La Violetta
Northern Italian restaurant · Ridge Wood Heights ·

La Violetta

Northern Italian restaurant · Ridge Wood Heights ·

Housemade Italian specialties, fresh pasta, market, gluten-free

La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null
La Violetta by null

Information

4837 Swift Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231 Get directions

$50–100

Reserve a table
reservations required

Information

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4837 Swift Rd, Sarasota, FL 34231 Get directions

+1 941 927 8716
laviolettasrq.com
@laviolettasrq

$50–100

Reserve a table

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Last updated

Oct 26, 2025

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La Violetta

Adrienne Seitz

Google
This is hands down our favorite Italian restaurant in sarasota. Every single dish was delicious and the pasta is so fresh. The atmosphere is cozy, charming, and romantic. The staff are all very knowledgeable and friendly. We can’t wait to eat here again!

Jeff Thal

Google
Next level Italian cuisine. Delicious is an understatement. I personally ordered/tasted the Tortellini di Bologna and the Tris di Ravioli. Both were exceptionally good. Excellent service and atmosphere. Upscale dining. We will absolutely be back!

Natalya Carallo

Google
If we could only eat at one restaurant for the rest of our lives, it would be La Violetta! The food and service is fantastic every time. Pictured is the steak tar tar and bone marrow special, the carmelle, the wonderful eggplant Parmesan, the zucchini flowers, and my all time favorite the egg raviolo.

Brad Patturelli

Google
Food was amazing, all 4 of us were very happy with our meals. The caramelle not pictured was our favorite (we tasted each others entrees), each of us that tasted it said "wow". Can't wait to go back on our next visit. Pictured is the risotto frutti di mare and Maltigliati con coda.

Scott

Google
La Violetta is as good as Italian food gets, and I mean that even when comparing it to the amazing places my wife and I have been to in New York and Italy. We now fully understand why a server at another notable Italian restaurant in Sarasota recommended it to us as “the best.” It is. We began with the Vitello Tonnato, which we can’t recall ever having been as remarkable anywhere else, followed by the Anolini Di Magro in Brodo, which held its own even with the versions we had in Parma and at two esteemed spots outside of Parma. I had intended to order the Ossobuco di Vitello as my entree because I like to use it to compare top Italian restaurants, but they had a braised wild boar over gorgonzola polenta special that I could not pass up, and, wow, was it good! My wife opted for a work of art as her entree, a single giant veal ossobuco raviolo that was a special that evening. Again: wow. I dropped a star on the service only because we arrived to a stained table cloth, one dirty knife, and a wobbly table and were interrupted a few times with attempts to deliver drinks and food to us that were meant for another table. Get over it, one might say, and I agree, but this place has a professional makeup and tone that really has no place for anything amateur. Thank you, La Violetta, for choosing Sarasota as your place to shine.

JR Sigala

Google
The first thing I should mention about this restaurant is how beautifully decorated it is and how spectacular the atmosphere is. The service was very good and there were good recommendations. Regarding the food, we thought that some dishes were very tasty and others average, but overall they were very good. They have a good selection of wines to choose from.

Coach Julio

Google
Awesome dining experience here. Table has some bday decorations as well we’re celebrating one but no complementary dessert was offered or any acknowledgment of the bday. Not expected but it’s nice to have. Otherwise everything was delicious.

Shelby Witt

Google
Authentic, delicious, perfection. Visited Saturday evening for our anniversary dinner and was blown away by everything. Wine and cocktails were exquisite. The moscato was crisp and sweet. My husbands manhattan came with what he calls “the good bar cherries”. We had the sardines appetizer on special, and it was a true treat. We also started out with the burrata salad plate which allowed us to have the best prosciutto ever. Candy shaped pasta with black truffle rocked my world. This place is a gem and we are so glad we found it!
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Michelle S.

