Donato’s Italian Restaurant
1900 Tamiami Trl, Port Charlotte, FL, 33948
Donato’s Italian Restaurant Menu
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Diabetics at McDonald's
Most burgers served at McDonald's are low in sugar but there are several burgers which are high in sodium. You must choose burger options which are low in sugar and moderate in sodium content. You can also avoid extra dressings or cheese over your burger to control diabetes at McDonald's.
Foods to Avoid for Diabetics at McDonald's
Diabetics will find many tempting food items at McDonald's but most of these food items are also high in sugar or sodium. Diabetics must skip desserts and shakes at McDonald's to avoid sugar spike. You should also skip all McCafe drinks except a few containing low sugar and fat-free options. Besides the drinks and beverages, you should also avoid bacon-based and sausage-based burgers and sandwiches to limit your sodium intake. Diabetics should also skip the sausage-based salad options available at McDonald's.
Food Suggestions for Diabetics at McDonald's
Southwest Grilled Chicken Salad
Nutritional Facts: 350 calories, 12g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 1070mg sodium, 27g carbs, 6g sugar, 6g fiber, 37g Protein
Egg McMuffin®
Nutritional Facts: 300 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 760mg sodium, 30g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 17g Protein
4-piece Chicken McNuggets®
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 340mg sodium, 11g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 17g Protein
Kiddie Cone
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 1g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0.5g), 20mg sodium, 8g carbs, 6g sugar, 0g fiber, 1g Protein
4-piece Chicken McNuggets® Happy Meal
Nutritional Facts: 180 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2g), 340mg sodium, 11g carbs, 0g sugar, 1g fiber, 10g Protein
Iced Latte
Nutritional Facts: 90 calories, 4.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 65mg sodium, 7g carbs, 7g sugar, 0g fiber, 4g Protein
World Famous Fries®
Nutritional Facts: 230 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 1.5g), 160mg sodium, 29g carbs, 0g sugar, 3g fiber, 3g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Port Charlotte for healthy meals suggestion.
High Blood Pressure at McDonald's
Most burgers at fast food joints contain a high amount of sodium. You must keep your sodium intake in check if you are suffering from high blood pressure. McDonald's offers a wide range of burgers based on your diet preferences. Choose the right burger and avoid French fries at all cost while dining at McDonald's.
Foods to Avoid at McDonald's for High Blood Pressure
Avoid Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit Burger and Bacon, Egg & Cheese McGriddles at McDonald's as both these burgers are high in sodium. Skip extra cheese and avoid French fries if possible as they are too greasy and can add to your sodium intake. Also, avoid all types of sausage-based burgers or sandwiches at McDonald's to limit your sodium levels.
Food Suggestions for High Blood Pressure at McDonald's
Side Salad
Nutritional Facts: 15 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 15mg sodium, 3g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 10g Protein
Filet-O-Fish®
Nutritional Facts: 390 calories, 19g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 560mg sodium, 38g carbs, 5g sugar, 2g fiber, 17g Protein
Baked Apple Pie
Nutritional Facts: 240 calories, 11g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 6g), 95mg sodium, 35g carbs, 16g sugar, 4g fiber, 2g Protein
Vanilla Cone
Nutritional Facts: 200 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 95mg sodium, 32g carbs, 16g sugar, 4g fiber, 2g Protein
Americano
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 10mg sodium, 0g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Coffee
Nutritional Facts: 0 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 20mg sodium, 1g carbs, 0g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein
Apple Slices
Nutritional Facts: 15 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0 g), 0mg sodium, 4g carbs, 3g sugar, 0g fiber, 0g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Port Charlotte for healthy meals suggestion.
High Cholesterol at MCDONALD'S
Cholesterol is the biggest concern for people visiting McDonald's, especially people suffering from high cholesterol. You can order chicken or egg burgers instead of ham or cheeseburgers to maintain your cholesterol levels at McDonald's. In addition, you can also try the salads and opt for drinks that low in sugar.
Foods to Avoid at MCDONALD'S for High Cholesterol
Bacon-based items are often too greasy and high in bad cholesterol. If you are concerned about high cholesterol, then you must avoid all bacon-based burgers and salads. Also, skip the Buttermilk Crispy Chicken Tenders to keep your cholesterol levels in check. You must also keep sausage-based items at bay when dining at McDonald's.
