, MEZZANOTTE, bring back your old dipping sauce!!!!!!
(4)
Christopher S.
This is a good restaurant in all categories, food, service and atmosphere. I have tried many different entrees and found all of them to be delicious. Portions are very generous so watch out on the bread consumption. It is hard to stop eating their bread. This local Severna Park/Arnold restaurant is in the same league as some Chicago and New York Italian establishments. Excellent wine list. Occasionally they will be a little off the mark. Depends if top chef is working that night. Price/value rating is good
(3)
Dave M.
Used to be a big fan but the quality of food and service had declined. They should improve on the quality of the dishes and cut back on the huge portions.
(3)
Nicole F.
AWESOME HAPPY HOUR!! I went out with a friend last night this a place we drive by all the time but never stop at. It's off the highway and its back there in a weird spot for sure. Monday night, we decided to take the plunge. I decided I would NOT check yelp first so it wouldn't color my judgment. Personally, I thought the food and service were really good! I can't say much for the "fancy" side, but the bar is def a place regulars eat at. No doubt we got stares when we just wandered in off the street! The bartender/hostess knew pretty much everyone else who walked in and gave out hugs. I felt left out... I want hugs too! I guess the only way to solve that is to come back... again and again. 1/2 price appies and discounted wine you say?! No problemo. I'll update back when I am hug-worthy from the hostess.
(4)
Daniel M.
We had a very nice birthday dinner here Saturday. This review would be 5 stars except the server just seemed to be somewhat distracted. The meal was timed well but plates weren't removed and drinks weren't refilled in a timely manner. He seemed more interested in socializing with coworkers. Carpaccio had a slightly off texture but taste was good. Tomato soup was very good, slightly less thick than we expected. Pasta and risotto dishes were very tasty. They made a nice presentation of my birthday present on the desert plate. Definitely want to come back and try more menu items.
(4)
Matt N.
The food was good, but our server, Tony, was rude, forgetful, and not very helpful. At the end of our meal we asked Tony to split the check, he first told us that he couldn't split the check because there is no way he could remember what each person ordered. Then when the check came we highlighted different items to make it easy for him to split. He then explained how hard and time consuming it is to split the check, but we insisted he split the check despite its difficulty. He then provided a mini lecture on why we should have asked him to split the check before we ordered. He eventually split the check (10min later) and added a half-bottle of wine to the check, which he had previously forgotten. To top it off he took a dish away to box up and never brought it back. Again, the food was good, just don't sit in Tony's section.
(2)
pseudo n.
It's fine. The food is average, and they try to play an upscale card with uniformed staff and white table cloths, but that didn't make them stand out. My advice would be to find a real home run chef to make themselves stand out. Maggianos at the Annapolis Mall has better food for better prices.
(3)
Lynn M.
We had a group of 8 on Sat., Aug. 17, 2013. It was kind of a mini-reunion/bday get together. Jimmy (mgr) set up a table for us in a great area of the restaurant. I was met promptly at the door to hand off the surprise cake to Chris, the host. Our waiter, Michael, was very attentive and everything arrived perfectly, and it all was hot. The food was excellent. Everyone seemed to order something different and all were pleased. After dinner we moved to the lounge side and listened to the live entertainment for the evening. I have not been to Cafe Mezz in awhile since I no longer live in the area. I really look forward to going back next time I am in town. I can see why this place has been in business for so long! After 5 total hours at Cafe Mezz. we called it a night.... Thanks again for such a nice evening!
(5)
Lewis C.
I've been here a bunch of times. This place is very underrated in my opinion. The food is very consistent and above par for the area. The bar is a nice place to drop by for an appetizer and a drink.
(4)
Amy A.
The food is excellent, but the service is lacking. We hosted a rehearsal dinner there with 10 people and the room wasn't private, as promised and the service was really slow. Our waiter was working hard, but it seemed like he was covering too many tables. It was disappointing given that we reserved it ahead of time and placed a deposit.
