What can I say. One of the best Italian restaurants in the South Burbs. NEVER had a bad meal there. NEVER had a bad anything there. It can get a little loud at times, BUT, if you're Italain, loud is normal. (hahaha) Veal Parmesan, magnificent. Every other Thursday is Pork Chop Parmesan,,,,to die for. Sauce is great tasting,not watery, not overly spicey. The Wait Staff, warm, friendly, extremely professional, and they go out of their way to make your visit a pleasent one. When Old School Italains go,,,,,,you know Ya gotta good thing.
(5)
Heather V.
Delicious food, good service, but it was very loud.
(4)
Pat B.
Better than the new Scrementi's and less expensive than both Scrementi's and Francesca's, but not as good as Capri in price. We like the family-style salad to start. Service is always good. My husband is very picky and this is one of his favorites. I always have the eggplant Parmesan. Also the bread is crusty Italian, not the cheap grocery store stuff that has no substance.
Went for the first time last night. Was very crowded, but we were seated right away which was a huge plus. Food was excellent, atmosphere was nice, but it was way to loud. I could barely converse with the person sitting across the table from me! Honestly don't know if I would go back on a busy night due to this.
(4)
Melissa B.
I love this place. I forgot how much I love the food here! They have all kinds of "secret" items that aren't on the menu. A thinly pounded chicken breast in red sauce to name one. The food is really good. I've never had a bad meal here. I always eat way too much here. The wine list is decent as well. The service has always been great. It can get crowded and loud in here though.
(5)
sharon s.
Went to La Dolce Vita for the first time on Valentines Day. We were there to celebrate my bday and my sons with a party of 10. The restaurant was very crowded as it was a Saturday night and Valentines Day. We were seated pretty much right away. Our food and service was great. We will definitely be back.
(5)
Nicole L.
I literally just got home from this place and I was very impressed. I have never been here before but my boyfriend has with his family so for date night I was feeling Italian so he took me here. We usually do an appetizer but the bread and olive oil was so good we just ate that. The portions were very large. I got the shrimp scampi and the shrimp was the best shrimp I had in a long time, perfectly cook and seasoned. I also got the Moscato wine which was very good and had a nice complex flavor. My boyfriend got the alfredo and enjoyed it. The place is small and cozy and the decor was quaint. I really enjoyed myself. We were stuffed after our meal but got tiramisu to go which is still sitting in my fridge since I am too full from dinner.
(5)
Robert C.
Visited on 03/13/2015. Menu is short and simple which is usually a good sign. Cherry Drop Martini was very good. The side salad was very good, and I wish I could order just the salad as a meal because it is that good. The side spaghetti and meat sauce was very good. COSTOLETTE DI MIAILE (Char-broiled Pork Chops, Vesuvio Style) were a bit overcooked and too chewy. Not sure if the Pork Chops were fresh and overcooked or if they started out frozen. The sauteed shrimp and scallop special had a not-so-special sauce and my wife wished it also had risotto instead of the green stuff. No easy-to-ready itemized bill-- just a difficult-to-read hand-written bill; therefore, good luck verifying your bill. Hand-written bills are okay at Diners, but not at a classy restaurant. Good service, but do not remember server's name because there was no POS system bill which would have the servers name on it. Overall okay, but no "wow" factor.
(3)
Kimberly M.
I am SO tired of "Italian" restaurants that serve nothing but various pasta + red sauce, pizza and "Italian Beef" (which i can assure you is NOT italian). La Dolce Vita was GREAT because it's so much more authentic than these other places. You can actually get a really good Italian meal here without feeling horrible afterwards. Very tasty food, great selection and nice specials. I particularly like the petto di pollo portabello. Some things could be better though. Gnocci don't seem homemade. If they are, I've had much better. Also their caprese salad tastes like just a regular tomato and a dry mozzarella. So, while they do a lot of meals wonderfully, i can't give a full 5 stars because I have had some mediocre meals too.
(4)
Jeff W.
Looking for the best Italian around this is the place. Todd is the GM and his staff do an amazing job! Cozy little bar area also. Great place to stop for a drink after work.
(5)
Ed B.
This place is pretty good. I have been here several times with larger groups. Between that and having tried several different dishes I nor anyone had a complaint. The service is good. The place itself is not very big so I suggest a reservation. They also have a decent outside area to dine in. They have specials that are good as well. Have not been disappointed here.
