Trattoria Roman Gardens Menu

  • Appetizers
  • Salad
  • Pasta Entrees
  • Meat And Seafood
  • From The Grill
  • House Specialties
  • Specialties Pizza
  • Pizza
  • Dessert

Healthy Meal suggestions for Trattoria Roman Gardens

  • Appetizers
  • Salad
  • Pasta Entrees
  • Meat And Seafood
  • From The Grill
  • House Specialties
  • Specialties Pizza
  • Pizza
  • Dessert

Visit below restaurant in Cleveland for healthy meals suggestion.

  • Stephen L.

    It has been 8 years since we have dined here. We live out of town and happen to be in this weekend. Service was excellent and our food from the antipasto to the Linguini with Clam Sauce to the Chicken Marsala was outstanding. We will definitely be back a lot sooner than 8 years!

    (5)
  • Ilona Y.

    Love the food and the service. We came for dinner, enjoyed the stuffed peppers appetizer and gnocchi with shrimp and tomato cream sauce. Delicious !!! Service was perfectly timed and the atmosphere casually elegant. We will be back for sure! This is a gem in the heart of little Italy.

    (5)
  • Kaity K.

    This 2-star rating is an average between the 1 star I would give the service and the 3 stars I would give the food... Just a disappointing experience overall. We made reservations for dinner for 5:30 for my sister's birthday and were told when we arrived that they were running a few minute behind. A few minutes turned into an hour, and we weren't seated until 6:30. The hostess literally had no idea what was going on and told every person who came in that the manager would have to talk to them about getting seated. It turned into a big mess. When we finally got seated, it was another 10 minutes before we even saw a waitress, and she only came over to give us a laundry list of excuses ("we've been busy and I have 3 tables") before disappearing again. The only helpful person was the woman who brought our bread and water... She was on top of her game and was incredibly friendly! We ended up with a different waiter who also gave a dissertation about how packed it had been all day when at this point all we wanted to do was order and go home. I got the fettuccini Alfredo for my entree and it was ok, nothing special. I had to add several spoonfuls of cheese for it to have any flavor at all, but once I did this, it wasn't bad! The portion sizes are huge but they're just not very big on flavor. My sister got the chicken parm and liked it, but said it definitely could have used more flavor. The one bright spot was the cannoli... That was absolutely delicious and I would definitely recommend it! Our experience started out poorly and never recovered, so I probably will not be frequenting this place in the future

    (2)
  • Danielle C.

    The food was great here. I had the crab cakes marina. Our server Mike was awesome. However they have faulty furniture and because of this my phone slipped through their couch. They refused at first to get it out. It was a big enough hole for a cold to get their arm stuck in. They claimed I may never get the phone back and asked well do you have insurance? Our server Mike finally came back over and pulled the board up and got it. So easy and the frustration could have been avoided by the woman server. Even though the food was great I'd rather have a good experience and not be meant with multiple rude servers expect Mike. Kudos for Mike for dealing with the rough streets of this restaurant.

    (2)
  • Daina K.

    After touring Case Western, my daughter and I were craving Italian and we randomly selected this place. So glad we did. The waiter said the eggplant parmigiana was a favorite and he was right. It was an ample portion and I kept checking if was the lasagna instead. Delicious!

    (5)
  • Lin H.

    EHHHHHHHHHHH. Came here on a Thursday night for a date (so unfortunately, I was too self conscience to take photos). Considering I am a huge fan of at least one restaurant in Little Italy, I was convinced I'd love surrounding restaurants. Whoops, guess I was wrong. I must state that this place was not horrible. I repeat, NOT HORRIBLE. It just was not taste bud exploding. Or mind numbing-ly amazing. Or to die for delicious. It just tasted like something I could make in my kitchen with a bottle of pink sauce from Heinen's. But I feel bad saying that :( Maybe I just ordered the wrong dish. By the way, I had the gnocchi with shrimp. Final say: I'd rather go to a different restaurant in Little Italy.

    (3)
  • Candace M.