We live in California, but come to Maryland 2 or 3 times a year, and almost always stop in here for dinner at least once. As we did tonight, after going to a football game at the Naval Academy and watching our team lose. So a consolation dinner. As usual, the food and service were very good. We each had a dinner salad - fresh, crisp, tasty. Wonderful bread with a terrific oil-sun dried tomato - garlic and more dipping sauce. I was delighted that my husband didn't want any - more for me. I had pasta with crab and a creamy red sauce, while my husband had veal. Both of us were very pleased with our food. Our waiter was very good - available but not intrusive. Altogether a very nice dinner, and I am looking forward to our next trip there in a couple of months. The one small problem was noisy entertainment in the bar, which interfered with the quiet enjoyment of our meals. Fortunately, that transitioned into a quieter singer, who added to the atmosphere.
(4)
Jim P.
SF Transplant here (thus, spent wayyyy too much time in too many great restaurants... you may call me too picky, but you may also call me well-trained) - continuing the Quest For A Decent Restaurant out here. REALLY wanted to like Cafe Mezzanotte, as it came recommended independently by several different people. But I feel compelled to balance out the other good reviews here and elsewhere on the web... We went in on a Friday night, had the special appetizer and two entrees that seemed like they should have been pretty easy to execute, giving the place the best chance to succeed - again, really wanted to like it. REALLY want to find a restaurant that doesn't suck out here. I've eaten in a lot of cities, but Baltimore's been amongst the poorest competitors... it's trying, though, so I'll keep trying too! (Note to scale that comment: "Hey, we're better than Bakersfield!" is not a good rallying cry.) (Really, does *anyone* have a stove that actually gets _hot_? Is it so hard to serve food above room temperature?) This was going to be a two star review, but Yelp's definition of "Meh, I've experienced better" drove me to one star... sorry C.M. For starters, starters: If you tell me the special appetizer is a scallop wrapped in prosciutto, don't bring me a scallop wrapped in generic supermarket (at best) **BACON**. Are you kidding me? Worse... 1/2 of mine was raw. Raw. Hers was burned on one side and tan on top, but cooked through. Mine was raw on top and tan on the bottom. Now, I like raw fish. A lot. (One reason I haven't tried sushi out here yet... don't really want that disappointment.) But, raw bacon? Raw bacon sucks. I'll even overlook the fact that we were quite clearly sharing an appetizer and yet... no clean plates. Even a _diner_ will bring two clean plates when two people split a starter. Fancy restaurant, you are not, despite your efforts. Worse still, the bread-plates-turned-appetizer-plates remained on our table, pile of too much bland arugula coated with wayyyy too much canola oil and raw bacon sitting there... distractingly... until after the check left. Hmm. Maybe I looked like I needed more raw bacon in my diet. The appetizer and the entrees suffered from some shared problems: One, "too many notes, my dear Mozart" -- wayyy too many ingredients, trying too hard -- seriously, write out the list, then take at least two off, on EVERYTHING -- mostly wayyy too much glop / "dressing" / "sauce". Trying to hide sins? I know, somewhere in there, I had veal... I think... Two... everything was just this side of cold. Except for the salad under the scallops... that was warm. Whoops. This seems to be common out here (What? Don't trust me with hot food?) but I was surprised at the luke-warm-at-best sauce and sides-that-sat-out-under-a-heat-lamp-since-the-afternoon that I might have expected at a cheaper / less-well-reviewed place. Sigh. The entrees were ok, I guess, but the presentation was hackish/amateur at best and the sides had clearly been out all afternoon. Forget about the potato "quiche" (that was near-cold, giving it an odd texture, but the flavor was ok), but, seriously, how hard it is to serve cheap-vegetable-medley _freshly_ over-boiled to order? Especially when the server recommended it as the best choice? Food was ok, at best ('cept for the raw bacon and unevenly cooked scallops, that was failrific), just too many ingredients, trying to hard and failing miserably. Staff was friendly, there's that. Not "professional servers" that apparently I may never see again without getting on a plane to go back to Real Restaurant World, but friendly and earnest. Not their fault that prosciutto is not Oscar Meyer bacon (though one would hope a server in an Italian joint would know the difference, but alas). Not their fault they spilled half the split of champagne and didn't comp it (no, wait, yes it is). But, earnest, friendly and helpful, I'll give 'em that. [And seriously, a point probably not worth mentioning, but, can someone, SOMEWHERE offer a wine list with, you know, vintages? At least, to it's credit, C.M. didn't bring the wine already opened, as has happened repeatedly out here.] If the place were 60% of its price or less, maybe it'd get a 2 star review, maybe more. But, if it can't execute a hot, correctly cooked dinner at 7pm on a Friday night (let alone tasty... I'd settle for hot...), I realllly have no interest in going back. Especially at $20-25/side and a way-more-than$100-for-two-people dinner. Sorry, C.M. What terrifies me, though, is that the place was packed. Packed. Really? *This* is the best that can be done outside of downtown D.C. or Little Italy? And the quest continues...
