AQUA e VINO

This place was incredible from start to finish. The service was amazing. Our waters and wine glasses were always full. Our questions clearly answered The cocktails are very nice and they change the special one every now and then They have tasting menus Food is out of this world! A little pricey but definitely worth going for a little special night

After a short renovation (with a couple of delays), Aqua e Vino has officially reopened in the Strawberry Hill neighborhood and it’s absolutely worth a visit. The restaurant’s dim lighting and cozy atmosphere make it perfect for a romantic date night or quiet dinner. A few things to know before you go: reservations are required by phone only, there’s a 2-hour dine-in limit, and OpenTable points aren’t happening here. John, who served as both maitre d’ and waiter, brought great energy and made the evening smooth from start to finish. To start, I was treated to a gift from the chef: savory beignets with tomato sauce. Fluffy, lightly fried, and gone in seconds. I followed that with a daily special: tuna tartare over eggplant caponata. The tuna was tossed with pine nuts and cucumber, and paired with the sweet, smoky eggplant, it made for a perfect texture and flavor. For my entree I ordered the eggplant parmigiana. Lightly fried then baked, it was served bubbling hot in a small baking dish. The eggplant was thinly sliced and layered perfectly like a lasagna with generous amounts of melted mozzarella and tomato sauce. Hands down one of the best I’ve had in Charlotte. I wrapped it up with their house-made green apple sorbet. Think crisp Granny Smith, not sour candy. Clean, cool, and super refreshing.

From the moment I walked through the door, I knew this place was something special. I was greeted warmly and treated like family—genuine hospitality that’s rare to find these days. The service was nothing short of outstanding: professional, attentive, and effortlessly friendly without being overbearing. Now let’s talk about the food—absolutely phenomenal. Every dish was crafted with care, and it was clear that only the highest quality ingredients made it onto the plate. Flavors were bold yet balanced, and everything from presentation to portioning was spot on. You can really taste the difference when a kitchen is committed to excellence and freshness. The entire experience exceeded my expectations. This isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a place to feel welcome, well taken care of, and deeply satisfied. I’ll definitely be back, and I’ll be bringing friends.

Aqua e Vino is Chef owned and operated. Chef plans his menu and produces his delectable creations for his customers on a daily basis. Chef creates his menus and cooks specifically to each menu per night, no deviations. I was last here with family August 15, 2024 for dinner. We had quite a delectable dinner fare from appetisers to mail course and finished with desert. The food was delectably exquisite and would send your taste buds into quite the tizzy. Chef was kind enough to come out to check on us this evening and answered my questions on his authentic Sicilian cuisine with authmost pleasure. He was even gracious enough to pose for a few pictures with my group. On Saturdays there’s a wonderful brunch which I’ll be sure not to miss the next time I’m in the Charlotte, North Carolina area. From this New Yorker foodie here, Chew blew me and my palate away with each of his culinary masterpieces, one after the other. Anyone looking to try authentic, Sicilian cuisine, Chef’s restaurant, Aqua e Vino is the spot to be!

Stopped in for a drink and was so pleasantly surprised - it was very crowded (as I hear it always is - so make a reservation if you want a table vs. a bar seat!) and the staff still made me feel like I was the only person there. I even got to speak to the chef, who is clearly passionate and dedicated to creating a charming and memorable dining experience. Not only did they give great wine recommendations but also food and travel recommendations. The food and drinks are great but the staffs attention to detail and ambiance are what make this place a Charlotte gem. Thank you, Chef Gabriele for a wonderful evening!

Another lovely evening at our favorite restaurant in town. The restaurant has been renovated recently and it turned into such a gem! Well done! The ladies and gentlemen who work with chef Gabriele are a wonderful, caring group. The authentic Italian food is the best you can find in Charlotte and I would say that it would only find a match if you travel to chef's birth land Italy!!

Everything on the menu here sounded fantastic, luckily they have a chef’s tasting menu so we didn’t have to make any choices. I love to just sit back and see what appears. The service was wonderful and they recommended a great bottle of wine to accompany our meal. The pasta was outstanding and each course was the perfect portion size. I have no clue what half of the things we ate were.

