Impeccable service and delicious food. Have dined here several times, excellent experiences each time. Food recommended includes fettuccine alfredo, chicken saltimbocca, and for a flavor of several dishes I recommend trying the Tour of Italy, including the alfredo, chicken parmigiana and lasagna in ample servings. The only minor struggle is their blue cheese dressing is less than stellar, otherwise high marks for other salad dressings and the rest of their food. Definitely a spot that could become a goto Italian joint for near anyone.
Best Italian food in town ! Fresh, made to order. Great service & atmosphere ! The Bleu Filet Pasta is absolutely delicious ! my favorite ! Fri & Sat nights live music is very entertaining ! Adds to the overall ambiance of the restaurant !
(5)
Christopher R.
I find that some negative reviews can be comical especially Dr J M. I understand each has their own opinion and experience. I see his comment as a fragrant assault on a business to try and ruin its reputation. Yes if you come in you will see a extremely large man either at the bar or sitting at a table. That is me, the man with a face on this profile. Yes I love great tasting food and do not waste my money. I have yet to eat a god awfully meal as you expressed in your review. Same restaurant, same chef!!! Does not matter what restaurant I eat if I get awful food. I ask to speak to management or the chef personally. This only improves the restaurant. Question I have is did you ask to speak and voice your objection for the meal or just run to social media. Sounds to me you are a fake account and looking to ruin businesses. Must be a competitor????????
(5)
Cathy M.
This was my first time dining here and it was a good experience. The atmosphere was pleasant and the wait staff very attentive. I ordered the ravioli di Portobello and it was very good with lots of mushrooms and cream sauce. My salad had the house Italian dressing and was delicious! It was a great experience and I will be going back again soon. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Jax. It rivals one we visit when in Las Vegas!
(3)
Maya C.
I needed a place where I could host a small dinner party and gift exchange away from the madness of the last minute holiday shoppers aka the malls/town center. Some where that was more intimate, a non-chain, and we could all hear each other. Another Yelper suggested Toscana so I decided to give it a shot. For a Friday night, the parking lot was packed but I think that was more for the Players Grille which is in the same shopping center. Walking up to the door I could see that Toscana was hopping. Thank god I had made reservations in advance. They had our tables set up for us and I took a seat as I waited for my friends. I didn't know they had Happy Hour so I came in at the right time. We were directly in front of the piano man who was cranking out the Christmas tunes as well as some old piano favorites. Unfortunately this added to the noise level as we had to speak to each other louder than normal. I was trying to avoid this but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Our server Josef took care of all us and he was awesome. Two of us decided to get an appetizer of the Crab Stuffed Portabella Mushroom. Josef warned us that it was just one big mushroom and we were fine with that. When it came out, we were left scratching our heads. There was the plate with a salad pile on it, but no mushroom. I was about to call the waiter back to tell him he gave me no mushroom until the other person figured out that the mushroom was under the pile. I scraped the salad to the side and there it was, kinda flat and disappointing looking. It was supposed to be stuffed with crab cake but it was more like crab cake breading. The mushroom and the salad was good though. Next came the entree. I decided on the Ravioli di Portabella, another mushroom dish. Again, two of us ordered the same thing. When it came out, it looked and smelled very delicious. What was unique about this dish was that it had a lot of sun dried tomatoes in it. A LOT of tomatoes. I resisted the urge to add salt and pepper but maybe that's why there were so many tomatoes. After awhile, I got used to it. Others ordered the Bleu Filet Pasta which I think was the stand-out dish of the night. Two of my friends ordered it and raved about how tender and well seasoned the Beef Tenderloin was. I got to taste a piece of it and it was awesome especially with the spinach, mushrooms (yes, more mushrooms) in a Gorgonzola Alfredo sauce. Everyone at our table enjoyed their food and I heard no complaints. We didn't have any room for dessert and were anxious to do our gift exchange game. I appreciated the fact that it was getting close to the restaurant's closing time and they didn't try to hurry us out. We all had a good time. I'm not sure about the other negative reviews. Maybe it was a bad night. I'll definitely suggest this place to others so they can have their own experience.
(4)
Kimberly K.
I know that this chef goes out of his way to show customers that they are and always will be his number one priority. He will go above and beyond what any chef does. He made a dessert for my daughters birthday just because it's her favorite dessert....it's not even an Italian dish!! You can tell how his heart and soul goes into each and every dish he prepares. And....if anyone is not 100% satisfied, (which is very rare) he goes above and beyond to make it right so the customer leaves fully satisfied and happy.
(5)
Jerry L.
Service was fast and polite. Salad was fresh and crispy , tasty balsamic vinaigrette. Chicken piccatta was so tender you can cut it with a fork
(4)
Elvin B.
Oh my goodness, where do I begin? My good friend JT told me this place had great sausage, so I thought I would check it out. I was greeted with a friendly attitude and things seemed to be shaping up for a great meal. Little did I know that I was in for a culinary nightmare! I ordered the meatballs as an appetizer and found them very similar to Hormel frozen meatballs (Subway meatballs are better). The sauce tasted like Prego mixed with way too much cheap wine. My main course of sausage and peppers arrived, and I couldn't be more disappointed. JT told me the sausage was large, but it was average at best. It was covered in more of the disgusting wine/Prego mixture and was very dry. I voiced my concern with the manager and was told bluntly to "pay and get out". When I suggested that the food be discounted, a huge, beastly man came from behind the bar and told me that I could pay anf get out or he would resort to physical violence. I asked him his name and he told me "Big C is who it be". Fearful for my safety, I paid the bill and left. I won't be returning, either.
(1)
Stephanie D.
I just lived through my own "kitchen nightmare" and it's a shame because this restaurant used to be so good. But I won't be back. My husband ordered grilled chicken breast. Even I can make grilled chicken breast. It was so dry, so, so dry. He sent it back and when the rest of us were almost through eating he told the waitress to just forget it. She said it was taking longer because the chef had to cook it the way my husband liked it. How many ways are there to cook a chicken breast? How long does it take to make one? I ordered the mussels fra diavlo. They serve a good amount of mussels but 10 of them were sealed shut. According to the Huffington Post and several other sites" if a mussel is still closed after cooking there is a good chance it has gone bad because it was already dead before cooking. Not a good sign. I asked for the manager. The hostess said she would go get him. She went in the back of the restaurant, came back, and said, "I was told the manager isn't here". I asked if someone was in charge, she said yes and a gentleman ,who claimed to be the owner, with a very bad attitude came out. When I told him I didn't think the mussels were fresh he said, "we don't even make them here". Okay, if I wanted frozen mussels, I probably could get them at Publix and cook them myself. And since when does getting them elsewhere equal fresh? He was so rude to us that I find it hard to believe that he was the owner. Does anyone know a good Italian restaurant in this area? I'm not asking for much. I'd like them to cook their own food, serve fresh food, and know how to cook a chicken breast!
(1)
Deepan M.
We came to Toscana for lunch for a nice Italian meal. The decor is very nice and clean. The waitress was very polite and quick with our food and drinks. Now the important stuff, the food! We had soup and salad which were both good. My friend had the mushroom ravioli which was made fresh with an amazing white sauce. I had the eggplant Parmesan which also had a great with a very fresh, tomato sauce that was very tasty. Great restaurant for lunch and will try to come for dinner soon.
(5)
J. C.
Well where do I start, I went there march 31, my birthday a party of 12 ,previously been there. Food was good so I wanted my family to enjoy.... well food was cold, service was one person ( running with head chopped off ) POOR . Food wasn't set out properly ( wrong orders after waiting 30 min. For the right food) . Well went there last night 5-17-2014 , maybe party was to big, tried it again , we started by asking for extra garlic on the bread , girl had foreign accent ( not Italian) didn't understand she kept bringing the wrong stuff , finally she figured out . My friend asked for cooked filet chicken .... Chicken was very Dry ,his wife had mussels in sauce 9 out of 12 was still closed. Of which should be ALL open before in sauce..... Complained to waitress , asked for new cooked chicken ....Manager called told of situation he was sorry except mussels felt was ok ( not healthy shows not cooked all the way) chicken ( 2 nd) Never showed up waited 20 minutes manager got really sassy with us and LOUD ..!!!! Payed our bills an left. .......VERY. BAD .
(1)
Pam J.