    Went here tonight for our very last meal in Cleveland. Sadly, a let down. I've been here before and the experiences have been varied. If I've been with older family members, I feel like service is fine. If I'm with a friend or significant other around my age, there is something to be desired. We went on Mother's Day, which we realize is one of the worst days to eat out. But today's experience was fairly inexcusable, no matter what the day! We were seated in front of a table of 21. 21 people! There were 3 waitresses dealing with that table, and it seemed like few dealing with the others. We ordered the shrimp cocktail, which was only a little less than $10. It was 6 tiny shrimps. That's it. They were very good, but really, 6? That's almost entirely negligible! We also got the bread and butter which was good. Once we were done with these appetizers, our waitress never came back to take them away. In fact, they weren't taken away until well after we had our entrees. The entrees were just okay. I got the gnocchi with basil tomato sauce and it really just tasted like a bland vodka sauce. My boyfriend got the chicken Parmesan. One spice was overwhelmingly strong in the sauce. The chicken parm itself was baked, which he didn't like. The spaghetti looked fairly bland. It tasted like it would if we had attempted it at home. For a $45 meal, we'd expect more than that. Our waitress was fairly MIA the whole time. I saw someone else with our waitress literally throwing his hands in the air in frustration. At the end of our meal, 3 different waitresses asked if we needed boxes, which was way more attention than we received the whole meal. Our waitress was the first to ask and went to get it and the check, and didn't return for almost 10 minutes. When we went to pay, we were told that we had to tip immediately because they can only run the card once. We eventually did this, then left. No thank you, no goodbye. Aside from the mediocre (at best) service and food, the restaurant atmosphere was lacking. It was SO loud that I couldn't hear my companion sitting literally 6 inches away from me. Asking "what?" every couple of minutes over a bad meal... not what we had hoped for. Overall, big disappointment. Sad that our last day in Cleveland ended on this note; wish we'd gone elsewhere.

    (2)
  • Alexandria T.

    We were in the neighborhood after visiting the Cleveland Botanical Gardens over Thanksgiving weekend. There are so many options, but the group I was with had good things to say about Trattoria. Our party of four plus a baby was seated immediately. We were served with complimentary bread and butter. We started with a bottle of wine, and it was brought out right away. The server was great about when one of my friends asked questions about vegan options. They were able to accommodate her, and the pasta came out cheese free. I ordered the shrimp and gnocchi trattoria. The sauce was lacking a little flavor, so I added some crushed red pepper and that was just the thing it needed. I normally can finish an entire entree, but the portions were so huge, I took more than half home. The flavor of the dish really came out in the next days leftovers.

    (4)
  • Corey L.

    Stopped in on a Friday for lunch with my parents. Not our first choice, but most of the restaurants were closed at lunch time. Which seems really dumb to me. In the end, we enjoyed this place a lot, so it was good. Started with fresh bread in a basket with butter. Pretty good bread. I started with a chocolate martini, which was delicious. It wasn't as full as I expected or typically get, which was too bad, but what there was of it tasted good. I got the chicken parmigiano with red potatoes as a side. The chicken parm was good, pretty big, and pretty tasty. Red potatoes were fine - came with a lot of them. My brother go the same thing with pasta on the side. The pasta was boring. My mother got spinach ravioli, which were really good. Came in a tomato sauce, a full plate of them, pretty big, and flavorful. My father got chicken marsala, which was similar - tasty, big, and good. We got tiramisu for dessert - filled a martini-like glass. There was a lot of it, it was super tasty and well-done. Loved it. I love tiramisu and am snobby about it - this was good tiramisu.

    (4)
  • Matt S.

    Nice little Italian place in Little Italy. I got the Chicken Parm which was good overall. The chicken was a 4 out of 5, the pasta about a 2.5 out of 5. The service was incredibly friendly and polite. It isn't the fancy place in the world (not to say that is good or bad), but don't worry if you aren't wearing a suit. If someone else wanted to go here, or told me they were going here I'd be fine with it. However, since I don't frequently visit Little Italy I'll try somewhere different next time. I'd have to imagine there are better places, although this place wasn't terrible by any means.

    (4)
  • Victoria Belle S.

    Food: delicious! I had the special - shrimp & andouille sausage ravioli w red pepper cream sauce. The sauce is what got me. Service: our waitress was so friendly! Very prompt in fulfilling our requests as well as entertaining with her stories! She recommended both good wine that the employees also like as well as food for our group. Another thing is that my order got mixed up with gnocchi in the kitchen. The manager herself came out, and gave a humble & genuine apology and asked me to let her know if there's anything I would like. I happily declined, but I loved her service :) absolutely delightful. Food came out in less than 5 minutes! Ambience: typical italian restaurant and comfortable. We asked to sit in the front bar room to be closer to windows. Less tables so more private as well. Being separated from the main room did not mean we had any less service. :) Bonus: wifi! :) Overall: excellent. Highly recommend.

    (5)
  • Ethan R.

    High-quality, no-nonsense Italian-American food, with a ton of local charm. I had an enormous plate of linguine with a tasty red sauce for $8. Hard to argue there. If Nicole or Chris is there, you'll be taken care of.

    (5)
  • Shane M.

    This is a truly authentic Italian - American eatery. If you're looking for the Olive Garden, go elsewhere. Everything here is incredibly fresh, homemade, created with care, and delicious. The fresh Italian bread and tomatoes that come with it are fantastic. I had heard from multiple people that their Eggplant Parmesan was amazing. Whereas, eggplant is not something I personally enjoy, my dining companion absolutely loved it. It looked great, and I almost asked to taste it, but she was in such a delirious feeding frenzy, but I was afraid I would be bitten if I tried to steal a bite. I had the Chicken Piccata, which was also tasty. Also, the portions were large, and I felt that the prices were fair considering how fresh and the size of everything. Make sure to not skip dessert! They have Tiramisu that is by far the best I've ever tasted.

