La Cena Ristorante

So, the food is great! We knew the owner's personality quirk before we went and didn't have a problem with it. The reason we choose 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the overall experience and expense. The portions are gargantuan. Neither my husband nor myself can eat that much. But, we were required to order two entrees or pay a $28 surcharge. So, we started with carpaccio, which was fantastic! We moved on to the Trenette with Shrimp and Scallops which was dynamite! We dismissed the salads and bread, as we were already running out of stomach space. Then, we moved onto the Veal Brascaiola, which was tender and flavorful. We finished with Chocolate Mousse which was light and perfect. The kitchen split everything in the back for us which was really nice. We ended up taking 3/4 of everything home, which is never as good as if it was fresh. Our bill was about $250 with a $55 bottle of wine. I would rather come back several times to try the different dishes as opposed to being forced to order two entrees simultaneously. For this reason, we probably won't return. Have difficulty paying for food we can't eat; kinda dampens the otherwise great dining experience.

Extraordinary food. The dining room is a rare example of brilliantly executed simplicity. And- OMG the food is wonderful. Be prepared for a nuisanced overtone of strong suggestion by the staff of what the experience should be........accept this and enjoy an amazing evening.

Best Italian restaurant and service is outstanding. Large portions, great homemade pasta and bread to complement the food. Tried a new Amarone as recommended and it was delicious. When we visit Jacksonville this is always on our list of "things to do".

Right when we sat down, we were greeted and told the center breadsticks were edible — and they were absolutely delicious! The menu is vast, and you definitely won’t leave hungry. Entrées come with both an appetizer and a salad, which was a nice surprise. Since there were four of us, we ordered two different appetizers to share, and both were fantastic. The house salad was fresh and refreshing — the perfect start to the meal. I really appreciated the timing of the courses — everything came out at the right pace, so we never felt rushed or overwhelmed with food. I ordered the clam pasta (full size) and it was massive, flavorful, and completely worth it. I’ll absolutely be coming back — and next time, I’ll skip breakfast and lunch to save room!

My dining experience at this establishment was disappointing, and due to several significant issues, I would not return. The food was satisfactory but unremarkable. I ordered the halibut with olives, capers, and tomato, while my wife chose the chicken Florentine. We both enjoyed appetizers, which were adequate but did not stand out. However, the service was notably poor and detracted significantly from the experience. Upon being seated, we waited 15 minutes without any acknowledgment from the staff—no water, no drink order taken. When a server finally approached, my wife requested a glass of house Chardonnay, only to be curtly informed that drink orders would not be taken until the entire meal order was placed. The server’s demeanor was unwelcoming and dismissive from the outset, setting a negative tone. Other staff members were either absent or overly rushed, with one instance of water being poured so carelessly it nearly spilled. The pacing of the meal was excessively slow, stretching to over three and a half hours despite arriving early for our reservation. This prolonged duration was due to consistent delays at every stage of service. Additionally, the restaurant’s pricing policies were unreasonable and not clearly disclosed. Splitting a meal incurred an unexpected $32 fee, and dividing the bill added a 22% surcharge. Our total bill, as anticipated, exceeded $400 before tip, but the process of obtaining the check required me to seek out a staff member after waiting over 20 minutes. Most frustrating was the attitude of the staff. One server’s response to my wife’s wine request—stating, “We have what we have, and you’re going to like it,” before abruptly walking away and delivering an unwanted substitute—was particularly off-putting. Throughout the evening, we had to repeatedly request basic items like drinks, bread, water, and the check, which added to the sense of neglect. While the ambiance was pleasant, with appealing lighting and decor, it could not compensate for the poor service and hidden fees. There are many other establishments offering superior food and welcoming service that leave diners feeling valued. This experience left us feeling frustrated and undervalued, and I would not recommend this restaurant.

What a fabulous experience the best Italian food in town the service is impeccable the wines are great we waited for the food but it was so worth the wait the owner is a special person

From start to finish, our first experience here was exceptional. The curated Italian wine list complemented an impeccably prepared menu, and the level of service reflected true professionalism and care. After years of anticipating this visit, it was everything we had hoped for—and more. Chef Jerry’s gracious hospitality made the evening truly memorable. We look forward to returning soon.”