(3)
Cheri A.
My husband and l were planning on going on a Saturday night and being worried about the wait l called to inquire about reservations. The gentleman on the phone was somewhat rude. I should have seen it coming as to the rest of the evening. We got there and the host was again somewhat rude and said,"l'll see if l can find you something". What?? Don't do me any favors!! The waitress was so so. Never told us about specials or asked if we wanted another drink. It was extremely loud and we couldn't hear each other. We noticed the busboys doing some questionable things as far as cleanliness. I will say the food was excellent and the prices very reasonable but the employees need an attitude adjustment.
(3)
Carol S.
This restaurant was way too noisy! You could not carry on a conversation, even with the person next to you. I thought the food was just ok, nothing exceptional! Overall it was too pricey for what you got, not a good value at all! I wouldn't go back.
(2)
Kim H.
This is a charming spot that does old-school Italian very, very well. It's also dark, crowded and loud...but for some strange reason, that adds to the charm. Great bartenders who know how to put a martini together. The calamari is the best in the area. Linguine with clam sauce is a home run. Service is outstanding. They could probably expand to a larger space, but I wonder if that might make it feel less of a hidden find. This is not a place to bring the kids; table are close and trust me: your neighbors will love you for leaving the toddlers at home and your babysitter needs the money!
(4)
Meredith K.
Pretty good Italian food for the suburbs! We were seated right away for a party of 5 on a week night. Big portion sizes (I had leftovers for lunch the next day). However, our waitress took a while to get our drink and food order in, we weren't in a big hurry as they kept bringing bread to the table to off set our appetites!
(3)
Erica A.
Delicious! I ordered the meat ravioli with marinara sauce and it was perfect. The sauce was great, the raviolis were great. The dinner also came with a salad, bread and olive oil. All were superb. The service was also very good and a nice quiet ambiance (I was here on a Monday evening, so the quiet part may be different during a busier time). But, I think it would be a great place to meet friends, have a date, whatever. I will be back!
(5)
Patrick J.
Best kept secret in Frankfort. The food is delicious and light. It's not heavy like other Italian restaurants that I've visited. I had Calamari as an Appetizer(very fresh and light, not salty. Eggplant was my main entree. My friend she had the Shrimp scampi with Angel hair pasta. Our meal came with salad and bread. Try it you'll be back for more.
(5)
Bill M.
This place is horrible. The food is disgusting. The server was just alright. The manager was outright rude. We spent $50 and left the place an hour and a half later still hungry and I felt like I was going to throw up. My wife's Ravioli tasted like dish soap. I had 5 bites of my meal and my wife had 1 of hers. When we asked for the check the server asked if we wanted the food boxed up, we told her know and that we weren't happy with it. She told us that she couldn't do anything about that and asked if we wanted to talk to the manager. About 5 minutes later she came back with the check and said "I have to charge you for the meal." I asked where the manager was and she replied that the manager was on the phone and couldn't come talk to me. I took the check. It was $48 and some change. While waiting for another 5 minutes or so for the server to take the check, the manager walked over and said what's the issue. We politely yet frustrated with the situation explained. The manager stated "Oh well, I haven't heard many complaints tonight. So, maybe next time we'll do better." I've never felt so dismissed at any restaurant before. There won't be a next time! I only hope others see this prior to eating there, I wouldn't send my worst enemy to this place!
(1)
Erin L.
My mom insisted we try this place again. Ugh. I must admit, the veal picatta ($21.95) was delicious and our server was a little bit slow but very nice. But once again, I thought this place was so loud and I went on a Monday night when the dining room wasn't even completely full.
(3)
Angela M.
My husband and I recently moved into the area and heard great things about this restaurant. It's always pretty busy no matter what day of the week it is so we wanted to see what the hype was all about. We ordered take out instead of dining in and maybe that was the mistake. I ordered eggplant parm and my husband ordered chicken vesuvio. Overall we were not as impressed as we wanted to be. The food was ok but did not live up to the outstanding reviews we had heard. However, it was a takeout order and sometimes takeout food can be hit or miss. We'll definitely give it another try but dine in next time. Like I said, this restaurant is always busy so it must be great.
(3)
Nikki S.