    (4)
  • Yuanjia Z.

    for the amount of food I get and my favorite eggplant parmesan and calamari, ill give it a four star! I don't really like going to any of the restaurants in little Italy cuz I think they are all over rated and over priced. I had some left overs - yes I eat my friends leftovers hahaha - from this place from a friend before and I really liked it so I decided to try it out today. we went there for lunch and I would say lunch menu is usually a little cheaper. the calamari is a must try. it came with a whole plate of food that after finished this appitizer I was already full. then I had the eggplant parmesan, still just as good as last time when I had the left over haha but I was too full to finish it. I don't know how they made it but it was fried but not oily but lots of cheese but not cheesey iono it was just really good. the marinara was a little on the salty side tho. my friend ordered the veal parmasan, which was pretty good as well. oh btw I have to comment on their bread and their butter - the bread is super soft and I LOVE their butter. its salted in a very nice way and I packed the butter and bread home too haha. I wish the food could be cheaper tho but the amount of food I got was probably enough for 2-3 meals. if you order eggplant parmesan for dinner, it will be 15 instead of 12 because they give you an extra bowl of spaghetti.

    (4)
  • K R.

    We went here with a party of 6 on a sunny afternoon. We were greeted by an extremely friendly hostess. We wanted to sit on the patio but in the shade and she did her best to accommodate us. Our service was excellent. The best part though, was the food. The antipasto salad was out of this world. We should've ordered 2 it was so good!! The fresh bread they gave us was addicting! Most of the people I ate with had spaghetti with meatballs or sausage and they all raved about it. I had the chicken parm and it was done perfectly! It was by far one of the best meals I've had during my stay in clevelb

    (5)
  • Todd C.

    The average rating of stars pretty much meets my experience, about a three and a half. Food was good, not worth driving from the north side of Medina county (Santa Susso's on 18 is better). Food was good, decent sized portion. Dining area is nothing to shout at, but the bar area is a little nicer, we should have asked to eat in there. Definitely felt rushed to get out the door and the manager on staff did end up telling us that he was in need for our table and invited us to come into the bar and let him buy us wine and drinks. For an average night out, this is a good option, we would do it again.

    (3)
  • Sgt B.

    My date and I had an absolutely wonderful experience at Trattoria. We made a reservation for 6 PM on a Saturday evening. Parked for $3 at the nearby lot next to the new RTA station that is currently under construction and walked over. We were seated within five minutes of arriving. The place is very cozy, as most guests are seated in a single room. Our server was very friendly and knew the menu backwards and front. We each got chicken parmagiana and it was fantastic. For dessert we had tiramisu which was absolutely out of this world. Overall, Trattoria is a tremendous place to eat with very reasonable prices and a wonderful atmosphere. An excellent way to spend the night in Cleveland.

    (5)
  • Sheila B.

    I took an out of town guest here to experience a little bit of the Little Italy neighborhood in Cleveland, and we enjoyed every bit from beginning to end. The bread basket was deliciously fresh with nice soft Italian bread with a delightfully chewy crust. It was served with bruschetta that was out of this world fresh for being November in Cleveland. For our main meal, we both got the Veal Parmagiano. The veal was fork tender and lightly breaded with perfectly seasoned breadcrumbs and flour. It was served with a very generous side of linguine with marinara sauce. A generous serving of mozzarella was melted over the veal. My only suggestion for improvement would have been homemade or fresh pasta. We left with very full bellies and a very fair bill. The ambiance is definitely not worth the visit, but the food definitely is.

    (4)
  • Angie B.

    Very disappointing dinner. My salad was wilted and the gnocchi dish that the waiter said was the "house speciality" was not good. My husband is not a picky lasagna eater and he did not like the meat sauce on his lasagna. We will definitely be trying another place in Little Italy, but not returning to this place.

    (2)
  • Laura B.

    All time favorite place to go in Little Italy. They're well known for their Lasagna but their Gnocchi al Burro is off the charts good. I always to make sure to take a jar of their sauce home too. It's the perfect flavor and consistency.

    (5)
  • Michael C.

