Reviews

I was hankering for veal Parmesan, the kind I remember ordering at Mama Leone’s in New York after a Yankee-Red Sox doubleheader—loaded with fresh homemade sauce and perfectly browned mozzarella cheese. So we set out to Café Italia, which is no secret to locals, as the place is packed for lunch and dinner almost daily. As if the culinary angels were listening  (imagine a light shining down on our table and a choir singing at this point), we dined on baked clams loaded with garlic butter, fettuccine Alfredo with grilled shrimp, classic cheese pizza and veal Parmesan. Then the owner informed us during a table visit that her own family started the great Mama Leone’s!  Yes, the culinary angels do sing: Brooklyn is in Sarasota in a strip mall next to Winn Dixie. A tip: You can purchase their garlic oil, perfect to drizzle on halved tomatoes for broiling, also perfect with a sprinkle of feta cheese over corkscrew pasta.   By "Judi Gallagher"

Great family Italian dining is a thing of comfort and beauty, a Northern necessity that is all-too-often elbowed out in favor of barbecue and soul food south of the Mason-Dixon. If the recent cold weather has you craving a nice big plate of pasta, or something hot, with plenty of Parmesan, you should make the trip out to Café Italia. The dining room has the warm, low-lit atmosphere that you’d expect to find in a Jersey neighborhood hub, and a cast of regulars contributing to the family-dining feel. The menu is all classic Italian dishes from the Lubrano family’s cookbooks: Bolognese Di Angelo, Fettuccini Alfredo, Eggplant, Chicken and Veal Parmiggiana, Gnocchi Gorgonzola, Penne Alla Vodka and the list goes on. But since this is Florida, you can also get the Lubrano treatment with a plate of Grouper, garlic crusted or pomodoro. Tiramisu is made in-house by mama Lubrano herself, and of course, there’s cannoli too. It’s a perfect place to order a portate (3-6 courses) and prove your appetite’s bona fides.
Café Italia Grill, 5406 Fruitville Rd., Sarasota, 941-343-9979
"Produced by the editors and writers of SRQ: Sarasota's Premier Magazine"

Cafe Italia Pizza Restaurant
Reviewed by Danny on Dec. 12.
The Italian food and service were excellent
"The food and service were excellent. Highly recommend the Pizza ,chicken parmesan and eggplant parmesan. The staff will make you feel loved. A family place that deserves our support!!
Rating: 4.5

Cafe Italia Restaurant
Reviewed by Michelle on Sept. 6.
Thank You Cafe Italia Restaurant
"I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for you wonderful service and great food. Our Bank has utilized your services for many events and will continue to. I was in a couple of weeks ago to pick up an order and my experience was delightful! As I was checking out the dessert window, with your lovely tuxedo bon-bons, Hot Lava Cakes, Mousses and more; I was having trouble deciding which ones to get (or not too!) Too my surprise a lovely woman (who I’m assuming may be your mother) insisted that I take a couple on the house! She was so lovely, reminded me of my own mother. I just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your dedication and great customer service."
Thanks so much! See you soon!
Rating: 4.5

Cafe Italia
Reviewed by Jack on Oct 6.
"Thank goodness Google got it right, Delicious Italian in Sarasota"
In this difficult economic climate, I don't have the opportunity to take my family out to eat as often, so when I chose Cafe Italia for the first time I did so by researching the reviews on this site. I was so impressed at the freshness of the Capreze salad. The basil leaves tasted like they were picked out of the garden after I ordered the dish. The Ravioli Anna Maria was simply to die for. And the canolis! Oh don't get me started. I nearly needed assistance getting up from the table and I hadn't sampled any of the fine wines on the menu! Thank you Cafe Italia for providing a great value to me and my family. We will most certainly be back."
Rating: 4.5

Cafe Italia Pizza
Reviewed by Derek on Feb 1.
Great pizza in Sarasota!
"This was a great find with urbanspoon. On our way home from Atlanta Georgia area we were tired and hungry for a good meal. Service, food and price were all excellent. It was easy to locate also, right off i-75. Liked: Food, Value" by Derek M
Rating: 4.0

Cafe Italia "Wonderful italian food
Reviewed by Tom on Jan 15.
"Cafe Italia Wonderful food. Great family restaurant."
Eaten there scores of times, never had a bad dish. They use fresh ingredients and don't skimp on the garlic yum. Unbeatable food and service.Liked: Food, Service,Value"
Rating: 3.5

Cafe Italia
Reviewed by Grant on Jan 6.
Delicious, tasty pizza in Sarasota!
Cafe Italia serves up traditional Neapolitan-style pizza,
brought to your table promptly and without fuss. An ideal upscale neighborhood pizza restaurant.
Rating: 4.0

Cafe Italia Restaurant
Reviewed by Chuck on Jan. 22.
Nice little Italian restaurant
Really enjoyed the food and our waiter was excellent. Good service tomato sauce was awesome and veal parm is Highly recommend.
Rating: 4.0