We met some family out for dinner here, per the suggestion of someone of someone who dines here frequently. I was geared up for an evening of ho-hum Italian, but everything was delicious! I agree that the set up for some tables is a little awkward (we were seated in a corner right by the swinging door of the kitchen,) but at the end of the day the most important thing was saying "oh wow, really good" when tucking into their (and everyone else's) entrees.
(5)
Stacie M.
A great place to go in Frankfort. Have a drink at the bar while you're waiting to be seated. The ambiance is nice. The salad that they bring out for the table is great and they'll always bring you more. Good wine selection and the specials are always worth trying.
(4)
Margie N.
If I had a choice between Francesca's and La Dolce Vita --- my pick would be LDV! Have never had a disappointing meal there yet. I love old world basic - spag & meatballs and this place does that proud. Their chicken parm is above excellent! Have tried a few other offerings and all is good. Wine list is varied and excellent as well. I agree with a few others that the portion sizes could be more generous - at least on the pasta side of things. c'mon, really???? Pasta is so cheap and people are so impressed with a huge pile of pretty presentation and red gravy!!! :*)
(4)
Joe R.
Great place for a couples night out. Excellent food and atmosphere
(5)
Terry P.
Average Italian food. Think about it. Other than serving it cold, it is hard to mess it up. Service was OK. It was more of a moderate price than Francesca's just a few blocks away. I agree with others that it is really small and loud. Not a place to bring kids. Come on, give adults who pay good money to enjoy a meal in piece without the shriek of your kids.
(3)
Greg L.
I think this is one of the best kept secrets in the Southland area---and one of our favorites for more traditional Italian food----without the kids. Don't get me wrong---we love kids---but now and then, when you have a night out, it is nice to go someplace where the lights are slightly dimmed, and there are...well..just other adults around. This is that place. The food is more traditional Italian and please understand---I am not complaining here. The wine list is very good and also nicely priced I might add. I can especially recommend the butterflied pork chop that is pan fried when it is on special. The pastas are all excellent as is the veal. You cannot go wrong with anything. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is that they do not take reservations, but other than that, this is a place to visit with another couple or on date night. For more fun, hit the martini bar literally right next door and have a night cap. If you don't get lucky that night, you might be beyond help!
(4)
don g.
let me know when you start serving more than 3 lobster ravolio for a $27 price tag or more than 3 shrimp..really? and the pasta serving should be larger, it is small, c'mon it is only pasta ( $1.25 for a lb).....when the portions are larger I will return
(1)
andrea l.
Conflicted about this one. I can't knock them down too far b/c the food was very good, the server was kind, and the bartenders were great. This should be the makings of a very enthusiastic 5 star rating, but I can't. It is SO loud in here, which is fine, I understand a Saturday night in a small room it's going to get loud. The problem was we were seated at a "table" that was right opposite the bar, and up against a half wall directly in front of the host. People were milling about the entire time, resting their drinks on the half wall which was inches from my head, gesticulating wildly and nearly taking my head off, and making it impossible to hear anything/enjoy my meal. As these people were waiting a lengthy time, they had time to drink more and more, getting louder and louder to the point I was getting a headache. That table should not exist or a better partition should be made, no one should have to sit there, it was obnoxious. I will go back if I can get a reservation and be assured I will not be at that table.
(3)
Kathleen M.
I adore eating on the patio at La Dolce Vita, life truly is sweet when I can sit on here and enjoy the fresh air. I probably won't be back as much now that the patio is closed for the season. Why the patio, Kathy? Great view? No...it is on Old Frankfort Way and cars go by fairly frequently, maybe it lets me pretend I am in Paris on the Champs Elysees, the Frankfort version. I never get bothered by bugs here as it is very open and it is just my favorite patio restaurant. I love the bread and olive oil, the salad with the great olives and vinaigrette dressing. I like most of their pastas and fish dishes and sometimes the desserts are just great. Coffee can be hit or miss, it doesn't seem to be as fresh as it should be. I will look forward to next summer when I can come here on a Thursday night and watch the antique cars going back and forth for Cruising night. It will be warm but shaded and I can relax and enjoy the wonderful summer. In the meantime, I may have to eat indoors!
(4)
Clifford S.