Yelp
Everything was excellent. The menu choices are palette provoking. Our first course choices of the fish trio, tripe and popolo all met with rave reviews. The main courses of Soaghetti al Rocco di Mare with home made chittara spaghetti, sea urchins, shrimp and hints of orange and mint. So delicious! The tagliatelle al ragout di wagyu was exceptional. The ossobucco melted in your mouth. Our desserts were the perfect ending along with the Porto and coffees! Our evening out with friends was a delightful experience at La Violeta and we will return. The service was attentive and friendly, plenty of free parking and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
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Carl L.

Yelp
This was our fourth time here and the food has been consistent. I had a nice welcome from the hostess and was seated promptly with our reservation of course. Our waiter was decent, but I must say don't be in a rush here, for the food takes time to prepare. The decor and ambiance is very nice and Italian themed, great job with that. We ordered a carbonara type bread and octopus appetizer, both were really good, my only curiosity was why one tentacle?? For our main we had wild boar and polenta it was good and the meat was extremely tender, the polenta was very good, Some kind of large short rib ravioli that was ok in that it was different than your average entree, and the three different ravioli dish, the star in that dish was the white parm sauce ravioli (the others were just ok), for dessert we had was the tiramisu and pistachio crème brûlée, yes to the tiramisu and no to the pistachio. When you visit this restaurant keep in mind this is not the Italian food that you might be more accustomed to. This is a more northern Italian style restaurant. Check out the menu before going. We will return maybe once a year. Food 8.0 (northern Italian) Ambiance 9.0 Service 8.0
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Marian S.

Yelp
My husband's aged steak tasted rotten. It's the first time he ever left steak on his plate. He would not let me return it because we were already sitting for almost 2 hours.

Bob M.

Yelp
Ambiance in this 'new' location is much improved. That said, the food was not as good as we remember. A few of the appetizers were nice such as the flat bread and the prosciutto/buffalo mozzarella. The main courses left something to be desired. The homemade pasta was a little rubbery and / or undercooked. One person in our group had snapper and it was filled with bones and scales (literally). We mentioned this to the server, he tried to suggest this is how people eat fish in Italy. Huh? Service in general was slow and inattentive. No help with the wine list either which was filled with Italian wines we did not recognize. We really want this place to be good and to succeed. They need to go back to basics.
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Robert C.

Yelp
Every time we visit they seem to have taken the restaurant to a new level. The expanded wine list snd wine room offer all Italian selections dating back to 1975. Prices are terrific. The menu has been updated and included two items that literally arrived this day - baby clams, smoked buffalo mozzarella (every Thursday from Italy). We took advantage of both! The expanded restaurant is decorated so beautifully and the bar is available for drinks and dinner. Service is always outstanding and super friendly. Rosa and Emilio are unique and offer the most amazing northern Italian experience this side of the Atlantic.
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Sahil S.

Yelp
High quality food and service. So nice to have an Italian restaurant that does specializes in rustic Italian rather than the usual Italian fare. Had sardines, martinis and the prosciutto flatbread is great.
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Sal M.

Yelp
Excellent authentic Italian cuisine and service. Rosie (wife owner) was very friendly and greeted every guest. Alessandro (our server) was super friendly also, attentive and knowledgeable about the food and wine menus, which were both very extensive. Chef extraordinaire Emilio was wonderful, whom we had the privilege of saying hi to on our way out. We had a very enjoyable dinner. Highly recommended if you are looking for a quick culinary trip to Italy !:) Will post pics as well.
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Steve M.