We enjoyed one of the better meals we've had in a long time tonight at La Cena in Murray Hill. Given that Jacksonville’s food scene doesn't always leave a lasting impression on me, finding a gem like this is nice. We had a great experience, and the dishes were well-executed. We started with beef carpaccio as an appetizer. I've tasted carpaccio across the globe, but this one stood out as one of the better ones I've had. For our mains, my husband went for the veal scaloppine parmigiana, while I indulged in the trenette alla Juilianna which came with shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes in a light creamy sauce. Both dishes were delicious, with the pasta made from scratch in-house. They also served us crusty bread with salted butter which was lovely. The shrimp in my pasta was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was excellent - rich but not too heavy. Our meals came with salads; I had a Caesar that was perfectly good but nothing memorable. My husband chose the house salad with a lovely vinaigrette which I would opt for next time. Although I ordered a small pasta, the portions were generous, and we were too full to even think about dessert. All in all, I’d rate La Cena a solid 90/100 for the Jacksonville dining scene. It’s a place worth remembering and definitely worth a return visit!

My wife and I had a wonderful time celebrating my birthday dinner at La Cena Ristorante in Murry Hill. It is one of the very best Italian restaurants here in Jacksonville if not the country, it is the real deal. We started our dinner off with an excellent bottle of Chianti. For appetizers we had the Buffalo Mozzarella, Clams Casino and Escargot. For dinner my wife ordered the Beef Strip Steak Pizzaiola and I had the Trenette with Shrimp & Scallops. We took home an order of the Linguine with Clam Sauce to enjoy later this week. For dessert we enjoyed the Chocolate Mousse which is to die for! Jerry, the owner and Chef was so very gracious to us. He sat with us for about 10-15 minutes after we ordered and chatted with us and later while we were enjoying our Chocolate Mousse he sent out a couple of commentary glasses of very high-end Sherry. A very enjoyable evening! Thank you, Jerry!!

There are very few restaurants (if any) that can flawlessly provide an exceptional fine Italian dining experience like Chef Jerry Moran and the exemplary team at the famed foodie haven "La Cena" restaurant in Jacksonville's Murray Hill neighborhood. Those we've recommended to go, or have joined us for dinner over the years have become repeat customers themselves...once you've sat in this elegant yet comfortable dining room and put fork to mouth, you'll Instantly understand why this is THE premier Italian restaurant south of New York, and would rival those as well. This is word of mouth only affair, as La Cena does not advertise (no signage) and caters to both locals and foodies from afar who seeking a true, classic, refined meal...the kind you think about for months after your last bite. A 2.5+ hour clinic on what amazing, fresh, scratch Italian should be every single time given Chef's uncompromising attention to the flow of elevated dining, quality of product and preparation. He's thought of everything, and his loyal team execute his vision faithfully. The menu is extensive - page after page of endless possibility, each their own story, art on a crisp white plate. An example, from our meal last evening, to start: fresh baked bread with traditional cold butter square, a generous mountain of Gorgonzola atop your greens, half portions of house made pasta for your appetizer (Trenete de Filleto Pomodoro is my personal favorite). For entrees, the veal Boscaiola (also love their Saltimbocca, Piemontaise, etc...all amazing). My father had their hand cut green peppercorn NY Strip in a rich demiglace which was absolutely massive and cooked to perfection - he brought half home! We finished with a delectable bread pudding in crème anglaise, and brought home a fresh baked cheesecake that was devoured as a nightcap to a next-level culinary affair. What has been written above does not include all the myriad other options, of which includes the largest Frutti de Mare I've ever witnessed, and any other classic Italian dish you can imagine, along with a thoughtfully curated Italian wine and beer selection for the perfect pairing. We have eaten all over the greater Jacksonville area (and far beyond), and this remains our family's favorite for good reason...owner Jerry's passion for quality translates to a rich, immersive dining experience that you won't soon forget. Dress nicely, bring your favorite people, prepare for exceptional service and cuisine by the best in the business, and let the experience begin. Buon appetito!