(1)
Nicole M.
Flavored olive oil that comes with bread is so good, you might ask to buy a container of it (I did!). Fussili Granchio with crabmeat is my favorite...
(4)
SP F.
Went there on a Friday. dining room was not full, got seated right away. Our server took a little while to make it over to our table. She arrived after the bread and the olive oil. By the way, they season the olive oil and it is really good. bread is nice and crusty. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted an appetizer. We opted for the Formaggio plate. When it arrived, it had three types of cheese, two small slices of each, about 6 olives, 8 large crackers, a sliced strawberry and a small dollop of the fruit and fig compote which was probably smuckers jam. Ok, but not that memorable. My wife got the Risotto Festival. Menu describes this as colossal scallops and marinated fillet Mignon tips( end cuts we can 't use for anything else) served with caramelized shallot and mushroom in saffron risotto with sauteed asparagus spear (5) and scampi sauce. Ok, now for the real world - scallops, not colossal. In fact just like anything you can buy at a seafood market. Caramelized shallot - did not taste that. Saffron risotto, ok if you say so. Point is the description definitely overshot the actual. To me it tasted like beef stew over rice. I got the Linguine Giuseppe Verdi. It did not make me want to see an opera. Chopped gulf shrimp and lump crab over spinach infused linguine tossed with garlic roasted cherry and white wine reduction. pasta and the sauce were good. The shrimp were not chopped gulf shrimp, more like popcorn shrimp they defrosted and threw in with the pasta. Crab meat was lump, might have not been local, did not have a sweet flavor one might expect. Our server was good, a little hard to hear at times, very attentive. I would go back, but will be more careful with my choice of entree.
(3)
Sean W.
By far the best restaurant in Severna Park! I would highly recommend this to anyone. Started out with calamari and Cream of crab soup, both were great. I would suggest the Penne Arrabiatta to anyone who likes spicy things.
(5)
Jessica H.
Best Happy hour in Severna Park! After all the stress of planning our wedding my fiance and I decided to break away and go out for some happy hour food and drinks. The lounge was realizing and the bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. They offer half price appetizers for HH and discount drinks, which we indulged in both and they were so GOOD! We used to frequent the back room but they no longer offer happy hour. I think Mezz's lounge is going to be our new go to spot.
(5)
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Address :760 Ritchie Hwy,Ste N1
Severna Park, MD, 21146
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Dressy Ambience : Romantic Noise Level : Average Music : Live Good For Dancing : No Alcohol : Full Bar Happy Hour : Yes Best Nights : Fri, Sat, Sun Coat Check : Yes Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No 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.
Bob F.
We have lived nearby for years and have never been. We now have gone the last two weeks and it is awesome. My whole family enjoys everything about it. Great bread with dipping oil, great salads, great pasta dishes including the lasagna.
(5)Lawry F.
Had the privilege to eat at first "opera night" with performances by 3 guest pros from the area brought in by AACC performing arts director. OUTSTANDING! And the food was good, too. Was so worth it.
(5)Mary F.
The food is awesome! The Fall menu offers some yummy treats! This place is well priced for the experience! I would recommend this for a family dinner, date night or just to break away from a chain restaurant! Treat yourself to this dining experience, your taste buds will thank you!
(5)Kari M.
Extremely slow service! Dessert alone took over 30 minutes to get to table, served separately from coffee. We did not get wine at the table until 25 minutes after arriving. Ambiance lacking for $$ restaurant. Food homey but in no way gourmet or worth the cost and delays.
(2)Eddie S.
Uninspired, overpriced food in a stereotypical suburban restaurant setting that tries really hard to be "upscale". Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.
(2)Brandi P.
