Slow service, and mediocre food. I ordered the baked crab ravioli....it was chewy, undercooked and plain not good. I ordered the cream of mushroom soup and was equally dissapointed. Bland and not even as good as soup in a can at your local gas station. This was my first time here and came only upon recommendation and a gift card. I'll come back to give them a 2nd chance but I hardly think I'll be surprised. Also, if I'm throwing down 150 bucks for 3 people there shouldnt be a paper tablecloth. I felt like I was at Arby's with frank sinatra playing in the background. Ridiculously dissapointed. With so many restaurants in this area, you'd think this place would want to stand out.
(2)
Peyton W.
I ordered the fillet, and when my meal came out to me, the steak appeared and tasted like it was reheated in the microwave. My replacement meal of the chicken Parmesan wasn't any better, the chicken was rubbery and had little to no flavor. The restaurant itself seems outdated and in desperate need of a makeover. Our waiter seemed more interested in singing and dancing to show tunes than he was in actually providing good service. I can safely say that I won't be going back to this restaurant.
(1)
Laurie S.
Horrible service. Came on New Year's Eve to have a really nice romantic dinner with the hubby, we really don't do this very often so i was really excited. Where to start? The service was not great. Our waiter was very scatter brained. He kept complaining about how short staffed they were and the service was slow. They had a pre fixed meal and they ran out of stuff on they had on the menu by 8:00. We never received bread or a drink menu. I had my drink refilled once the entire evening. In fact I had to poke another waitress for a refill. The icing on the cake was when they ran out a tiramisu. Had my heart set on it!!! And the waiter was very unapologetic. He was like, welcome to my life! Really??? He also said, the manager doesn't care. Nice! Will not be back. Ever. Don't come here!!!!!!!! Not worth the 55$ per person.
(2)
Cathy J.
Delicious!!!! First timer. Had the smoked Salomon bruschetta....sooooo good! For my entree the gnocchi Gorgonzola....amazing!!! Hubs had ny strip...cooked perfectly and tasted amazing! Service was great, prompt but not too annoying. Yes, it's pricey...$60 for the above meal... It's a nice restaurant, and it so worth it!
I made reservations for a party of 6 at 7:15 on New Year's Eve. They didn't seat us until about 8 pm and when they did, they squeezed another chair in a table that was set up for 5 back in a corner that was pretty tight. The food was tasty enough but nothing that any of us had was spectacular. We actually had a friend join us later and they were accomodating with that so that was nice. My husband ordered the surf and turf four course meal which was a filet and lobster tail for $65. Over 1/2 of the lobster tail was raw. We told the waitress after the fact and I thought she might take it off the bill....not the whole $65...but there was also an entree of just a filet that was $55 so I thought she might charge us for just that but when the bill came the full $65 was on there. She was very nice but I think she was just swamped and didn't really have the time to give us her full attention. Our meal took a really long time, which was fine because we were visiting with friends, but when it came time to order dessert, they were out of the two things I was interested in so that was a bit disappointing.
(3)
Lynne G.
Great food and service. Filet was excellent and so was the chicken parm. Fettuchuni alfredo was rather bland. It would be nice if a soup or salad was included with the meals. We will return again for sure.
(4)
Anthony P.
This place has a nice atmosphere, with a few different settings in which to sit, including outside, once the weather is nice. The food is merely okay. The linguine al mare was fine, but certainly nothing to stand out; the sauce was a little bland. I will say that the server was fantastic. Bottom line: so-so food. And you're paying for the atmosphere.
(3)
Chris C.
3.5 would be my choice, if I could . Great ambiance ... Beautiful back-lit bar. Worth the trip alone , just to see it! Sat in the atrium. Waitress was new, not really on top of her game yet, but very nice. Ordered Calamari, for the money... Abbondante! Just a bit salty. Great warm crusty bread with EVOO and grated cheese. I ordered the shrimp scampi over linguini. Overall okay but too "saucey" and a overboard on the lemon....Pasta was perfectly al dente, though. 5 medium shrimp for $21, however seemed a bit skimpy. My husband ordered the crab ravioli...thought the wide array of toppings overpowered the crab (and not certain if it was all real crab or maybe perhaps part "krab" I can't say for sure. Both Fish pasta dishes were served w/ grated cheese, technically tabu in Italy. The Avanti Pinot Grigio was very good. If we return, neither of us would order the same dishes again. Hoping some of their other dishes would be more memorable.
(3)
Kevin P.
The ambiance is fantastic! The menu has great variety. The bartenders are very skilled and can and will pretty much make anything. The prices were not bad for such a nice place. The bread, appetizer and salad were awesome. I was a bit disappointed with the dish that I ordered, but it was just not my taste. It was well made and beautifully presented. The Tiramisu was outstanding! Our server was also wonderful! She was very knowledgeable and attentive. I would definitely recommend this place and I will be returning.
(4)
Guiny G.
We've been here twice. Both times have been great. The first time was for the Easter buffet, It was very good and worth the price. The second time was tonight, for a family celebration. Two adults and one child (9yrs old) I'm not sure why someone marked this place as 'not being good for children' There are plenty of kid friendly choices even though there isn't a 'kids menu' and the staff is very accommodating. Yes, I can see how some people might think this place is expensive but it's not over priced. I think there are just some people who don't know the difference between a cheap/crappy cut of meat and a really good Prime cut of meat. You get what you pay for. The only reason why I gave them 4 instead of 5 stars is because we thought the food was a bit on the salty side but that could be just because we are pretty particular about the amount of salt we use on our food. We will definitely go back again and just ask them to go easy on the salt.
(4)
Brett P.
Great Place! My brother and I took my parents to Venice to celebrate their anniversary. Our family was very impressed. The restaurant is very nice inside and has a Chicago like feel to it. Our waiter was very nice, attentive, and knowledgeable. They had nightly specials in addition to the normal menu. We had a stuffed pepper appetizer which we all loved, and I would highly recommend. For entrees, we had the chicken saltimbocca, penne alla vodka, veal medallions, and ribs. Everyone liked their dishes and prices were reasonable for a special occasion. We all enjoyed our visit quite a bit and would love to go back and try some other things on the menu. The only negative thing I can say about Venice is that to enter the restaurant you have to walk through the bar first which can be smokey. P.S. The au gratin potatoes were incredibly delicious and the pasta portions were very large.
(4)
Angela W.