Listen! This is one of the best Italian spots in town! You just need to be prepared, read the rules, leave your children at home, not wear perfume, and order off the menu as it's Described. If you're a picky eater don't come here. Reservations are a must. You can pick from 2 times frame to go. Place is quiet but we were fine with a group of 5. Delicious Italian wines available. They make three of their noodles in house. Desert available. Listen to the water and take his advice. Service was great- drinks always filled. Portions are giant- enough for two servings!

La Cena doesn't have a sign. That's your first clue this place isn't for everyone. There is parking, tucked away, just like everything else here. No kids. No perfume. No sharing a single app and lingering. The rules are posted, and they mean it. Jerry has been around long enough to know what works for him and the clientele he wants to serve, and he won't apologize for it. It's not about being fussy. It's about preserving the experience for people who get it. The atmosphere is quiet, intimate, and intentionally untrendy. The food? Excellent. Housemade pasta, rich escargot, decadent mousse. You'll leave full, with plenty of leftovers. It's not cheap, but it's not inflated either. They value their margins and your time. If you want a boisterous dinner, a place to scroll on your phone, or somewhere to bring the kids, this isn't it. If you want a real meal, a great bottle of wine, and a space that respects your reservation and your conversation, welcome to La Cena. Don't just show up. You need a reservation. And maybe a little sense of direction.

Always fantastic! The chef and owner is amazing. He makes his own pasta and the portions are absolutely huge. You always get an extra loaf of bread in here to go box which you are most likely to have. Please try the escargot it's the best we've ever had. And if you are super hungry. Get the Fruti de mare it's epic!!

Yes, Jacksonville, there is a place for delicious and well prepared Italian cuisine, and it is at La Cena. We enjoyed a fabulous meal with excellent service in a very comfortable setting. A few important things the know in advance: there are ground rules, but they are sensible, and they contribute to a very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere. Read them carefully as they are also sensible. As to the food: all well prepared with attention to detail and lots of love. The chef/owner Jerry cates deeply about his food and it shows. He is friendly and charming, but is constantly ensuring that you are happy. We started with the shrimp oregenata: 7 fresh butterflied beauties bathed in a buttery garlic & tomato sauce with herbs and bread crumbs. Amazing! We followed with an appetizer-size portion of cappelletti Bolognese which was rich and complex, one of the best ever (note that while the appetizer-size is not listed on the menu, they were very happy to prepare it). Then on to the main of veal saltimboca, which featured a sizeaportion of delicate and delicious veal cutlets with fresh sage, Prosciutto, and cheese gilded with a rich sauce. So good. The wine selection is excellent and fairly priced. Bravo, Jerry!

The full page of policies/rules on the menu lets you know that this place is unlike most Italian restaurants around. The structuring of the menu allows you to have the full Italian meal experience by course. Food is good however I still much prefer the more welcoming environment of places closer to home and equally, if not more, delicious.

Where do I begin to describe the best Italian Restaurant I have been to in the world? The owner chef has been in the restaurant business for decades! Everything, and I mean everything is made from scratch, including bread, bread crumbs, dressings, sauces, buffalo mozzarella, pasta and sauces! As mentioned in other reviews , Jerry, the chef/owner is quite an interesting fellow, but this only adds charm to this amazing restaurant experience! This restaurant among many other things is home to the best tomato mozzarella salad. Jerry shops for the best quality tomatoes daily scurrying the local farmers markets for the perfect tomatoes! Once found he stages them in his kitchen and wine cellar to create the perfect ripen tomato. An easy 5 star rating!!

The is a 5 star dining experience without all the drama of other overpriced and over rated restaurants where people want to be seen for clout. The food is absolutely amazing with three in-house made pastas, and the serve staff are very knowledgeable and attend to your every need. The owner comes around and speaks to every table and makes sure you are enjoying your dining experience. You have to call and leave a voicemail in order to make reservations. Authentic Italian food at its best!!

Best Italian outside Italy.....servers impeccable, Jerry ( owner and chef) delivers every single time! He knows what works and what doesn't.....it's an extensive menu, but after following Jerry to different locations in Orange Park, Jax and Orlando, we have our many favorites! Wine list is great as well...Cheers, Jerry

Delicious Italian food! The menu is a bit quirky (weird requirements; first page had instructions! Lol) but the service and food were amazing. Large portions too so had plenty left over for lunches the next couple of days. The clam appetizer was the best I've ever had. In-house pasta is a must. Veal was amazing. FYI - reservation only, no children allowed.