Aqua e Vino was excellent! From the food to the service and atmosphere, I could not have asked for more! A special dining experience! The staff was very attentive and gracious. Everyone ordered a different entree so we could share the experience. Wholenallnthenfood was delicious, I will be ordering the eggplant Parmesan on my next visit! You will not be disappointed choosing Aqua e Vino as your next dining experience.

Exceptional service. Good quality food. We had the seafood risotto and chicken parm...very authentic. Nice wine list.

Aqua e Vino is a small hidden gym in Strawberry Hill. We have been a few times and the authentic delicious Italian food is amazing. They have a great menu with great options and daily specials. On weeknights you can order the Butta La Pasta - 3 Antipasti, 3 primi pasta, a a dessert for $60pp! An amazing way to try multiple apps and pastas. I would recommend making a reservation! We will certainly be back to Aqua e Vino

The chef is an artist. I don't think I've ever had a bad bite here. Amazingly good food.

Is there new ownership here? My husband and I took our mother here for her 80th birthday. Prior to booking a reservation, we had mentioned the occasion and the person we spoke with assured us she would be very well taken care of. Additionally, we had dined here once before (before it expanded) and had the ultimate experience. From the food to the service - everything was exceptional. I'd go so far as to say our waiter made us feel like we were the only ones in the restaurant and as though we transported to Italy. So when trying to decide where to go for this special occasion, we decided upon Aqua e Vino. Unfortunately, outside of most of the food, nothing was as we had remembered which is why I ask if management has changed. The restaurant has expanded the space, which is great but has lost the intimacy, the original space looks unappealing and based on the lack of seats filled, didn't seem for there to be any reason to trouble us for requesting 6pm reservation due to there being only "two seatings" when there seemed to be plenty of open space. Our waitress was subpar at best. Outside of her basically reading off the specials from her book that she couldn't pronounce correctly, she did nothing to enhance the experience and knew close to nothing about the wine. While in the midst of dining and conversing some gentleman came hovering over our table and without even so much as introducing himself or acknowledging us he leans over my mothers shoulder and pulls her menu over and looks at it. Then comes up behind me and moves around my wine glass and does the same to my menu. My husband then asks him who he was and what he was doing to which he explained some people have received wrong menus so he was checking to make sure we had the correct ones. He hovered over the table again later and my husband had to ask him if he was a manager or just who he was as he abruptly came to the table again. Never told us his name and said he just "helps out". Off putting while trying to converse. The Dover sole was phenomenal as was the sea bass carpaccio special. The pasta, burrata, pork entree and veal chop special also were incredible. Lastly, we had expected something special for our mom. At the end of the meal they brought her a spoonful of "Chantilly cream" which really was just whipped cream with a candle in it. Not that we wanted them to sing to us but we'd have thought they'd have done something more than that. Honestly, I never write reviews. But I have to say since last night, I have not been able to shake this experience as it was SO polar opposite on the level of service than we had from our last visit. Zero attention to detail and very basic. While the food was good, we came here for the exceptional experience we had last time which was worth every penny but now seems no longer worth it for us. The drastic difference in experience and quality unfortunately now drops this place from our list. I wish my mother received what we were promised and the special experience she so greatly deserved.

The most accurate word I can think of to describe our dinner at Aqua e Vino tonight is "authentic." I lived in Italy for four months and ate lots of great food/drank lots of great wine, and I was immediately transported back to that time through this dinner. The staff were friendly and personable (many are Italian!) and the space is so quaint and thoughtfully decorated for Christmas (it's a tiny little spot tucked away behind Red Rocks in Strawberry Hill). We chose a Tuscan red wine and it was absolutely phenomenal. They brought out the tastiest savory begnets with a homemade marinara that blew us away as well, then we enjoyed the freshest burrata with prosciutto, arugula and olive oil (WOW). I loved the small, focused menu, and then came the specials - I chose a house made chestnut pasta with a duck ragu and sautéed kale (I mean WHAT), and my husband got the quail over the lightest mashed potatoes with truffles (again, WHAT) - both were perfectly flavored, portioned and presented. I can't get over the flavors from that meal... We finished with a slice of the best lemon merengue pie we have ever tasted (crumbly crust, tart and zippy curd, sweet toasted merengue and unsweet gorgeously presented whipped cream - on the house for my birthday!) and two perfect little decaf espressos. We felt like we were in Europe the whole time. It was just wonderful. I could keep going, y'all. Go try this place now, thank me later.