Yelp
This is my favorite Italian restaurant. This may be our favorite restaurant in Sarasota - we had a vigorous debate on the way home. Emilio and Rosie (from Parma) add a very personal touch to this northern Italian restaurant. I'm not Italian, but it feels like coming home - sort of like showing up at your favorite aunt's place for what you know will be an impressive meal. When family and friends visit us in Sarasota, this is where we bring them. The food is outstanding. We fully intend to make our way through their entire menu. We've made a rule (more of a pact really) that we must try at least two new items every time we come. We're continually surprised and delighted as we explore their offerings. How do I describe their food... I'm not sure I have the diction to do their food justice. It's fresh - you can watch the pasta being made via the window into the kitchen from the bar. We enjoy the range and marvel at the wonderous flavors... caviar on quail's eggs, burrata caprese salad with prosciutto, whole sous vide snapper, cow's tongue carpaccio, beef tenderloin carpaccio, short rib ravioli, pappardelle with oxtail ragu, risotto Frutti di Mare, baked duck, veal ossobuco, seared octopus, ... We still have so much exploring to do (note that some of these were specials)! The ambiance is inviting and comfortable. The décor is slightly upscale - we're casual (I typically wear nice shorts and a golf shirt) so we tend to sit at the bar (hey, Caroline!). There's no requirement that you speak Italian, but if you do, you'll feel right at home. The location is convenient with plenty of off-street parking. We're pleased to let you know that they do take reservations - I strongly encourage you to make one.
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Corrie C.

Yelp
Had plans to go somewhere else and driving past this place and decided to be spontaneous and give it a try. Luckily we were there before 5:00pm as the whole time we were there it was busy and they had to turn people if they didn't have a reservation-so I suggest making a reservation. The restaurant is so cute and quaint and the staff was so friendly, it was a great first impression. We were so excited to be spontaneous! We ordered the PANNA COTTA DI GORGONZOLA as an appetizer, the GNUDI TOSCANI and the Dover Sole (Special Fresh Fish of the day). They brought out fresh bread and the appetizer was delicious. The Gnudi TOSCANI was the best Gnocchi I've ever had. Unfortunately the Dover Sole was not good. It wasn't flaky, it was cold, and so were the vegetables that were on the plate. I'd still recommend going and I'm looking forward to going back and trying their other dishes!

Nancy S.

Yelp
We love La Violetta. The food and service are wonderful. I especially love the zucchini flowers when available but everything is so good.

Linda S.

Yelp
A gem in Sarasota...beautiful Italian offerings, incredible beverage and wine offerings. Family owned, ambiance is inviting for any occasions!
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Angela H.

Yelp
Hands-down this is a five star meal that you should definitely make reservations for. We went on our anniversary and it was so impressive. The pasta is fresh, drinks are on point and service was outstanding. While we were visiting Sarasota, it was the BEST meal on our trip.

Candria C.

Yelp
This place is fabulous! I don't know why I hadn't discovered it already, but will definitely be back and have told others about how amazing it is. Nice ambience, immaculate service and the cuisine is to die for!! Just make a reservation and go - you will not be disappointed!!
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Michael J.

Yelp
Caroline the bartender is awesome. Sit at the bar if you can. I like the gnocchi appetizer even better than the polenta. It's in a nice clear broth/sauce. The caramelle remains the overall winner.
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George P.

Yelp
La Violetta -Another amazing place for great Italian food. We really enjoyed the food service and atmosphere. Nice change of pace from downtown.
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Justine P.

Yelp
Wow. The lay out of the restaurant and the decor is so welcoming, like someone's home. The appetizers were amazing; SCHIACCIATINA ALL'ITALIANA, a special with burrata and fried pizza dough, a complimentary flatbread which I think was the SCHIACCIATINA ALLA CARBONARA, and another special was a big ravioli with ricotta and a runny egg with black truffle. They are known for their homemade pasta, which is so fresh and tender. We all had different pasta dishes; a special with braised short rib ravioli, the Caramelle (I love black truffle), Tris di ravioli, and TAGLIATELLE ALLA CHIANTIGIANA. The service was excellent and we had a great time. They do not rush you, so enjoy the atmosphere and relax and eat delicious rustic Northern Italian food. We will certainly be back!
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TL F.

Yelp
Was so excited to try this highly recommended restaurant in Sarasota... And could not have been any more disappointed. It started out at 10 out of 10 with the greeting the amazing waiter and the decor... The menu and the verbal additional meal items delivery from the waiter was top-notch, really setting us up for an experience. I have to say the food literally made me and one of my friends sick. I had to go to the bathroom. My stomach was not well. Let's just say that. The gnocchi was absolutely disgusting and the duck inside the ravioli tasted like roadkill. I am such a foodie and I'm so sad to report this, but the food literally made two of the three of us sick. I do not recommend. Italian is my absolute favorite go to food and frequent. Quite a few restaurants in the downtown area. There are quite a few good ones. Unfortunately, La Violeta is not one of them.
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Allen Y.