Looking at the reviews before mine, one might assume this is a good but not great restaurant. What kind of dolt could leave a review for anything less than five stars? I love this place. It is best quality in Italy, New York, or San Francisco. I loved the food there. I had a Ciopino that was amazing with a portion and taste fit for a king. The white wine that I started with was first-rate, and my second glass, a rose, was quite good but not as good as the white. As Arnold said in The Terminator, "I WILL BE BACK!

We were lucky enough to live right around the corner from La Cena. If you want quality food that is fresh with knowledgeable, kind staff then this is your place. Dining here is an experience like no other in Jacksonville!

Miserable experience, walked out. After asking to change table we were ignored, yet the owner insisted that we refused to order. Can anyone imagine purposefully driving to a restaurant to go out for a nice dinner w/your family and being told that we refused to order food? The owner of this restaurant is an obnoxious and arrogant individual and we would never again spend one dime at this overrated establishment. Can anyone also imagine being told, "I thought you were trouble from the moment you walked in"? Great way to win customers over huh? Especially at his inflated prices? Who's the profit & who's the overhead? Get a life dude, you may be in the restaurant business for 50 years as you so insistently told us, but you're a nasty person who has no people skills and your poop doesn't smell like ice cream.

Since moving to Jacksonville this is the 3rd location we've visited La Cena. The food has always been superb and inspite of rumors that the owner is eccentric, Jerry has always been a wonderful host and absolutely world class chef. The restaurant is chic and charming. Having their own parking is a huge plus. You should definitely make reservations and this is an adult restaurant. The food will never disappoint. The bread, breadsticks, many pastas and desserts are made in house. The menu completely explains to ask if you'd like separate checks or have any questions about sharing an entree. Any questions regarding pricing will be completely answered, but you do need to ask in advance. While many restaurants and chefs come and go in Jacksonville, Chef Jerry has been a consistent world class restaurateur for over four decades.

Had a lovely dining experience following our Friday Musicale concert last night. Fortunately for us they were not that busy when we arrived for our 8pm reservation. We were greeted at the door and seated immediately. My brother had brought their wine as no wine list on line. The promptly brought a wine chiller for them, opened and served the wine. We are red drinkers and ordered a Barolo which was lovely. The wine list took a bit to arrive however. The atmosphere is upscale and comfortable, with plenty of spacing between parties so you can carry on conversations. Staff friendly and generally attentive but not intrusive. Tip - you do need to order full meal, can't just order your apps and look. Food was all delicious. Apps - mussels in white wine and beef carpaccio. Mussels were huge portion. All 4 of us had some. Sauce perfect and mussels all properly cooked. Beef carpaccio, while lovely, was not as memorable. The Parmesan slivers kept sticking to the plate making difficult to combine with beef. Entrees - 3 of us tried their house made pasta. The pastas they make vs imported Italian are: cappelletti, tagliatelle and trenette. 2 has the cappelletti - 1 bolognese and one albanese. Both delicious. The portions are huge so we all had take away. I tried the tagliatelle- thought I'd ordered the cavalieri - some how got the alla zino instead. It was good but not what I was expecting. As the are on the menu right next to each other - honest mistake by the waiter. My husband had the veal parmigiana- oh so yummy. House salads come with entrees but I would suggest either the Caesar or Gorgonzola - both wonderful. They have their own parking lot inside a fenced area just past the restaurant. There is no sign in the restaurant so use your phone to look for it. A lovely evening.

Amazing dinning experience which left us full and beyond happy. It was love at first bite. We started with the house baked bread and escargot which blew it out of the water from the jump. That cream sauce is outstanding and we soped up every last bit with the bread. We both enjoyed the house salad and added blue cheese for a nice burst of flavor and texture. As for the main course upon our server's recommendation we split a bowl of house made pasta served with butter. It was perfection and as shared was perfect to share and enjoy along our veal dishes. The pasta was the star of the show but everything was fantastic. We ended the meal with a huge cappuccino and a Zeppole stuffed with ice cream and topped with chocolate sauce. Definitely a meal to remember.