The back patio in the autumn was lovely, as was my glass of wine. But, They are a restaurant so let's talk about the food. We started by ordering drinks. I had wine, and my husband had a beer, she brought a chilled glass for him, which was nice. And then she came back to see if we had any questions about the menu, and we realized after she walked away she had taken his bottle with her...it was 1/3 full. He was waiting for the head to go down on the glass, and she stole his beer :P My husband was inclined to just let it go, but I felt I had to mention it to her. she did bring him another beer so at least there was that. The menu actually looked quite delicious, and at an Italian restaurant, I thought I would like to try the pasta. So we ask the waitress if they make their own pasta. NO. ...do they make their own ravioli at least? NO. Hmmm. Not a good sign. That's ok, they have some lovely steaks on the menu. I am a small lady so I was inclined toward the 8 oz filet for $25, and my husband was feeling like the 20oz porterhouse. We begin our order, and I ask for my options, that come with the steak (ya know, potato choice, veg..) and she says it's ala carte. How silly, and greedy is that? My husband is going to order a steak for THIRTY EIGHT DOLLARS, and the restaurant is so greedy they can't put a ten cent potato on the plate? We should spring an extra $4 for a potato? and another $4-$6 for a vegetable??? Could we have spent the extra on the sides? yes. Obviously we were there to eat, we bought drinks and were about to buy some of the most expensive items on the menu. But I LAUGHED when she said it was ala carte. And told her we needed another minute. We decided on the artichoke spinach dip, which came with 4 slices of the same bread they serve in the basket. It was fine. my wine was nice. His beer was nice. But they turned $100 check into a $30 check for want of ten cents worth of potato. In this economy, restaurants should be doing more to make their customers happy, not insulting them charging extra for something so simple and expected. (and cheap for them to provide.) We were super nice and polite to our waitress the whole time, and tipped her of course, it wasn't her fault. But I will say, when we ordered an appetizer after all, she went from kind and helpful to cold, short, and inattentive. She aught not be mad at us for her employers bad policy and bagged pasta. Makes me wonder what else is not house made on the menu! ARe the sauces jarred? ARe the desserts bought frozen and thawed to order?
(1)
John T.
This place was nothing special as far as food is concerned; however, it is an amazing improvement from the since removed Greek restaurant. The decor is nice and the service was amazing. Nonetheless, reviews are about food, and this place was nothing to rave about, unfortunately. The area needed a nicer-type restaurant, so I am glad this place moved on in. It is a bit upsetting that the steak I got was not better (bone-in ribeye). It would be better served if they put some type of butter on it for presentation and taste as they do in Chicago steakhouses most of the time. The prices were high, but it is to be expected from a steakhouse.
(3)
Jessica B.
My boyfriend took me here for dinner and we both thought overall our experience was great. Food was very good. Our waitress was very friendly. Two things we did not like was the hostess and the single stall restroom. The hostess was a super sweet innocent teenager who needs more training. She originally told us the wait would be 20 minutes but we ended up waiting 1 hour and 30 minutes! It ended up being fine, we sat and drank at the beautiful bar but had we had somewhere to be, we definitely would NOT have been happy. I also disliked the one stall restroom. I ended up waiting 15 minutes to use the restroom. There were four girls part of a party that decided it was time to redo their hair and makeup and took forever! But I did have what appeared to be the manager walk by twice apologizing for my wait, she kept saying "You're still waiting? I'm so sorry." But other than that great place, would recommend it.
(4)
Eric B.
My wife and I went to dinner at Venice last Friday evening. We dined in the atrium, a very nice area with a water feature and a retractable roof. The drinks were spectacular. For an appetizer we shared a puff pastry filled with mushrooms, bacon, and I think spinach. It was delicious. My wife had crab ravioli and I had a rib-eye steak and a twice baked potato. Everything was as good as a big downtown Chicago steakhouse and it was local and less expensive. The only two negatives I can say are that the entrance is around back (not a big deal once you find it) and in the atrium with the roof retracted, there was more traffic noise than I would like. Those two things are so minor that I hesitate to mention them. The service, food, and general atmosphere were so great that I'm sure we'll be back soon.
(5)
carmen b.
Hello FOOD SNOB here, After seeing all the good reviews on Yelp, I've been wanting to try this place for a long time. GLAD I did. I think I will make this my new after work drink place. The BAR area is beautiful like everybody says. We ate in the Atrium which was nice, however it was overcast and cold out. Would of been nice if it was sunny and 85 degrees like the day before. So much for area weather. When they bring you real RUSTIC Italian bread you know the place is going to be good. And the Olive Oil for dipping that bread had to be EXTRA EXTRA Virgin. I should have asked for the brand name, it was Delish. Had the Baked Artichoke dip. Came with the same Rustic Bread. Warm and Tasty. I had the Venetian style GNOCCHI. I hate when Gnocchi is hard and chewy. This was SOFT like a pillow. And the Sauce WOW. A Rustic Red Sauce. Chunks of tomato, and tomato peeling, along with nice chunks of Pancetta ( italian bacon). Also large bits of ricotta cheese melted on top. My wife's dish was even better. Ravioli stuffed with Scallops and Shrimp. Served in a Spicy Vodka Sauce, but not too spicy. As I finished hers I wished I had had that instead. Only because I think I have acquired more of a taste for fresh seafood as I get older. And this did taste VERY FRESH. As I tasted my wife's Cheesecake I thought it was going to be rich and heavy. It was not. It was light and fluffy and had a strawberry sauce on it that tasted like t was a little spiked. To top things off the waitress said someone in the restaurant payed for my wife's cheesecake and my Lemonccello. The waitress did not tell me who because he wanted to remain anonymous. On the way out she told us who and why. It was for a personal reason which I thought was very nice.
(5)
Jul N.
Ever have such a ridiculous experience somewhere and just can't wait to get home and Yelp about it? Yeah...that was me tonight at Venice. To be fair, I'll start from the end of the evening by saying that the food was actually pretty good, good enough to shake the pissy mood our server initially put us in. Our party of four ordered antipasto, steak (filet and porterhouse), grouper with risotto, and shrimp and mushroom pappardelle with cream sauce. Mmm. How about...4 stars. But the service!! OK. Ready? 1) We walk in and the pleasant but timid and seemingly inexperienced hosts take nearly 5 minutes to hang our coats. It was awkward. 2) I had forgotten about the reviews I'd read that mentioned the unavoidable walk through the smokey bar, but there's no NOT noticing it when you get there. Why the hell would you set up your restaurant such that every guest has to go into the smoking area? I'm usually not phased by cigarette smoke, but this was really bad...I don't think there's any ventilation in there. Not a pleasant smell right before you sit down to eat. 3) I think our server may have been stoned. Or maybe just actively trying to lose her job. She half-assedly shows us to our table (we had to clarify whether she meant this table or the one next to it) and when we sit, asks, "Do you want me to bring you some water?" Umm...yes, please? "OK. Is tap OK?" ...I don't know, is it? This just seemed weird. It's not like we're in France. 4) (Real) drink time: My girlfriend's mother ordered a Dewars on the rocks. The server comes back with something and after putting it down on the table goes, "I'm sorry, what did you order? I hope I got it right." My gf's mom says, "I ordered a Dewars." The server, very unemphatically: "Oh...I may have mixed it up with Drambuie. Sorry, I get those 'D' liquors mixed up." Indeed, she mixed it up. 5) My girlfriend ordered a beer. The server brought it out and walked away without ever offering a glass. We grabbed one from the service table next to us. 6) When we start looking at our menus, the server tells us that tonight's specials are listed on the table placeholder. She walks away and we realize that no, these are just the drink specials. When she comes back to take our order, she THEN asks, "Oh, do you want to know tonight's specials?" We say yes, and she quietly reads the list of entrees as if she's reciting a eulogy. 7) When she brought our appetizers, she took away the small tea light candle to make room and never brought it back =( 8) I'll stop. Server friend, I'm really sorry if you were just having a sh*tty day or whatever. But I hope you find something to do that makes you happy...I gather this job does not =( The other waiters seemed much more professional and, well, awake. The atmosphere, aside from the disgusting smokiness, is fine. Quirky and odd (random old black and white movies on repeat on TVs around the restaurant?), but fine. I'd try this place again but as another Yelper put it, don't expect much more than dress-rehearsal service from the staff.