    Not sure what the hype is about here. The menu was ok, and the food was decent, but overly large portions. Id rather spend less on a dish and get two for a similar price. But I hated the service. I don't often talk about service if the food was excellent, but that was not the case. So I ordered an eggplant parm appetizer and a gnocchi entree (btw, i pointed at each on the menu when I ordered to avoid confusion). Food arrives in a timely fashion, however the waiter brought me an eggplant parm entree instead of appetizer. They brought it back and said they would make another one for me, no big deal, very professional. But while I was waiting, I looked around to get a feel for the restaurant. There was a lot of energy, loud and buzzing, but something about the waitering staff just.. put me off. I couldn't put my finger on what it was exactly, but perhaps it was the fact that there were over 10 waiters for a restaurant that only needed 5? And our waiter seemed to be trying to take care of way more tables than he could handle (while screwing over other waiters). I saw him attack large new tables that opened up to take their orders, while ignoring our table of two. It took a full 15 min to track him down! (and this was largely because other waiters/waitresses refused to help because we weren't 'their' table). Just the whole vibe of the restaurant was made uncomfortable due to the wait staffs.. competitive nature, the lack of smiles, the lack of attention. Every waiter was passive aggressively fighting each other, and no one made us feel welcome, or paid us any attention. OH but there is an exception! If you are a regular (I saw a few tables that were given very warm welcomes as they entered - with hugs and kisses), they will give you more attention that you need. Well, guess I'll never know what that feels like.. Anyway, enough of that, on to the food. The food was fine, I tried their gnocchi and their eggplant parm (which seems to be what they are known for). Gnocchi was decent, I've certainly had better, but it was soooo monotonous! A whole dish of just gnocchi and tomato cream sauce for $13.95. If you are gnocchi-phile, this may be the place for you, but for a dish that is composed essentially of just potato, flour, and red sauce, it is a heck of a boring dish. Throw some italian sausage, red peppers, or something! Even if that means raising the price, I'm willing to pay good money for good food. Eggplant parm. It was delicious (largely due to their terrific red sauce). But if you ever made eggplant parm before, you would know how cheap it is to make, and I couldn't bring myself to pay $14 for an entree of eggplant, tomato, and cheese. This is not a gourmet italian restaurant, it's an italian comfort food restaurant. As delicious it was, there was nothing special about the eggplant parm or how it was prepared, which made me reluctant to even order the appetizer for $7.95. fyi- the eggplant for entree and appetizer or prepared differently: Entree was a tall layered type (like a lasagna), appetizer was just red sauce poured over a few eggplant slices sprinkled with cheese. If there was one thing that this restaurant had going for them, it would be their red sauce, it had a lot of flavor, good blend of tart and sweet. I would go back if they worked on their wait staff, and I would go back for the eggplant parm. I could see this place really working out if our server was, for instance, a sweet italian grandma who took care of us and was passionate about the food. But as soon as a comfort food restaurant like this takes on this money-first persona, with waiters jumping all over each other, it turns me off, and makes it difficult for me to enjoy the food. Overall I would say that the food is really overrated (except the eggplant parm), I've been to much much better italian restaurants where prices were only a tad more expensive. For the food itself, I would give it a 3/5. But the wait staff is what really killed the experience for me 1/5. It seems that the only tables getting attention are: 1. table of regulars 2. tables of 4+ 3. table with beautiful ladies in beautiful clothes As I was none of the above, my service was crap Food: B- Atmosphere: C Service: D+

    (2)
  • B S.

    Have eaten at Trattoria a couple of times over the past few years. Really great food and fantastic service. Love their breaded eggplant - one of the best I've had. Also love their pizzas and pastas. Dessert's also superb, though there often isn't space for it!

    (5)
  • Karin J.

    This is my favorite restaurant in Little Italy. I have introduced many friends and family to it, always with positive experiences. It can get very crowded on weekend evenings, so you need a reservation. Since other people have mentioned it, I will too - the bread! Fresh, presented well in a paper lined metal bowl, with the whipped butter...tells me this place knows how to make a great first impression. Unlike other restaurants that give you hard rolls with frozen pats of butter that I have to hold in my fist for awhile so I can even spread the darned stuff! The parking lot behind the restaurant is a BIG plus, especially on weekend nights. They have valet service at night, at lunch you park yourself.

    (4)
  • Phillip M.

    Had dinner here a little less than two weeks ago. Have been here several times before but it has been a couple of years. A quiet Thursday night because there had been rain in the area a few hours previous. they have parking right behind the restaurant which was a breeze on this quiet Thursday night and they have a back entrance. The loaf of bread with a generous portion of bruschetta and a cup of butter was a great start. I had the chicken marsala which was great tasty sauce with fresh mushrooms and instead of pasta on the side I had the rosemary and oregano roasted potatoes which were split quarters of red bliss potatoes perfectly done maybe the best I have ever had anywhere. Had a Peroni beer which was a perfect accompaniment to the meal service was absolutely excellent. the dining room is Olde world Italian.

    (5)
  • Mansi N.

    We went to Trattoria on a whim. We had been stuck inside all day and wanted to get out and just do something. We decided to walk around Little Italy and decided to get dinner here because it's more affordable than some of the other places. Service was great - the waiter knew the menu items and was honest when he had not tried some of the food. I enjoyed the bread and the oil or tomato topping that came along with it (I can't remember!). I ordered the primavera pasta with red sauce. It was tasty and the portion was HUGE. I think I got three meals out of that plate. It just wasn't anything to rave about in my opinion. I appreciate the family atmosphere and just being in Little Italy. I would try it again and try another dish, which may lend to a better foodie experience.