Italian food is one of my many favorites and La Dolce Vita does a good job with it, add in their summer patio and you have a great night. The bread and salad are great - good quality and very fresh. I like their pasta, especially with shrimp. They sometimes have a lemon cake for dessert which is delicious. They pretty consistently have a problem with getting the coffee HOT. The carafes they are using just don't work. Make it more often and throw out the old coffee. I have only eaten inside a couple of time; that is more of a 3 star experience. But the patio, definitely four stars.
(4)
Pauly S.
I went here with my fiance and a couple friends of ours on a Saturday night. I'd never been here before, but from what I was told, the place was excellent. The g/f got the Chicken Parmesan, which had a really unique, and pleasant, taste to it. The aftertaste sort of reminded me of Cheez-Its, which I really enjoyed... I got the Pollo Vesuvio (Chicken Vesuvio...forgive me if I spelled it wrong). It had a nice buttery texture to it, with mixed with the spices and wine in the sauce, had a great taste to it. Not overpowering...just right. Gwen was a great waitress as well. On top of her game! And when you get old-school Italians visiting an Italian restaurant, you know you're in the right place....
(4)
Doug R.
It is one of my favorites in the area. Tips: * Chicken Marsala Pro's: * Great menu * Good ambiance either in a group setting or for date night Con's: * Frequently a wait here on weekends. * Can be loud
(5)
L M.
Authentic food with great service
(5)
Kelly K.
I highly recommend the sausage & broccoli ravioli! I have never been so excited to eat broccoli :) Super cute and delicious food. Will definitely be back!
(4)
Mike S.
Food was very good, I was quite impressed. It's definitely a cute place to go on a date. The only reason it gets 3 stars is because the service we had was awful. It wasn't even crowded and it took 20 mintues for the waitress to realize my friend's drink was empty. She checked on us ONCE the entire time we were there.
(3)
Jon P.
My wife and I stopped at La Dolce Vita while doing some last minute Christmas shopping. We brought our two year old son and he was a bit of a terror so thank you server for being such a trooper. Service was good, she was very attentive and friendly. The ambiance is pretty standard Italian restaurant. The food was ok. For some reason it was just "adequate" for both my wife and I. Nothing specifically wrong with anything, but also nothing that was overly exciting. Sorry for the vague review, I just got a very "meh" feeling with everything. Worth a visit to check it our for yourself tho!
(3)
Jay Z.
Great old school Italian here. Dinners come with a good mixed salad bowl. Everything is delicious and service is attentive. The arrabiata sauce is perfectly spicy. Prices are reasonable and portions are large. The food is so good that you'll want to have the leftovers the next day.
(4)
Karen G.
My husband and I dine at La Dolce Vita frequently and we are never disappointed. We have tried almost everything on the menu, plus specials, and the food is always tip-top. Our family and friends all agree. The service is always great, too. Reviewers complaining about the crowds? If a restaurant isn't busy, especially on weekends, we steer clear of it. There is not one negative thing I can think of about La Dolce Vita.
(5)
Robert K.
Great service, fresh food, excellent taste. Todd at the door always makes everyone feel special!! A little load when they are busy, but it adds to the atmosphere.
(5)
peggy m.
My favorite Italian restaurant for dinner. I have always had fantastic service, and the food is amazing!!! This is my favorite place to go for my Birthday!! Just wish they were open on Sundays.
(5)
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Address :25 Old Frankfort Way
Frankfort, IL, 60423
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : No Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Very Loud Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
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.
Bob T.
What can I say. One of the best Italian restaurants in the South Burbs. NEVER had a bad meal there. NEVER had a bad anything there. It can get a little loud at times, BUT, if you're Italain, loud is normal. (hahaha) Veal Parmesan, magnificent. Every other Thursday is Pork Chop Parmesan,,,,to die for. Sauce is great tasting,not watery, not overly spicey. The Wait Staff, warm, friendly, extremely professional, and they go out of their way to make your visit a pleasent one. When Old School Italains go,,,,,,you know Ya gotta good thing.
(5)Heather V.
Delicious food, good service, but it was very loud.
(4)Pat B.
Better than the new Scrementi's and less expensive than both Scrementi's and Francesca's, but not as good as Capri in price. We like the family-style salad to start. Service is always good. My husband is very picky and this is one of his favorites. I always have the eggplant Parmesan. Also the bread is crusty Italian, not the cheap grocery store stuff that has no substance.
(3)Karen M.