Found this hidden gem on Google maps. Would have never known this place existed otherwise. This establishment only allows dining in with a reservation, and no kids. Really enjoyed my entrée. It was a MASSIVE bowl of seafood and linguine. Plenty of leftovers. The smoked salmon was okay, and my wife wasn't a fan of her entrée which was some sort of fish. Will have to come back and try some other things on the menu. Service was great although they placed us in a little corner. Peaceful though I suppose.

In 5 years living in Jacksonville and then also in my 43 years of life, and not to mention my 25 years in the fine dining service industry, this is one of the best meals I've ever had. No mistakes were made from the appetizer clams casino (not shown because we ate them too fast) to the made daily bread, and throughout the entire meal with homemade pasta noodles, fresh bolognese, perfectly cooked halibut, and tender veal Marsala with the freshest mushrooms. We Finished with a chocolate mousse cake that was like a rich hot fudge sundae and added an extra scoop of ice cream. WOW.BRAVO And the espresso even

This is an experience.....take your time, enjoy the company you are with and savor the food! If you are in a rush, this is not the place for you. And, you wouldn't even know the restaurant is open if you didn't hear about it. This is a word of mouth gem located near downtown JAX in Murray Hill. You must go at least once - it is a very special experience.

Food is excellent and service was superb. Is are go to restaurant for special occasions.

Had a great time! This is exactly what I was looking for!!! Customer service started the moment I made my reservation. John and Jerry contacted me to answer any questions and ensure that our party would be accommodated appropriately. The food was out of this world. I traveled to Italy several times about a decade ago, and I've missed real Italian food. I had the deliciously succulent Frutti de Mare and ended up with about 4 bowls of clam and mussel shells. They do NOT skimp on the portions. The best part was NO KIDS! I've got 4 at home, and while they are very well behaved this is NOT the place for them. If you're looking for an intimate romantic dinner or a quiet dinner party with amazing Italian food this is the place for you.

An absolutely fantastic experience! Our server was knowledgeable and walked us through the many options on the menu. With everything made in-house from the pasta and sauces to the bread baked daily, I was eager to try everything. We Started the meal with the artichoke appetizer. A large artichoke quartered and dressed with a capers and roasted red pepper vinaigrette. We had 2 pasta dishes that were large enough to feed a family of 6. The linguine w/ shrimp and calamari was cooked to perfection. I'm still trying to understand how the shrimp and calamari were so tender and fully cooked. The star of the night was the Cappelletti Bolognese. A tender filled pasta (similar to a tortellini) covered in a rich bolognese that was packed with flavor. The pasta dishes came with a salad that we added the optional Gorgonzola crumbles to. We finished the meal with affogatos, a scoop of ice cream topped with a shot of espresso. Can't wait to return as there are many dishes that I'm looking forward to trying. So make a reservation and step out of Murray Hill and into a little slice of the Italian countryside, you'll not be disappointed.

We had a wonderful experience at this little hidden gem on the westside. We were dining with friends from out of town and found this to be a great place with fabulous food. There were 4 people in our party and everyone was well pleased with their meal. The portions were very generous and we took home as much as we ate. It is a quiet and quaint establishment that we throughly enjoyed. We felt the staff were not only experts in their knowledge of the menu but extremely kind and attentive. It was a bit pricy but for a delicious meal with no pressure to rush us out (we were there two hours) it was well worth the money. Will definitely be back.

Have the Barbaresco wine. The escargot. Have the pasta made in-house. Veal is spectacular. Service is perfect. Very attentive. Very knowledgeable. This may be the best kept secret in Jax.

We had dinner with friends. It was a wonderful experience from the minute we arrived. We were greeted by the owner and seated. Our waiter Bruce, was very good. Bruce was able to recommend a great bottle of wine, which turned into two. Each of us (5) ordered something different and each said their meal was outstanding. The pasta here is the best I've had. This was our 5th time here and each has been a delightful experience. This is the type of restaurant that is an experience on its own. The service was top notch, with napkins being refolded when stepping away, water glasses topped off, wine refilled. Thank you for such a nice experience.