(2)
David Z.
At 4:30 pm Saturday, we are the only patron there. picture speaks for volume. No bread basket while waiting? Presentation was delightful, to be fair, especially for appetizers. Do not take your young kids there. They will be bored. I know this will be our first and last visit. Should been to Giovannie's, You cannot go wrong there.
(2)
Kay J.
We couldn't decide between Dragon Inn and Venice and Monday-oops! Dragon Inn is closed on Monday. Great because Venice was excellent. The decor is sophisticated - earth tones, warm, dark colors and subtle lighting. We opted for the bar. There were several pub style tables and three or four regular style tables. The bar looks like marble and is lighted from inside - very sophisticated. Unfortunately it is smoking but since there was only one guy in the bar it wasn't bad. The dining room has lots of tables close together but looked inviting. The menu was simple, standard Italian fare done very well. We ordered entrees and were surprised to hear they came with soup or salad. The Gorgonzola dressing was thick and made in house. Soup Del Giorno was a creamy tomato spinach - very good. The veal picata was excellent and accompanied by asparagus and mashed potatoes. The fetticcini Alfredo was served with al dente noodles and creamy sauce. The portion was huge. Bread is an assortment of cheese flatbread, wonderful, crispy Italian white and brown raisin. It is served with olive oil and finely grated cheese. We passed on dessert - standard Italian choices of pane cotta, cheesecake and cannolli - but I'm sure they would be excellent. There was some confusion about the wine I ordered and the waiter was quick to rectify the mistake. Dinner with two glasses of wine came to $48 plus tip. The service was warm and friendly and we truly enjoyed chatting with our server. Venice is a step above the other new upscale Italian place in town and we'll be back. The wine list had many selections with glasses from $5 to $10.
I had never heard of this place until it was featured on groupon and decided to buy one based on the good reviews. I loved the decor of the restaurant, beautiful linens, oversized booths and chairs as well as dim lighting. We went on a Friday night around 6:30pm. We were greeted at the door and seated right away. The waiter was very nice and very knowledgeable about the menu. The bread with olive oil and fresh grated cheese was delish. My daughter kept asking for more. The calamari was one of the best I have had and my dinner the pan seared new york strip with red potatoes and steamed broccoli was out of this world. The food is a little expensive but it was well worth it. Venice is definitely one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)
David M.
3rd time I visited this place on 7/30 it was terrible. The wait staff was slow and didn't inform me of any specials and for a steak house with no steaks on the menu, gave me the impression they are going out of business soon. Food was very unimpressive with little or no flavor. I think the cook must have left. I doubt if I go back.
(2)
D. T.
Excellent Food! There is a little bit too much going on inside. Either the stereo should be turned off or the televisions should be turned off. Additionally there should be a NICE outdoor seating area for the non smokers. It does not make sense to give the enclosed patio area to the smokers. Indiana definitely needs more places like this.
(4)
Kathy R.
Okay, so we have been here two more times since I wrote the first review. We went again during the week and the place was very quiet and sedate. We went there again on a Saturday night and wow, how very different! The place was absolutely packed! (I'm happy about this because I want them to stay!) This time, we took my sister-in-law who smokes. We sat in a smoking section attached to the bar. It was an atrium-type room with a huge waterfall in it. The volume in the whole restaurant was loud and it was very lively. This was like a completely different restaurant. The people-watching is pretty good too.... On to the food. Again, very very good. We had appetizers of baby octopus, fresh grilled whole squid and smoked salmon bruschetta with hard-boiled egg, mascarpone and capers. (SO good!) I had the caprese salad, but prefer it without the balsamic syrup. It's much better. Their olive oil is fresh and fruity and stands alone. The bread basket comes with lightly toasted crusty bread and homemade flatbread. Sis and I split crab-stuffed ravioli and hubby had that seafood pasta again. We finished with some nice coffees and a couple gelatos. YUUUMMMY! We're coming back...
(5)
Synthia N.
I took my husband to Venice for his birthday. we were DELIGHTED. the service was exceptional. the food delicious, atmosphere wonderful. couldnt have been better. he had a steak that I thought was pricey, but he said was worth it. I had a pasta dish that was delectable - I inquired about what veggies were in it, I mentioned asparagus, the waitress ended up asking the chief to add them (because she said it looked like I liked them, I didnt even have to ask!). the appetizer was a mushroom puff pastry- I could have eaten for a main course it was so tasty! we will definitely go again
(5)
Jamie M.
We went to the pre-opening night of Venice and really had a nice evening. They have a old, Italian theme going on with 10 TV's of black and white movies playing and pictures of Al Capone and Marilyn Monroe everywhere. We were especially drawn to their beautifully lit onyx bar and waterfall on the enclosed patio (which has a retractable roof for the summer). The food was very good (especially for their very first night); offering steaks, pastas, fish and a full bar with a nice wine list. Although the staff needs a bit of rehearsal, they were so friendly and attentive, our server Miguel was outstanding. We'll definitely go back to enjoy this soon to be local hot spot and hope that it succeeds!
(4)
Matthew C.
A welcomed change in NWI. Chicago quality food and service for a good price. 4 of us dined last Friday and all extremely enjoyed our meals. Typical Italian fare served with exceptional quality. I had the Veal Medallions that were melt in your mouth cuttable with a fork. Other meals at our table were the Whitefish, Filet Minon that was Pittsburgh blackened, and chicken parmasean. All four meals were exceptional with the garlic mashed potatoes still making me crave more. We didn't have appetizers, but neighboring tables partook and looked just as exceptional. The decor is 20's mafioso with a touch of class. Dressier than shorts and sandals, but jeans and button down was appropriate. Desert was very good. Homemade blueberry ice cream being very tasty. We had a nice Malbec to go with the meal. The only drawback would be the dining space was a little tight. Outdoor patio was not however. I highly recommend Venice and am looking forward to sharing this gem with out of town and Chicago friends.
(5)
AL B.
As many NWI residents know, fine dining is hard to come by! I am so happy a restaurant like Venice has opened! The staff is friendly, owner greets us every time we dine, and the food is excellent! The decor is very old hollywood, rat-pack era and I just love eating here! I have dined on several occassions and will definitely continue my patronage!
(5)
Nathan S.
Was taken here by some reps for an educational dinner. Food was good and service was ok. Didn't see the menu so can't really comment on the $$
(3)
Lori W.
First of all I am only giving 2 stars based on past experience . Been here several times and the food has always been good...pricey but good. ( dont mind spending good money on good food and service) Had lunch here the other day with my daughters. We got there a little after 1pm. WILL NOT be going back. Two of us ordered the lunch buffet. (which had I looked at it first I would not have) We had wine and it was good. The server was good and thats where the good ends. The buffet was picked over and food that was left was dried out. and there was no chicken or pasta left when we went up. They said it would be up soon. So we got salad to start. Went back still no chicken or pasta. As we were walking back to our table they come out with chicken and say pasta will be out . So I stand there waiting and he comes back and says Oh its gonna be a while we make everything fresh. By the time the pasta was out we were already pretty full which was sad for us because it was the best dish they had on there, Then we had a groupon and were told we could not use it on a special. No where on the groupon does it mention this. And I am thinking to my self special?? Really?? There was NOTHING special about this buffet. If the food wasnt so bad I would not of cared about the groupon. But the manager was really rude and could care less that we were less than satisfied with the food and wait at the buffet.