My family has been going to Toscana--usually take out pizza--since it opened a few years ago. The last 2 times I ordered pizzas they messed the order up somehow and were very apologetic and offered some sort of "freebie"--free sodas while we waited or a free pizza along with the incorrect one. Today I ordered 1 pizza and an appetizer to pick up for my husband and a work colleague. I was told it would take 20-25 minutes. I arrived at the 25 min. mark and was told it would be about 5 more minutes. Was asked if I wanted something to drink, nice. But I ended up being there 30 minutes longer. My appetizer was given to me way before my pizza and was cold by the time I got it home. It ended up being 45 minutes from the time I called in the order. When I mentioned it to the person helping me, she stammered and said that my credit card had already been run through and that there was nothing she could do. Not to mention there was NO ONE else in the restaurant except for employees eating. I won't be going back. I'm pretty sure you can void out a transaction and re-run the credit card for a lesser amount. This is 2015 after all.
(1)
Shell A.
After seeing all the good reviews I question whether I just came here on an off day, but never in my life have I enjoyed the cold leftovers more than the freshly served hot meal. The cheese filled tortellini with fresh broccoli and sun dried tomatoes sounded delicious. It came out looking like a zap fried TV dinner with old previously frozen broccoli and swimming in oil. I was pretty disappointed upon seeing it, and even more so upon eating it. Oddly enough, it was much tastier leftover straight from my refrigerator.
(2)
Steve P.
Great little Italian place. I enjoyed the Salmon Teresa. Shared some Calamari with the table - and topped it off with some red velvet cake. Next time, though, need to try the Tiramisu (it's made in the restaurant).
(4)
Ron D.
Terrific family owned neighborhood Italian restaurant. Food and service was the best.
(5)
Craig E.
I've been driving by this place forever, and never ventured in. Thanks to Yelp, I read some of the reviews and decided to stop in for dinner. Our server was knowledgeable and very attentive, not to mention having some "maturity" - which we always appreciate. We had the meatball appetizer - 4 meatballs in a good marinara, with a little parma on top. The meatballs were seasoned nicely and with balance, and were tender - not rubbery like some others we've had. We liked the marinara so much we kept the dish after finishing the meatballs, so we could sop up the sauce with the garlic rolls that are the standard "bread" for the table. House salads were above average for this kind of place, with carrot, cucumber, tomato and some colorful greens in addition to the usual iceberg lettuce. The house vinaigrette was very nice with some carefully balanced seasoning that was delicious but made it difficult to determine exactly what went in to it. We went mostly for pasta on this visit, but the menu has a number of things (like Veal Osso Bucco, rack of Lamb, etc) that we want to sample on another outing. Entrees were the Tour of Italy and Bleu Filet Fettucine. The tour of Italy included Chicken Parm, Lasagne, and Fettucine Alfredo. All excellent, but the Chicken Parm was exceptional - we believe the chicken breast had been marinated before breading and cooking, which made it really tasty. The Alfredo was very nice, and not overly heavy on the sauce so you aren't overwhelmed with fatty calories. The Bleu Fillet pasta was unusual, with pieces of tender grilled fillet, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and spinach in a gorgonzola sauce that let you know there was some cheese in there, but did not overwhelm you. Once again, the chef knows how to balance his ingredients and seasoning at this place. A little drizzle of balsamic around the edges lends the dish a little contrast, when you want it. Overall, a very positive experience. We will add Toscana to our regular rotation!
(4)
Elizabeth A.
While this is my first Yelp review - I've been to this restaurant many times. I love this place. The staff are so friendly. The food is wonderful. Sometimes on Fridays there is a piano player. It's just great - never a disappointment.
(5)
Thomas J.
They did it again! I am in love with Toscana. The service was wonderful, thank you Joseph. I just had Gall Bladder surgery but really was in the mood for Italian so down to Toscana we went. My beautiful wife had chicken piccata and I had the chicken parmigiana both were exceptional. The portions were incredible, have plenty to bring home. We ended the meal with the red velvet cake and it didn't disappoint. The piano player in the back was wonderful, superb ambiance. You can't go wrong here!
(5)
Yvonne R.
The food was good and the atmosphere was casual. The service was a little slow, but the food was worth the wait.
(4)
Lizzy C.
My husband and I are new comers to the San Marco area and decided to try Toscana when we weren't feeling like battling Saturday night crowds at the more popular chain restaurants. We made the right decision! The dining room is dimly lit, romantic & comfortable and they even had a musician playing the piano to set the mood. There was no wait for a table on Saturday at 7:30, a rarity. The service was excellent and we were brought our drinks and fresh bread right away. The bread was some kind of italian herbed rolls. It came out fluffy & piping hot. Yum! I ordered the spahetti toscana, It was a lighter dish with fresh tomatoes, peppers, olives with a simple olive oil sauce. You could tell the pasta was home-made. My husband had the tour of italy, complete with lasagna, chicken parm & alfredo. It was all perfectly prepared & seasoned. We will definitely be returning to Toscana, as there were so many items on the menu that we wanted to try.
(5)
Elizabeth J.
Warm greeting at the door started things off on the right foot. Comfy interior including bar with the game on! Very attentive service from waitstaff. Chef and owner also came by to check on things. Food was fantastic. Very hard to find anything to criticize. We will definitely be back!
(5)
Jim R.
Went here based on the wonderful reviews. Our Tuscan soup was thin and not exceptional in any way. All four entrees were Pedestrian at best, as was the waiter. Sorry, but outstanding does not apply to the food or the establishment. Give me Olive Garden any time.
(1)
Bob S.
Quaint dining, extensive menu. I had the chicken piccata, and it was very good, the chicken was cooked through, but not over cooked. The dish was served with vermicelli, and the sauce included artichokes and a little bit of pimento, in addition to the capers. Seemed to be a good crowd on a Friday evening, many people came to pick up to-go orders while I dined. Desserts included tiramisu, cheesecake, red velvet cake, and... I forgot. None of the choices caused me to abandon my pseudo-diet. I was a little disappointed that they did not have any port for after dinner -- they offered me coffee, but I am not a caffeine based lifeform. On Hendricks @ San Jose, same strip mall as Player's Grille.
(4)
Steven G.
This place is really good. Hot bread great pizza and really good salads. As good as enza's but cheaper.
(5)
Jim B.
Great food and great atmosphere. Wait staff are awesome.
(5)
William R.
A great neighborhood restaurant that never disappoints. One of the best Italian eateries in North Florida. Priced right with a nice ambiance. The host is a great guy, always dressed like he just came from NYC or Vegas. You can't go wrong at Toscana.
(5)
Paul H.
We decided to try Toscana's tonight and we were glad we did. It was a later dinner do to the bad weather that rolled in tonight. By the time we got to restaurant it was after 8:30pm. The restaurant was about 35% full. The atmosphere was nice, not loud. The old school maitre 'd was a nice touch. The server was attentive and did provide suggestions. We started with the crab stuffed portabella mushroom and the calamari. We thought the crab stuffed mushroom was excellent. The Calamari was better than average but but not outstanding. The batter was light and not greasy and it was cooked correctly. It just was missing something to put it over the top. The main courses were Veal Florentine, Fruitti Di Mare, Steak and Cheese Calzone and the Medallion Al Cacciatore. We sampled each of the dishes. The Veal was very nice and tender and had a lovely light sauce. The Fruitti Di Mare (Muscles, Claims, Calamari and shrimp on a bed of risotto). The seafood was all cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful. There was a good amount of butter on this dish but it did not affect the flavor or make it oily. The Medallion was steak in a red wine sauce with mushrooms and onions. The flavor in this dish was the overall winner as best of the evening. The meat was nice and tender as well. As for the Calzone that is a basic simple item. Meat and cheese rapped in dough they are pretty hard to screw up or make it outstanding so no further comments are needed. Overall we are very pleased with this find and the fact that it is so close to home makes it a great find for us. If you are looking for a good evening that is not in an overly crowded neighborhood this should be on your radar.
Best Italian food in town ! Fresh, made to order. Great service & atmosphere ! The Bleu Filet Pasta is absolutely delicious ! my favorite ! Fri & Sat nights live music is very entertaining ! Adds to the overall ambiance of the restaurant !
(5)
Christopher R.
I find that some negative reviews can be comical especially Dr J M. I understand each has their own opinion and experience. I see his comment as a fragrant assault on a business to try and ruin its reputation. Yes if you come in you will see a extremely large man either at the bar or sitting at a table. That is me, the man with a face on this profile. Yes I love great tasting food and do not waste my money. I have yet to eat a god awfully meal as you expressed in your review. Same restaurant, same chef!!! Does not matter what restaurant I eat if I get awful food. I ask to speak to management or the chef personally. This only improves the restaurant. Question I have is did you ask to speak and voice your objection for the meal or just run to social media. Sounds to me you are a fake account and looking to ruin businesses. Must be a competitor????????