Underwhelming. Veal Milanese plain breaded veal with arugula and a lemon wedge. No presentation very plain on the plate, $38. Egg Breading was good, 2 large pieces. Pasta Beef Ragu Special, Tasty but very small, like child's portion $24. The cold cut Italian meats appetizer was the best dish and they didn't even cook it. Won't be back.

We were so looking forward to a birthday dinner. while the service was excellent the food was just so so. We had one of the specials which was a veal ravioli and besides the very small appetizer side portion it was just bland. They recommended the tiramisu dessert and again, pedestrian overall a huge disappointment

Decided to go for an outdoor lunch, food was delicious. Service was great, very welcoming. Sitting outdoors with a cool nice weather make the experience a nice, peaceful one. Will definitely go back!

Totally over prized. Hubby ordered the lamb - asked for it to be done medium rare. Was well done. I had the ragu - bland - unimpressed.... Disappointing experien

This is easily one of my top five restaurants in Charlotte--it might even be my number one. The food is next level. I have been here twice and each time was exceptional. The wait staff are incredibly helpful and knowledgeable. The location is beautiful; in the summer the patio is beautiful to sit at, and in the colder months the restaurant provides a cozy respite from any chill outdoors.

The food is absolutely fantastic!! The Spanish Octopus and zucchini flowers (they were one of the special appetizers of the night) were delicious. The sauce for the octopus was so flavorful that we soaked it up with the bread that was provided. Entrees included the risotto, the Tajarin and the tagliatelle with lamb ragu' (on special that night). Highly recommend each one as the homemade pasta was perfectly cooked. Great place for a date night or getting together with another couple.

If you want a taste of Italy but you're in Charlotte, NC - you must try Aqua e Vino. It's a small restaurant so highly recommend reservations (& you'll need to call to make them). This was my 2nd time there and just as good as the first. This time I took my dad who is 100% Italian and all food got two thumbs up. What we ordered: Aperol spritz (for me, my parents aren't big drinkers - their wine is great too), cauliflower flan - this was unique and amazing flavor, ravioli with veal, butternut squash & shrimp risotto (not pictured), and we finished with a chocolate orange hazelnut tart & cappuccino (not pictured). They also bring out savory beignets with a marinara sauce and fresh bread to start - yum! For more of my CLT food recommendations, follow me on IG: alli_wantisfood

The food was okay and the service was acceptable. We visited because we had heard amazing things. We also heard that it was not as good as it once was, but we were hopeful. Unfortunately, we were disappointed. The outdoor seating was definitely a plus.

Best restaurant in Charlotte! So authentic - from the food to the service. Cannot say enough great things about aqua e vino. Do yourself a favor and go now! Fun to sit at the bar or have lunch or dinner at a table. Food is always wonderful - cocktails and wine are too!

I love this local, small Italian option. Happy to see they have expanded their space. Quality Italian with excellent service. A must for a special occasion.

My new favorite restaurant in Charlotte. I felt like I was back in Italy. The ingredients were so fresh. Our waiter, Marco, was so charming.