(2)
Jose G.
Coming from chicago to visit relatives on Valpo they decided to treat us last night to the new hot spot in town, the drive wasn't bad and it all was worth it when we got there, as i was walking in i noticed the tables to be too close to each other but i didnt mind it later, we were directed by the hostess which by the way was friendly and warm but did not presented any menu or wine list too look at, that was quickly rectified by the star of the night which was our server, he introduced himself and pushed for specials and bottled water which is kind of standard for a "Ristorante" then made a recomendation for the Estancia pinot noir which was perfectly paired by my server to my meal, started with the baked artichoke hearts which are to dye for and the calamari, i loved the fact that soup which was delicious and salad are complimentary with your meal then the seafood risotto was perfectly cooked and amazingly fresh, then for dessert i shared a panna cotta & berries it was ok it lacked a little bit of texture but acceptable, my whole expierence was surprisingly superb, my waiter offered top notch service and made us feel right at home, i have to say the atmosphere was a little hectic all around us the place was rocking for dinner but the staff's attention to detail and superb table maintenance made this a pleasant experience, i will definetly come back to entertain friends and will recommend. kudos to the chef and always ask for Miguel who made this experience amazing, Miguel you made my brother in law look good lastr night.
(5)
DEBBIE D.
What a Beautiful place!!!! We went back again!!!! It's our new favorite restaurant!!!! We ate in the dining room & then sat outside in the atrium for dessert. They had the roof & the doors open in the atrium. We felt like we were on vacation somewhere. The food & desserts were EXCELLENT!!!! What a great time!!!!
(5)
Alyssa L.
This place only scraped ONE star due to it's decor. Other than that, I liked NOTHING about this restaurant. The food was bland, and did not taste fresh. Because my fiance and I always want to try each others food we asked for extra plates to split our entres. They wanted to tack on a sleezy five-dollar split charge. We asked if our appetizer was prepared fresh that day, and our server said yes. However, I have had spinach and articoke dip that was better out of a jar. Both of our entrees lacked any flavor or freshness. Our server was inattentive and smelled of B.O. My fiancee also pointed out countless greasy handprints thoughout the walls, especially near the kitchen and I noticed them in the bathroom, too. Overall, a very nasty experience. With so many GOOD Italian restaurants in the region, this place needs to step it up. They really must be riding on the business they get from their bar.
(1)
Bryan C.
We just moved back into the area and decided to try this place last tonight as we have not unpacked our kitchen. It is an old school Italian/Steak house. An incredible amount of consideration was given to the layout and design and an equally overwhelming amount of thought given to the menu. I tend to be critical of food, especially Italian Cuisine as I make it really well myself- This place has everything on me. We ordered fried eggplant, steamed mussels, and soup. All of the sauces were as good as what I make. Our waiter was Renaldo, who was one of the best waiters we have had in a long time. He was very knowledgeable about all of the dishes and every suggestion that he made was excellent. Overall a very enjoyable place and we will go back again.
(4)
Nikki T.
First timer in Aug. 2012. Tried the lunch buffet on a whim. I was skeptical as I'm usually not a fan of buffets but I could not resist the offerings. Lasagna, stuffed shells, roasted chicken and potatoes with mushrooms and onions and more. Good olive oil for the bread. The chicken was seasoned well. I would definitely try again. I went back for a second time in January 2013- not as great. The pasta was good but the food seemed to have dried out a bit. I think they were having a problem with the burners. Anyway, its still a decent value and nice selection but I recommend going early for the buffet.
(4)
Katie R.
Our Dinner Club met here last night and we were pleasantly surprised. .. The bar area was beautiful and a nice start to our evening. We sat in the patio area which was nice. The food was delicious and the service was decent. I think they could have used one more server for the patio and outdoor seating area. Our server handled it on his own which caused the service to be a little slow but he was still very attentive. We were in no hurry so that wasn't an issue. My husband and I both ordered the Chicken Saltimbocca which was very tasty but they forgot to bring the side order of asparagus my husband added to his order. By the time it was brought to the table he was already done with his meal so he sent it back. They did not seem to mind that, did not charge for it and even brought a shot of Limon cello for the entire group as an apology. .. we were all about that! Every one enjoyed their dinner and I would return for another try. The reason I am giving it a 3 star rating is because of the forgotten side and dessert was not offered. .. But don't let that stop you from giving it a try.
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : Yes Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : No Accepts Bitcoin : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : No Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Classy Noise Level : Average Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : Yes Waiter Service : No Caters : No
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.
Maile H.
I searched through 10 restaurants trying to find this perfect meal! You must try this place! The hostess brought us right to the table of our choice. The service was impeccable, accommodating many special requests. Corey and Reynaldo were exceptional servers, and the bartender (can't remember her name) made perfect drinks. We had 8 oz filets, with baked potatoes and sides of sautéed spinach, as well as mushrooms and onions. All were delicious!!! I have allergies to dairy, and they were able to accommodate all my needs by sautéing in olive oil. We ate at 6pm, the restaurant was not crowded, and the ambience was elegant. I forgot to enter through the back door, the only thing I think they could improve upon (or at least have better signage). All in all- I'm a food snob from San Francisco and this place was on par with the best of Morton's, magnificent quality, delicious food, and very reasonable prices. I will definitely come back here again!
(5)Mike M.
Slow service, and mediocre food. I ordered the baked crab ravioli....it was chewy, undercooked and plain not good. I ordered the cream of mushroom soup and was equally dissapointed. Bland and not even as good as soup in a can at your local gas station. This was my first time here and came only upon recommendation and a gift card. I'll come back to give them a 2nd chance but I hardly think I'll be surprised. Also, if I'm throwing down 150 bucks for 3 people there shouldnt be a paper tablecloth. I felt like I was at Arby's with frank sinatra playing in the background. Ridiculously dissapointed. With so many restaurants in this area, you'd think this place would want to stand out.
(2)Peyton W.
I ordered the fillet, and when my meal came out to me, the steak appeared and tasted like it was reheated in the microwave. My replacement meal of the chicken Parmesan wasn't any better, the chicken was rubbery and had little to no flavor. The restaurant itself seems outdated and in desperate need of a makeover. Our waiter seemed more interested in singing and dancing to show tunes than he was in actually providing good service. I can safely say that I won't be going back to this restaurant.
(1)Laurie S.
Horrible service. Came on New Year's Eve to have a really nice romantic dinner with the hubby, we really don't do this very often so i was really excited. Where to start? The service was not great. Our waiter was very scatter brained. He kept complaining about how short staffed they were and the service was slow. They had a pre fixed meal and they ran out of stuff on they had on the menu by 8:00. We never received bread or a drink menu. I had my drink refilled once the entire evening. In fact I had to poke another waitress for a refill. The icing on the cake was when they ran out a tiramisu. Had my heart set on it!!! And the waiter was very unapologetic. He was like, welcome to my life! Really??? He also said, the manager doesn't care. Nice! Will not be back. Ever. Don't come here!!!!!!!! Not worth the 55$ per person.
(2)Cathy J.