(5)
Cathy M.
This was my first time dining here and it was a good experience. The atmosphere was pleasant and the wait staff very attentive. I ordered the ravioli di Portobello and it was very good with lots of mushrooms and cream sauce. My salad had the house Italian dressing and was delicious! It was a great experience and I will be going back again soon. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Jax. It rivals one we visit when in Las Vegas!
(3)
Maya C.
I needed a place where I could host a small dinner party and gift exchange away from the madness of the last minute holiday shoppers aka the malls/town center. Some where that was more intimate, a non-chain, and we could all hear each other. Another Yelper suggested Toscana so I decided to give it a shot. For a Friday night, the parking lot was packed but I think that was more for the Players Grille which is in the same shopping center. Walking up to the door I could see that Toscana was hopping. Thank god I had made reservations in advance. They had our tables set up for us and I took a seat as I waited for my friends. I didn't know they had Happy Hour so I came in at the right time. We were directly in front of the piano man who was cranking out the Christmas tunes as well as some old piano favorites. Unfortunately this added to the noise level as we had to speak to each other louder than normal. I was trying to avoid this but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Our server Josef took care of all us and he was awesome. Two of us decided to get an appetizer of the Crab Stuffed Portabella Mushroom. Josef warned us that it was just one big mushroom and we were fine with that. When it came out, we were left scratching our heads. There was the plate with a salad pile on it, but no mushroom. I was about to call the waiter back to tell him he gave me no mushroom until the other person figured out that the mushroom was under the pile. I scraped the salad to the side and there it was, kinda flat and disappointing looking. It was supposed to be stuffed with crab cake but it was more like crab cake breading. The mushroom and the salad was good though. Next came the entree. I decided on the Ravioli di Portabella, another mushroom dish. Again, two of us ordered the same thing. When it came out, it looked and smelled very delicious. What was unique about this dish was that it had a lot of sun dried tomatoes in it. A LOT of tomatoes. I resisted the urge to add salt and pepper but maybe that's why there were so many tomatoes. After awhile, I got used to it. Others ordered the Bleu Filet Pasta which I think was the stand-out dish of the night. Two of my friends ordered it and raved about how tender and well seasoned the Beef Tenderloin was. I got to taste a piece of it and it was awesome especially with the spinach, mushrooms (yes, more mushrooms) in a Gorgonzola Alfredo sauce. Everyone at our table enjoyed their food and I heard no complaints. We didn't have any room for dessert and were anxious to do our gift exchange game. I appreciated the fact that it was getting close to the restaurant's closing time and they didn't try to hurry us out. We all had a good time. I'm not sure about the other negative reviews. Maybe it was a bad night. I'll definitely suggest this place to others so they can have their own experience.
(4)
Kimberly K.
I know that this chef goes out of his way to show customers that they are and always will be his number one priority. He will go above and beyond what any chef does. He made a dessert for my daughters birthday just because it's her favorite dessert....it's not even an Italian dish!! You can tell how his heart and soul goes into each and every dish he prepares. And....if anyone is not 100% satisfied, (which is very rare) he goes above and beyond to make it right so the customer leaves fully satisfied and happy.
(5)
Jerry L.
Service was fast and polite. Salad was fresh and crispy , tasty balsamic vinaigrette. Chicken piccatta was so tender you can cut it with a fork
(4)
Lizzy C.
My husband and I are new comers to the San Marco area and decided to try Toscana when we weren't feeling like battling Saturday night crowds at the more popular chain restaurants. We made the right decision! The dining room is dimly lit, romantic & comfortable and they even had a musician playing the piano to set the mood. There was no wait for a table on Saturday at 7:30, a rarity. The service was excellent and we were brought our drinks and fresh bread right away. The bread was some kind of italian herbed rolls. It came out fluffy & piping hot. Yum! I ordered the spahetti toscana, It was a lighter dish with fresh tomatoes, peppers, olives with a simple olive oil sauce. You could tell the pasta was home-made. My husband had the tour of italy, complete with lasagna, chicken parm & alfredo. It was all perfectly prepared & seasoned. We will definitely be returning to Toscana, as there were so many items on the menu that we wanted to try.
(5)
Thomas J.
They did it again! I am in love with Toscana. The service was wonderful, thank you Joseph. I just had Gall Bladder surgery but really was in the mood for Italian so down to Toscana we went. My beautiful wife had chicken piccata and I had the chicken parmigiana both were exceptional. The portions were incredible, have plenty to bring home. We ended the meal with the red velvet cake and it didn't disappoint. The piano player in the back was wonderful, superb ambiance. You can't go wrong here!
(5)
Yvonne R.
The food was good and the atmosphere was casual. The service was a little slow, but the food was worth the wait.
(4)
Matthew D.
Impeccable service and delicious food. Have dined here several times, excellent experiences each time. Food recommended includes fettuccine alfredo, chicken saltimbocca, and for a flavor of several dishes I recommend trying the Tour of Italy, including the alfredo, chicken parmigiana and lasagna in ample servings. The only minor struggle is their blue cheese dressing is less than stellar, otherwise high marks for other salad dressings and the rest of their food. Definitely a spot that could become a goto Italian joint for near anyone.
(4)
Shell A.
After seeing all the good reviews I question whether I just came here on an off day, but never in my life have I enjoyed the cold leftovers more than the freshly served hot meal. The cheese filled tortellini with fresh broccoli and sun dried tomatoes sounded delicious. It came out looking like a zap fried TV dinner with old previously frozen broccoli and swimming in oil. I was pretty disappointed upon seeing it, and even more so upon eating it. Oddly enough, it was much tastier leftover straight from my refrigerator.
(2)
Steve P.
Great little Italian place. I enjoyed the Salmon Teresa. Shared some Calamari with the table - and topped it off with some red velvet cake. Next time, though, need to try the Tiramisu (it's made in the restaurant).
(4)
Ron D.
Terrific family owned neighborhood Italian restaurant. Food and service was the best.
(5)
Craig E.
I've been driving by this place forever, and never ventured in. Thanks to Yelp, I read some of the reviews and decided to stop in for dinner. Our server was knowledgeable and very attentive, not to mention having some "maturity" - which we always appreciate. We had the meatball appetizer - 4 meatballs in a good marinara, with a little parma on top. The meatballs were seasoned nicely and with balance, and were tender - not rubbery like some others we've had. We liked the marinara so much we kept the dish after finishing the meatballs, so we could sop up the sauce with the garlic rolls that are the standard "bread" for the table. House salads were above average for this kind of place, with carrot, cucumber, tomato and some colorful greens in addition to the usual iceberg lettuce. The house vinaigrette was very nice with some carefully balanced seasoning that was delicious but made it difficult to determine exactly what went in to it. We went mostly for pasta on this visit, but the menu has a number of things (like Veal Osso Bucco, rack of Lamb, etc) that we want to sample on another outing. Entrees were the Tour of Italy and Bleu Filet Fettucine. The tour of Italy included Chicken Parm, Lasagne, and Fettucine Alfredo. All excellent, but the Chicken Parm was exceptional - we believe the chicken breast had been marinated before breading and cooking, which made it really tasty. The Alfredo was very nice, and not overly heavy on the sauce so you aren't overwhelmed with fatty calories. The Bleu Fillet pasta was unusual, with pieces of tender grilled fillet, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and spinach in a gorgonzola sauce that let you know there was some cheese in there, but did not overwhelm you. Once again, the chef knows how to balance his ingredients and seasoning at this place. A little drizzle of balsamic around the edges lends the dish a little contrast, when you want it. Overall, a very positive experience. We will add Toscana to our regular rotation!
(4)
Elizabeth A.
While this is my first Yelp review - I've been to this restaurant many times. I love this place. The staff are so friendly. The food is wonderful. Sometimes on Fridays there is a piano player. It's just great - never a disappointment.
(5)
Jim R.
Went here based on the wonderful reviews. Our Tuscan soup was thin and not exceptional in any way. All four entrees were Pedestrian at best, as was the waiter. Sorry, but outstanding does not apply to the food or the establishment. Give me Olive Garden any time.
(1)
Bob S.
Quaint dining, extensive menu. I had the chicken piccata, and it was very good, the chicken was cooked through, but not over cooked. The dish was served with vermicelli, and the sauce included artichokes and a little bit of pimento, in addition to the capers. Seemed to be a good crowd on a Friday evening, many people came to pick up to-go orders while I dined. Desserts included tiramisu, cheesecake, red velvet cake, and... I forgot. None of the choices caused me to abandon my pseudo-diet. I was a little disappointed that they did not have any port for after dinner -- they offered me coffee, but I am not a caffeine based lifeform. On Hendricks @ San Jose, same strip mall as Player's Grille.