We've been coming to La Dolce Vita for years but I somehow forgot to review them, so I'd better rectify that. This place does not deserve to be overlooked like that. La Dolce Vita is everyone's popular conception of an Italian restaurant. Located in the quaint downtown section of Frankfort, it's small but in a cozy, not crowded, way. It also has the usual Italian-style décor of landscape and villa murals on the walls, small tables with white tablecloths, dim lighting, a full bar with great martinis and a nice wine list, an al fresco dining area outside on the sidewalk (which is great for people-watching in good weather), and background music like "Volare," "O Sole Mio," and "The Godfather." (This last song is actually kind of ominous to hear if you happen to be the last ones in the restaurant. I guess I've watched that restaurant hit scene in the movie too many times.) We've never had a bad meal here yet. The menu features all of the traditional Italian favorites such as spaghetti and meatballs, ravioli, Fettuccini Alfredo, calamari, eggplant parmigiana, sautéed sausage and peppers, Linguini del Mare, veal Marsala, and chicken Vesuvio. Their tiramisu is home-made, not frozen and thawed out in a microwave like in some restaurants. They also have a nice Italian version of crab cakes that are mixed with risotto and come with a roasted tomato mayonnaise sauce instead of remoulade. All meals come with bread, olive oil, and family-style salad with a great vinaigrette dressing and plenty of olives, the way I like it. Don't come here if you want a quick meal, however, because it ain't gonna happen. The only drawback to La Dolce Vita, if you want to call it that, is that service always seems to be on the leisurely side. The last time we were here was on a Thursday night when it wasn't all that crowded and we still had somewhat of a wait for our entrees. The place is always packed on Friday and Saturday nights (they don't accept reservations except for groups of eight or more), so of course you'll have more of a wait then. Slow doesn't always mean inefficient, though. Here it just means they take the time to prepare the food the way it should be prepared. And it just gives you more time to relax and socialize over your meal like real Italians do - although you may have to raise your voice to be heard because with all of those people in a small area, it also gets kind of loud in here (again, like a typical Italian restaurant). Definitely worth lots of visits!
(4)Daniel N.
Went for the first time last night. Was very crowded, but we were seated right away which was a huge plus. Food was excellent, atmosphere was nice, but it was way to loud. I could barely converse with the person sitting across the table from me! Honestly don't know if I would go back on a busy night due to this.
(4)Melissa B.
I love this place. I forgot how much I love the food here! They have all kinds of "secret" items that aren't on the menu. A thinly pounded chicken breast in red sauce to name one. The food is really good. I've never had a bad meal here. I always eat way too much here. The wine list is decent as well. The service has always been great. It can get crowded and loud in here though.
(5)sharon s.
Went to La Dolce Vita for the first time on Valentines Day. We were there to celebrate my bday and my sons with a party of 10. The restaurant was very crowded as it was a Saturday night and Valentines Day. We were seated pretty much right away. Our food and service was great. We will definitely be back.
(5)Nicole L.
I literally just got home from this place and I was very impressed. I have never been here before but my boyfriend has with his family so for date night I was feeling Italian so he took me here. We usually do an appetizer but the bread and olive oil was so good we just ate that. The portions were very large. I got the shrimp scampi and the shrimp was the best shrimp I had in a long time, perfectly cook and seasoned. I also got the Moscato wine which was very good and had a nice complex flavor. My boyfriend got the alfredo and enjoyed it. The place is small and cozy and the decor was quaint. I really enjoyed myself. We were stuffed after our meal but got tiramisu to go which is still sitting in my fridge since I am too full from dinner.
(5)Robert C.
Visited on 03/13/2015. Menu is short and simple which is usually a good sign. Cherry Drop Martini was very good. The side salad was very good, and I wish I could order just the salad as a meal because it is that good. The side spaghetti and meat sauce was very good. COSTOLETTE DI MIAILE (Char-broiled Pork Chops, Vesuvio Style) were a bit overcooked and too chewy. Not sure if the Pork Chops were fresh and overcooked or if they started out frozen. The sauteed shrimp and scallop special had a not-so-special sauce and my wife wished it also had risotto instead of the green stuff. No easy-to-ready itemized bill-- just a difficult-to-read hand-written bill; therefore, good luck verifying your bill. Hand-written bills are okay at Diners, but not at a classy restaurant. Good service, but do not remember server's name because there was no POS system bill which would have the servers name on it. Overall okay, but no "wow" factor.