We came on a whim, they are not on Resy or OT, use my photo of the front door to get the number to make reservations. With that being said, Beautiful Bella had a cancellation and sat us right away ( BAM! In your face! Lol) We came in and this place is almost identical to the wonderful restaurant, I asked my wife to marry me at, Primi Piatti in Riverside section of Jacksonville Florida. So it was just an amazing feeling walking into a place we knew. We were sat by Bella and our server Stefano professional with just the right amount of friendly, knowledgeable about the wine, food and menu options. We started with the octopus which was perfectly prepared, salty bread and standard bread and a bottle of Elena Walch Pinot Grigio that was light flavorful delicious. Diana the other server spent time telling us about the art work completed by the chef, identifiable but he is an amazing chef, if you get my drift, no offense meant chef you have flair! We then for main course we had the Capellini and she had The Tarjin and shared the Brussel Sprouts which are amazing. We finished off with chocolate tart to finish with an amazing dessert to an amazing meal. Chef Gabriel be proud you are doing something special in Charlotte and a jewel to the culinary crown. Thank you

My husband and I went on a Sat evening for dinner and we were so disappointed in the food. We have taken many trips to Italy and were looking forward to an authentic Italian dinner. Not even close! Our meal was over cooked and over salted. Also, our server couldn't seem to get the order straight. We will not be returning!

Absolutely deplorable experience! I would give ZERO stars if I could. I have zero sympathy for the fact we got a dessert menu without even receiving the meal we ordered. The chef visited every table other than ours which is probably why. Then we were insulted further by having someone tell us our meal was comped. All we wanted was the meal we ordered and maybe an apology. I don't ever come to a place for a free meal. DO NOT INSULT ME or our money bc trust we have more money than those patronizing! I will spend all my time dogging this place and NEVER returning!

Excellent restaurant with top notch service. Small, intimate, and delicious. Always pleased with the specials.

We had a delicious dinner last evening at Aqua e Vino. The ambiance inside is intimate yet allows each table grouping to chat while enjoying the fabulous food prepared by the amazing chef and his team. Our waiter Marco provided us the high quality yet friendly service we have come to enjoy at Aqua e Vino. While we consider this a "special occasion" restaurant we are never disappointed when we dine there. We typically don't order off the menu instead enjoy the chef's specialties. Last night we enjoyed a homemade parpadelle pasta made with a special black semolina flour served with a venison bolognese. The pasta was so tender and perfectly cooked. Our appetizers were a heirloom tomato caprese with buratta mozzarella then a fig and prosciutto with paramigiano reggiano shaved cheese. These were equally as delicious. Make sure the save room for a dessert to share at least. We enjoyed a delicate pear sorbet and apricot frangipani tart with hand made whipped cream. These did not disappoint either they were equally as delicious. I highly recommend this wonderful gem. Delizioso!

The authentic, made to order Italian entrees are amazing. I dined with 3 others, each of us ordering something different. We sampled each other's dishes and all were fantastic. I had the ravioli special that evening. It was prepared with a butter and sage sauce. The dish was absolute perfection! The atmosphere is elegant but not stuffy. The staff very attentive and accommodating. The wine selection is well balanced. A reservation is a must as space in this gem is very limited. I will be returning again soon for more of my favorite Italian food.

Delicious Fresh and made daily The owner and chef is on his game Can't wait to eat there again

We are from a Southern Italian culture I do not make a habit of leaving review however due to the perfection of this quaint Italian Gem I must Looking for Authenticity... look no further in the entire Charlotte area It was a beautiful experience all the way around There was not one thing I would have changed Beautiful place to celebrate a special occasion for sure Many blessings to this chef and his staff Grazie Alessia for your impeccable service

Small, intimate Italian dinner. Very authentic setting and food. Best meal out we've had in Charlotte! We will be back!

Good food. But it was overpriced for the quantity and quality. I ordered dover sole, which was the special, and I assumed it would be a reasonable price. But it was $70 for a piece of dover sole and a few bites of spinach! Really?