(4)
Steven G.
This place is really good. Hot bread great pizza and really good salads. As good as enza's but cheaper.
(5)
Jim B.
Great food and great atmosphere. Wait staff are awesome.
(5)
William R.
A great neighborhood restaurant that never disappoints. One of the best Italian eateries in North Florida. Priced right with a nice ambiance. The host is a great guy, always dressed like he just came from NYC or Vegas. You can't go wrong at Toscana.
(5)
Paul H.
We decided to try Toscana's tonight and we were glad we did. It was a later dinner do to the bad weather that rolled in tonight. By the time we got to restaurant it was after 8:30pm. The restaurant was about 35% full. The atmosphere was nice, not loud. The old school maitre 'd was a nice touch. The server was attentive and did provide suggestions. We started with the crab stuffed portabella mushroom and the calamari. We thought the crab stuffed mushroom was excellent. The Calamari was better than average but but not outstanding. The batter was light and not greasy and it was cooked correctly. It just was missing something to put it over the top. The main courses were Veal Florentine, Fruitti Di Mare, Steak and Cheese Calzone and the Medallion Al Cacciatore. We sampled each of the dishes. The Veal was very nice and tender and had a lovely light sauce. The Fruitti Di Mare (Muscles, Claims, Calamari and shrimp on a bed of risotto). The seafood was all cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful. There was a good amount of butter on this dish but it did not affect the flavor or make it oily. The Medallion was steak in a red wine sauce with mushrooms and onions. The flavor in this dish was the overall winner as best of the evening. The meat was nice and tender as well. As for the Calzone that is a basic simple item. Meat and cheese rapped in dough they are pretty hard to screw up or make it outstanding so no further comments are needed. Overall we are very pleased with this find and the fact that it is so close to home makes it a great find for us. If you are looking for a good evening that is not in an overly crowded neighborhood this should be on your radar.
(4)
Elvin B.
Oh my goodness, where do I begin? My good friend JT told me this place had great sausage, so I thought I would check it out. I was greeted with a friendly attitude and things seemed to be shaping up for a great meal. Little did I know that I was in for a culinary nightmare! I ordered the meatballs as an appetizer and found them very similar to Hormel frozen meatballs (Subway meatballs are better). The sauce tasted like Prego mixed with way too much cheap wine. My main course of sausage and peppers arrived, and I couldn't be more disappointed. JT told me the sausage was large, but it was average at best. It was covered in more of the disgusting wine/Prego mixture and was very dry. I voiced my concern with the manager and was told bluntly to "pay and get out". When I suggested that the food be discounted, a huge, beastly man came from behind the bar and told me that I could pay anf get out or he would resort to physical violence. I asked him his name and he told me "Big C is who it be". Fearful for my safety, I paid the bill and left. I won't be returning, either.
(1)
Stephanie D.
I just lived through my own "kitchen nightmare" and it's a shame because this restaurant used to be so good. But I won't be back. My husband ordered grilled chicken breast. Even I can make grilled chicken breast. It was so dry, so, so dry. He sent it back and when the rest of us were almost through eating he told the waitress to just forget it. She said it was taking longer because the chef had to cook it the way my husband liked it. How many ways are there to cook a chicken breast? How long does it take to make one? I ordered the mussels fra diavlo. They serve a good amount of mussels but 10 of them were sealed shut. According to the Huffington Post and several other sites" if a mussel is still closed after cooking there is a good chance it has gone bad because it was already dead before cooking. Not a good sign. I asked for the manager. The hostess said she would go get him. She went in the back of the restaurant, came back, and said, "I was told the manager isn't here". I asked if someone was in charge, she said yes and a gentleman ,who claimed to be the owner, with a very bad attitude came out. When I told him I didn't think the mussels were fresh he said, "we don't even make them here". Okay, if I wanted frozen mussels, I probably could get them at Publix and cook them myself. And since when does getting them elsewhere equal fresh? He was so rude to us that I find it hard to believe that he was the owner. Does anyone know a good Italian restaurant in this area? I'm not asking for much. I'd like them to cook their own food, serve fresh food, and know how to cook a chicken breast!
(1)
Deepan M.
We came to Toscana for lunch for a nice Italian meal. The decor is very nice and clean. The waitress was very polite and quick with our food and drinks. Now the important stuff, the food! We had soup and salad which were both good. My friend had the mushroom ravioli which was made fresh with an amazing white sauce. I had the eggplant Parmesan which also had a great with a very fresh, tomato sauce that was very tasty. Great restaurant for lunch and will try to come for dinner soon.
(5)
Elizabeth J.
Warm greeting at the door started things off on the right foot. Comfy interior including bar with the game on! Very attentive service from waitstaff. Chef and owner also came by to check on things. Food was fantastic. Very hard to find anything to criticize. We will definitely be back!
(5)
J. C.
Well where do I start, I went there march 31, my birthday a party of 12 ,previously been there. Food was good so I wanted my family to enjoy.... well food was cold, service was one person ( running with head chopped off ) POOR . Food wasn't set out properly ( wrong orders after waiting 30 min. For the right food) . Well went there last night 5-17-2014 , maybe party was to big, tried it again , we started by asking for extra garlic on the bread , girl had foreign accent ( not Italian) didn't understand she kept bringing the wrong stuff , finally she figured out . My friend asked for cooked filet chicken .... Chicken was very Dry ,his wife had mussels in sauce 9 out of 12 was still closed. Of which should be ALL open before in sauce..... Complained to waitress , asked for new cooked chicken ....Manager called told of situation he was sorry except mussels felt was ok ( not healthy shows not cooked all the way) chicken ( 2 nd) Never showed up waited 20 minutes manager got really sassy with us and LOUD ..!!!! Payed our bills an left. .......VERY. BAD .
(1)
Pam J.
My family has been going to Toscana--usually take out pizza--since it opened a few years ago. The last 2 times I ordered pizzas they messed the order up somehow and were very apologetic and offered some sort of "freebie"--free sodas while we waited or a free pizza along with the incorrect one. Today I ordered 1 pizza and an appetizer to pick up for my husband and a work colleague. I was told it would take 20-25 minutes. I arrived at the 25 min. mark and was told it would be about 5 more minutes. Was asked if I wanted something to drink, nice. But I ended up being there 30 minutes longer. My appetizer was given to me way before my pizza and was cold by the time I got it home. It ended up being 45 minutes from the time I called in the order. When I mentioned it to the person helping me, she stammered and said that my credit card had already been run through and that there was nothing she could do. Not to mention there was NO ONE else in the restaurant except for employees eating. I won't be going back. I'm pretty sure you can void out a transaction and re-run the credit card for a lesser amount. This is 2015 after all.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Quiet Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Pizza is a famous Italian dish savored around the world. The entire credit for the popularity of Pizza in the United States goes to the chain of pizzerias all over the country. While the base and the texture of Pizza remains same across the globe, it's the toppings that differs from country to country. In the United States, you will find the top pizzerias serving pizzas with the toppings of mainly beef, bacon, chicken, ham, and sausage for the non-vegetarians. Other than these famous meat options, Pizzas with veg toppings such as mushrooms, pepperonis, garlic, tomatoes, spinach, etc. are also famous in most restaurants in the United States.
Irrespective of your locality, you will find a variety of different restaurants in your cities offering pizzas of all different types. Pizza is hot favorite among people of all ages in the United States. A large size pizza is enough to feed a family of 3 or 4 at large. Pizza is also the most preferred food whenever a group of friends is hanging out together. Pizza gained popularity in the United States after the American soldiers stationed in Italy returned from World War II.
Over the years, different pizzerias in the United States have developed their own respective regional variations. Pizza gained popularity as the iconic dish in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. Whether you prefer thin or thick crust pizza, you can find a pizza of your preference at the best pizza restaurants in your city.
Italian Cuisine
The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.
Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.
If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.
Matthew D.
Impeccable service and delicious food. Have dined here several times, excellent experiences each time. Food recommended includes fettuccine alfredo, chicken saltimbocca, and for a flavor of several dishes I recommend trying the Tour of Italy, including the alfredo, chicken parmigiana and lasagna in ample servings. The only minor struggle is their blue cheese dressing is less than stellar, otherwise high marks for other salad dressings and the rest of their food. Definitely a spot that could become a goto Italian joint for near anyone.
(4)Marie F.