I have nothing but amazing things to say about the "Cafe" - as the locals like to call it. I used to go here at least twice a week when I worked down in the area mostly since the staff is super friendly, especially Rachel who works in the lounge area. If you become a regular they will begin to know you by name and remember your "usual orders". It is a very warm and personable atmosphere. The Cafe is more of an upscale and pricey restaurant, that serves large portions and never fails to impress. The bread that starts the meal makes for a great appetizer and its always fresh, flakey and warm. The lasagna bolognese is delicious and is making me hungry just talking about it! nom nom nom (not classy, right?) oh well..it was my dish of choice. Then to finish off my evening a Vaccarro's cannoli would usually do the trick, although I will admit I have a bit of a sweet tooth and ALL of the Cafe's desserts are heaven. This is a perfect atmosphere for a date but only if you are looking to spend a little bit of money, that is. Wouldn't want to send anyone somewhere that they weren't forewarned about. Honestly though, you can expect great food portions, delicious desserts and an overall friendly and inviting atmosphere. If you can, try and check out the bands playing in the lounge on the Cafe's website. If the Love Story band is playing you should really check them out, they will blow you away! Hoping to get my check-in at the Cafe very soon, it's been way too long.
(5)B M.
Filthy Bathrooms. Who can review the food after you use the restroom and want to gag? My husband said the men's was even worse the than the ladies as I described it. Looked like no one had cleaned it in days - we were in on a Thursday night to celebrate my mother's birthday. I won't go into detail, but it was what you expect to see in a highly used public restroom, complete with the only toilet paper being what was strewn on the floor. Shame on them. They should know better.
(1)Susie B.
Went for dinner early on a Saturday evening. We were greeted quite warmly and seated quickly. Our server was Michael, and he was spot on! He could answer any question, checked on us often and was genuinely personable. The food was delicious! We all got chicken dishes. The temperature as perfect, presentation awesome and most importantly, tasted great. I will definitely go back. The menu selection was pretty extensive but not so much that you had to spend hours reading it. A top pick for me--Severna Parkers are lucky to have this place!!
(5)Carl L.
One of the areas fine establishments that has been around for a very long time. Even though it has changed owners a few times the food and service has never disappointed anyone. This is Italian cuisine that stands above many of the other restaurants in a 25 mile radius. Do yourself a favor and go and enjoy yourself you will not be disappointed.
(4)Novarro R.
Loved it, taste, portioning, service, atmosphere and all was great only downside was the amount of noise from glasses clanging etc going from lunch to dinner shift which makes it understandable
(5)Eddie D.
The drink selection is huge, but I struggled to find something I wanted to drink. Not a wine fan, and the 4 "specialty" drinks just didn't sound that good. Settled on a Blue Moon (Bottle) and my lovely girlfriend got a glass of wine. Service was good. Fast, friendly. Not spectacular but no complaints. The fresh bread and olive oil dipping sauce is great. Love it. We got the Formaggio cheese plate appetizer. Disappointment sums it up. 12 dollars for literally 7 slices of cheese, a few apple slices and a small spoon full of fig compote, with some crackers. The menu says "Chef's selection" but we received no explanation from our waiter as to what cheese is what. I figured it out. Parmaggiano regiano, Smoked Gouda, and Feta. It's not what I was expecting from a cheese plate. And a disappointment. Plus everything was covered in mint leaves. I went with the special. Red Snapper over parmasean risotto with PEI Mussels and a saffron infused sauce. The fish was perfect. The risotto was good texture wise, but missed something in the flavor department. Can't pinpoint it. The mussels were a great addition. My girlfriend got a risotto with scallops and filet Mignon and asparagus spears. It was very well put together, and I enjoyed the few bites she let me have. Dessert was a Souffle with dulce de leche ice cream. Very good. Overall, an enjoyable meal. I would love to see changes done to the cheese plate. Teach the waitstaff about the cheeses so that the customers can learn about them. Get some better cheeses. And don't cover everything in mint leaves. I'm also not sure about the atmosphere in the place. It's TRYING to be upscale and nice (and the prices reflect it) but there are people in t-shirts as well.
(3)Perry W.
The food quality is similar to a chain Italian place like Carrabas, but more expensive. I ordered the Mussels appetizer tonight, but only ate half because it smelled oh not so fresh. The waiter was detached and unfriendly. My glass of sav blanc was the only saving grace of the night. However the woman at the next table had a great looking cannoli, but I couldn't do it after trying to force down my meal.