Belated New Years Review Work has been chaotic since we got back from New Years since our employees have been decimated by the flu. Falling a bit behind on reviews but finally getting caught up. Before my wife left for Pittsburgh to see her daughter, I ran across something under Yelp Events that looked interesting. It was for a Prix Fixe dinner at Aqua e Vino on New Years Eve. Actually it was for two different ones. The first was an early one with four courses that started at 6 pm and a second larger one that started at 9 pm and lasted till Midnight aka New Years. Considering the distance to Cornelius and not wanting to be out on the road around New Years, we chose the 6 pm flight. Even though I hit the "I'm in" response button, was not sure that was going to work so I called for reservations the following week. They are closed on Monday so that did not work and ended up leaving a voice mail the next day. Telephone tag and we finally connected and nailed it down. Wife returns from Pittsburgh the day before and after experiencing hours of driving in a white out, was looking to a nice quiet night out. New Years Eve arrived and after watching the Panthers Game which ended at exactly the right time, we left and drove down to Aqua e Vino. Due to construction on I-77 we had budgeted extra time but ended up arriving about 15 minutes early. No problem. Our hosts could not have been more gracious and seated us at our assigned table and brought us water and asked if we wanted any thing to drink. Upgraded to a nice sparkling water which was good. This gave us a chance to survey the restaurant. Small and I would guess it probably seats around 30 or so patrons. Intimate and somewhat romantic but my wife would tell me, I'm too old for that. Very pleasant atmosphere and could enjoy the restaurant just because of the atmosphere. The appointed hour of 6 arrived and while folks started to trickle in, the started to serve those who were there. Made for a bit uneven serving on the part of the staff but they did a great job adjusting. Did notice that most of the patrons were regulars since everyone knew each other. Everyone started out with a glass of Champagne and of course, a toast to the New Year. The Antipasto came first and we had a choice of three. One was House Cured Arctic Char (misspelled chard on the menu) and buckwheat blinis; another was homemade foie gras "au torchon", porto gelee, baby greens and croutons. The last was raviolone, spinach,sheet ricotta, egg surprise, parmigiano butter and perigord truffle. My wife ordered the Char and I ordered the foie gras. Both of which were excellent. As for the foie gras, great texture and great balance of various flavors. For the Primo or First Course, it was the same for all and was an enhanced Risotto with aged Parmigiano and While Truffle Lamelle. Again excellent although I do like my Risotto a bit softer with a creamier texture but great blend on taste. For the Secundi or Second Course, again a choice. My wife and I both ordered the Grass Fed Beef Tenderloin with Mushroom Farcie, Maidera Glaze and Perigord Truffle . The other choice was a poached Wild Sea Bass and Lobster. The other choice sounded great as well but the tenderloin was outstanding. Great taste and texture and presentation was outstanding. Finally was Dolce or Desert which was a Classic Vanilla Souffle served with a hot Chocolate Sauce on the side. Simple dish but in that is the secret to it's elegance. Had to wait a bit for the Chocolate Sauce to cool down but it was a perfect compliment to the Souffle. A perfect end to the meal. Perfect way to ring in the New Year. Great Food in a Cozy Atmosphere with great Service. If they have it available next year, will probably make a point of trying it again

Food and service was great, our server was friendly, attentive and just pleasant. Will definitely come again.

Aqua e Vino was an overall great experience. It is a small restaurant and they require you to make a reservation and put a credit card down, it does not seem like you can ever "walk-in" due to minimal tables and seating. The good and bad thing about Aqua e Vino is they rotate their menu every 3 days which is great for versatility BUT if you happen to love a dish chances are you won't be having it for quite a while! All the food is made fresh and definitely lived up to that standard. The only reason I gave Aqua e Vino 4 stars was for how small the restaurant was, the service was lacking. It took over 10 minutes for 2 of us to have our drinks taken and then an extra 15 minutes to receive them. BUT the espresso martini ALMOST fully justified the waiting time! This would be a great date spot!

Best food I can get in Charlotte. The chef is amazing and really know why he is doing in the preparation of traditional Italian cuisine. He is able to accommodate food allergies as well. The staff is extremely friend and make me feel like I am family sitting at home to enjoy a great meal.