Friend wanted Italian for her bday and salsa dancing after. To accommodate I looked for restaurants that would be close in proximity to a salsa club as to not lose anyone or cause excessive driving. I checked out the reviews then decided to check out the place myself. I loved the dark wood décor and such friendly hostess. I called in to make a reservation. I let them know that party size might change due to last minute attendees and cancellations. They said no problem. I arrive and immediately greeted. Server leads me to this huge table awaiting are group. Once everyone finds the little restaurant tucked away in the plaza we order drinks and calamari for the table. I have never had calamari that tasted this good. And the salad was so fresh and crispy. (I stopped taking pics once the main courses arrived.) Which we took pictures and shared birthday blessings a man on a keyboard in front decided to serenade us. Food came out quickly and was plentiful. There was something for everyone. Those that ordered traditional pasta dishes had plenty of leftovers. Which everyone else was pleasantly filled. No one had any room for dessert but the staff still brought something out for the birthday girl with candles and sang in Italian. Noise levels were pretty quiet aside from our festive table. Casual restaurants that makes you want to dress up just a little. Ambiance is casual (tv was playing some sports game) but works for large parties to very intimate and romantic occasions.
(4)Claudia A.
Best Italian food in town ! Fresh, made to order. Great service & atmosphere ! The Bleu Filet Pasta is absolutely delicious ! my favorite ! Fri & Sat nights live music is very entertaining ! Adds to the overall ambiance of the restaurant !
(5)Christopher R.
I find that some negative reviews can be comical especially Dr J M. I understand each has their own opinion and experience. I see his comment as a fragrant assault on a business to try and ruin its reputation. Yes if you come in you will see a extremely large man either at the bar or sitting at a table. That is me, the man with a face on this profile. Yes I love great tasting food and do not waste my money. I have yet to eat a god awfully meal as you expressed in your review. Same restaurant, same chef!!! Does not matter what restaurant I eat if I get awful food. I ask to speak to management or the chef personally. This only improves the restaurant. Question I have is did you ask to speak and voice your objection for the meal or just run to social media. Sounds to me you are a fake account and looking to ruin businesses. Must be a competitor????????
(5)Cathy M.
This was my first time dining here and it was a good experience. The atmosphere was pleasant and the wait staff very attentive. I ordered the ravioli di Portobello and it was very good with lots of mushrooms and cream sauce. My salad had the house Italian dressing and was delicious! It was a great experience and I will be going back again soon. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Jax. It rivals one we visit when in Las Vegas!
(3)Maya C.
I needed a place where I could host a small dinner party and gift exchange away from the madness of the last minute holiday shoppers aka the malls/town center. Some where that was more intimate, a non-chain, and we could all hear each other. Another Yelper suggested Toscana so I decided to give it a shot. For a Friday night, the parking lot was packed but I think that was more for the Players Grille which is in the same shopping center. Walking up to the door I could see that Toscana was hopping. Thank god I had made reservations in advance. They had our tables set up for us and I took a seat as I waited for my friends. I didn't know they had Happy Hour so I came in at the right time. We were directly in front of the piano man who was cranking out the Christmas tunes as well as some old piano favorites. Unfortunately this added to the noise level as we had to speak to each other louder than normal. I was trying to avoid this but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Our server Josef took care of all us and he was awesome. Two of us decided to get an appetizer of the Crab Stuffed Portabella Mushroom. Josef warned us that it was just one big mushroom and we were fine with that. When it came out, we were left scratching our heads. There was the plate with a salad pile on it, but no mushroom. I was about to call the waiter back to tell him he gave me no mushroom until the other person figured out that the mushroom was under the pile. I scraped the salad to the side and there it was, kinda flat and disappointing looking. It was supposed to be stuffed with crab cake but it was more like crab cake breading. The mushroom and the salad was good though. Next came the entree. I decided on the Ravioli di Portabella, another mushroom dish. Again, two of us ordered the same thing. When it came out, it looked and smelled very delicious. What was unique about this dish was that it had a lot of sun dried tomatoes in it. A LOT of tomatoes. I resisted the urge to add salt and pepper but maybe that's why there were so many tomatoes. After awhile, I got used to it. Others ordered the Bleu Filet Pasta which I think was the stand-out dish of the night. Two of my friends ordered it and raved about how tender and well seasoned the Beef Tenderloin was. I got to taste a piece of it and it was awesome especially with the spinach, mushrooms (yes, more mushrooms) in a Gorgonzola Alfredo sauce. Everyone at our table enjoyed their food and I heard no complaints. We didn't have any room for dessert and were anxious to do our gift exchange game. I appreciated the fact that it was getting close to the restaurant's closing time and they didn't try to hurry us out. We all had a good time. I'm not sure about the other negative reviews. Maybe it was a bad night. I'll definitely suggest this place to others so they can have their own experience.
(4)Kimberly K.
I know that this chef goes out of his way to show customers that they are and always will be his number one priority. He will go above and beyond what any chef does. He made a dessert for my daughters birthday just because it's her favorite dessert....it's not even an Italian dish!! You can tell how his heart and soul goes into each and every dish he prepares. And....if anyone is not 100% satisfied, (which is very rare) he goes above and beyond to make it right so the customer leaves fully satisfied and happy.
(5)Jerry L.
Service was fast and polite. Salad was fresh and crispy , tasty balsamic vinaigrette. Chicken piccatta was so tender you can cut it with a fork
(4)Elvin B.
Oh my goodness, where do I begin? My good friend JT told me this place had great sausage, so I thought I would check it out. I was greeted with a friendly attitude and things seemed to be shaping up for a great meal. Little did I know that I was in for a culinary nightmare! I ordered the meatballs as an appetizer and found them very similar to Hormel frozen meatballs (Subway meatballs are better). The sauce tasted like Prego mixed with way too much cheap wine. My main course of sausage and peppers arrived, and I couldn't be more disappointed. JT told me the sausage was large, but it was average at best. It was covered in more of the disgusting wine/Prego mixture and was very dry. I voiced my concern with the manager and was told bluntly to "pay and get out". When I suggested that the food be discounted, a huge, beastly man came from behind the bar and told me that I could pay anf get out or he would resort to physical violence. I asked him his name and he told me "Big C is who it be". Fearful for my safety, I paid the bill and left. I won't be returning, either.
(1)Stephanie D.
I just lived through my own "kitchen nightmare" and it's a shame because this restaurant used to be so good. But I won't be back. My husband ordered grilled chicken breast. Even I can make grilled chicken breast. It was so dry, so, so dry. He sent it back and when the rest of us were almost through eating he told the waitress to just forget it. She said it was taking longer because the chef had to cook it the way my husband liked it. How many ways are there to cook a chicken breast? How long does it take to make one? I ordered the mussels fra diavlo. They serve a good amount of mussels but 10 of them were sealed shut. According to the Huffington Post and several other sites" if a mussel is still closed after cooking there is a good chance it has gone bad because it was already dead before cooking. Not a good sign. I asked for the manager. The hostess said she would go get him. She went in the back of the restaurant, came back, and said, "I was told the manager isn't here". I asked if someone was in charge, she said yes and a gentleman ,who claimed to be the owner, with a very bad attitude came out. When I told him I didn't think the mussels were fresh he said, "we don't even make them here". Okay, if I wanted frozen mussels, I probably could get them at Publix and cook them myself. And since when does getting them elsewhere equal fresh? He was so rude to us that I find it hard to believe that he was the owner. Does anyone know a good Italian restaurant in this area? I'm not asking for much. I'd like them to cook their own food, serve fresh food, and know how to cook a chicken breast!
(1)Deepan M.
We came to Toscana for lunch for a nice Italian meal. The decor is very nice and clean. The waitress was very polite and quick with our food and drinks. Now the important stuff, the food! We had soup and salad which were both good. My friend had the mushroom ravioli which was made fresh with an amazing white sauce. I had the eggplant Parmesan which also had a great with a very fresh, tomato sauce that was very tasty. Great restaurant for lunch and will try to come for dinner soon.
(5)J. C.
Well where do I start, I went there march 31, my birthday a party of 12 ,previously been there. Food was good so I wanted my family to enjoy.... well food was cold, service was one person ( running with head chopped off ) POOR . Food wasn't set out properly ( wrong orders after waiting 30 min. For the right food) . Well went there last night 5-17-2014 , maybe party was to big, tried it again , we started by asking for extra garlic on the bread , girl had foreign accent ( not Italian) didn't understand she kept bringing the wrong stuff , finally she figured out . My friend asked for cooked filet chicken .... Chicken was very Dry ,his wife had mussels in sauce 9 out of 12 was still closed. Of which should be ALL open before in sauce..... Complained to waitress , asked for new cooked chicken ....Manager called told of situation he was sorry except mussels felt was ok ( not healthy shows not cooked all the way) chicken ( 2 nd) Never showed up waited 20 minutes manager got really sassy with us and LOUD ..!!!! Payed our bills an left. .......VERY. BAD .