(3)Kimberly M.
I am SO tired of "Italian" restaurants that serve nothing but various pasta + red sauce, pizza and "Italian Beef" (which i can assure you is NOT italian). La Dolce Vita was GREAT because it's so much more authentic than these other places. You can actually get a really good Italian meal here without feeling horrible afterwards. Very tasty food, great selection and nice specials. I particularly like the petto di pollo portabello. Some things could be better though. Gnocci don't seem homemade. If they are, I've had much better. Also their caprese salad tastes like just a regular tomato and a dry mozzarella. So, while they do a lot of meals wonderfully, i can't give a full 5 stars because I have had some mediocre meals too.
(4)Jeff W.
Looking for the best Italian around this is the place. Todd is the GM and his staff do an amazing job! Cozy little bar area also. Great place to stop for a drink after work.
(5)Ed B.
This place is pretty good. I have been here several times with larger groups. Between that and having tried several different dishes I nor anyone had a complaint. The service is good. The place itself is not very big so I suggest a reservation. They also have a decent outside area to dine in. They have specials that are good as well. Have not been disappointed here.
(3)Cheri A.
My husband and l were planning on going on a Saturday night and being worried about the wait l called to inquire about reservations. The gentleman on the phone was somewhat rude. I should have seen it coming as to the rest of the evening. We got there and the host was again somewhat rude and said,"l'll see if l can find you something". What?? Don't do me any favors!! The waitress was so so. Never told us about specials or asked if we wanted another drink. It was extremely loud and we couldn't hear each other. We noticed the busboys doing some questionable things as far as cleanliness. I will say the food was excellent and the prices very reasonable but the employees need an attitude adjustment.
(3)Carol S.
This restaurant was way too noisy! You could not carry on a conversation, even with the person next to you. I thought the food was just ok, nothing exceptional! Overall it was too pricey for what you got, not a good value at all! I wouldn't go back.
(2)Kim H.
This is a charming spot that does old-school Italian very, very well. It's also dark, crowded and loud...but for some strange reason, that adds to the charm. Great bartenders who know how to put a martini together. The calamari is the best in the area. Linguine with clam sauce is a home run. Service is outstanding. They could probably expand to a larger space, but I wonder if that might make it feel less of a hidden find. This is not a place to bring the kids; table are close and trust me: your neighbors will love you for leaving the toddlers at home and your babysitter needs the money!
(4)Meredith K.
Pretty good Italian food for the suburbs! We were seated right away for a party of 5 on a week night. Big portion sizes (I had leftovers for lunch the next day). However, our waitress took a while to get our drink and food order in, we weren't in a big hurry as they kept bringing bread to the table to off set our appetites!
(3)Erica A.
Delicious! I ordered the meat ravioli with marinara sauce and it was perfect. The sauce was great, the raviolis were great. The dinner also came with a salad, bread and olive oil. All were superb. The service was also very good and a nice quiet ambiance (I was here on a Monday evening, so the quiet part may be different during a busier time). But, I think it would be a great place to meet friends, have a date, whatever. I will be back!
(5)Patrick J.
Best kept secret in Frankfort. The food is delicious and light. It's not heavy like other Italian restaurants that I've visited. I had Calamari as an Appetizer(very fresh and light, not salty. Eggplant was my main entree. My friend she had the Shrimp scampi with Angel hair pasta. Our meal came with salad and bread. Try it you'll be back for more.
(5)Bill M.
This place is horrible. The food is disgusting. The server was just alright. The manager was outright rude. We spent $50 and left the place an hour and a half later still hungry and I felt like I was going to throw up. My wife's Ravioli tasted like dish soap. I had 5 bites of my meal and my wife had 1 of hers. When we asked for the check the server asked if we wanted the food boxed up, we told her know and that we weren't happy with it. She told us that she couldn't do anything about that and asked if we wanted to talk to the manager. About 5 minutes later she came back with the check and said "I have to charge you for the meal." I asked where the manager was and she replied that the manager was on the phone and couldn't come talk to me. I took the check. It was $48 and some change. While waiting for another 5 minutes or so for the server to take the check, the manager walked over and said what's the issue. We politely yet frustrated with the situation explained. The manager stated "Oh well, I haven't heard many complaints tonight. So, maybe next time we'll do better." I've never felt so dismissed at any restaurant before. There won't be a next time! I only hope others see this prior to eating there, I wouldn't send my worst enemy to this place!