    (3)
  • Sonya P.

    We ended up eating here because there was literally no other parking spaces anywhere else in Little Italy except for the parking lot dedicated to this place. So we decided to check it out and were pleasantly surprised. When we sat down they brought a basket of bread with REAL whipped butter and a delicious fresh tomato topping! We also got the Breaded Calamari as an appetizer and it was really great! You could tell it was fresh and not a single piece was rubbery! Really great! I also got the Linguine with Clam Sauce (with the white sauce) and added the fresh steamed mussels on top. Not one bite had grit in it and the mussels were perfect. The bowl was also huge, which is great since I love leftovers! This is solid and I'll definitely be returning!

    (4)
  • David B.

    Had a very nice night here this past Friday at Trattoria. The eggplant parmesean was a very hefty portion, perfectly breaded and just enough on the cheese to sauce ratio. For the table they bring as standard bread with a roma tomato- garlic spread, very delicious and unexpected. I had the chicken marsala, fiancé had the eggplant parm'. I thought it was very good but not great like the eggplant. I think my chicken marsala standards are a little high after working in an Italian catering company in high school (I got paid in chicken marsala). I got a side salad in place of linguini and red sauce, the italian dressing was homemade and had a good amount of zest. The atmosphere was good, a little close seat wise but I think that's kind of the charm of little Italy in a way. didn't have any dessert but they looked like HUGE pieces of cake and will try that next time. The prices were very reasonable too as a bonus. Love coming here!

    (4)
  • Matthew J.

    The food is absolutely amazing. All of the people dinging this place for the atmosphere are a little off base in my opinion. It's not the best, but it's not that bad. It's like an Italian restaurant should feel - down home style like you're being fed from a kitchen. The food definitely earns this place 5-stars.

    (5)
  • Nick Y.

    The best gnocchi I have ever eaten along with their Chicken Parmiagiano! Abbstanzo bene!

    (5)
  • Stephen H.

    Ive had good and bad service here. Overall, I am pleased with the food and the Bruschetta (pronounced broo SKET uh) sauce is a nice little touch. Great, classic location on Mayfield. The tiramisu in the glass must be a Cleveland thing. Ill be back for sure.

    (3)
  • Jennifer R.

    Been here alot over the past 7yrs. Loved it, but unfortunately after tonight..I think I bid farewell. Calamari (11.25) is frozen & over done. Chicken Piccata (15.25), which I've had there before, was terrible. The sauce had a film on it, but dish was luke warm. Chicken was dry & sauce had a faint lemon taste. Hubby got linguine w/ white clam sauce (11.25) I'm no expert on clam sauce so in his words, it was brothy & lacked the taste he wanted. Anyway, service was average. I guess crossword puzzles are more important than increasing your tip ;)

    (2)
  • Mallory R.

    Went here a few months ago on a Friday around 5 pm. Bartender was great and very attentive. Ordered a few beers and glasses of wine. We also ordered calamari and the owner brought out some specialty rice balls for us, on the house, which were amazing! Only stayed for a short while but it seemed like a great place to go back and have dinner! Bar area is small, not sure of the total size of the restaurant, and dress is casual.

    (4)
  • Becca B.

    Disappointing... My husband and I came to Trattoria for our anniversary dinner. It was just all around boring. It was busy but we were seated within 10 minutes and they have a free valet service, fancy. The food was just bland and uninspired. We split the antipasto salad, I had chicken Marsala and he had the lasagna. Everything was just okay. The lasagna was mostly layer after layer of pasta with little in between. We each got a side, Potatoes or Pasta. The potatoes were well cooked but with no seasoning, served with green onions sprinkled on top- perhaps they should have cooked them together for some flavor? The pasta sauce tasted like Ragu, blech. We'll have to check out some other places in Little Italy.

    (3)
  • Sharon S.

    I wish that it was possible to rate in different categories. The food was great... 4 stars. The ambience, not so much... 2 stars.

    (4)
  • Steve R.

    Been there twice. Both experiences were not the best. Ok if your in the area, but by no means special. Visit one of the better places on the hill.

    (2)
  • Erin G.

    My mother and father met and fell in love in Cleveland and all of her family is still there and we go an visit them at Thanksgiving every year. The Trattoria is the place we all want to go for dinner on the Friday after Thanksgiving (you would think we would all be super stuffed but no). This place is amazing and everything is crazy delicious. yes it is a little bit more money but for the quality and experience it is totally worth it. We always try to get this giant booth in the back room which makes you feel like you are in the Godfather movies. The waiters all used to be super handsome young men, but that has changed a little bit no matter though the service is always flawless and they always manage to accommodate our giant, crazy family. If you are able to not fill up on their amazing fresh bread, salted butter and delicious bruschetta then their apps like the calamari are the perfect starter, I have also had their antipasto salad to start before as well which is great. All of their pasta dishes are fresh and amazing and you cannot go wrong with anything on the menu but I would advise you to save room for dessert because the tiramisu there is to die for. This is not a random Wednesday night place but the perfect place to go and splurge on great wine and food with family and friends. I cannot wait until I can go back!