(1)Pam J.
My family has been going to Toscana--usually take out pizza--since it opened a few years ago. The last 2 times I ordered pizzas they messed the order up somehow and were very apologetic and offered some sort of "freebie"--free sodas while we waited or a free pizza along with the incorrect one. Today I ordered 1 pizza and an appetizer to pick up for my husband and a work colleague. I was told it would take 20-25 minutes. I arrived at the 25 min. mark and was told it would be about 5 more minutes. Was asked if I wanted something to drink, nice. But I ended up being there 30 minutes longer. My appetizer was given to me way before my pizza and was cold by the time I got it home. It ended up being 45 minutes from the time I called in the order. When I mentioned it to the person helping me, she stammered and said that my credit card had already been run through and that there was nothing she could do. Not to mention there was NO ONE else in the restaurant except for employees eating. I won't be going back. I'm pretty sure you can void out a transaction and re-run the credit card for a lesser amount. This is 2015 after all.
(1)Shell A.
After seeing all the good reviews I question whether I just came here on an off day, but never in my life have I enjoyed the cold leftovers more than the freshly served hot meal. The cheese filled tortellini with fresh broccoli and sun dried tomatoes sounded delicious. It came out looking like a zap fried TV dinner with old previously frozen broccoli and swimming in oil. I was pretty disappointed upon seeing it, and even more so upon eating it. Oddly enough, it was much tastier leftover straight from my refrigerator.
(2)Steve P.
Great little Italian place. I enjoyed the Salmon Teresa. Shared some Calamari with the table - and topped it off with some red velvet cake. Next time, though, need to try the Tiramisu (it's made in the restaurant).
(4)Ron D.
Terrific family owned neighborhood Italian restaurant. Food and service was the best.
(5)Craig E.
I've been driving by this place forever, and never ventured in. Thanks to Yelp, I read some of the reviews and decided to stop in for dinner. Our server was knowledgeable and very attentive, not to mention having some "maturity" - which we always appreciate. We had the meatball appetizer - 4 meatballs in a good marinara, with a little parma on top. The meatballs were seasoned nicely and with balance, and were tender - not rubbery like some others we've had. We liked the marinara so much we kept the dish after finishing the meatballs, so we could sop up the sauce with the garlic rolls that are the standard "bread" for the table. House salads were above average for this kind of place, with carrot, cucumber, tomato and some colorful greens in addition to the usual iceberg lettuce. The house vinaigrette was very nice with some carefully balanced seasoning that was delicious but made it difficult to determine exactly what went in to it. We went mostly for pasta on this visit, but the menu has a number of things (like Veal Osso Bucco, rack of Lamb, etc) that we want to sample on another outing. Entrees were the Tour of Italy and Bleu Filet Fettucine. The tour of Italy included Chicken Parm, Lasagne, and Fettucine Alfredo. All excellent, but the Chicken Parm was exceptional - we believe the chicken breast had been marinated before breading and cooking, which made it really tasty. The Alfredo was very nice, and not overly heavy on the sauce so you aren't overwhelmed with fatty calories. The Bleu Fillet pasta was unusual, with pieces of tender grilled fillet, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and spinach in a gorgonzola sauce that let you know there was some cheese in there, but did not overwhelm you. Once again, the chef knows how to balance his ingredients and seasoning at this place. A little drizzle of balsamic around the edges lends the dish a little contrast, when you want it. Overall, a very positive experience. We will add Toscana to our regular rotation!
(4)Elizabeth A.
While this is my first Yelp review - I've been to this restaurant many times. I love this place. The staff are so friendly. The food is wonderful. Sometimes on Fridays there is a piano player. It's just great - never a disappointment.
(5)Thomas J.
They did it again! I am in love with Toscana. The service was wonderful, thank you Joseph. I just had Gall Bladder surgery but really was in the mood for Italian so down to Toscana we went. My beautiful wife had chicken piccata and I had the chicken parmigiana both were exceptional. The portions were incredible, have plenty to bring home. We ended the meal with the red velvet cake and it didn't disappoint. The piano player in the back was wonderful, superb ambiance. You can't go wrong here!
(5)Yvonne R.
The food was good and the atmosphere was casual. The service was a little slow, but the food was worth the wait.
(4)Lizzy C.
My husband and I are new comers to the San Marco area and decided to try Toscana when we weren't feeling like battling Saturday night crowds at the more popular chain restaurants. We made the right decision! The dining room is dimly lit, romantic & comfortable and they even had a musician playing the piano to set the mood. There was no wait for a table on Saturday at 7:30, a rarity. The service was excellent and we were brought our drinks and fresh bread right away. The bread was some kind of italian herbed rolls. It came out fluffy & piping hot. Yum! I ordered the spahetti toscana, It was a lighter dish with fresh tomatoes, peppers, olives with a simple olive oil sauce. You could tell the pasta was home-made. My husband had the tour of italy, complete with lasagna, chicken parm & alfredo. It was all perfectly prepared & seasoned. We will definitely be returning to Toscana, as there were so many items on the menu that we wanted to try.
(5)Elizabeth J.
Warm greeting at the door started things off on the right foot. Comfy interior including bar with the game on! Very attentive service from waitstaff. Chef and owner also came by to check on things. Food was fantastic. Very hard to find anything to criticize. We will definitely be back!
(5)Jim R.
Went here based on the wonderful reviews. Our Tuscan soup was thin and not exceptional in any way. All four entrees were Pedestrian at best, as was the waiter. Sorry, but outstanding does not apply to the food or the establishment. Give me Olive Garden any time.
(1)Bob S.
Quaint dining, extensive menu. I had the chicken piccata, and it was very good, the chicken was cooked through, but not over cooked. The dish was served with vermicelli, and the sauce included artichokes and a little bit of pimento, in addition to the capers. Seemed to be a good crowd on a Friday evening, many people came to pick up to-go orders while I dined. Desserts included tiramisu, cheesecake, red velvet cake, and... I forgot. None of the choices caused me to abandon my pseudo-diet. I was a little disappointed that they did not have any port for after dinner -- they offered me coffee, but I am not a caffeine based lifeform. On Hendricks @ San Jose, same strip mall as Player's Grille.
(4)Steven G.
This place is really good. Hot bread great pizza and really good salads. As good as enza's but cheaper.
(5)Jim B.
Great food and great atmosphere. Wait staff are awesome.
(5)William R.
A great neighborhood restaurant that never disappoints. One of the best Italian eateries in North Florida. Priced right with a nice ambiance. The host is a great guy, always dressed like he just came from NYC or Vegas. You can't go wrong at Toscana.
(5)Paul H.
We decided to try Toscana's tonight and we were glad we did. It was a later dinner do to the bad weather that rolled in tonight. By the time we got to restaurant it was after 8:30pm. The restaurant was about 35% full. The atmosphere was nice, not loud. The old school maitre 'd was a nice touch. The server was attentive and did provide suggestions. We started with the crab stuffed portabella mushroom and the calamari. We thought the crab stuffed mushroom was excellent. The Calamari was better than average but but not outstanding. The batter was light and not greasy and it was cooked correctly. It just was missing something to put it over the top. The main courses were Veal Florentine, Fruitti Di Mare, Steak and Cheese Calzone and the Medallion Al Cacciatore. We sampled each of the dishes. The Veal was very nice and tender and had a lovely light sauce. The Fruitti Di Mare (Muscles, Claims, Calamari and shrimp on a bed of risotto). The seafood was all cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful. There was a good amount of butter on this dish but it did not affect the flavor or make it oily. The Medallion was steak in a red wine sauce with mushrooms and onions. The flavor in this dish was the overall winner as best of the evening. The meat was nice and tender as well. As for the Calzone that is a basic simple item. Meat and cheese rapped in dough they are pretty hard to screw up or make it outstanding so no further comments are needed. Overall we are very pleased with this find and the fact that it is so close to home makes it a great find for us. If you are looking for a good evening that is not in an overly crowded neighborhood this should be on your radar.
(4)Marie F.