Food Suggestions to Maintain Cholesterol Level at MCDONALD'S
Side Salad
Nutritional Facts: 15 calories, 0g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 15mg sodium, 3g carbs, 1g sugar, 1g fiber, 1g Protein
Egg White Delight McMuffin®
Nutritional Facts: 260 calories, 8g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4.5g), 780mg sodium, 29g carbs, 3g sugar, 2g fiber, 16g Protein
McChicken®
Nutritional Facts: 410 calories, 22g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 4g), 590mg sodium, 39g carbs, 5g sugar, 2g fiber, 15g Protein
Oatmeal Raisin Cookie
Nutritional Facts: 140 calories, 5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 2.5g), 125mg sodium, 22g carbs, 12g sugar, 1g fiber, 2g Protein
Hamburger Happy Meal
Nutritional Facts: 480 calories, 16g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 5g), 680mg sodium, 62g carbs, 21g sugar, 3g fiber, 22g Protein
Cappuccino
Nutritional Facts: 120 calories, 6g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 3.5g), 80mg sodium, 9g carbs, 9g sugar, 0g fiber, 6g Protein
Yoplait® GO-GURT® Low Fat Strawberry Yogurt
Nutritional Facts: 45 calories, 0.5g (Tans. Fat 0g & Sat. Fat 0g), 30mg sodium, 9g carbs, 5g sugar, 0g fiber, 2g Protein
Visit below restaurant in Port Charlotte for healthy meals suggestion.
Q & A for McDonald's
When McDonald's first opened?
McDonald's began its operations by converting food and drinks stand called "The Airdrome" into first McDonald's restaurant.
When does McDonald's open?
McDonald's opens daily at 5:30 AM and stays open until 11:00 PM.
Which McDonald's is open 24 hours?
Unfortunately, there are not a single McDonald's which operates 24/7.
Where's McDonald's near me?
There are over 13,905 McDonald's outlets in the United States itself. You can find a McDonald's nearby with the help of our Restaurant Listings directory.
When McDonald's start and stop serving breakfast?
McDonald's starts serving breakfast at 5:30 AM daily until 10:30 AM.
When McDonald's start and stop serving lunch?
McDonald's starts serving lunch at 10:30 AM from Monday to Friday and 11:00 AM on Saturdays and Sundays. Happy Meals are also served during lunch hours.
Will McDonald's bring back the McRib?
McRib is back at McDonald's since October 2018.
Will McDonald's bring back spicy McChicken?
McDonald's in the United States has no plans currently to bring back the Spicy McChicken.
Will McDonald's bring back the Grand Mac?
McDonald's doesn't serve Grand Mac currently and there are no plans to bring it back anytime sooner. You can always try the Big Mac if you have a large appetite for burgers.
Are McDonald's milkshakes gluten free?
Yes, all flavors of McDonald's milkshakes are gluten-free. Nearly all beverages served at McDonald's are gluten-free.
Are McDonald's burgers gluten-free?
Unfortunately, McDonald's does not serve gluten-free burgers. All the buns and other ingredients such as fried chicken patties, grilled chicken patties, beef patties, sauces, condiments, etc. contain gluten.
Are McDonald's Apple Pies vegan?
Generally, Apple Pies are prepared using shortcrust pastry which contains eggs. However, McDonald's Apple Pie pocket is vegan-friendly as it is both dairy and egg free.
Are McDonald's Veggie Burgers vegan?
Veggie Burgers served at McDonald's are purely vegan. Just remember to skip the sauce as the sandwich sauce contains egg.
Are McDonald's Milkshakes vegetarian?
Yes, McDonald's milkshakes are 100% vegetarian and don't contain any meat product.
When did McDonald's introduce McCafe?
McDonald's McCafe was introduced by McDonald's as a separate coffee chain in 1993. The café also served great bakery and pastry besides offering a great variety of coffee beverages.
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About McDonald's
McDonald's is the largest American fast food company with over 37,855 outlets spread across 100 countries. Primarily known for hamburgers, cheeseburgers, and French fries, McDonald's menu also serves chicken dishes, breakfast products, soft drinks, wraps, milkshakes, and desserts today. The restaurant chain introduced smoothies, salads, fish, and fruits on the menu to offer healthy food options at McDonald's.
The restaurant began its operations in 1940 in San Bernardino, California, United States. The name of the restaurant comes from its founders Richard and Maurice McDonald. The siblings started the food business as a hamburger stand which was later converted into a restaurant franchise in 1953. The first Golden Arches logo was also introduced in the same year.
Healthy Food Options at McDonald's
McDonald's was highly criticized for its unhealthy food options. Being a renowned brand and a popular fast food chain, McDonald's decided to revamp its image and decided to serve healthy food options. Most of these healthy food choices were salads, smoothies, fruits, and fish items.