(2)Steven S.
After living in the area for 11 years and passing this restaurant many times, I finally came in with my date. And friends. Good friends, I should add. The best. And these best friends are regulars at Cafe Mezzanotte and big fans of it. So we were game. Of course, I had to check the Yelp reviews as I do before I eat anywhere except Subway and McDonald's. And I was a little concerned at all of the negative reviews. But I trust my friends' good taste and did not regret it. The food is very good. I ordered the Veal Mezzanotte and it was excellent. Had the Souffle Special for dessert and recommend it as well. The atmosphere is comfortable and service good. Some earlier reviews described this restaurant as trying hard to be more upscale than it really is. If I'm completely honest in this review, I will say I did see evidence of that. It was more of a feeling than anything else. If you go to a few upscale restaurants - both here and in other parts of the country - you'll feel the difference the moment you enter the restaurant. And it's not only the staff that makes this difference but the customers that patronize the establishment. You can just tell what caliber restaurant they've created by the time you're seated and survey the room. To give you an example here, there were some diners in nice shirts and sport coats and others in shorts and t shirts. Some reviewers mentioned rude service. We didn't encounter anything I'd call "rude," but just a little unprofessional. For example when we asked to split the check, the waiter pretended he didn't know what we meant. He said, "Oh, you mean split it in half." When we explained we wanted it split by what we actually ordered (two by two), he hesitated for a while then said, "Oh. Ok." Come on, dude. We both know - ehhhh it's not important. The other thing we noticed that kind of kept Cafe Mezzanotte in the three star category was the smell of cigarette smoke on our server. He had apparently taken several smoke breaks during our evening together. And it had just rained outside. So during several of his approaches to our table, the smell of wet cigarette smoke was overpowering. And it lingered. As a reformed smoker myself, I don't fault him for taking his breaks. And if you need a hit of nicotine then by all means, take it. But an upscale establishment is pretty conscientious of things like that. And the difference shows. So all in all, I enjoyed the cuisine at CM, as did everyone at our table. I think if they packaged themselves as a family-style restaurant (Like Romano's Mac Grill) it would be a better fit. The food is slightly better than in such places but the service exactly the same.
(3)Austin H.
I have lived and worked in the area for over 10 years, and sadly have only been to Cafe Mezzanotte, a total of 4 times. Thankfully, in the last two weeks I have been there twice. It is really hard to find a nice place to go in and around Severna Park, especially if you live here the pickings while bountiful, tend to be the same casual bar type eateries. If you are in the mood for true Italian food, look no further. I have found my favorite meal that used to be at Carpaccio's down in Annapolis and now I don't have to go there. The dish? Lobster Diavalo. Check it out if you like a red spicy sauce with a 8ox lobster tail perched on top. This place has a formal dinning room, with a separate bar/lounge with TV's and a fun atmosphere. Caffe Mezzanottte is definitely in the top 5 places to eat in the local area.
(4)Janet K.
I have been going to Cafe Mezzanotte since moving to this area more than 10 years ago. Yes, they are not on the cutting edge of the noveau cuisine, but they are quite good, service is efficient without being overbearing and the atmosphere is pleasant and relaxing. Sure, there have been glitches here and there, but overall, I am a fan. I no longer live close by, so I don't go as often, but when I do, like today, I am always happy with my food. The only REALLY disappointing change which I TOTALLY DO NOT understand is why they changed their bread dip. The new version is good, but the older version was totally orgasmic. I do not find their prices too high, in fact, I think they have some pretty great deals. For example, for lunch today I got the $15.00 trio which allows the choice of any soup, any salad, and any half sandwich. I had the wonderful cream of crab soup which had lots of big lumps. I would only have wished for a little carafe of sherry on the side as I like more in mine. I ordered the filet mignon sandwich which was served on a crusty artisanal roll--very nice, And for the salad I had the bistro with house dressing-yum. Personally, I think that's a lot of quality food for a reasonable price. And don't forget the delicious bread and dipping sauce comes with it which I could eat as a whole meal by itself. My friend got a huge bowl full of pasta and mussels which she loved. I passed on dessert since I could hardly move but in the past, I have had some really wonderful selections from a talented pasty chef. I don't really understand the low reviews--yes, it is old school, but then I am old school...(even though I can appreciate some of the cutting edge cuisine as well) but there must be many like me because this place is sometimes so crowded you can't get throught the door. Now, PLEASE, MEZZANOTTE, bring back your old dipping sauce!!!!!!