Delicious!!!! First timer. Had the smoked Salomon bruschetta....sooooo good! For my entree the gnocchi Gorgonzola....amazing!!! Hubs had ny strip...cooked perfectly and tasted amazing! Service was great, prompt but not too annoying. Yes, it's pricey...$60 for the above meal... It's a nice restaurant, and it so worth it!
(5)Thomas G.
First and LAST time here. When you're a restaurant of this caliber and cost you've got one chance to get it right. First impressions, at a place that will cost two people over $100, are very important because most people can't afford a second impression. New Year's Eve. At the time I made the reservation I was informed by Venice restaurant that because it's new year's eve they would have a limited menu and I had no problem with that. Showed up on time for our 9pm reservation and wasn't seated until 10. Several other people were also waiting to be seated when we arrived. So we sat in the bar and had a couple of drinks. We were sitting at a place where we could still see the people waiting for tables. Couldn't help but notice some people that arrived 30 to 45 minutes after us were seated before we were. Once we were seated our server saw that we already had drinks, gave us menus (which were a pre-packaged 4 course selection consisting of - an appetizer sampler, then either minestrone soup, shrimp bisque or house salad, followed by a choice of 10 entrées and 5 deserts) and informed us that we'd be getting bread and olive oil shortly. So we began to order. And then we're told that they're out of the bisque (which we both wanted). Then told they're out of the surf and turf. Then told they're out of 2 of the 5 desert offerings (the chocolate cake and carrot cake that we had wanted, so we postponed our desert order). I asked the server if there would be a reduction in the price because they didn't have all of the offerings on the limited menu. She said, "no." After she took our orders (that we placed reluctantly) more than 20 minutes passed and still no bread. Then comes the appetizer sampler consisting of oysters Rockefeller, frimage and calamari with no cocktail sauce (all hot dishes)...and it's cold. A little annoyed (to say the least) by this time I go and speak to the manager. She began by telling me that they overbooked and the restaurant can only handle so many and they booked way more than that. Then she apologized and told me she would do something about it. Within 10 minutes we received bread and olive oil and a hot appetizer sampler with the previously missing cocktail sauce. We also noticed that we had a second server assisting in an attempt to make our dining experience less frustrating. Then my wife's filet comes out and it's overcooked. By the time they bring back a new filet we're both ready to go. We have our entrees wrapped up and because they don't have the deserts we wanted, both of us choose something because we're paying for it anyway. The manager did take $15, which was appreciated, off of our bill. Even with that the total was still $105. I also appreciate the additional server coming along to assist our primary server. The obvious issues I had were the overbooking (according to the manager). And because of that our 9pm reservation meant nothing. Also, the lack of foresight by whoever is running the restaurant. Limiting the menu, then running out of things you were offering and still charging full price. Seriously? And then the biggest mistake in all of this ridiculousness. The manager making their problems...my problems. Meaning, if you're the manager of ANYWHERE and a customer comes to you expressing displeasure or disappointment for any reason, you apologize and try to do something to make the experience enjoyable. You don't tell them "we overbooked" and "we can only handle so many people." Customers don't want to hear excuses. They just want you to make things better.
(1)Consumer Review ..
Truly a beautiful restaurant, a lot of ambiance. The bread was warm and the served olive oil was first quality. Albeit, the waitress placed shredded cheese on our bread plates without asking, which is not proper protocol. The calamari appetizer size was very generous, but too hot to have been released to our table. It was good, not great. The side salad was very good. My linguini with clam dish was just average, not many clams and the price paid was the highest I ever paid for my favorite dish. The waitress brought me the tomato based version rather than the white wine version I ordered, which was disappointing. The other pasta dishes ordered were good, but again, not excellent. In terms of desserts, the tiramisu was very good, but we had better. The creme brûlée was very small in size and tasted okay. My Italian coffee was nothing more than a regular coffee with whip creme on top - not worth $7. Dining with three people, including tip, ended up costing us $132. We can eat better quality Italian food at many other restaurants we frequent for less money. That truly is the bottom line. We may return if we find ourselves in the area. However, there is little reason to make a special trip to this restaurant. A little tweaking of their food quality has the potential to make this a top Italian restaurant. And for a restaurant that mimics those found in downtown Chicago, it needs better qualified servers.
(4)Missy J.
I made reservations for a party of 6 at 7:15 on New Year's Eve. They didn't seat us until about 8 pm and when they did, they squeezed another chair in a table that was set up for 5 back in a corner that was pretty tight. The food was tasty enough but nothing that any of us had was spectacular. We actually had a friend join us later and they were accomodating with that so that was nice. My husband ordered the surf and turf four course meal which was a filet and lobster tail for $65. Over 1/2 of the lobster tail was raw. We told the waitress after the fact and I thought she might take it off the bill....not the whole $65...but there was also an entree of just a filet that was $55 so I thought she might charge us for just that but when the bill came the full $65 was on there. She was very nice but I think she was just swamped and didn't really have the time to give us her full attention. Our meal took a really long time, which was fine because we were visiting with friends, but when it came time to order dessert, they were out of the two things I was interested in so that was a bit disappointing.
(3)Lynne G.
Great food and service. Filet was excellent and so was the chicken parm. Fettuchuni alfredo was rather bland. It would be nice if a soup or salad was included with the meals. We will return again for sure.
(4)Anthony P.
This place has a nice atmosphere, with a few different settings in which to sit, including outside, once the weather is nice. The food is merely okay. The linguine al mare was fine, but certainly nothing to stand out; the sauce was a little bland. I will say that the server was fantastic. Bottom line: so-so food. And you're paying for the atmosphere.
(3)Chris C.
3.5 would be my choice, if I could . Great ambiance ... Beautiful back-lit bar. Worth the trip alone , just to see it! Sat in the atrium. Waitress was new, not really on top of her game yet, but very nice. Ordered Calamari, for the money... Abbondante! Just a bit salty. Great warm crusty bread with EVOO and grated cheese. I ordered the shrimp scampi over linguini. Overall okay but too "saucey" and a overboard on the lemon....Pasta was perfectly al dente, though. 5 medium shrimp for $21, however seemed a bit skimpy. My husband ordered the crab ravioli...thought the wide array of toppings overpowered the crab (and not certain if it was all real crab or maybe perhaps part "krab" I can't say for sure. Both Fish pasta dishes were served w/ grated cheese, technically tabu in Italy. The Avanti Pinot Grigio was very good. If we return, neither of us would order the same dishes again. Hoping some of their other dishes would be more memorable.
(3)Kevin P.
The ambiance is fantastic! The menu has great variety. The bartenders are very skilled and can and will pretty much make anything. The prices were not bad for such a nice place. The bread, appetizer and salad were awesome. I was a bit disappointed with the dish that I ordered, but it was just not my taste. It was well made and beautifully presented. The Tiramisu was outstanding! Our server was also wonderful! She was very knowledgeable and attentive. I would definitely recommend this place and I will be returning.
(4)Guiny G.