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Address :
1900 Tamiami Trl
Port Charlotte, FL, 33948 - Phone (941) 764-1600
- Website https://donatosportcharlotte.com/
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :11:00 am - 2:00pm
- Mon : 11:00 am - 2:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street, Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Categories
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.
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Jason E.
This is not 'authentic' Italian. This is stereotypical, New York/wise guy/mafioso, Americanized Italian food. It's good for what it is...even if a bit heavy on the salt. To be fair, from what I've seen of the area, there is no authentic Italian food in the Charlotte Harbor area. Service was decent, the waitress was sweet and very friendly. I have to question the thinking of bringing out the dipping oil w/garlic and then telling us we would not get any bread until out soup/salad came...but she gladly brought some out when we asked. To start, we had the calamari, Donato's style. This would have been great if the peppers weren't so freaking salty. My wife's pasta fagioli 'soup' was basically a hot bowl of crushed tomatoes with some white beans and a little pasta. My ceasar salad was average at best. For our entrees, my wife ordered the house specialty pasta with chicken/pepperoni in a tomato white wine sauce. It was decent, but the pasta was a bit overcooked and like everything else, it was salty. My entree was the baked ziti. Good for what it is...just not great. I could easily do better. If I'm ever in a situation where aomeone else wants to go to Donato's, I won't argue, but I will not make an effort to go back on my own.
(2)Richard N.
I was in town for a spring training baseball game and just took a shot in the dark here for dinner. From the outside it was hard to tell if it was open. They could use some lighting or a sign maybe. Anyway, inside is very catchy with a New York Italian neighborhood theme. Very well done, with faux storefronts, brick pavers, and home-front doors. Nice! The waitress was very friendly and quickly brought my 2 for 1 beer (a plus, indeed). Warm bread and garlic Parmesan dipping oil soon followed. Yum. My salad was good, nothing fancy but good, and my eggplant Parmesan was very tasty. The breading was crispy and they peeled the eggplant, as it should be. They also substituted marinara instead of meat sauce for me (as requested) with no problems. Very nice decor, fast service, and good food. It was busy on a Wednesday night which is a good sign. I'll definitely go back next time I'm in Port Charlotte.
(4)Ivor P.
Very good food the vodka douce is excellent
(3)Bill W.
We are always treated like family when we eat here. They have discontinued happy hour. Pasta is made on premises and is delicious.
(4)Diana Z.
Best experience in a restaurant. Waitress was very attentive and the owner catered to our every need. Meal and dessert were excellent. Made my daughter's 30th birthday most memorable.The servers all come out and sing "Amore". Will definitely eat here again.
(5)Michael A.
In town visiting my dad. Dad suggested Italian. Great choice, best Italian I've ever had. Highly recommend, you won't be disappointed!
(5)David A.
I've been there several times. I found the food to be excellent . The service is top shelf. Ambiance is friendly, and group singing of "That's Amori" during dinner is great, the servers, owner and cooks even take part. Makes for a very enjoyable evening.
(4)Jay G.
Really good service. Owner is super nice. Penne Vodka was very good and that's my favorite food.
(4)Michael M.
Everything was very nice. Except they didn't have enough servers on the lunch we were there.
(4)Cassidy A.
First off I love the fact the instead of balsamic vinegar which I can't stand. They put garlic in the olive oil! Brilliant! As for the rest of the meal it was pretty good we waited a long time and I couldn't change the sauce with my fried raviolli. I've heard their other restaurants are really good though.
(3)Christa V.
Where to begin on reviewing this location. Let's start with how once you enter the restaurant you've basically arrived in Little Italy NYC. The subway terminal entrance and dining under the stars truly is a spectacular experience. The service is great and the food was absolutely worth the wait as everything is freshly prepared. Thank you for creating such a spectacular establishment.
(5)John O.
Went there last night for the first time, what a great experience. Good food, about as close to NYC Italian food as you can get. Great waitress and some guy came out and sang half way through the meal. Good stuff, good atmosphere, worth the price.
(5)Mark C.
This place is great the food is reasonable and plenty you go hungry it's your fault the atmosphere is like eating in a scene from the Godfather check out the video of this place you'll love it
(5)Cait A.