(1)Erin L.
My mom insisted we try this place again. Ugh. I must admit, the veal picatta ($21.95) was delicious and our server was a little bit slow but very nice. But once again, I thought this place was so loud and I went on a Monday night when the dining room wasn't even completely full.
(3)Angela M.
My husband and I recently moved into the area and heard great things about this restaurant. It's always pretty busy no matter what day of the week it is so we wanted to see what the hype was all about. We ordered take out instead of dining in and maybe that was the mistake. I ordered eggplant parm and my husband ordered chicken vesuvio. Overall we were not as impressed as we wanted to be. The food was ok but did not live up to the outstanding reviews we had heard. However, it was a takeout order and sometimes takeout food can be hit or miss. We'll definitely give it another try but dine in next time. Like I said, this restaurant is always busy so it must be great.
(3)Nikki S.
We met some family out for dinner here, per the suggestion of someone of someone who dines here frequently. I was geared up for an evening of ho-hum Italian, but everything was delicious! I agree that the set up for some tables is a little awkward (we were seated in a corner right by the swinging door of the kitchen,) but at the end of the day the most important thing was saying "oh wow, really good" when tucking into their (and everyone else's) entrees.
(5)Stacie M.
A great place to go in Frankfort. Have a drink at the bar while you're waiting to be seated. The ambiance is nice. The salad that they bring out for the table is great and they'll always bring you more. Good wine selection and the specials are always worth trying.
(4)Margie N.
If I had a choice between Francesca's and La Dolce Vita --- my pick would be LDV! Have never had a disappointing meal there yet. I love old world basic - spag & meatballs and this place does that proud. Their chicken parm is above excellent! Have tried a few other offerings and all is good. Wine list is varied and excellent as well. I agree with a few others that the portion sizes could be more generous - at least on the pasta side of things. c'mon, really???? Pasta is so cheap and people are so impressed with a huge pile of pretty presentation and red gravy!!! :*)
(4)Joe R.
Great place for a couples night out. Excellent food and atmosphere
(5)Terry P.
Average Italian food. Think about it. Other than serving it cold, it is hard to mess it up. Service was OK. It was more of a moderate price than Francesca's just a few blocks away. I agree with others that it is really small and loud. Not a place to bring kids. Come on, give adults who pay good money to enjoy a meal in piece without the shriek of your kids.
(3)Greg L.
I think this is one of the best kept secrets in the Southland area---and one of our favorites for more traditional Italian food----without the kids. Don't get me wrong---we love kids---but now and then, when you have a night out, it is nice to go someplace where the lights are slightly dimmed, and there are...well..just other adults around. This is that place. The food is more traditional Italian and please understand---I am not complaining here. The wine list is very good and also nicely priced I might add. I can especially recommend the butterflied pork chop that is pan fried when it is on special. The pastas are all excellent as is the veal. You cannot go wrong with anything. The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is that they do not take reservations, but other than that, this is a place to visit with another couple or on date night. For more fun, hit the martini bar literally right next door and have a night cap. If you don't get lucky that night, you might be beyond help!
(4)don g.
let me know when you start serving more than 3 lobster ravolio for a $27 price tag or more than 3 shrimp..really? and the pasta serving should be larger, it is small, c'mon it is only pasta ( $1.25 for a lb).....when the portions are larger I will return
(1)andrea l.
Conflicted about this one. I can't knock them down too far b/c the food was very good, the server was kind, and the bartenders were great. This should be the makings of a very enthusiastic 5 star rating, but I can't. It is SO loud in here, which is fine, I understand a Saturday night in a small room it's going to get loud. The problem was we were seated at a "table" that was right opposite the bar, and up against a half wall directly in front of the host. People were milling about the entire time, resting their drinks on the half wall which was inches from my head, gesticulating wildly and nearly taking my head off, and making it impossible to hear anything/enjoy my meal. As these people were waiting a lengthy time, they had time to drink more and more, getting louder and louder to the point I was getting a headache. That table should not exist or a better partition should be made, no one should have to sit there, it was obnoxious. I will go back if I can get a reservation and be assured I will not be at that table.