(4)Christopher S.
This is a good restaurant in all categories, food, service and atmosphere. I have tried many different entrees and found all of them to be delicious. Portions are very generous so watch out on the bread consumption. It is hard to stop eating their bread. This local Severna Park/Arnold restaurant is in the same league as some Chicago and New York Italian establishments. Excellent wine list. Occasionally they will be a little off the mark. Depends if top chef is working that night. Price/value rating is good
(3)Dave M.
Used to be a big fan but the quality of food and service had declined. They should improve on the quality of the dishes and cut back on the huge portions.
(3)Nicole F.
AWESOME HAPPY HOUR!! I went out with a friend last night this a place we drive by all the time but never stop at. It's off the highway and its back there in a weird spot for sure. Monday night, we decided to take the plunge. I decided I would NOT check yelp first so it wouldn't color my judgment. Personally, I thought the food and service were really good! I can't say much for the "fancy" side, but the bar is def a place regulars eat at. No doubt we got stares when we just wandered in off the street! The bartender/hostess knew pretty much everyone else who walked in and gave out hugs. I felt left out... I want hugs too! I guess the only way to solve that is to come back... again and again. 1/2 price appies and discounted wine you say?! No problemo. I'll update back when I am hug-worthy from the hostess.
(4)Daniel M.
We had a very nice birthday dinner here Saturday. This review would be 5 stars except the server just seemed to be somewhat distracted. The meal was timed well but plates weren't removed and drinks weren't refilled in a timely manner. He seemed more interested in socializing with coworkers. Carpaccio had a slightly off texture but taste was good. Tomato soup was very good, slightly less thick than we expected. Pasta and risotto dishes were very tasty. They made a nice presentation of my birthday present on the desert plate. Definitely want to come back and try more menu items.
(4)Matt N.
The food was good, but our server, Tony, was rude, forgetful, and not very helpful. At the end of our meal we asked Tony to split the check, he first told us that he couldn't split the check because there is no way he could remember what each person ordered. Then when the check came we highlighted different items to make it easy for him to split. He then explained how hard and time consuming it is to split the check, but we insisted he split the check despite its difficulty. He then provided a mini lecture on why we should have asked him to split the check before we ordered. He eventually split the check (10min later) and added a half-bottle of wine to the check, which he had previously forgotten. To top it off he took a dish away to box up and never brought it back. Again, the food was good, just don't sit in Tony's section.
(2)pseudo n.
It's fine. The food is average, and they try to play an upscale card with uniformed staff and white table cloths, but that didn't make them stand out. My advice would be to find a real home run chef to make themselves stand out. Maggianos at the Annapolis Mall has better food for better prices.
(3)Lynn M.
We had a group of 8 on Sat., Aug. 17, 2013. It was kind of a mini-reunion/bday get together. Jimmy (mgr) set up a table for us in a great area of the restaurant. I was met promptly at the door to hand off the surprise cake to Chris, the host. Our waiter, Michael, was very attentive and everything arrived perfectly, and it all was hot. The food was excellent. Everyone seemed to order something different and all were pleased. After dinner we moved to the lounge side and listened to the live entertainment for the evening. I have not been to Cafe Mezz in awhile since I no longer live in the area. I really look forward to going back next time I am in town. I can see why this place has been in business for so long! After 5 total hours at Cafe Mezz. we called it a night.... Thanks again for such a nice evening!
(5)Lewis C.
I've been here a bunch of times. This place is very underrated in my opinion. The food is very consistent and above par for the area. The bar is a nice place to drop by for an appetizer and a drink.
(4)Amy A.
The food is excellent, but the service is lacking. We hosted a rehearsal dinner there with 10 people and the room wasn't private, as promised and the service was really slow. Our waiter was working hard, but it seemed like he was covering too many tables. It was disappointing given that we reserved it ahead of time and placed a deposit.
(3)Diana V.