    (5)
  • Michael L.

    Absolutely fantastic! I say that, keeping in mind not everyone will agree since tastes very. Everything from service to atmosphere to food is great. I have been to Trattoria many times and always had a great time and great meal.

    (5)
  • Matt A.

    My wife and I are from Akron, and we made a special trip to go to little Italy for dinner. Trattoria looked like a good place, so we tried it. We made reservations, and were seated promptly. Service was fast and good. I ordered the chicken Parmesan, and my wife got the eggplant Parmesan. The food was just average. The sauce was quite bland. Portion sizes were good, just not that flavorful. Dining room was crowded and tables are very close together. Overall, Trattoria is average.

    (3)
  • Charles C.

    We had a 6:30 reservation and did not get seated until a little after 7. The place was packed and while we were waiting in the rather crammed front area (that candy machine could not be in a worse place) I was starting to get a wee-bit concerned hoping that the questionable way things were going was not going to reflect on the quality of the food. When we were finally seated at first our waiter seemed somewhat curt, but he warmed up quickly. His name is Lenny (only works on the weekends) and I have to say by the end of the meal I was a big fan of Lenny's. Before I talk about the food I will say the only problem aside from the questionable reservation policy was the noise factor. As I mentioned above the place was packed and the volume of all of these voices some at the table found difficult to deal with especially if you are trying to hear what the person sitting across from you is saying. Here's the thing though the food is so unbelievably good that nothing else mattered once the food was served. The portions are beyond generous and the food arrived at the table hot which i am really a stickler about. For an appetizer we ordered the Breaded Calamari and it is the best I have ever had (don't be shy squeeze a little lemon on it you won't be sorry). It was not at all greasy and it was perfectly cooked and what a generous portion. For my entree I had the Eggplant Parmigiano and even before digging my fork into it I understood why it was a House Specialty. The eggplant was cooked to absolute perfection and their tomato sauce is to die for. You know how some tomato sauces immediately give you heartburn well you will not experience that with this otherworldly tomato sauce. I also love how the Eggplant Parmigiano is lightly breaded so it does not feel heavy. Every one at the table loved what they ordered and trust me when I say this is a table where if people do not like something they are not afraid to say it myself included. One person even commented it was the best meal they had ever had in Murray Hill and would go back again. To be fair the person also said the noise was a problem though at this point I am not sure what could be done about that. There is a patio in the back that is enclosed in winter and open in the summer and perhaps that is quieter. I have not been to an honest to God Italian restaurant in a long time nor have I been to a restaurant in quite some time that had its own personality and did not feel like another chain until tonight. I really felt like when my family used to go to The Spaghetti Company up on Som Center when I was a kid except that the food at Trattoria Roman Gardens was so much better. If you want authentic Italian do not hesitate to come here and if you have to wait to sit down know that it is more than worth the wait. And if you're lucky maybe you'll even get Lenny as your waiter. Trust me once he warms up you could not be in better hands.

    (5)
  • Lisa S.

    Service good, food below average for the price point. $15+ for the specialty of the house of gnocchi and shrimp. There were only 4 tiny shrimp and too much of a very thin sauce. Another member of my party had the same thing and had only 3 tiny shrimp. Yet another had 10. Mozzarella sticks arrived lukewarm and over-breaded. We won't be back and will go somewhere else next time so we can then walk to Presti's, which made the trip from the west side worth it.

    (2)
  • Shelley S.

    The Best Italian food I've had ever! Definitely the one to go to in Little Italy. I have tried many of the others and they are not as good and prices are much more. The linguine and meatballs are fabulous! Save room for tiramasu for dessert for sure!

    (5)
  • George T.

    Server had no personality. But the lasagna made up for it. A big hearty portion. I could have took half of it home and had another meal, but I couldn't resist. They don't skimp on the sauce either! Will go again and eat more.

    (5)
  • Matt B.

    Wholly underwhelming. I started with the calamari and it tasted like something the Gordon's fisherman caught. The chicken parmesan was mediocre. Service average. Decor average. Not worth the money. There are better choices in Little Italy.

    (2)
  • Kaitlin D.

    I haven't really had a bad experience here. There was one time when there was a seating issue outside and the waitstaff seemed to have difficulty keeping up with things. But, other than that, great calamari, spinach ravioli, and lasagna as far as I'm concerned! I also recently had a great time at the bar in the front. Our bartender was cute and hilarious; quite a lady! The prices are a little steep if you're looking for an amazing dish, but it IS tasty. The drink prices didn't seem too bad, though. Overall, I'm not opposed to returning, especially because it is nice and more my style than any other Little Italy sit-down-and-get-served joint and the atmosphere is enjoyable.