Yelp
The best Italian restaurant in Sarasota, no joke. There are so many Italian places in this area but the vast majority are mediocre at best. La Violetta brings an authentic favor profile that is unmatched. Pros - phenomenal food. My favorite appetizer was the polpo octopus. They sous vide the octopus and it is as tender as tofu. The caramello pasta is incredible and my go-to entree. All their dishes are made in-house and fresh Cons - smaller place so have to make reservation ahead of time. Overall, the quintessential Italian place in Sarasota. As close as it gets to the Old Country.
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Richard S.

Yelp
Been looking forward given the outstanding Yelp reviews and the restaurant did not disappoint. The service is professional, the wine is Italian and the food is exceptional. I started with the tri color caprese salad which was enough for two. I picked the pasta with sausage as an entree. The noodles were thick and the tomato sauce was wonderful (glad to have fresh bread to soak up the sauce).The sausage was tasty and plentiful; could not finish my meal(leftovers tomorrow). My wife had the special fish entree which tasted like sea bass and was accompanied with spaghetti noodles. Our dinner guest opted for the smoked fish appetizer which was a meal in itself. The wine selections were reasonable and were a perfect complement to our meals. Overall, an exceptional dining experience that deserves to be repeated. Plenty of parking and upscale casual.
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Nevin H.

Yelp
This was second time here but unfortunately the experience my second time was not as great as the first. I got the Octopus appetizer that was excellent my first experience was also delicious and cooked perfectly! My entree was a nightly special: Fettuccine Lobster. I TRULY HAD to order a pasta dish as their pasta was amazing during my last visit. This time, I was a bit disappointed. The pasta was not al dente and definitely, along with the lobster tails, were all overcooked. And the flavor was a bit mild, maybe a tad more salt. My drink was excellent! I had a 'Makers Manhattan' Up that was chilled perfectly. And their bread and olive spread was a great accompaniment. It was a busy evening and our server did a good job in maintaining our table providing very good service. Even though it was a full restaurant, the noise level was very low due to the interior layout. I will definitely go back again and hopefully have an experience more like my first time.
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Ed B.

Yelp
My wife and I first time here. When we walked in we loved the atmosphere. They sat us at a nice quaint table. The server was awesome. Cocktails and wine were very good. Octopus appetizer was excellent. My wife got the braised short rib ravioli which was huge. I got the osso bucco which was very good. Loved it here and will be back.
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Dan B.

Yelp
Excellent spot! Really a good addition to the Italian scene in Sarasota!! The pasta is made fresh on site, the entrees are all very well done with fresh ingredients. Family that runs it is definitely the real deal, direct from Italy, and a great addition to the local scene. Scene. They have been here for you years operating in a different spot, and they're making a go of it at this place. It's hard to get a reservation so plan ahead!
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Emily R.

Yelp
We had an exceptional birthday celebration at La Violetta! The staff is friendly and welcoming, and the dining room was extremely cozy. Most importantly, the food is outstanding! Such creative and delicious dishes on the menu. Everything was executed perfectly. All freshly made pastas. I can't wait to come back to further explore the menu!
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Art C.

Yelp
Very popular We tried and failed couple of times to book reservations, until we finally planned a week in advance and was able to obtain an early dining time. It is a small place as in not that many tables, but doesn't feel small, it feels comfortable. We settled right in and had a great time dining with friends. Our server was very knowledgeable and entertaining, adding to the experience. The menu is impressive and does change, and they also had specials. I had decided what I wanted a couple of days earlier by looking online and on the day of our visit the online menu had changed and no longer listed my first choice. My new choice for dinner was their Mushroom Soup, followed by Pappardelle Di Agnello, wide pasta noodles with lamb ragout. I very much liked the soup, I'm a fan of mushrooms. The pasta dish was not as good as I anticipated. My expectations were pretty high, between the challenge of even getting a table and glowing Yelp reviews, I thought the food would be amazing. I'm a big flavor guy and found the flavor of this dish muted. It turned out all of us were a bit disappointed, a lack of seasoning, especially with the seafood dishes, was suspected as the leading cause. I'm not questioning the authenticity of the recipes, it is likely just a difference between what is usually found in a typical Italian restaurant and what La Violetta offers. In fact, they intentionally stay away from some of those typical dishes like spaghetti and meatballs and even the use of marinara sauce. No stars off for producing authentic food.
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Carl T.

