Bologna Cafe

We actually tried this place a second time because we thought perhaps they were having kitchen problems before. Our experience was awful — mediocre food and bad service. Not a good combination for a restaurant. As fans of good Italian food, we’ve found several excellent Italian restaurants near us in Sarasota and Venice, but this one was a disappointment. There appears to be a select ‘in crowd’ who get good service and then there are the intruders who seem to bother the staff and owners.
Our pasta was odd and seemed to be old, and the prices were very high for the level of quality. When we questioned the waiter about the dish — which wasn’t at all what we expected — he got huffy and said ‘that’s how we do it’.
With all the good options around, we won’t return to this one.

We were recommended this establishment by friends in Ohio. They spoke highly of it and the quality of food. We had veal and bucatini and pasta with sausage and mushrooms as well as Pomodoro pasta. We also had a salad that had the freshest mozzarella cheese we’ve ever tasted. The wine was excellent. The wait staff was friendly. Normally I would give this place 5 stars except for the fact that our server was slow to attend to our needs and the food portions were small. I think it should be a rare day when one walks away from an Italian restaurant hungry.

another favorite for years
claudio and barbara always make it special
the selection of cheeses, meats, eggplant and olives to start with is wonderful
the apple cake to finish with – wow
me and she-​xxo

My husband and I wanted to try this for a long time. Our first impressions were good. It is a small and very comfortable place. We were shown to a small table in a back corner. Not the best spot, but it was fine. The couple nest to us was paying their bill and I heard the man say «so what do you think? 15%?» We are normally heavy tippers — 25% and often higher. To me anything below 20% was cheap. Later I was saying the same thing to my husband.
I noticed my menu said «Ladies». Like the old fashioned style, it did not have prices. I was a bit put off by that in a restaurant that did not seem stodgy. The food prices were reasonable, but the drinks were high — $ 13 for an Absolut martini. The bar prices were not shown, but there was a note on the wine list that a full bar was available.
The food was good. I had a caprese salad. The fresh cheese could have been drained a little more as it was watery. The pastas were also good. The presentation for the lasagna was not terribly impressive (the only garnish was a small sprig of parsley), but it was tasty.
What was really lacking for us was the service. Although the restaurant was full and some tables seemed to be getting great service, we sat in our corner unattended. Our food order was taken (a bit surly) and delivered within a reasonable time, but there wasn’t much checking back. The real problem was after we finished. Our plates were removed and we just sat there. No offer of dessert or coffee or the bill. We watched a nearby table get dessert menus, have lots of discussion with what appeared to be the owner or manager about each item and the coffees, get their orders, eat their orders, etc., while we just sat. We tried flagging someone down, but to no avail. Eventually the young man who appeared to fulfill the busboy duties set the table next to us and we asked him for the bill (we would have had coffee and dessert, but it had been well over a half hour since our plates were removed and we were getting cranky due to the neglect). He had to get the man to bring us our bill (at least a 5 minute wait), then the wait began to pick up the payment and bring back our change. In the mean time, people are being seated, wine lists are being discussed, etc. We really felt unappreciated. From numerous trips to Italy we were aware that their culture was not to rush people out after eating, but this was not the case as, like I said, coffee and dessert were never offered. So, for the first time I can remember, we left 15%, maybe even a few cents less, and left. Although the food and facility was good, we have has just as good of food at other Italian restaurants (Oh, Mama Mia is my husband’s favorite). We won’t be back.

Another great dinner at Bologna! Highlights include the meat and cheese platter, house made mozzarella and wonderful pastas. The fresh white truffle pasta was incredible! Loved the cappuccino and homemade biscotti.

The food is very good and the potions are average but it is expensive. It is easy to get to and the restaurant is beautiful. I would go back for maybe a birthday or celebration.

Way Too Expensive for Very Small Portions. Yes it’s authentic but we where very disappointed. It should be $$$$ Not $$. Very limited menu.