As we got out of our cars at the restaurant, we were greeted with a gentleman playing a keyboard outside of the restaurant. He was fantastic and it absolutely set the mood for the evening. Eight of us enjoyed an early dinner at Aqua e Vino last evening. We had a very Authentic Italian dinner with friends and family. We tasted and sipped our way from appetizers to entrees and topped it off with cappuccinos, liqueurs and dessert. I love that the questions are not too big and you could enjoy a range of tastes and were comfortably full at the end of the evening. We had the charcuterie plate while enjoying specialty cocktails followed by wines and entree. Our table ordered the Octopus, Bronzino, gnocchi and two pasta dishes. I have had octopus while visiting northern Spain on the western coast. It was straight from the Atlantic Ocean and fabulous. My octopus last night was equally as good. I would come back just for that!!!! One of the people at the table had gnocchi and commented that it was the best of what she has had. It melted in her mouth. Others, commented that the Bronzino was so so. The restaurant is small Which makes it special. All of the wait staff are very Italian which lends to the atmosphere of the restaurant. The restaurant has a lovely outdoor seating area.

I was recently invited by some friends to Aqua e Vino for Pasta Night. Pasta Night is a family style meal, offered on Wednesday for $40 per person. The evening starts with some amazing rolls with marinara, followed by charcuterie, then three pastas served family style and desserts. From the minute we arrived, we were treated like royalty. Drink orders were taking and an overview of the evening was provided. We decided to take advantage of the family style meal. We started with charcuterie, which included several meats and cheeses, some olives and breads. The selections were amazing, loved every bite. On to the pasta! From the menu, we selected the Fregola with Clams, Pappardelle with Duck Ragu and Gnocchi. All were amazing, but the Pappardelle with the Duck Ragu was my favorite! You can tell the pasta is homemade, and the accompaniments were cooked to perfection, all served piping hot. To top the evening off we enjoyed a platter of desserts, which included a chocolate cake, berry layered cake, coconut cake and homemade whipped cream. A perfect way to end the evening! I cannot stop thinking about the meal, and cannot wait to return. Reservations are definitely recommended as this is an intimate atmosphere with a small setting. So, definitely consider next time you are craving an amazing Italian dinner for a special event. Aqua e Vino is worth it!

We went as a recommendation. The restaurant is small, cozy. It's also kind of elegant, fancy, so dress accordingly. Also, know the prices are high. They have a nice wine list and you will only be allow to open one bottle of wine if you brought yours. The food was good, very tasty, and the staff was nice. There's plenty of parking. You do need a reservation.

My husband had never eaten here, so for his birthday I recommended it. I previously came with my Supper Club & really enjoyed it! He was really excited about trying it! We just got home & Aqua e Vino was delicious! But it was a total TURN OFF that they told me 3 times (for our 6 pm reservation) that they have a 2nd seating at 8 pm!!! 1st - when I called for reservation. 2nd - yesterday when they called to confirm 6 pm reservation. 3rd - tonight after receiving our 1st cocktail when our waiter came back to take our order & I said that we'd like to enjoy our cocktails for a bit he stated "well we have a second seating . . .". Did not go over well with either of us!! This was a special occasion dinner where we dropped almost $200 for dinner. We don't eat out often, but don't f'ing rush us through our dinner! Especially after telling me 3 times that YOU have a second seating! If you train your wait staff appropriately, they know how to progress the evening without ever rushing the table! I have NEVER been told during a meal (or phone confirmation for that matter) that a second seating was next while I'm trying to enjoy my meal! Due to this, although the food was great, the experience was not, and I would not recommend Aqua e Vino!!!

Small Italian restaurant which has the feel of a restaurant in a small town in Italy. Food is off the charts... the best Italian I have had since living in Italy owner takes pride in all aspects of the experience which has built an atmosphere unparalleled from my experience and with food and service to match.