Yelp
The food, atmosphere, wine list and service is absolutely awesome! From The appetizers to the desserts everything we are was off the chart's. We had a party of six and everyone was very impressed. Highly recommended
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Mary V.

Yelp
Incredible! Authentic Italian food where every bite melts in your mouth. The restaurant was filled with people enjoying themselves and their meals. Very inviting environment. Service was also top notch. They close at 9. We were hesitant to push through the doors at 8:30. We did and they didn't blink an eye. We appreciated that. Do not skip this experience!

Rachael P.

Yelp
So good! The truffle pasta was amazing great atmosphere and service! The polenta appetizer was amazing as well
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C T.

Yelp
In Sarasota, I must have a very different palate than most of the locals. This place and Mastro's, I just don't get. It's always packed and packed with regulars. I tried this place three times to make sure that I am being fair. Pastas are what I come for - none of the dishes are ones that I remember or want to eat again. Ironically, the one thing I enjoyed was the seared foie gras but it was the tiniest medallion of foie.
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Virginia S.

Yelp
As Italian American NYC transplants we're so happy to have found La Violetta. If your looking for a red sauce meatballs & spaghetti joint a la Mamma Leone's this ain't it. If your looking for sophisticated, well crafted, well sourced dining experience with excellent service & a fine wine list you'll be a very happy camper. The menu is large & we intend to eat our way through most of it. My husband loves Trippa & although I'm not much of a fan I must admit it was delicious. We've sampled Polpa, Vitello Tonnato, Tartare, Carpaccio & Tartare de Tonnato. All were delicious. The Risotto Frutti de Mare was outstanding. As good as any we've had in Italy. Maltagliati Con Coda, Tortelli di Agnello & Branzino did not disappoint. I'm not much of a dolce eater but I did try the Gelato Affogoto & it was delightful. Yeah La Violetta.

James B.

Yelp
This is one of the few restaurants in Sarasota I go to - it is simply the best Italian food! Chef Emilio and his wife Rosaria treat my guests and I like family. The cozy atmosphere feels like home. Chef is always coming up with new, impressive specials that are always amazing. They are in there working hard everyday and have come so far over the last few years that I've been dining with them. Much respect and love!!! Thank you guys.
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Patricia L.

Yelp
We went here based on several of our friends recommendations. After comparing our entrees how they were compared we received something entirely different than all our friends. 1st off I will say I did NOT FEEL WELL after leaving the restaurant. 2nd we want to know why we received poorly cooked meals that are NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE MENU or others. Example; squash blossoms are to be lightly filled with ricotta cheese and gently fried. We got deep fried old blossoms packed with mozzarella the size of corn dogs. Thoroughly disappointed and still makes me ill thinking about it 3rd our server did NOT want to have anything to do with us. We had a reservation, we were kind respectful even left a generous gratuity.

Scott C.

Yelp
Food was good not spectacular. Zucchini flowers were very doughy but the filling was delicious they seemed over fried. Entree was good not great the pasta tasted good but the filling and sauce were missing something Ambiance was wonderful very surprising when you look at it from the outside.
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Stephanie T.

Yelp
This was easily one of the best Italian meals I've ever eaten in my entire life. I forgot I was in Florida for a second! The beef carpaccio, especially, was excellent. Service was top notch.

Sally S.