If I could provide less than 1 star I would. Business states on google that it's open from 5pm-11pm, did not say anything about a mandatory reservation policy in place. We arrived around 9:30pm, we were (greeted: word used lightly because the service was extremely poor) by an older gentleman stating that we could not be seated because it's by "reservation only"; thinking it was a joke he proceeded to share that the kitchen was closed already so we could Not be serviced. When we said that the business hours provided online he stated "they have no Affiliate with any online presence". Seriously the worst customer service I've come across in a while. So rude. Obviously he refused to service us for whatever personal reason he had which isn't my issue, it was the way he delivered the message itself.

By far the best Italian food in Jax. Worth the 30 minute drive. Went with a group of 6, including a few Sicilians from NY/NJ, and everyone was blown away. Definitely coming back. Miraculous that one chef can cook all of those meals selections! Biggest selection I've ever seen at a nice Italian restaurant. The fresh bread was incredible also with a flavorful crust, and great butter. The Merlot and Montepulciano wines were both great too. Tip: get an entrée, but couple it with one of the Pasta dishes. The pasta dishes can be shared, or just take home the leftovers and enjoy the next day. Skip the salad and double down on desert- all made in house. Absolutely delicious dinner! Service was amazing, but be patient- takes some time to prepare. Carolyn helped guide me to the chicken Sette Colli paired with Trenette al Gamberi on the side. Shared the trenette and everyone loved mixing it with their different entrees. Clams casino were very flavorful too. Owner was a nice guy too! Some reviews said he was mean, but we talked quite a bit after dinner and had several laughs. We loved all the staff, including Carolyn and the drink server (forget her name) who were both awesome. It was the end of the night, so he put all of the remaining shellfish in my friend's bowl! Deliciously fresh fish and shellfish! Spin the wheel on the menu- you can't go wrong.

We absolutely loved this place, it was a date night and it surpassed all our expectations, first time here and will definitely come back, the food here was over the top great and we appreciated the atmosphere and the relaxing time and great food we had.

My wife and I enjoyed the most incredible dining experience at La Cena last Saturday night. The restaurant is set up comfortably so that the tables and their diners are not right on top of one another providing privacy and ease of conversation without having to raise our voices (or overhear neighbor tables and their conversations). The service staff was professional and very knowledgeable about the menu. The wine server did a fabulous job guiding us to a food appropriate and enhancing selection. The owner/chef "ran the dining room" taking time to check in with all of his guests and treating them as special guests. The food was fabulous ... mussels as an appetizer ... wonderful crisp caesar salad ... a halibut entree to die for ... and a very special veal dish ... expresso and bread pudding to end things. If we lived in the Jacksonville area we'd be regulars! As it is, we'll look for an opportunity to return. THANK YOU

The food here is so delicious and the service is great! However, it is not the easiest restaurant to find. I've heard this is intentional to provide a more "exclusive" experience however it is not in the best area so it does not feel very special, especially considering the high prices. The ambiance is very, very poor for a restaurant that is supposed to be high end. That said if you like very quiet and secluded restaurants and don't care much about lighting or decor then you will love this restaurant

Another exceptional meal at La Cena, without question the best Italian food in the Jacksonville area. Frutti di Mar was huge and full of delicious seafood. The veal was also excellent. Very large portions so we are delighted to be able to enjoy this delicious food at home as well. The staff is friendly, professional, and very knowledgeable about the food and wines. A very nice wine list, including several featured reds and whites. A nondescript place from the outside, the interior is very nice. We particularly appreciate the opportunity to dine at a place where you can hear one another talk and enjoy a calm atmosphere.

Incredible from start to finish! Don't worry about parking they have a lot right out front. There's not a sign but the building is tan color with black gate. The restaurant is super intimate, with dim lighting and amazing service. They start off with complementary delicious bread and butter. I decided to get the red mix merlot . Such a good pairing with my shrimp and scallop pasta dish! It was so large I had so much left overs. All The main meal start with a house salad. The salad is mixed greens with a light Italian vinaigrette. My husband ordered the veal parmigiana wow so great! It was similar to the Marsala. Everything was great and the service was fantastic! Our waiter and great and gave us some good insight on pairings. The scallops were cooked to perfection. Can't wait to go back!