    (4)
  • Denise G.

    This is a great little authentic Italian restaurant in the heart of Little Italy. We have been here a number of times, and it never disappoints. If you are an eggplant fan like I am, do not pass up the Eggplant Parmesan. Their version looks like a square of lasagna, and is thin layered slices of eggplant-- delicious from the first to the last bite. Planning a trip next weekend as we speak:)

    (5)
  • Kerry M.

    Shared a 19$ bottle of Chianti, which was good. Had the linguini pesto with scallops and mushrooms. Great food and service with good service. Would def recommend it

    (5)
  • Ferris B.

    Came here with my boyfriend for dinner. I had a rough week at work and craving carbs and booze. I got exactly what i wanted. Had a smortini and citrus crush martini I told you I wanted booze. Bread was serviced that was piping hot with a crispy crust and soft gluteny inside. Fantastic. But I tried not ot eat to much of it or it would soak up my martinis and kill my buzz. I ordered Linguini with scallops, mushrooms and pesto however I don't like scallops so had they switched out for shrimp. They had no problem accommodating.It was flavorful and cooked perfectly. The only thing I would of changed was they left the tails on. I hate it when they do this! Sure other people argue they are edible. No they are hard exoskeletons of a sea creature, I don't want to eat the hard, ass end rudder of a sea creature. Other than that it was great. Drank a great red wine with dinner... yay booze and carbs! Boyfriend seemed to really enjoy his lasagna. We got the tiramisu to go so we could sit on the couch for the rest of the night with more wine for no pants time and a few episodes of Game of Thrones. The evening was a success! The food was great, the drinks were wonderful, and the server was attentive and helpful. The restaurant was very clean, classy, and well lit. I loved the decor.

    (4)
  • John N.

    Food was okay( have had much better on the Hill though) but the service really could have been a lot better. Doubt we'll be back.

    (3)
  • Michelle H.

    Just okay.. Very slow service, over priced, food was subpar. Overall, a disappointing experience.. With all the great restaurants in Little Italy, I can say I won't be back.

    (2)
  • Angie C.

    Good food. Breads really good. I wish they gave more food. I want to be wobbling out of there. But seriously, they are decent portions. Best Italian place in Little Italy so far.

    (4)
  • Richard H.

    The food here is really good, but you will probably overlook that because of the absolutely horrific service. I have been here on at least five occasions and it does not seem to be an issue with one specific member of the wait staff.. it's all of them. Seriously this is an all night dinner experience. I see a lot of reviews that say the food is mediocre and i really think that has to do with the negative experience that the people have when they come here. I found the food to be quite good and of extremely good quality. The patio in the summertime is just spectacular and great for having appetizers and drinks. It has its own parking which is really nice and extremely rare on the Hill. It is a great date restaurant because you will have plenty of time to get to know one another and the ambiance is very nice.

    (3)
  • Jen J.

    Still in search of the best restaurant in Little Italy. I've tried 4 or 5, and this one ranks about in the middle. Food was okay, but nothing to get too excited about. The atmosphere was good, but food was expensive for only being so-so. I'd go to Anthony's instead if you're looking for great food.

    (2)
  • Ryan L.

    Atmosphere, food, and the staff was awesome! Took the wife and daughter for lunch after the art museum and loved it. Will definitely be back soon. Had pizza and split a huge portion of chicken parm.

    (5)
  • Habby H.

    Another case of "just because it's popular, doesn't mean it's good". This place has been around forever and often has coupons in the Entertainment Mag. The old people love it. They also have a nice large outside patio and valet parking. I think the parking lot is one of the reasons it's so popular, actually. The food is mediocre at best. Most often times, it's downright horrible. On my last visit, I ordered the fried calamari to be on the safe side. WRONG. This was probably the worst calamari I've ever had. Tasted like pre-formed, pre-breaded frozen stuff that you get in the grocery store. No tentacles. Just a bunch of "O's". The breading was horrible. The marinara was good although I am pretty sure it is just straight canned San Marzano's. The antipasto platter was a joke. The only meat was a couple rolls of low-grade salami and there was maybe a sliver of cheese. The rest was a bunch of pickled stuff and canned tuna. Ick! I tried a friend's lasagna and it was OK but it contained canned mushrooms. Not horribly impressed. Heinen's makes better lasagna IMO. Our waitress, Randie, was the best though. She was super attentive and made our experience fun.

    (2)
  • Jamie W.

    You've got to love the historic Trattoria in Little Italy. It's been here forever. I remember coming in as a kid with my Grandfather. While it's become a little less formal over the years, the food, wine and desserts don't disappoint. The prices are reasonable and the portions are large. The veal parm is excellent, as is the house Chianti. Don't forget to checkout the dessert case before sitting down so you know what to save room for!