Yelp
To start it is the best meal we have ever eaten in Sarasota. Carol was our server and the service was excellent and such a great personality. The ambiance is charming, comfortable and inviting. prepare to make reservations well in advance because the restaurant is that busy. Did I say it's the best meals we have ever had in Sarasota. A must try for a great Sarasota Dinner Experience!!!!!

bob s.

Yelp
Must have dined on the chefs night off. Food was just terrible. Waiter was very nice
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George T.

Yelp
Well... my wonderful lady wanted to take me for dinner for my 75th. Nice looking place, workers smile, had heavy accent Italian waiter who when We sought CA wines ... only they not have we skipped wine. I asked to leave something to be left out of a dish .... sprinkling of licorice powder on top... emphatically told they would make NO change to ANYTHING!! A serious sign that they make dishes ahead of time and warm them!!! Never go to restaurants that do that! A significant signal of classy restaurant is their ability to make minor changes because they make your food from scratch... our waiter virtually disappeared when we did not order wine. Couldn't even get water filled. The menu looks awesome but not impressive in actuality. Many other Italian restaurants in this area MUCH MORE accommodating.... Save your money... They don't make fresh and chef not that talented OR the least bit accommodating.... Skip this place.
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Glenn G.

Yelp
Driven by this place for many years and final stopped in for our 32 anniversary. I wish we had stopped in many years ago. The setting is rather homey with two small sofas and a faux fire place by the bar. My wife and I each had a glass or wine. I can't remember what her white was called but it was recommended by the server and had lite hints of apple, quite tasty. I had a lovely glass of house Chardonnay. The Focaccia and tomato spread that came to the table was amazing. For an appetizer, we had the grilled octopus which came with potatoes and a grilled artichoke. It was wonderful combination. Cooked to perfection and quite delicious. For the main course my wife had the Caramelle and it was outstanding. I would highly recommend. I decided to try something new and got the Cappella Di Anatra. It was cooked to perfection and had a citrus flavor from the sauce. It wasn't really my thing but if you like duck, it maybe for you. We were too full for desert but all the trays that went by looked great. We will be back.
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Mark L.

Yelp
Our friends recommended this restaurant and it had good reviews. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT!!! From the start when we walked in they gave us a table for two when we were a party for four people. After we were begrudgingly moved to a normal table we ordered dinner. When the server started droning on about the specials I started to become alarmed. We ordered apps and the server said we were going to have a three course meal. We didn't understand why but we went with it. first course took twenty minutes to come out 1. Our friend ordered the mushroom soup which she enjoyed 2. Her husband had the burrata salad which he enjoyed 3. I shared the arugula salad with my wife which was bland and had to use the vinegar that came with the bread to spice it up second course for the table took thirty more minutes to come out 1. had the octopus that was literally one tentacle. 2. had the duck lollipop with strawberry ketchup. Duck was some how super greasy third course took more than an hour and a half to come out I had the pappardelle pasta with lamb ragout as did my wife. Friends shared the duck egg pasta with foie gras Prior to ordering these dishes we told the server that we all wanted the pasta cooke more When the pasta was served our friend correctly identified the texture of the pasta like a rubber band. We called the server over to send all of the dishes back to the kitchen as it was obvious that she forgot to tell the chef about how we wanted the pasta. and the waitress said to my wife "don't take that tone with me". becoming furious we waited another ten minutes and they brought the pasta dishes back nuked from the microwave. When you reheat pasta in a microwave it becomes extremely hot as it did last night to the point that if we ate it we were in danger of receiving burns. I ended up not touching the pasta. The so called chef came out and explained that the original dish had five types of pasta and it is always al dente. I just looked at him to which point he said he was taking my pasta off the bill Oh and be careful ordering wine there as they had a twelve dollar bottle of wine on the menu that they were selling for fifty Got there at 7:45 and left at 10:20. Service was abysmal Condescending, rude server destroyed the ambiance. I would recommend any other restaurant over this one. It is a pompous menu which would be great if they could bring the action. Failed miserably and the chef's excuse about the pasta was probably the stupidest one I have ever heard The only good thing about the restaurant was leaving.
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Katherine Y.