Friend wanted Italian for her bday and salsa dancing after. To accommodate I looked for restaurants that would be close in proximity to a salsa club as to not lose anyone or cause excessive driving. I checked out the reviews then decided to check out the place myself. I loved the dark wood décor and such friendly hostess. I called in to make a reservation. I let them know that party size might change due to last minute attendees and cancellations. They said no problem. I arrive and immediately greeted. Server leads me to this huge table awaiting are group. Once everyone finds the little restaurant tucked away in the plaza we order drinks and calamari for the table. I have never had calamari that tasted this good. And the salad was so fresh and crispy. (I stopped taking pics once the main courses arrived.) Which we took pictures and shared birthday blessings a man on a keyboard in front decided to serenade us. Food came out quickly and was plentiful. There was something for everyone. Those that ordered traditional pasta dishes had plenty of leftovers. Which everyone else was pleasantly filled. No one had any room for dessert but the staff still brought something out for the birthday girl with candles and sang in Italian. Noise levels were pretty quiet aside from our festive table. Casual restaurants that makes you want to dress up just a little. Ambiance is casual (tv was playing some sports game) but works for large parties to very intimate and romantic occasions.
(4)Claudia A.
Best Italian food in town ! Fresh, made to order. Great service & atmosphere ! The Bleu Filet Pasta is absolutely delicious ! my favorite ! Fri & Sat nights live music is very entertaining ! Adds to the overall ambiance of the restaurant !
(5)Christopher R.
I find that some negative reviews can be comical especially Dr J M. I understand each has their own opinion and experience. I see his comment as a fragrant assault on a business to try and ruin its reputation. Yes if you come in you will see a extremely large man either at the bar or sitting at a table. That is me, the man with a face on this profile. Yes I love great tasting food and do not waste my money. I have yet to eat a god awfully meal as you expressed in your review. Same restaurant, same chef!!! Does not matter what restaurant I eat if I get awful food. I ask to speak to management or the chef personally. This only improves the restaurant. Question I have is did you ask to speak and voice your objection for the meal or just run to social media. Sounds to me you are a fake account and looking to ruin businesses. Must be a competitor????????
(5)Cathy M.
This was my first time dining here and it was a good experience. The atmosphere was pleasant and the wait staff very attentive. I ordered the ravioli di Portobello and it was very good with lots of mushrooms and cream sauce. My salad had the house Italian dressing and was delicious! It was a great experience and I will be going back again soon. This is one of the best Italian restaurants in Jax. It rivals one we visit when in Las Vegas!
(3)Maya C.
I needed a place where I could host a small dinner party and gift exchange away from the madness of the last minute holiday shoppers aka the malls/town center. Some where that was more intimate, a non-chain, and we could all hear each other. Another Yelper suggested Toscana so I decided to give it a shot. For a Friday night, the parking lot was packed but I think that was more for the Players Grille which is in the same shopping center. Walking up to the door I could see that Toscana was hopping. Thank god I had made reservations in advance. They had our tables set up for us and I took a seat as I waited for my friends. I didn't know they had Happy Hour so I came in at the right time. We were directly in front of the piano man who was cranking out the Christmas tunes as well as some old piano favorites. Unfortunately this added to the noise level as we had to speak to each other louder than normal. I was trying to avoid this but everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Our server Josef took care of all us and he was awesome. Two of us decided to get an appetizer of the Crab Stuffed Portabella Mushroom. Josef warned us that it was just one big mushroom and we were fine with that. When it came out, we were left scratching our heads. There was the plate with a salad pile on it, but no mushroom. I was about to call the waiter back to tell him he gave me no mushroom until the other person figured out that the mushroom was under the pile. I scraped the salad to the side and there it was, kinda flat and disappointing looking. It was supposed to be stuffed with crab cake but it was more like crab cake breading. The mushroom and the salad was good though. Next came the entree. I decided on the Ravioli di Portabella, another mushroom dish. Again, two of us ordered the same thing. When it came out, it looked and smelled very delicious. What was unique about this dish was that it had a lot of sun dried tomatoes in it. A LOT of tomatoes. I resisted the urge to add salt and pepper but maybe that's why there were so many tomatoes. After awhile, I got used to it. Others ordered the Bleu Filet Pasta which I think was the stand-out dish of the night. Two of my friends ordered it and raved about how tender and well seasoned the Beef Tenderloin was. I got to taste a piece of it and it was awesome especially with the spinach, mushrooms (yes, more mushrooms) in a Gorgonzola Alfredo sauce. Everyone at our table enjoyed their food and I heard no complaints. We didn't have any room for dessert and were anxious to do our gift exchange game. I appreciated the fact that it was getting close to the restaurant's closing time and they didn't try to hurry us out. We all had a good time. I'm not sure about the other negative reviews. Maybe it was a bad night. I'll definitely suggest this place to others so they can have their own experience.
(4)Kimberly K.
I know that this chef goes out of his way to show customers that they are and always will be his number one priority. He will go above and beyond what any chef does. He made a dessert for my daughters birthday just because it's her favorite dessert....it's not even an Italian dish!! You can tell how his heart and soul goes into each and every dish he prepares. And....if anyone is not 100% satisfied, (which is very rare) he goes above and beyond to make it right so the customer leaves fully satisfied and happy.
(5)Jerry L.
Service was fast and polite. Salad was fresh and crispy , tasty balsamic vinaigrette. Chicken piccatta was so tender you can cut it with a fork
(4)Lizzy C.
My husband and I are new comers to the San Marco area and decided to try Toscana when we weren't feeling like battling Saturday night crowds at the more popular chain restaurants. We made the right decision! The dining room is dimly lit, romantic & comfortable and they even had a musician playing the piano to set the mood. There was no wait for a table on Saturday at 7:30, a rarity. The service was excellent and we were brought our drinks and fresh bread right away. The bread was some kind of italian herbed rolls. It came out fluffy & piping hot. Yum! I ordered the spahetti toscana, It was a lighter dish with fresh tomatoes, peppers, olives with a simple olive oil sauce. You could tell the pasta was home-made. My husband had the tour of italy, complete with lasagna, chicken parm & alfredo. It was all perfectly prepared & seasoned. We will definitely be returning to Toscana, as there were so many items on the menu that we wanted to try.
(5)Thomas J.
They did it again! I am in love with Toscana. The service was wonderful, thank you Joseph. I just had Gall Bladder surgery but really was in the mood for Italian so down to Toscana we went. My beautiful wife had chicken piccata and I had the chicken parmigiana both were exceptional. The portions were incredible, have plenty to bring home. We ended the meal with the red velvet cake and it didn't disappoint. The piano player in the back was wonderful, superb ambiance. You can't go wrong here!
(5)Yvonne R.
The food was good and the atmosphere was casual. The service was a little slow, but the food was worth the wait.
(4)Matthew D.
Impeccable service and delicious food. Have dined here several times, excellent experiences each time. Food recommended includes fettuccine alfredo, chicken saltimbocca, and for a flavor of several dishes I recommend trying the Tour of Italy, including the alfredo, chicken parmigiana and lasagna in ample servings. The only minor struggle is their blue cheese dressing is less than stellar, otherwise high marks for other salad dressings and the rest of their food. Definitely a spot that could become a goto Italian joint for near anyone.
(4)Shell A.
After seeing all the good reviews I question whether I just came here on an off day, but never in my life have I enjoyed the cold leftovers more than the freshly served hot meal. The cheese filled tortellini with fresh broccoli and sun dried tomatoes sounded delicious. It came out looking like a zap fried TV dinner with old previously frozen broccoli and swimming in oil. I was pretty disappointed upon seeing it, and even more so upon eating it. Oddly enough, it was much tastier leftover straight from my refrigerator.
(2)Steve P.
Great little Italian place. I enjoyed the Salmon Teresa. Shared some Calamari with the table - and topped it off with some red velvet cake. Next time, though, need to try the Tiramisu (it's made in the restaurant).
(4)Ron D.
Terrific family owned neighborhood Italian restaurant. Food and service was the best.
(5)Craig E.
I've been driving by this place forever, and never ventured in. Thanks to Yelp, I read some of the reviews and decided to stop in for dinner. Our server was knowledgeable and very attentive, not to mention having some "maturity" - which we always appreciate. We had the meatball appetizer - 4 meatballs in a good marinara, with a little parma on top. The meatballs were seasoned nicely and with balance, and were tender - not rubbery like some others we've had. We liked the marinara so much we kept the dish after finishing the meatballs, so we could sop up the sauce with the garlic rolls that are the standard "bread" for the table. House salads were above average for this kind of place, with carrot, cucumber, tomato and some colorful greens in addition to the usual iceberg lettuce. The house vinaigrette was very nice with some carefully balanced seasoning that was delicious but made it difficult to determine exactly what went in to it. We went mostly for pasta on this visit, but the menu has a number of things (like Veal Osso Bucco, rack of Lamb, etc) that we want to sample on another outing. Entrees were the Tour of Italy and Bleu Filet Fettucine. The tour of Italy included Chicken Parm, Lasagne, and Fettucine Alfredo. All excellent, but the Chicken Parm was exceptional - we believe the chicken breast had been marinated before breading and cooking, which made it really tasty. The Alfredo was very nice, and not overly heavy on the sauce so you aren't overwhelmed with fatty calories. The Bleu Fillet pasta was unusual, with pieces of tender grilled fillet, roasted peppers, mushrooms, and spinach in a gorgonzola sauce that let you know there was some cheese in there, but did not overwhelm you. Once again, the chef knows how to balance his ingredients and seasoning at this place. A little drizzle of balsamic around the edges lends the dish a little contrast, when you want it. Overall, a very positive experience. We will add Toscana to our regular rotation!