This is truly a hidden gem. No signage, but a beautiful space with magnificent food. I look forward to going back

Food superb, beer reasonably priced but the wine expensive. The food is above the cut. The wait though is long but thankfully they put long breadsticks on the table decoratively & are edible. Then while waiting more Italian bread & butter & a salad. The location is not in a good part of Jacksonville & the decor inside is very drab but elegant with cloth tablecloths. Our waitress explained the entire menu but beware, if they ask you if you want cheese on your salad, there is no mention of the $4 extra charge for the tiniest amount given. I recommend going once for the experience of unique Italian food.

Phenomenal!! Portions are enormous and quality was superb. Veal was super tender. The pasta melts in your mouth Service -- first rate Wine -- great, too. I could continue.... Simply encourage everyone to make a reservation Enjoy

Had a party of 10 and this place was fantastic. Service was spot on, kept all glasses full, explained the details of the menu and just plain nice with a splash of humor. Wine list is very good. Food was delicious and portions are huge, no skimping at all. Fish was delectable and all pasta dishes were freshly made as well as yummy. Escargot and mussels were delightful and the homemade bread was perfect to lap up the sauce. Can't forget the cannoli, heavenly! Highly recommend if you want to have a relaxing and delicious Italian meal. Thank you La Cena for the wonderful party and memories that were made!

The food in this restaurant is amazing, from the appetizers like polenta, we were immersed in a party of flavours like nothing experienced over the last couple of years. The place is run by the owner who is also the chef and his family. Wine selection is outstanding, and the home made pasta with made to serve sauce is from a different world. I was not very sure when we arrived with the family, but after sitting down, it was a non stop jaw dropping experience. Jerry and team, well done!!!

Out of this world! Best fine dining experience in Jacksonville. Extraordinary Italian dishes, homemade pasta, highest quality seafood and the service is always above and beyond. Cannot recommend highly enough! 5 stars, plus, plus

Escargot, pasta, and seafood was delicious. The atmosphere was modern and intimate. The waitress was very attentive and the food was delicious and the portions was large.

Hosted some friends from out of town and they had mentioned that there is a major lack of good Italian food where they live in south Florida. So naturally we made a Rez at the premier home made with heart and fresh ingredients Italian restaurant in JAX. And as always Jerry and his staff came thru, with not only great food and wine but impeccable service. Portions were plentiful and so rich in authentic flavors as always, without a complaint from anyone. (All the veal dishes were so tender and the escargot as always was great). These gentleman who dined at La Cena are all very well traveled around the world with great food and wine experiences. Thank You again to the staff of La Cena. See you soon.

Having lived in Milano a food centric city. Hands down this place is simple elegance. The clatter of steel pans from the kitchen only made my saliva glands excrete with anticipation. Half orders are still bountiful and actually how Europeans eat portion-wise so they can enjoy a mezze-primi-secondi and dessert. If you are an Olive Garden or Maggiano loyalist that's fine. They fill a hole for American Italian flavors and budget but if you seek authenticity..well then, you have found the Mecca of traditional offerings that are truly Italian here in Jax. Make this a date night not a screaming mimmi night. This place does pride itself in not condoning ill-mannered kids(you have been warned) and for their price point (and a mother of four myself) I can 100% appreciate that they want the "clientele" not customers to have a quiet and romantic supper-maybe re-live the tastes of their travels abroad. This place is a must and perfect venue to play dress-up.

This was my 2nd visit and extremely disappointed! We had raved about the food and restaurant to our family after having great dinner several months ago with friends. Tonight was terrible from being placed in a dark corner we had to ask twice to be moved after the owner brought a head flashlight over. Really!? Common sense would say when you have plenty of tables available just move the customer. We ordered wine asked some questions about the menu that were answered and watched others who came in after us get served. No one came to take our order. We had out of town family visiting and were embarrassed at the lack of service. After waiting what felt like an odyssey we requested the check paid for our wine and left. On way out the owner tried to tell us we would not give our order. Really? Could not be further from the truth. Can't give an order if they don't come to your table. We drove 30 miles why would we not order? The owner was so arrogant! Even bragged how been in business 50 years. Well customers are the reason to be in business this restaurant lost 4 tonight. He can keep his stuck-up over priced arrogant establishment. We deserve respect and will not waste another time there ever again!