We've been here twice. Both times have been great. The first time was for the Easter buffet, It was very good and worth the price. The second time was tonight, for a family celebration. Two adults and one child (9yrs old) I'm not sure why someone marked this place as 'not being good for children' There are plenty of kid friendly choices even though there isn't a 'kids menu' and the staff is very accommodating. Yes, I can see how some people might think this place is expensive but it's not over priced. I think there are just some people who don't know the difference between a cheap/crappy cut of meat and a really good Prime cut of meat. You get what you pay for. The only reason why I gave them 4 instead of 5 stars is because we thought the food was a bit on the salty side but that could be just because we are pretty particular about the amount of salt we use on our food. We will definitely go back again and just ask them to go easy on the salt.
(4)Brett P.
Great Place! My brother and I took my parents to Venice to celebrate their anniversary. Our family was very impressed. The restaurant is very nice inside and has a Chicago like feel to it. Our waiter was very nice, attentive, and knowledgeable. They had nightly specials in addition to the normal menu. We had a stuffed pepper appetizer which we all loved, and I would highly recommend. For entrees, we had the chicken saltimbocca, penne alla vodka, veal medallions, and ribs. Everyone liked their dishes and prices were reasonable for a special occasion. We all enjoyed our visit quite a bit and would love to go back and try some other things on the menu. The only negative thing I can say about Venice is that to enter the restaurant you have to walk through the bar first which can be smokey. P.S. The au gratin potatoes were incredibly delicious and the pasta portions were very large.
(4)Angela W.
The back patio in the autumn was lovely, as was my glass of wine. But, They are a restaurant so let's talk about the food. We started by ordering drinks. I had wine, and my husband had a beer, she brought a chilled glass for him, which was nice. And then she came back to see if we had any questions about the menu, and we realized after she walked away she had taken his bottle with her...it was 1/3 full. He was waiting for the head to go down on the glass, and she stole his beer :P My husband was inclined to just let it go, but I felt I had to mention it to her. she did bring him another beer so at least there was that. The menu actually looked quite delicious, and at an Italian restaurant, I thought I would like to try the pasta. So we ask the waitress if they make their own pasta. NO. ...do they make their own ravioli at least? NO. Hmmm. Not a good sign. That's ok, they have some lovely steaks on the menu. I am a small lady so I was inclined toward the 8 oz filet for $25, and my husband was feeling like the 20oz porterhouse. We begin our order, and I ask for my options, that come with the steak (ya know, potato choice, veg..) and she says it's ala carte. How silly, and greedy is that? My husband is going to order a steak for THIRTY EIGHT DOLLARS, and the restaurant is so greedy they can't put a ten cent potato on the plate? We should spring an extra $4 for a potato? and another $4-$6 for a vegetable??? Could we have spent the extra on the sides? yes. Obviously we were there to eat, we bought drinks and were about to buy some of the most expensive items on the menu. But I LAUGHED when she said it was ala carte. And told her we needed another minute. We decided on the artichoke spinach dip, which came with 4 slices of the same bread they serve in the basket. It was fine. my wine was nice. His beer was nice. But they turned $100 check into a $30 check for want of ten cents worth of potato. In this economy, restaurants should be doing more to make their customers happy, not insulting them charging extra for something so simple and expected. (and cheap for them to provide.) We were super nice and polite to our waitress the whole time, and tipped her of course, it wasn't her fault. But I will say, when we ordered an appetizer after all, she went from kind and helpful to cold, short, and inattentive. She aught not be mad at us for her employers bad policy and bagged pasta. Makes me wonder what else is not house made on the menu! ARe the sauces jarred? ARe the desserts bought frozen and thawed to order?
(1)John T.
This place was nothing special as far as food is concerned; however, it is an amazing improvement from the since removed Greek restaurant. The decor is nice and the service was amazing. Nonetheless, reviews are about food, and this place was nothing to rave about, unfortunately. The area needed a nicer-type restaurant, so I am glad this place moved on in. It is a bit upsetting that the steak I got was not better (bone-in ribeye). It would be better served if they put some type of butter on it for presentation and taste as they do in Chicago steakhouses most of the time. The prices were high, but it is to be expected from a steakhouse.
(3)Jessica B.
My boyfriend took me here for dinner and we both thought overall our experience was great. Food was very good. Our waitress was very friendly. Two things we did not like was the hostess and the single stall restroom. The hostess was a super sweet innocent teenager who needs more training. She originally told us the wait would be 20 minutes but we ended up waiting 1 hour and 30 minutes! It ended up being fine, we sat and drank at the beautiful bar but had we had somewhere to be, we definitely would NOT have been happy. I also disliked the one stall restroom. I ended up waiting 15 minutes to use the restroom. There were four girls part of a party that decided it was time to redo their hair and makeup and took forever! But I did have what appeared to be the manager walk by twice apologizing for my wait, she kept saying "You're still waiting? I'm so sorry." But other than that great place, would recommend it.
(4)Eric B.
My wife and I went to dinner at Venice last Friday evening. We dined in the atrium, a very nice area with a water feature and a retractable roof. The drinks were spectacular. For an appetizer we shared a puff pastry filled with mushrooms, bacon, and I think spinach. It was delicious. My wife had crab ravioli and I had a rib-eye steak and a twice baked potato. Everything was as good as a big downtown Chicago steakhouse and it was local and less expensive. The only two negatives I can say are that the entrance is around back (not a big deal once you find it) and in the atrium with the roof retracted, there was more traffic noise than I would like. Those two things are so minor that I hesitate to mention them. The service, food, and general atmosphere were so great that I'm sure we'll be back soon.
(5)carmen b.
Hello FOOD SNOB here, After seeing all the good reviews on Yelp, I've been wanting to try this place for a long time. GLAD I did. I think I will make this my new after work drink place. The BAR area is beautiful like everybody says. We ate in the Atrium which was nice, however it was overcast and cold out. Would of been nice if it was sunny and 85 degrees like the day before. So much for area weather. When they bring you real RUSTIC Italian bread you know the place is going to be good. And the Olive Oil for dipping that bread had to be EXTRA EXTRA Virgin. I should have asked for the brand name, it was Delish. Had the Baked Artichoke dip. Came with the same Rustic Bread. Warm and Tasty. I had the Venetian style GNOCCHI. I hate when Gnocchi is hard and chewy. This was SOFT like a pillow. And the Sauce WOW. A Rustic Red Sauce. Chunks of tomato, and tomato peeling, along with nice chunks of Pancetta ( italian bacon). Also large bits of ricotta cheese melted on top. My wife's dish was even better. Ravioli stuffed with Scallops and Shrimp. Served in a Spicy Vodka Sauce, but not too spicy. As I finished hers I wished I had had that instead. Only because I think I have acquired more of a taste for fresh seafood as I get older. And this did taste VERY FRESH. As I tasted my wife's Cheesecake I thought it was going to be rich and heavy. It was not. It was light and fluffy and had a strawberry sauce on it that tasted like t was a little spiked. To top things off the waitress said someone in the restaurant payed for my wife's cheesecake and my Lemonccello. The waitress did not tell me who because he wanted to remain anonymous. On the way out she told us who and why. It was for a personal reason which I thought was very nice.
(5)Jul N.