First of all - I love the interior here! There are so many small touches that make it feel just like the NYC subway + little Italy. A few of my favorites: small iron balconies complete with clothes hanging out to dry, a soundtrack in the bathroom that sounds like the subway, a street sign, and a parking meter. All this put together makes the place sound incredibly cheesy, but it's not at all. In one small "storefront" a man was making homemade pasta, and at one point he even once began to sing opera! I ordered the homemade cheese ravioli and my dad had the chicken parmesan. My pasta was delicious - a generous portion and you could absolutely tell it was homemade pasta. I also had the vegetable soup before my meal, also the perfect size (I hate when the soup is so big before your meal that it fills you up) and I was happy to know the broth was vegetable based, being that I am vegetarian. My dad really enjoyed his chicken as well and it came with a small side of pasta. Overall a great atmosphere, helpful waitresses, and delicious food!
(5)Betty T.
Adorable restaurant! It's a New York theme including storefronts and parking meters! In the bathroom they have subway sounds coming from the speakers. The olive oil and garlic they give you to dip your bread in was incredible! I poured that over my pasta. I had the spaghetti and meatballs. One of the meatballs was good and the other was dry. I am thinking it was a fluke because the quality of food was very high. I would have given them a 4.5 if I could. We will definitely be back!!!
(4)Shae S.
I was shocked when I walked in. The place is adorable on the inside and the ambiance is great! I am here visiting my parents and we are always looking for something new or something that is consistently good, which is very hard to find here in port Charlotte. I highly recommend this place. I had mussels in the white wine sauce. The sauce was excellent. The only bad thing I can say about them is that they weren't hot when they came to the table. You could tell they sat for a few minutes before they were brought to the table. I also had a side plate of angel hair pasta in garlic and olive oil. It's one of my favorite dishes ever. It was very bland but I put some crushed red pepper, Parmesan cheese, and the garlic oil that came with the bread on it and it was fantastic! My mom had the spaghetti and said the sauce was so so. She wouldn't get it again but would go back. My father had the past fagoli (?)-he is also spelling it for me- and he said it was very good. I have them 3 stars because if it were somewhere in Miami that's all it would be. However, being that this is port Charlotte it gets 4 stars or maybe 4.5 in this towns ratings! Go! It's good:)
(3)Inga N.
This place is by far the best italian food I've tasted since going to fl. Last time i was there. It was so tiny. They must have moved and redecorated. I looove the atmosphere. So cozy and quaint. Love the cielings night sky. They no longer made what i had the last time i was there but everything i had was amazing. Ate there just about every day the two weeks i was there. And each time it was perfect and if we had any issue it was quickly resolved by new management. They also make their own pasta now!! I was sad to hear my regular server Doris retired but so happy to see the familiar face or two that so warmly greeted and remembered us! I will always love this place. Highly recommended!
(5)Kathy D.
Can't believe this restaurant receives good reviews as the food was mediocre at best, the waitress was defensive when we complained about the cold meatballs, (which they put warm sauce on to heat up), the manager was just as defensive and indignant as the waitress, they forgot our wine, and didn't remember to bring the grated cheese. We waited approximately 30 minutes for a table and were so hopeful but the restaurant did not meet our expectations. I would not recommend.
(2)John Y.
We have enjoyed Donato's over a dozen times.Nice creative atmosphere. We were promptly greeted and served drinks and the awesome warm bread with olive oil & crushed garlic. REALLY good. This time I had chicken parmigiana , extra cost side of fettuccine, salad with blue cheese dressing. Fettuccine is homemade and amazingly good. Salad was average with a factory made blue cheese that needs a homemade touch. The entre was represented as 2 chicken cutlets. There was one larger portion. The sauce was thick and off the mark both in flavor and texture. It was enjoyed but a minor disappointment. Service was great. $50 plus tip no alcohol. Up charges a bit stiff.
(4)Katie L.
My favorite restaurant in PC! Cute little date night restaurant. They have delicious sangria and pasta alla vodka! Although I know the expanded the restaurant for more room I do miss the little shop they used to have that sold some of the baked goods.
(5)Susan S.
A friend suggested this place, and I was a bit hesitant because of some of the negative reviews I had read. But we went. I thought the decor was nice. A little kitschy, maybe, but it works. I thought the food was great! I ordered the calamari and the mussels as my meal. Two apps instead of getting an entree. I really enjoyed the mussels. I was surprised when they came in a thicker white sauce rather than the white wine/pernod combo I'm more accustomed to. But they were great. In my order there were about 8 or so mussels that didn't open and I thought that was more than there should be. I mentioned it to my server and she immediately said, "You're right. There shouldn't be that many closed mussels. I'll take care of it." And she did. Within minutes I received another large bowl of mussels -- more than the amount originally unopened. Service was great and I thought the prices were pretty much in line with the food I received. I'll go back!