Yelp
Absolutely love this place. The waiter was so friendly. I completely appreciate that this is homemade fresh pasta. All the appetizers and entrees are SO delicious and I wish I could come back for more all the time! Definitely a must visit for those in Sarasota!
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Nick S.

Yelp
Delicious. Legit authentic Italian delicacies made to order r that will have you saying mile grattzi. Also a little shop with cheese, wines, meats, pasta, and snacks. Recommend. Not cheap or fast just excellent.

John P.

Yelp
We have dined here and at its previous iteration (La Scarpetta) several times and have enjoyed each visit, as have our invited visitors who ask to return. We have traveled and lived in Italy over the past 60 years, so I feel confident in praising the offerings here as authentic. The service and ambience are pleasing and the upgraded and expanded wine list a welcome addition.
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Nancy P.

Yelp
Very disappointed I called left a message and they never returned my call That's a turn off without even eating there Domenic f Proscia

Mindy A.

Yelp
Italian food made well. Had a celery margarita. Was surprisingly good. The service impeccable. Need to make a reservation well in advance. Worth it.

Gary N.

Yelp
Five of us were first time diners at LaVioletta this week. It was an excellent experience! Service was attentive and friendly. Our server explained the menu and was enthusiastic about the choices. Our appetizers and pastas were fresh and flavorful. A big step above other local Italian restaurants! Short rib ravioli, octopus, ravioli trio, caprese were among our favorites. The ambience and noise level are great. We will be eager to return!
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SD G.

Yelp
With the good reviews, I figured I'd give it a try. We went here specifically for the menu on here since there are seafood dishes listed. Well, not the case. Mostly meat dishes served. Bread was served cold with an overwhelmingly sweet muffuletta and not in a sweet balsamic vinegar kind of way, more of a sugar taste which we thought was peculiar. Since they didn't have the pasta with clams, we order the risotto with lobster. I literally did not taste any lobster. I was expecting some pieces but not the case. For a $34 dish one would expect nice pieces of lobster. If you're looking for authentic Italian dishes, this did not cut it for me. Service was okay as we hoped for more interactive experience but felt very scripted.

Brittany T.

Yelp
Amazing service, phenomenal food, great ambiance. Celebrated a birthday dinner and brought my 8 month old daughter whom the staff was so wonderful with accommodating. Can't wait to come back.

Kathy B.

Yelp
Delicious! Recommended by multiple Sarasota locals - and they were right! We started with the Gorgonzola panna cotta with walnuts and speck. Unusual and like anything we'd ever had. Our second appetizer was a ravioli with a soft boiled egg in the center, wild mushrooms and shaved black truffles made for a perfect bite. Dinner was "badly cut" (their term) tagliatelle with osso bucco ragout. For dessert we chose vanilla gelato with dark Italian cherries. The cherries were so good I could have just had them for dessert. Very good service and attention to detail.

Nancy A.

Yelp
A small restaurant with charming atmosphere and knowledgeable waiters staff and good service. I went with a small group and shared dishes in order to try as many as possible. The food was exemplary so we had no leftovers to fight over. They make all their own pasta and you can often times watch that being done through the glass window where it's being prepared. The Panna cotta de Gorgonzola was light and very tasty as an appetizer. I would order it again and again. We also tried the homemade gnocchi, which was light and delicious. Of course, we had to try the homemade pasta and opted for the caramelle; candy shaped ravioli, stuffed with prosciutto, Parmesan cheese, and black truffle sauce. This was a really very tasty dish. we had a seafood pasta, which was good, but did not shine like the other dishes did. The only dish I did not find to my liking although my friends did was the Branzino sous vide. For me, Bronzino should be grilled with lemon and garlic and olive oil with a crispy skin. This is how the fish shines. All in all, a wonderful dining experience. It is a bit pricey for my pocketbook, but worth it for a special occasion. Exceptional food.

Martin L.

Yelp
Food was great as well as the service ate at the bar was lucky to get a seat. I will return with a crew and have a formal dining experience