Ever have such a ridiculous experience somewhere and just can't wait to get home and Yelp about it? Yeah...that was me tonight at Venice. To be fair, I'll start from the end of the evening by saying that the food was actually pretty good, good enough to shake the pissy mood our server initially put us in. Our party of four ordered antipasto, steak (filet and porterhouse), grouper with risotto, and shrimp and mushroom pappardelle with cream sauce. Mmm. How about...4 stars. But the service!! OK. Ready? 1) We walk in and the pleasant but timid and seemingly inexperienced hosts take nearly 5 minutes to hang our coats. It was awkward. 2) I had forgotten about the reviews I'd read that mentioned the unavoidable walk through the smokey bar, but there's no NOT noticing it when you get there. Why the hell would you set up your restaurant such that every guest has to go into the smoking area? I'm usually not phased by cigarette smoke, but this was really bad...I don't think there's any ventilation in there. Not a pleasant smell right before you sit down to eat. 3) I think our server may have been stoned. Or maybe just actively trying to lose her job. She half-assedly shows us to our table (we had to clarify whether she meant this table or the one next to it) and when we sit, asks, "Do you want me to bring you some water?" Umm...yes, please? "OK. Is tap OK?" ...I don't know, is it? This just seemed weird. It's not like we're in France. 4) (Real) drink time: My girlfriend's mother ordered a Dewars on the rocks. The server comes back with something and after putting it down on the table goes, "I'm sorry, what did you order? I hope I got it right." My gf's mom says, "I ordered a Dewars." The server, very unemphatically: "Oh...I may have mixed it up with Drambuie. Sorry, I get those 'D' liquors mixed up." Indeed, she mixed it up. 5) My girlfriend ordered a beer. The server brought it out and walked away without ever offering a glass. We grabbed one from the service table next to us. 6) When we start looking at our menus, the server tells us that tonight's specials are listed on the table placeholder. She walks away and we realize that no, these are just the drink specials. When she comes back to take our order, she THEN asks, "Oh, do you want to know tonight's specials?" We say yes, and she quietly reads the list of entrees as if she's reciting a eulogy. 7) When she brought our appetizers, she took away the small tea light candle to make room and never brought it back =( 8) I'll stop. Server friend, I'm really sorry if you were just having a sh*tty day or whatever. But I hope you find something to do that makes you happy...I gather this job does not =( The other waiters seemed much more professional and, well, awake. The atmosphere, aside from the disgusting smokiness, is fine. Quirky and odd (random old black and white movies on repeat on TVs around the restaurant?), but fine. I'd try this place again but as another Yelper put it, don't expect much more than dress-rehearsal service from the staff.
(2)David Z.
At 4:30 pm Saturday, we are the only patron there. picture speaks for volume. No bread basket while waiting? Presentation was delightful, to be fair, especially for appetizers. Do not take your young kids there. They will be bored. I know this will be our first and last visit. Should been to Giovannie's, You cannot go wrong there.
(2)Kay J.
We couldn't decide between Dragon Inn and Venice and Monday-oops! Dragon Inn is closed on Monday. Great because Venice was excellent. The decor is sophisticated - earth tones, warm, dark colors and subtle lighting. We opted for the bar. There were several pub style tables and three or four regular style tables. The bar looks like marble and is lighted from inside - very sophisticated. Unfortunately it is smoking but since there was only one guy in the bar it wasn't bad. The dining room has lots of tables close together but looked inviting. The menu was simple, standard Italian fare done very well. We ordered entrees and were surprised to hear they came with soup or salad. The Gorgonzola dressing was thick and made in house. Soup Del Giorno was a creamy tomato spinach - very good. The veal picata was excellent and accompanied by asparagus and mashed potatoes. The fetticcini Alfredo was served with al dente noodles and creamy sauce. The portion was huge. Bread is an assortment of cheese flatbread, wonderful, crispy Italian white and brown raisin. It is served with olive oil and finely grated cheese. We passed on dessert - standard Italian choices of pane cotta, cheesecake and cannolli - but I'm sure they would be excellent. There was some confusion about the wine I ordered and the waiter was quick to rectify the mistake. Dinner with two glasses of wine came to $48 plus tip. The service was warm and friendly and we truly enjoyed chatting with our server. Venice is a step above the other new upscale Italian place in town and we'll be back. The wine list had many selections with glasses from $5 to $10.
(4)J L.
We have been here 4 times, which makes us idiots. Each time the service has been beyond laughable--- no product knowledge, a blasé attitude, orders messed up or take too long to bring to the table, drinks empty without offer of a refill, etc etc. It's very pricey for average-at-best food and while the bar is cute it's not cute enough to make up for the fact that they don't care even a little bit about training all of their staff (apologies to the servers who are doing a good job) nor about their customers' experience. The last time I waited 45 min for my fish ,... In a nearly empty dining room. Will Pass from now on....so many other good choices in our area that are worth driving a little farther from home to enjoy.
(1)Angie L.
I had never heard of this place until it was featured on groupon and decided to buy one based on the good reviews. I loved the decor of the restaurant, beautiful linens, oversized booths and chairs as well as dim lighting. We went on a Friday night around 6:30pm. We were greeted at the door and seated right away. The waiter was very nice and very knowledgeable about the menu. The bread with olive oil and fresh grated cheese was delish. My daughter kept asking for more. The calamari was one of the best I have had and my dinner the pan seared new york strip with red potatoes and steamed broccoli was out of this world. The food is a little expensive but it was well worth it. Venice is definitely one of my favorite restaurants.
(5)David M.
3rd time I visited this place on 7/30 it was terrible. The wait staff was slow and didn't inform me of any specials and for a steak house with no steaks on the menu, gave me the impression they are going out of business soon. Food was very unimpressive with little or no flavor. I think the cook must have left. I doubt if I go back.
(2)D. T.
Excellent Food! There is a little bit too much going on inside. Either the stereo should be turned off or the televisions should be turned off. Additionally there should be a NICE outdoor seating area for the non smokers. It does not make sense to give the enclosed patio area to the smokers. Indiana definitely needs more places like this.
(4)Kathy R.
Okay, so we have been here two more times since I wrote the first review. We went again during the week and the place was very quiet and sedate. We went there again on a Saturday night and wow, how very different! The place was absolutely packed! (I'm happy about this because I want them to stay!) This time, we took my sister-in-law who smokes. We sat in a smoking section attached to the bar. It was an atrium-type room with a huge waterfall in it. The volume in the whole restaurant was loud and it was very lively. This was like a completely different restaurant. The people-watching is pretty good too.... On to the food. Again, very very good. We had appetizers of baby octopus, fresh grilled whole squid and smoked salmon bruschetta with hard-boiled egg, mascarpone and capers. (SO good!) I had the caprese salad, but prefer it without the balsamic syrup. It's much better. Their olive oil is fresh and fruity and stands alone. The bread basket comes with lightly toasted crusty bread and homemade flatbread. Sis and I split crab-stuffed ravioli and hubby had that seafood pasta again. We finished with some nice coffees and a couple gelatos. YUUUMMMY! We're coming back...
(5)Synthia N.
I took my husband to Venice for his birthday. we were DELIGHTED. the service was exceptional. the food delicious, atmosphere wonderful. couldnt have been better. he had a steak that I thought was pricey, but he said was worth it. I had a pasta dish that was delectable - I inquired about what veggies were in it, I mentioned asparagus, the waitress ended up asking the chief to add them (because she said it looked like I liked them, I didnt even have to ask!). the appetizer was a mushroom puff pastry- I could have eaten for a main course it was so tasty! we will definitely go again
(5)Jamie M.