(4)Susan R.
As a native new yorker I have tried many types of cuisines in various boroughs. Dissapointed not to find too many great restaurants locally. food was fantastic best I've had since eating at some of my favorite N.Y. spots even the decor reminded me of neighborhoods in Queens and little Italy. Bravo. We will be back
(4)Dawn F.
Owner is a jerk. Just tried to book a group for dinner business meeting "we don't do that"?!? Really? Snowbirds are gone room sits empty and they don't want 25 NEW people introduced to their restaurant? Wow. Good luck dude!
(1)Baberto F.
Hidden gem! Great freshly made Italian food... Italian singing chef.... Italian village ambiance... And best of all a personable friendly and attentive waitress, Amy!!! We were here from the Boston area, and will stop by once more before we head home. You should do the same!
(5)Androcat T.
Nice atmosphere. Tarquin was our server. She was top notch; ask for her if you go. Disappointed in our meal. Rice/meatball appetizer was good. The bread and olive oil/garlic served was also good. The side salad was plain iceberg lettuce and nothing special. My meal of chicken piccata was dry chicken, light on the sauce, and the lemon flavor of the sauce was bland and weak. My companion had a pasta, sauce, and sausage dish. Her sauce was also bland, and the dish was swimming in the sauce. We may give this place one more chance if we cannot find a better Italian restaurant, but I cannot highly recommend it.
(3)Rymond S.
I'm very upset that they have removed certain dishes from menu.Dishes that I've been ordering for years........So sorry ill have to buy from another restaurant. R.S
(1)Troy T.
I like this place. In a world with so many cookie-cutter chain restaurants, it is nice to go to a place that is locally owned and operated. As you walk in the place is decorated like a New York subway station and as you enter the dining rooms it appears that you have entered an outdoor garden restaurant in Little Italy. The service is excellent. The ladies in there are always super nice and eager to help. The food is nice also. Very Italian fare. Pasta... chicken parm, eggplant... etc... The house Chianti is very smooth and easy to drink. Some nights I have been there, the owner and the wait staff come out and lead the the whole restaurant in a round of "That's Amore" If you want a place where you just want to fill your belly, go someplace else. But if you want a real dining experience that makes you feel like you have spent the night on the town, go to Donato's. The best dining experience in Little Italy, ....er I mean Port Charlotte.
(5)Cheryl K.
We love this place! We visit North Port several times a year, and never miss a trip to Donato's. The food is fabulous and the service couldn't be better. The decor is so cute and we love the Italian music playing in the background? Do yourself a favor and don't listen to the negative reviews!
(5)John C.
I live in San Diego where I have my own photography business and also work selling wine. So I love eating out at restaurants and checking out new spots. I was visiting Port Charlotte with my sister and Mom over Mother's Day weekend to see our Grandma. On Saturday night we decided to go out for dinner and Donato's was recommended by both my Grandma and even her sister who we spoke with on the phone earlier that day. My Grandma is from Italy and her sister was born in the Bronx so needless to say these women know their Italian food. The Food - Delicious, Great Portions, Lots of Flavor, Good Menu of Options. I am a calamari junkie and like to order it at each restaurant I visit. I really liked the flavor of the bread batter they used. I ordered it Donato's style which is the calamari covered in gorgonzola cheese and dice red hot peppers. To add to it even more I took the bowl of olive oil & fresh garlic usually served with the bread and poured that on top. Could be its own meal. For an entree I ordered their Taste of Italy which was a piece of Chicken Parmesan, a slice of Lasagna, and pasta Alfredo.. So much food and everything was delicious. Definitely needed a doggy bag. We also had a great bottle of Carmel Road Pinot Noir from Monterey, CA with dinner. My sister, Mom, and Grandma all loved their meals as well. The Service - Our waitress, Alyssa, was great. Beautiful brunette girl and super friendly. She was super sweet to my Grandma who is 92 years old. She was on top of everything, got all our orders correct, made some recommendations on the food. I have been selling wine in San Diego, CA for over 10 years and I greatly appreciated the fact that Alyssa knew to pour a taster of the wine for me to check and make sure the bottle we ordered was not corked or bad. Many restaurants you visit the wait staff always forgets to do that or even know. Alyssa made herself available and checked on our table frequently. Myself and sister are in our 20's & 30's so we greatly appreciated Alyssa's recommendations of fun places and bars we might want to check out. She even wrote us a list of some of her favorites. That is the type of service I appreciate and hope for each time I eat out at a restaurant in a new city. One of the locals taking an interest to make sure our visit is enjoyable. The Ambiance - This restaurant has such great interior design. When you walk in you immediately see what looks like an old newspaper stand and turn-style. Similar to an old time NYC subway station. When you walk down the hallway it is fashioned as a old NYC subway tunnel with a mechanical saxophone players at the end. Really unique. The back bar is B&W tiled floor with an old-fashioned wood bar. The main dining room is quaint, cute, and intimate. The ceiling is completely blacked out with tiny pinholes to allow the LED lights to shine through and create the feeling of stars at night. The walls are designed to look like an old street in Little Italy of NYC. So as you are eating you get the feel like you are eating in an outdoor bistro on the streets of Little Italy. Even with a full room the noise level is moderate. No problem hearing the people at your table. If you are visiting Port Charlotte I highly recommend you visit this restaurant. I hope you enjoy your experience as much as myself and family did ours. John Cocozza
(5)Liz P.