We love this place, even in the new location which is a lot less convenient than when they were in Sarasota! This is always a regular stop for us because we love the fresh-​made pastas and sauces… my favorite being the tagliatelle with a very rich bolognese ragu. All their pastas are great and very light on its feet… you won’t find the heavy sauces here. Can’t comment on their meat dishes since we only come for their pastas.
They have a great selection of prosciutto and cheeses, which you can purchase to-​go. I also loved the olive oil and balsamic vinegar with their breads — the vinegar is DOP!
Someone commented on the menus having no prices — it’s very traditional for some restaurants to do this still, but the prices are listed generally on the gentleman’s menu.
I love the staff and owners — super-​friendly and knowledgeable about their menu. Ambiance is nice and very civilized!

Although the food was excellent the portions are small and prices large. Service was a little slow but wait staff very friendly and accommodating.

Awesome food with great presentation. Service was exceptional. Great recommendations. The main reason I didn’t give them 5 stars was no prices on the menu (folks don’t like to ask). Portions were a little small for the price, especially dessert. But overall a great evening, authentic tasting food with fresh ingredients, may consider coming back for a special occasion. Would recommend a prix fixe menu option.

What a treat! I was in town to visit family and they invited me to dinner at their favorite regular haunt. I couldn’t have been more impressed with this restaurant. They are committed to authentic Bologna-​style cooking and it shows. No Olive Garden style sauces here!
We ordered Caprese as an appetizer. The homemade mozzarella was delicious. All the herbs are grown on the premises and the basil and balsamic were great quality. No sad large leaves or wimpy vinegar here.
I ordered the maccheroni verdi in a pink sauce. The other guests had the tagliatelle with bolognese and tortellini with bolognese. All pasta is made on the premises and it was prepared to complete perfection. I tried a bit of every dish and can emphatically recommend them all.
The staff are amazing and they seem to really make an effort to get to know their patrons.
A few tips:
–Definitely make a reservation
–Trust their judgement on the wine

Love the people, the food and the heart at this place… simply the best! Warm Italian cream brûlée to die for!

I had done the first review for the Café in this location. This make our fourth visit I wish they would open a branch in Cape Coral. We stop for lunch after a 9 month absence due to Bariatric surgery. This place is fantastic, we were not disappointed. The menu has changed for lunch but they accommodated us by making a favorite appetizer Bresaola and Burrata not on the lunch menu. The pasta was homemade Tagliatelle with shrimp and orange sauce. The dessert my wife selected was Tiramisu very light and very good. They allowed us to share both the appetizer, pasta and dessert. I was able to consume a half portion of appetizer and pasta and it was the best meal I’ve had since my surgery. The food is fresh and the wait staff (Dimitri) was friendly, accommodating, timely and professional. In a couple of words «This is Italian» The do need to update their daytime signage, from the road and even in the 1^st parking slot we could not tell the Café was open.

what a hidden gem! the food and ambiance was wonderful… the wait staff perfectly Italian and delightful. Demetri and Yvonne were educated and charming. The bologonese sauce perfect and the pasta makes me want to go back to Italy~will go back. Only 8minutes from Siesta Key and so worth the drive. Go Go Go! You will not be disappointed!

Great Italien homemade food. My favorite dish is the Caprese and any pasta with their tasty bolognese sauce. In fact everything on the menu is truly outstanding. Great service and nice wine selection. My favorite restaurant in the Sarasota area.

Oh my! Authentic Italian, homemade mozzarella and pasta, homegrown spices. What a treat. The atmosphere is warm and modern. Service felt very personal.

One of the best authentic Italian Restaurants that we have ever been to and we eat out several times a week. We were a party of 4, each having a different dish. We all agreed that the food was incredible and have made reservations to return tonight. A restaurant that shouldn’t be missed. Fabulous staff and very personable owners. BRAVO

Simply delightful! Every bite was delicious and thoughtfully created. It feels like you are dining at a family table with every detail attended to with love. We had several pasta dishes and eggplant too. The starters were simple ingredients with homemade flare. I loved having the kitchen visible to the dining room and watching the care and fresh ingredients put into a perfect symphony of flavors to satisfy the most discerning palate. Lovely Italian wine list too. This gem of a restaurant is just what Sarasota has needed.

Run. Don’t walk… Go now. East everything with truffles. It’s the most amazing authentic Italian… The staff is outstanding, and the owners are a delight.

We had lunch here for the first time today. Everything was very good, and our server was very helpful and made excellent recommendations.
While there we looked at the Dinner menu and the Wine list. Both contain some our favorites. We will be back soon.