We went to the pre-opening night of Venice and really had a nice evening. They have a old, Italian theme going on with 10 TV's of black and white movies playing and pictures of Al Capone and Marilyn Monroe everywhere. We were especially drawn to their beautifully lit onyx bar and waterfall on the enclosed patio (which has a retractable roof for the summer). The food was very good (especially for their very first night); offering steaks, pastas, fish and a full bar with a nice wine list. Although the staff needs a bit of rehearsal, they were so friendly and attentive, our server Miguel was outstanding. We'll definitely go back to enjoy this soon to be local hot spot and hope that it succeeds!
(4)Matthew C.
A welcomed change in NWI. Chicago quality food and service for a good price. 4 of us dined last Friday and all extremely enjoyed our meals. Typical Italian fare served with exceptional quality. I had the Veal Medallions that were melt in your mouth cuttable with a fork. Other meals at our table were the Whitefish, Filet Minon that was Pittsburgh blackened, and chicken parmasean. All four meals were exceptional with the garlic mashed potatoes still making me crave more. We didn't have appetizers, but neighboring tables partook and looked just as exceptional. The decor is 20's mafioso with a touch of class. Dressier than shorts and sandals, but jeans and button down was appropriate. Desert was very good. Homemade blueberry ice cream being very tasty. We had a nice Malbec to go with the meal. The only drawback would be the dining space was a little tight. Outdoor patio was not however. I highly recommend Venice and am looking forward to sharing this gem with out of town and Chicago friends.
(5)AL B.
As many NWI residents know, fine dining is hard to come by! I am so happy a restaurant like Venice has opened! The staff is friendly, owner greets us every time we dine, and the food is excellent! The decor is very old hollywood, rat-pack era and I just love eating here! I have dined on several occassions and will definitely continue my patronage!
(5)Nathan S.
Was taken here by some reps for an educational dinner. Food was good and service was ok. Didn't see the menu so can't really comment on the $$
(3)Lori W.
First of all I am only giving 2 stars based on past experience . Been here several times and the food has always been good...pricey but good. ( dont mind spending good money on good food and service) Had lunch here the other day with my daughters. We got there a little after 1pm. WILL NOT be going back. Two of us ordered the lunch buffet. (which had I looked at it first I would not have) We had wine and it was good. The server was good and thats where the good ends. The buffet was picked over and food that was left was dried out. and there was no chicken or pasta left when we went up. They said it would be up soon. So we got salad to start. Went back still no chicken or pasta. As we were walking back to our table they come out with chicken and say pasta will be out . So I stand there waiting and he comes back and says Oh its gonna be a while we make everything fresh. By the time the pasta was out we were already pretty full which was sad for us because it was the best dish they had on there, Then we had a groupon and were told we could not use it on a special. No where on the groupon does it mention this. And I am thinking to my self special?? Really?? There was NOTHING special about this buffet. If the food wasnt so bad I would not of cared about the groupon. But the manager was really rude and could care less that we were less than satisfied with the food and wait at the buffet.
(2)Jose G.
Coming from chicago to visit relatives on Valpo they decided to treat us last night to the new hot spot in town, the drive wasn't bad and it all was worth it when we got there, as i was walking in i noticed the tables to be too close to each other but i didnt mind it later, we were directed by the hostess which by the way was friendly and warm but did not presented any menu or wine list too look at, that was quickly rectified by the star of the night which was our server, he introduced himself and pushed for specials and bottled water which is kind of standard for a "Ristorante" then made a recomendation for the Estancia pinot noir which was perfectly paired by my server to my meal, started with the baked artichoke hearts which are to dye for and the calamari, i loved the fact that soup which was delicious and salad are complimentary with your meal then the seafood risotto was perfectly cooked and amazingly fresh, then for dessert i shared a panna cotta & berries it was ok it lacked a little bit of texture but acceptable, my whole expierence was surprisingly superb, my waiter offered top notch service and made us feel right at home, i have to say the atmosphere was a little hectic all around us the place was rocking for dinner but the staff's attention to detail and superb table maintenance made this a pleasant experience, i will definetly come back to entertain friends and will recommend. kudos to the chef and always ask for Miguel who made this experience amazing, Miguel you made my brother in law look good lastr night.
(5)DEBBIE D.
What a Beautiful place!!!! We went back again!!!! It's our new favorite restaurant!!!! We ate in the dining room & then sat outside in the atrium for dessert. They had the roof & the doors open in the atrium. We felt like we were on vacation somewhere. The food & desserts were EXCELLENT!!!! What a great time!!!!
(5)Alyssa L.
This place only scraped ONE star due to it's decor. Other than that, I liked NOTHING about this restaurant. The food was bland, and did not taste fresh. Because my fiance and I always want to try each others food we asked for extra plates to split our entres. They wanted to tack on a sleezy five-dollar split charge. We asked if our appetizer was prepared fresh that day, and our server said yes. However, I have had spinach and articoke dip that was better out of a jar. Both of our entrees lacked any flavor or freshness. Our server was inattentive and smelled of B.O. My fiancee also pointed out countless greasy handprints thoughout the walls, especially near the kitchen and I noticed them in the bathroom, too. Overall, a very nasty experience. With so many GOOD Italian restaurants in the region, this place needs to step it up. They really must be riding on the business they get from their bar.
(1)Bryan C.
We just moved back into the area and decided to try this place last tonight as we have not unpacked our kitchen. It is an old school Italian/Steak house. An incredible amount of consideration was given to the layout and design and an equally overwhelming amount of thought given to the menu. I tend to be critical of food, especially Italian Cuisine as I make it really well myself- This place has everything on me. We ordered fried eggplant, steamed mussels, and soup. All of the sauces were as good as what I make. Our waiter was Renaldo, who was one of the best waiters we have had in a long time. He was very knowledgeable about all of the dishes and every suggestion that he made was excellent. Overall a very enjoyable place and we will go back again.
(4)Nikki T.
First timer in Aug. 2012. Tried the lunch buffet on a whim. I was skeptical as I'm usually not a fan of buffets but I could not resist the offerings. Lasagna, stuffed shells, roasted chicken and potatoes with mushrooms and onions and more. Good olive oil for the bread. The chicken was seasoned well. I would definitely try again. I went back for a second time in January 2013- not as great. The pasta was good but the food seemed to have dried out a bit. I think they were having a problem with the burners. Anyway, its still a decent value and nice selection but I recommend going early for the buffet.
(4)Katie R.
Our Dinner Club met here last night and we were pleasantly surprised. .. The bar area was beautiful and a nice start to our evening. We sat in the patio area which was nice. The food was delicious and the service was decent. I think they could have used one more server for the patio and outdoor seating area. Our server handled it on his own which caused the service to be a little slow but he was still very attentive. We were in no hurry so that wasn't an issue. My husband and I both ordered the Chicken Saltimbocca which was very tasty but they forgot to bring the side order of asparagus my husband added to his order. By the time it was brought to the table he was already done with his meal so he sent it back. They did not seem to mind that, did not charge for it and even brought a shot of Limon cello for the entire group as an apology. .. we were all about that! Every one enjoyed their dinner and I would return for another try. The reason I am giving it a 3 star rating is because of the forgotten side and dessert was not offered. .. But don't let that stop you from giving it a try.
(3)