Love the atmosphere ! Fried calmari was perfect and so was chicken florentine!! Feels like you are sitting in outdoor cafe in NYC.
(5)Jackie G.
Our entire family really enjoyed this meal and this place. It took us all back to the restaurants we used to go to as children. Classic Italian American fare and decor. Food was fresh and delicious. Really one of the best family meals we had recently.
(5)Sarah M.
This is, by far, my favorite Italian restaurant of ALL time. The menu is a bit pricey, but everything else makes up for it. The room itself has a great atmosphere, with little decorations set all over the place. Street lamp decorations, little cafe window's and stairs and the 9 yards. It's just so cute and romantic no matter where you are seated. The lighting is just dark enough to be romantic but still be able to see the food and eat comfortably. There is a guy that sometimes shows up and plays/sings Bella Notte to all the couples, sometimes handing out a rose or two. The last time we were there the couple seated next to us requested a song and were surprised that he knew what it was, and he played it wonderfully. Everything is homemade and FRESH. The ravioli are to die for. My husband gets the mushroom ravioli and I skip between a few different options but we both like the ravioli the best. The oil they bring out for the bread is unique than the oil I've had at different restaurants, and it's amazing. I could probably go JUST for the bread and oil, it's so good. Oh! And the Caesar salad is also out of this world! The desserts are also good but we normally skip them since the rest of the meal ends up being pretty expensive on its' own. We only go here for special occasions, since it's a bit pricier and fancier. It's not super fancy, or casual, so I would say somewhere in between. Probably not somewhere to bring really little kids, but for family events it would be okay. I am tempted to drop the 5th star because of the price, but I can't. I mean, homemade delicious fresh food that is AMAZING.. it's worth the price. We go here every time we go back to Florida now.
(5)Sal G.
Anyone that has driven up and down US41, a.k.a. Tamiami Trail, has seen the billboards. Those billboards that state that Donato's is the best. Well, I bought in to the billboards and I went with a friend for dinner. We entered through the store that is attached to the restaurant and waited for a seat to open. Never saw anyone leave, but we were eventually sat at a two-top table. There were at most two other tables seated at the time. I should have taken that as a sign, but I was there and I was hungry as was my friend. After looking at the menu, I was happy to find one of my favorite Italian dishes on the menu and we ordered: Veal Piccata Veal Parmesan I love a good Veal Piccata. The mix of flavors is so good. I don't know if I hyped it up in my mind, but I was a tad disappointed when my entree arrived. There was a thick, brown sauce that covered my veal. Getting past the idiosyncratic appearance of my Piccata, I figured it was the flavor that mattered. Unfortunately, the flavor matched the uncommon appearance. There was no balance to the flavor. What I expected was a well balanced flavor of wine, lemon, and pickled capers. Instead I got a sauce of pickled lemons. I didn't eat the entire meal. I know Piccata is a fairly difficult dish to make, but Parmesan is not. I tried my friends plate and found that the veal was soggy and that the noodles were overcooked. The worst part was seeing the bill. We were charged as though the food was made properly... I don't think I will ever return.
(1)Jane W.
Loved the NYC Little Italy decor. Service and food was excellent. We had a party of 14 and everyone got their meals at the same time and hot. Wait staff was attentive except for one young lady who when asked about a glutton free menu she stated "no we don't do that". When asked to speak to the manager, he stated they could do at least three menu items as glutton free. All staff should be trained.
(4)