Romantic atmosphere, Best in Jacksonville, "Ellie Fish", Pasta made from scratch. Wonderful New York style Cheesecake with Orange zest. Nice desert ports. I could go on and on. For a quiet evening go during the week. Much busier on weekends. Reservations preferred (if not required, not sure). Unruly children not allowed. Wine cellar full of selected Italian wines. Restaurant grows until you ask yourself why are you going elsewhere.

La Cena is special to my husband and I. We stumbled on it when we moved to the area a few years ago. We now save vists there only for wedding anniversaries! Reservations required, and we always request the secluded table. My husband ordered a beer and I got the Cabernet wine. The wine list is extensive and they do not carry house wines. Our appetizer was Shrimp Oregantana $12. The shrimp were fresh and very tender, with a light Italian red sauce paired with them. It was a large portion for an appetizer. We loved it! For entree #1 Linguine Aragosta Mollisco $40. This seafood dish includes clams and clams in the shell, lobster, and large scallops The linguine had a lemon sauce. The scallops were my favorite but everything was delicious. For entree #2 Chicken Marsala $32. This is a go to dish when I'm undecided with too many choices. The chicken was tender and moist topped with plenty of sliced mushrooms. The Marsala sauce with very rich bit paired well with the chicken. Service is always top notch. No children allowed there which makes for a quiet meal with no distractions. This will always be our Anniversary dining location!

This food was nothing special and there are way better Italian restaurants in Jacksonville with better ambiance and a nicer owner. We went on Valentine's Day and were ordered to be there right at 8 pm (our reservation) on the dot. Do not arrive early and do not arrive late! We did as we were told and then had to wait for 10 minutes for our table to be ready. They also don't seem to have dedicated servers to certain tables. This means there were long stretches of time where we thought they forgot about us. It took almost 10 minutes for anyone to greet us after we were sat. Certainly annoying when there is a mandatory 22% (!) gratuity added to all checks. It was also very slow...we didn't leave until after 10pm. It would be fine if this was a true fine dining experience, but this aint it. The bread was cold and nothing special; I think it was just a loaf from Publix bakery. We were aware of the chef/owner Jerry's antics from reading the other reviews and I was ready to not take any shit from him. He certainly wanders around the dining room a lot and quietly and passive aggressively insults the guests. He avoided us almost like he knew better. I'm not sure how much cooking he could have been doing while we were there since I would say he was on the floor (not doing anything) for about 70% of the time we were there. I ordered a dish that was a white wine, butter, and lemon pasta with capers and chicken. It was like the dish was drowned in lemon juice. The flavors were totally off and all I tasted was lemon. My bf agreed. But I just ate it bc insulting Jerry's "amazing" food is verboten. Anyway -- totally forgettable at best. Would not come back.

Been hearing great things about this restaurant so wanted to try it for myself. We made reservations which are highly recommended. We arrived and were seated promptly. There was some confusion on who our server was and the menu was quite extensive so waited for them to explain it to us, and it was a bit of a wait. There were a few turn offs, one is that on the menu they say on several pages of you only order pasta they will charge you additional fees or if you share meals you will have added cost. Also you have to order everything at once. We ordered a house made pasta as our sharable appetizer and it was delicious. For our entrées i had the chicken marsala and my boyfriend had a chicken dish as well. Both were amazing. There was so much food we both had leftovers for the next day. For dessert i had the cheesecake made in house and my boyfriend had the canoli. The food was outstanding, the ambiance wasn't anything to brag about.

The owner Jerry is so rude. We will never return. I ordered a vegetarian pasta during lent and it came with meat in it. When I mentioned it he just laughed and made the sign of the cross and said he absolved me. So rude and insensitive. Seriously, an apology would have fixed the situation.

Best Italian food I've ever had! Romantic, intimate, quiet, white glove service. Everything was delish! Make sure you have a resi & don't bring young kids.