Still drooling thinking about the dinner I had last night at AQUA e VINO. We had had this place ear-marked for the longest time and the universe finally aligned so that we could meet and enjoy this place. First off... if you rely on your GPS, the address for the restaurant is a bit wonky and you will end up behind it. The key is to just park on either end (Fresh Market parking lot or the lot in front of Red Rocks) and then wander into the small alley to find the entrance to AQUA e VINO. Really intimate space, but still warm and relaxed. Our server was very friendly and we started a great meal with some bubbles. She did know the menu very well as we peppered her with questions and recommendations. Since it was Tuesday, they do a $35 Antipasti & Primi (or Secondi) with a dessert. Our group ended up going this route and then we played "pass the plate" clockwise to try a little bit of everything. I ordered the octopus appetizer and house made gnocchi. We ended our meal with so many pastries and the delicious semifredo. Overall the experience was a great one. There was a large table (8) that were celebrating a birthday that night. With how small the restuarant was, it was hard not so jump in and sing the birthday celebrant into a new year. We all left with lots of laughs and a ton of pictures of food that I'll be thinking about for a long long time.

We go about twice a year--we order every course. The service could have been a bit more precise this time--they did not keep track who ordered what, etc. but it was still pleasant and helpful. We did learn a lesson--if you eat European style and like to enjoy all the courses--it takes time--so make a later reservation. We got rushed at the end of our meal and it was a bit annoying--but the solution is to schedule for the second seating. Overall--as always--a fantastic restaurant! Food is authentic and of high quality. Wine list is to the point and excellent--specials are reliable (two of us had the veal Milanese)--Marco was helpful as we made menu selections; and we'll go back when the weather turns cooler. Definitely a nice place run by a great chef--and it's been consistent over the years. Go. Best Italian in Charlotte.

First time at this place and I really enjoyed it! The food was really good and so was the service. They were accommodating with my food allergy which I appreciated. Very small place though. Small and intimate place which I didn't mind. Definitely have to make reservations since there's not a lot of space to sit inside or outside. I would definitely come back.

This is such a quaint little restaurant nestled in Strawberry Hill Shopping Center. We made reservations for "restaurant week"... their restaurant's version, since we've been curious to check this place out. We each got a martini to start off. Lemonciello/vodka martini was straight and not too sweet, which was good. I got the pear martini that had pear puree, vodka, and grappa. The pear flavor was strong enough to stand up to the grappa (which can be a doosey if you are unfamiliar with this Italian moonshine haha). They gave us a bag of bread and beignets, which were fried to dip in a very mild sweet and sour sauce (they kinda smelled and tasted like french fries and dipped in a very mild version of the sweet & sour sauce you get at McDonald's is the best I can describe it) However, this is much fancier of course. Next was the first of the 3 courses offered for $40. My husband got the croquettes. They were fried on the outside and the best way I can describe them is that they reminded me of a very melty cheese curd (shout out to Wisconsin folks). I mean, how can you NOT like fried cheese ? I got the winter salad which was mixed greens with sardines and a hard boiled quail egg on top. The main course I got the lamb cooked in a prune sauce with whole almonds served over a pearl pasta. (I'll look up the name and add it). It was really goid and I really enjoyed it. I loved the texture of the round pasta. My husband got the pheasant with Brussel sprouts and carrots. Pheasant was a first for either of us and we liked it. Last, for dessert we got a dark chocolate tart with whipped cream and a chocolate flan doused in amaretto topped with whipped cream. Yummy ! I loved the flan. It was very unique and tastey! Our waiter and the rest of the staff were very friendly. We plan to come again. Definitely check this place out for a cozy, romantic dinner if you are in the area.

I have eaten at the restaurant and also had Gabrielle do an in-house dinner for my wife and i plus 5 other couples, as someone who has been lucky enough to dine at some of the finest restaurants in the world, this place is a hidden gem where they remember you and you are genuinely greeted with a hug - could not recommend it more. Gabrielle and John create a wonderful atmosphere

What an amazing restaurant! Go if you like authentically delicious, carefully crafted, full of flavor surprises. Everything Chef Gabriel created was special - octopus, pasta with veal ragu in a white wine sauce, eggplant, tortes...excellent! Take their suggestions on cocktails and wine! They have a large selection of unique Italian reds and Andrew knows the wines well! Nicole made fantastic cocktails - definitely made with quality ingredients and precision. This felt more like having dinner at a friend's house than a restaurant!