(4)Elizabeth A.
While this is my first Yelp review - I've been to this restaurant many times. I love this place. The staff are so friendly. The food is wonderful. Sometimes on Fridays there is a piano player. It's just great - never a disappointment.
(5)Jim R.
Went here based on the wonderful reviews. Our Tuscan soup was thin and not exceptional in any way. All four entrees were Pedestrian at best, as was the waiter. Sorry, but outstanding does not apply to the food or the establishment. Give me Olive Garden any time.
(1)Bob S.
Quaint dining, extensive menu. I had the chicken piccata, and it was very good, the chicken was cooked through, but not over cooked. The dish was served with vermicelli, and the sauce included artichokes and a little bit of pimento, in addition to the capers. Seemed to be a good crowd on a Friday evening, many people came to pick up to-go orders while I dined. Desserts included tiramisu, cheesecake, red velvet cake, and... I forgot. None of the choices caused me to abandon my pseudo-diet. I was a little disappointed that they did not have any port for after dinner -- they offered me coffee, but I am not a caffeine based lifeform. On Hendricks @ San Jose, same strip mall as Player's Grille.
(4)Steven G.
This place is really good. Hot bread great pizza and really good salads. As good as enza's but cheaper.
(5)Jim B.
Great food and great atmosphere. Wait staff are awesome.
(5)William R.
A great neighborhood restaurant that never disappoints. One of the best Italian eateries in North Florida. Priced right with a nice ambiance. The host is a great guy, always dressed like he just came from NYC or Vegas. You can't go wrong at Toscana.
(5)Paul H.
We decided to try Toscana's tonight and we were glad we did. It was a later dinner do to the bad weather that rolled in tonight. By the time we got to restaurant it was after 8:30pm. The restaurant was about 35% full. The atmosphere was nice, not loud. The old school maitre 'd was a nice touch. The server was attentive and did provide suggestions. We started with the crab stuffed portabella mushroom and the calamari. We thought the crab stuffed mushroom was excellent. The Calamari was better than average but but not outstanding. The batter was light and not greasy and it was cooked correctly. It just was missing something to put it over the top. The main courses were Veal Florentine, Fruitti Di Mare, Steak and Cheese Calzone and the Medallion Al Cacciatore. We sampled each of the dishes. The Veal was very nice and tender and had a lovely light sauce. The Fruitti Di Mare (Muscles, Claims, Calamari and shrimp on a bed of risotto). The seafood was all cooked perfectly and tasted wonderful. There was a good amount of butter on this dish but it did not affect the flavor or make it oily. The Medallion was steak in a red wine sauce with mushrooms and onions. The flavor in this dish was the overall winner as best of the evening. The meat was nice and tender as well. As for the Calzone that is a basic simple item. Meat and cheese rapped in dough they are pretty hard to screw up or make it outstanding so no further comments are needed. Overall we are very pleased with this find and the fact that it is so close to home makes it a great find for us. If you are looking for a good evening that is not in an overly crowded neighborhood this should be on your radar.
(4)Elvin B.
Oh my goodness, where do I begin? My good friend JT told me this place had great sausage, so I thought I would check it out. I was greeted with a friendly attitude and things seemed to be shaping up for a great meal. Little did I know that I was in for a culinary nightmare! I ordered the meatballs as an appetizer and found them very similar to Hormel frozen meatballs (Subway meatballs are better). The sauce tasted like Prego mixed with way too much cheap wine. My main course of sausage and peppers arrived, and I couldn't be more disappointed. JT told me the sausage was large, but it was average at best. It was covered in more of the disgusting wine/Prego mixture and was very dry. I voiced my concern with the manager and was told bluntly to "pay and get out". When I suggested that the food be discounted, a huge, beastly man came from behind the bar and told me that I could pay anf get out or he would resort to physical violence. I asked him his name and he told me "Big C is who it be". Fearful for my safety, I paid the bill and left. I won't be returning, either.
(1)Stephanie D.
I just lived through my own "kitchen nightmare" and it's a shame because this restaurant used to be so good. But I won't be back. My husband ordered grilled chicken breast. Even I can make grilled chicken breast. It was so dry, so, so dry. He sent it back and when the rest of us were almost through eating he told the waitress to just forget it. She said it was taking longer because the chef had to cook it the way my husband liked it. How many ways are there to cook a chicken breast? How long does it take to make one? I ordered the mussels fra diavlo. They serve a good amount of mussels but 10 of them were sealed shut. According to the Huffington Post and several other sites" if a mussel is still closed after cooking there is a good chance it has gone bad because it was already dead before cooking. Not a good sign. I asked for the manager. The hostess said she would go get him. She went in the back of the restaurant, came back, and said, "I was told the manager isn't here". I asked if someone was in charge, she said yes and a gentleman ,who claimed to be the owner, with a very bad attitude came out. When I told him I didn't think the mussels were fresh he said, "we don't even make them here". Okay, if I wanted frozen mussels, I probably could get them at Publix and cook them myself. And since when does getting them elsewhere equal fresh? He was so rude to us that I find it hard to believe that he was the owner. Does anyone know a good Italian restaurant in this area? I'm not asking for much. I'd like them to cook their own food, serve fresh food, and know how to cook a chicken breast!
(1)Deepan M.
We came to Toscana for lunch for a nice Italian meal. The decor is very nice and clean. The waitress was very polite and quick with our food and drinks. Now the important stuff, the food! We had soup and salad which were both good. My friend had the mushroom ravioli which was made fresh with an amazing white sauce. I had the eggplant Parmesan which also had a great with a very fresh, tomato sauce that was very tasty. Great restaurant for lunch and will try to come for dinner soon.
(5)Elizabeth J.
Warm greeting at the door started things off on the right foot. Comfy interior including bar with the game on! Very attentive service from waitstaff. Chef and owner also came by to check on things. Food was fantastic. Very hard to find anything to criticize. We will definitely be back!
(5)J. C.
Well where do I start, I went there march 31, my birthday a party of 12 ,previously been there. Food was good so I wanted my family to enjoy.... well food was cold, service was one person ( running with head chopped off ) POOR . Food wasn't set out properly ( wrong orders after waiting 30 min. For the right food) . Well went there last night 5-17-2014 , maybe party was to big, tried it again , we started by asking for extra garlic on the bread , girl had foreign accent ( not Italian) didn't understand she kept bringing the wrong stuff , finally she figured out . My friend asked for cooked filet chicken .... Chicken was very Dry ,his wife had mussels in sauce 9 out of 12 was still closed. Of which should be ALL open before in sauce..... Complained to waitress , asked for new cooked chicken ....Manager called told of situation he was sorry except mussels felt was ok ( not healthy shows not cooked all the way) chicken ( 2 nd) Never showed up waited 20 minutes manager got really sassy with us and LOUD ..!!!! Payed our bills an left. .......VERY. BAD .
(1)Pam J.
My family has been going to Toscana--usually take out pizza--since it opened a few years ago. The last 2 times I ordered pizzas they messed the order up somehow and were very apologetic and offered some sort of "freebie"--free sodas while we waited or a free pizza along with the incorrect one. Today I ordered 1 pizza and an appetizer to pick up for my husband and a work colleague. I was told it would take 20-25 minutes. I arrived at the 25 min. mark and was told it would be about 5 more minutes. Was asked if I wanted something to drink, nice. But I ended up being there 30 minutes longer. My appetizer was given to me way before my pizza and was cold by the time I got it home. It ended up being 45 minutes from the time I called in the order. When I mentioned it to the person helping me, she stammered and said that my credit card had already been run through and that there was nothing she could do. Not to mention there was NO ONE else in the restaurant except for employees eating. I won't be going back. I'm pretty sure you can void out a transaction and re-run the credit card for a lesser amount. This is 2015 after all.
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