(3)Kathleen M.
I adore eating on the patio at La Dolce Vita, life truly is sweet when I can sit on here and enjoy the fresh air. I probably won't be back as much now that the patio is closed for the season. Why the patio, Kathy? Great view? No...it is on Old Frankfort Way and cars go by fairly frequently, maybe it lets me pretend I am in Paris on the Champs Elysees, the Frankfort version. I never get bothered by bugs here as it is very open and it is just my favorite patio restaurant. I love the bread and olive oil, the salad with the great olives and vinaigrette dressing. I like most of their pastas and fish dishes and sometimes the desserts are just great. Coffee can be hit or miss, it doesn't seem to be as fresh as it should be. I will look forward to next summer when I can come here on a Thursday night and watch the antique cars going back and forth for Cruising night. It will be warm but shaded and I can relax and enjoy the wonderful summer. In the meantime, I may have to eat indoors!
(4)Clifford S.
Italian food is one of my many favorites and La Dolce Vita does a good job with it, add in their summer patio and you have a great night. The bread and salad are great - good quality and very fresh. I like their pasta, especially with shrimp. They sometimes have a lemon cake for dessert which is delicious. They pretty consistently have a problem with getting the coffee HOT. The carafes they are using just don't work. Make it more often and throw out the old coffee. I have only eaten inside a couple of time; that is more of a 3 star experience. But the patio, definitely four stars.
(4)Pauly S.
I went here with my fiance and a couple friends of ours on a Saturday night. I'd never been here before, but from what I was told, the place was excellent. The g/f got the Chicken Parmesan, which had a really unique, and pleasant, taste to it. The aftertaste sort of reminded me of Cheez-Its, which I really enjoyed... I got the Pollo Vesuvio (Chicken Vesuvio...forgive me if I spelled it wrong). It had a nice buttery texture to it, with mixed with the spices and wine in the sauce, had a great taste to it. Not overpowering...just right. Gwen was a great waitress as well. On top of her game! And when you get old-school Italians visiting an Italian restaurant, you know you're in the right place....
(4)Doug R.
It is one of my favorites in the area. Tips: * Chicken Marsala Pro's: * Great menu * Good ambiance either in a group setting or for date night Con's: * Frequently a wait here on weekends. * Can be loud
(5)L M.
Authentic food with great service
(5)Kelly K.
I highly recommend the sausage & broccoli ravioli! I have never been so excited to eat broccoli :) Super cute and delicious food. Will definitely be back!
(4)Mike S.
Food was very good, I was quite impressed. It's definitely a cute place to go on a date. The only reason it gets 3 stars is because the service we had was awful. It wasn't even crowded and it took 20 mintues for the waitress to realize my friend's drink was empty. She checked on us ONCE the entire time we were there.
(3)Jon P.
My wife and I stopped at La Dolce Vita while doing some last minute Christmas shopping. We brought our two year old son and he was a bit of a terror so thank you server for being such a trooper. Service was good, she was very attentive and friendly. The ambiance is pretty standard Italian restaurant. The food was ok. For some reason it was just "adequate" for both my wife and I. Nothing specifically wrong with anything, but also nothing that was overly exciting. Sorry for the vague review, I just got a very "meh" feeling with everything. Worth a visit to check it our for yourself tho!
(3)Jay Z.
Great old school Italian here. Dinners come with a good mixed salad bowl. Everything is delicious and service is attentive. The arrabiata sauce is perfectly spicy. Prices are reasonable and portions are large. The food is so good that you'll want to have the leftovers the next day.
(4)Karen G.
My husband and I dine at La Dolce Vita frequently and we are never disappointed. We have tried almost everything on the menu, plus specials, and the food is always tip-top. Our family and friends all agree. The service is always great, too. Reviewers complaining about the crowds? If a restaurant isn't busy, especially on weekends, we steer clear of it. There is not one negative thing I can think of about La Dolce Vita.
(5)Robert K.
Great service, fresh food, excellent taste. Todd at the door always makes everyone feel special!! A little load when they are busy, but it adds to the atmosphere.
(5)peggy m.
My favorite Italian restaurant for dinner. I have always had fantastic service, and the food is amazing!!! This is my favorite place to go for my Birthday!! Just wish they were open on Sundays.
(5)