Went here for the first time the other day and was blown away at how good the food is here. We went for lunch & were surprised at how nice this place is inside. It is a little pricey but worth it. This is the only place around that serves authentic Italian food. First, the staff is super friendly & the bread was so good! It was crusty Italian bread with Parmesan & rosemary on the crust. They pair it with a small saucer of olive oil with a delicious mix of spices that are just heaven! We ordered the antipasto which was the best I've ever had, paired perfectly with the bread (sundried tomatoes, portobello & other mixed veggies, caprese & various meats), great for sharing. I had the fettuccini with chicken that came out freshly made, melted in my mouth, this is not your reheated chain joint! Husband had the seafood linguine, had a look of bliss in each bite. He had a cherry chocolate martini for dessert, I had their signature soufflé to share. Husband & I wanted a nice leisurely romantic lunch & this definitely was the place to go. Portions were big, we each took half our meals home & had leftovers for dinner. Ever since I've been wishing for the day when we can go back, I hope it is soon. They have a full bar, nice wine & cocktail selection & fine dining atmosphere. If you want authentic Italian food, this IS the place to go. Makes the common chain place look like fast food. Worth every penny ++++!
(5)Louise A.
We live in California, but come to Maryland 2 or 3 times a year, and almost always stop in here for dinner at least once. As we did tonight, after going to a football game at the Naval Academy and watching our team lose. So a consolation dinner. As usual, the food and service were very good. We each had a dinner salad - fresh, crisp, tasty. Wonderful bread with a terrific oil-sun dried tomato - garlic and more dipping sauce. I was delighted that my husband didn't want any - more for me. I had pasta with crab and a creamy red sauce, while my husband had veal. Both of us were very pleased with our food. Our waiter was very good - available but not intrusive. Altogether a very nice dinner, and I am looking forward to our next trip there in a couple of months. The one small problem was noisy entertainment in the bar, which interfered with the quiet enjoyment of our meals. Fortunately, that transitioned into a quieter singer, who added to the atmosphere.
(4)Jim P.
SF Transplant here (thus, spent wayyyy too much time in too many great restaurants... you may call me too picky, but you may also call me well-trained) - continuing the Quest For A Decent Restaurant out here. REALLY wanted to like Cafe Mezzanotte, as it came recommended independently by several different people. But I feel compelled to balance out the other good reviews here and elsewhere on the web... We went in on a Friday night, had the special appetizer and two entrees that seemed like they should have been pretty easy to execute, giving the place the best chance to succeed - again, really wanted to like it. REALLY want to find a restaurant that doesn't suck out here. I've eaten in a lot of cities, but Baltimore's been amongst the poorest competitors... it's trying, though, so I'll keep trying too! (Note to scale that comment: "Hey, we're better than Bakersfield!" is not a good rallying cry.) (Really, does *anyone* have a stove that actually gets _hot_? Is it so hard to serve food above room temperature?) This was going to be a two star review, but Yelp's definition of "Meh, I've experienced better" drove me to one star... sorry C.M. For starters, starters: If you tell me the special appetizer is a scallop wrapped in prosciutto, don't bring me a scallop wrapped in generic supermarket (at best) **BACON**. Are you kidding me? Worse... 1/2 of mine was raw. Raw. Hers was burned on one side and tan on top, but cooked through. Mine was raw on top and tan on the bottom. Now, I like raw fish. A lot. (One reason I haven't tried sushi out here yet... don't really want that disappointment.) But, raw bacon? Raw bacon sucks. I'll even overlook the fact that we were quite clearly sharing an appetizer and yet... no clean plates. Even a _diner_ will bring two clean plates when two people split a starter. Fancy restaurant, you are not, despite your efforts. Worse still, the bread-plates-turned-appetizer-plates remained on our table, pile of too much bland arugula coated with wayyyy too much canola oil and raw bacon sitting there... distractingly... until after the check left. Hmm. Maybe I looked like I needed more raw bacon in my diet. The appetizer and the entrees suffered from some shared problems: One, "too many notes, my dear Mozart" -- wayyy too many ingredients, trying too hard -- seriously, write out the list, then take at least two off, on EVERYTHING -- mostly wayyy too much glop / "dressing" / "sauce". Trying to