Better late than never...how could I have forgotten to write about you Aqua e Vino??!!! Used to be they had Antipasto and Primi on Tuesdays for $35 per person. This has been replaced with the Butta Pasta program Tuesdays through Thursdays which offers Antipasto, 3 pasta dishes and dolce for $40 per person. Aqua e Vino is small, quaint and warm - great place to enjoy a romantic dinner or have a long dinner talking with friends. I took my journey with John, Tonya and my lovely wife (bonus points). For Antipasto/Appetizers we had the Beet Salad, Hen of the Woods Mushrooms Fritti, Grilled Octopus with Artichokes and Capers, and the Cauliflower flan. All of them were great in their own way but the Cauliflower flan was warm, creamy and unexpectedly wonderful: like baby food/comfort food for grown-ups! For Primi we had the Gnocchi Bolognese, Shrimp Risotto and Mahi over Black Rice. We all took bites and then changed plates until everyone had a portion. Solid dishes all around but the homemade sauces like the Bolognese really stand out! The best part - I repeat the best part was dessert! Whoever makes the pastries here has some major skill!! When they brought the dessert tray, we pretty much ordered everything. Chocolate and Hazelnut Torte, Lemon Meringue Tart, Semifreddo with Hazelnut Pralines, Pear Tart and last but not least, my favorite, Apricot and Marzipan Tart!! Seriously, they were all simply amazing! Sorry for taking so long A e V but hopefully it was worth the wait!!!

Outstanding food, great service, and the ambience in the restaurant is very nice. I had the marinated swordfish in lemon juice which was cured perfectly, tasted so fresh and rich. The pennette pasta was cooked to the right texture, the sauce was the ideal amount of creaminess, seasoned with fragrant herbs, and the baby shrimp were sweet and fresh tasting as well. For dessert I had the zabaliogne which had an excellent dense texture which was simultaneously airy so as not to be heavy and the flavors were layered so well, finishing with a slight tinge of alcohol. All seasoning was perfect, nothing overpowering or too little. The menu was overall representative of Italian cuisine while also having unique flavor combinations. Excellent restaurant among the best for sure. Authentic Italian, and not Americanized like Maggiano's!

Food was fresh. Service charming. Relaxing ambiance. Would recommend to friends who enjoy Italian cuisine

This was my first time visiting Aqua e Vino. This restaurant is located in a nice courtyard. They are taking all the precautions to keep the customer safe during COVID-19. Our server was great and courteous. Weather was nice so we sat outside. Our food was good and flavorful but it was not spectacular. We had the Grilled Octopus and Figs with prosciutto and cheese as our starters. The figs with Prosciutto and cheese were really good, this was a great combination of flavors. The octopus had good flavor but i did not feel the flavors of a grilled octopus. Also, it was too chewy. The Tajarin was very tasteful however the pasta was a little overcooked. My wife liked her Risotto. Dessert and coffee were really good. They had a great selection of wines. We ordered the Chablis which was a great choice. Overall we spent a good time. The food is good, great flavors, some dishes need a better execution.

A hidden gem tucked away in Strawberry Hill! Great spot for date night and the food was on spot. Highly recommend!

What a true treasure for the city- A&V is high caliber, carefully prepared haute cuisine that is always a delightful experience. There aren't too many restaurants that stay true to a special cuisine serving only authentic, select foods expertly cooked by a talented kitchen staff. This is a wonderful place for out of town guests and special occasions. For what you get- it's very reasonably priced

food was pretty good but we saw a cocktoach and were completely grossed out. when we left there were also a cockroaches outsode and just like nah. wouldnt come back. food wasnt good enough to look past the cockroaches

Authentic Italian and delicious food! Also very quaint and romantic! Perfect for a date night or an intimate dinner for 2. Will return.