hide sins? I know, somewhere in there, I had veal... I think... Two... everything was just this side of cold. Except for the salad under the scallops... that was warm. Whoops. This seems to be common out here (What? Don't trust me with hot food?) but I was surprised at the luke-warm-at-best sauce and sides-that-sat-out-under-a-heat-lamp-since-the-afternoon that I might have expected at a cheaper / less-well-reviewed place. Sigh. The entrees were ok, I guess, but the presentation was hackish/amateur at best and the sides had clearly been out all afternoon. Forget about the potato "quiche" (that was near-cold, giving it an odd texture, but the flavor was ok), but, seriously, how hard it is to serve cheap-vegetable-medley _freshly_ over-boiled to order? Especially when the server recommended it as the best choice? Food was ok, at best ('cept for the raw bacon and unevenly cooked scallops, that was failrific), just too many ingredients, trying to hard and failing miserably. Staff was friendly, there's that. Not "professional servers" that apparently I may never see again without getting on a plane to go back to Real Restaurant World, but friendly and earnest. Not their fault that prosciutto is not Oscar Meyer bacon (though one would hope a server in an Italian joint would know the difference, but alas). Not their fault they spilled half the split of champagne and didn't comp it (no, wait, yes it is). But, earnest, friendly and helpful, I'll give 'em that. [And seriously, a point probably not worth mentioning, but, can someone, SOMEWHERE offer a wine list with, you know, vintages? At least, to it's credit, C.M. didn't bring the wine already opened, as has happened repeatedly out here.] If the place were 60% of its price or less, maybe it'd get a 2 star review, maybe more. But, if it can't execute a hot, correctly cooked dinner at 7pm on a Friday night (let alone tasty... I'd settle for hot...), I realllly have no interest in going back. Especially at $20-25/side and a way-more-than$100-for-two-people dinner. Sorry, C.M. What terrifies me, though, is that the place was packed. Packed. Really? *This* is the best that can be done outside of downtown D.C. or Little Italy? And the quest continues...
(1)Nicole M.
Flavored olive oil that comes with bread is so good, you might ask to buy a container of it (I did!). Fussili Granchio with crabmeat is my favorite...
(4)SP F.
Went there on a Friday. dining room was not full, got seated right away. Our server took a little while to make it over to our table. She arrived after the bread and the olive oil. By the way, they season the olive oil and it is really good. bread is nice and crusty. She took our drink orders and asked if we wanted an appetizer. We opted for the Formaggio plate. When it arrived, it had three types of cheese, two small slices of each, about 6 olives, 8 large crackers, a sliced strawberry and a small dollop of the fruit and fig compote which was probably smuckers jam. Ok, but not that memorable. My wife got the Risotto Festival. Menu describes this as colossal scallops and marinated fillet Mignon tips( end cuts we can 't use for anything else) served with caramelized shallot and mushroom in saffron risotto with sauteed asparagus spear (5) and scampi sauce. Ok, now for the real world - scallops, not colossal. In fact just like anything you can buy at a seafood market. Caramelized shallot - did not taste that. Saffron risotto, ok if you say so. Point is the description definitely overshot the actual. To me it tasted like beef stew over rice. I got the Linguine Giuseppe Verdi. It did not make me want to see an opera. Chopped gulf shrimp and lump crab over spinach infused linguine tossed with garlic roasted cherry and white wine reduction. pasta and the sauce were good. The shrimp were not chopped gulf shrimp, more like popcorn shrimp they defrosted and threw in with the pasta. Crab meat was lump, might have not been local, did not have a sweet flavor one might expect. Our server was good, a little hard to hear at times, very attentive. I would go back, but will be more careful with my choice of entree.
(3)Sean W.
By far the best restaurant in Severna Park! I would highly recommend this to anyone. Started out with calamari and Cream of crab soup, both were great. I would suggest the Penne Arrabiatta to anyone who likes spicy things.
(5)Jessica H.
Best Happy hour in Severna Park! After all the stress of planning our wedding my fiance and I decided to break away and go out for some happy hour food and drinks. The lounge was realizing and the bartender was friendly and knowledgeable. They offer half price appetizers for HH and discount drinks, which we indulged in both and they were so GOOD! We used to frequent the back room but they no longer offer happy hour. I think Mezz's lounge is going to be our new go to spot.
(5)