    (5)
  • Meera T.

    The absolute best eggplant parmesan I have ever had in my life. It comes as a huge rectangle slice completely covered in their marinara sauce. You can see the layers when you cut into it, and every bite completely melts in your mouth. It's not pricey at all, and you'll have more than enough for a second meal. I should really just stick to that when I come here. I've tried other things and they've been pretty meh. The spinach ravioli looked like it came from a frozen pack and was just dethawed. The service gets on my nerves every time. Even during a late lunch, when there were no more than 4 other tables in the restaurant, it took 15 minutes to get menus and water, and another 15 to get bread. Absolutely ridiculous. The check came maybe 10-15 minutes after we had requested it.

    (3)
  • Murray R.

    "Ubriaco Depravazione" stop 1. The other diners were already sipping on some Moretti La Rossas(7%) and cocktails when i arrived. I had a LaRossa(mostly because i like Tony LaRussa). The al fresco dining experience on the last day of September was just warm enough to not require heavy coats, but cool enough to wipe away the memories of one of the most brutally hot summers ever. I sampled yelper #*!$#!#^ 's calamari. Pretty good. I ordered the antipasto platter for us all to share. It kinda blew. Little meat and cheese and heavy on chick peas(i could go the rest of my life without ever eating a chick pea and be happy), tuna salad, eggplant, olives and leftovers from earlier diners' plates. Service was very good and interacted with our group in a fun way. I used to eat here a lot in the 90's when i had family working here, so it was nice to go back after almost a decade absence. Can't vouch for the pasta, but it is a pleasant place for a quick app. If said apps don't suck. Very casual vibe.

    (3)
  • Carter S.

    Had a reservation and still took an hour to grab a seat. Hostess was not the most pleasant and did not care about our waiting time. Good was pretty good but not worth the wait.

    (1)
  • Roxanne O.

    After a day in the sun and in various watering holes around town on the Tribe's opening day, I was in desperate need of a hearty meal on my way back to the east side. We had to drive though Little Italy and hadn't been to Trattoria in quite awhile and thought we might as well give it a try. Despite the fact that it was a Friday night, we were seated after a 10-15 minute wait. We were immediately brought a basket of bread and water. (I've always been a fan of the crusty bread and bruchetta-like tomato sauce that accompanies it. But not a big enough fan to buy a jar of it!) The dining room was noisy as always and I generally feel a little cramped with the way the tables are set up. One slip and your meal could be on the table of the patrons next to you. But I suppose that's part of the charm? My boyfriend had the gnocchi al burro, or something similarly named. Basically it was a gnocchi in a creamy tomato sauce. He remembered the gnocchi being bigger the last time we were there, and I'd suspect that they don't make their own pasta. (but I could be wrong - maybe they're so good at it that it looks completely uniform) I tried the gnocchi and thought it tasted very buttery. I don't like buttery tomatoes, so I wasn't a fan. But my eggplant parm was a lot better. Eggplant can be hit or miss (hello, funky, tough eggplant!), but the slab I had was perfectly cooked and slathered in sauce and cheese. To be honest, I could have eaten just about anything at that particular moment because I was so hungry, but I still think my meal was pretty good. Overall, I think Trattoria is a decent place to go for a decent Italian meal. Nothing spectacular or worth making the drive for, but it will do in a pinch.

    (3)
  • Eric D.

    I stopped by this place on recommendation from one of the staff members from my hotel while on business. I was rather surprised that Cleveland had a Little Italy section; I felt like a fish out of water in a Midwest town, but stepping onto Mayfield Rd made things just a little better. I got take-out from this restaurant that was mixed in review. I got the fried calamari, which was terrible, I'd give it 1 star if I could. They were just a bunch of barely breaded rings. It looked to cliche and half-assed for a place the locals raved about. If they thought this was good Italian, they need to visit NYC or the Hudson Valley. Next I had the shrimp and gnocchi with vodka sauce, which was pretty good. Not the best I've ever had, but it was still very good. They also make their own marinara, but I'm not sure if was worth getting molested by the TSA to bring it back east.

    (3)
  • Alex G.

    If I could give them less than a star I would. Food wasn't as good as usual and the rudest wait staff ever. Might never come back

    (1)
  • Mike N.

    Sat outside on a very pleasant day. Menu is not extensive, but good. Nice complementary Italian bread is fresh. Mussels are a nice appetizer. Salads tasty, especially with house Italian dressing. Gnocchi is excellent. Ordering with shrimp adds protein, but not much else. Would probably order without. Wine list is short and sweet. Desserts are good. Tiramisu served in a parfait glass, but tasty. Service is spotty. Our server was slow, but nearby server was very active. Portion size is generous for entrees. You will be taking food home. Overall good, but not excellent. Very pleasant experience.

    (3)
  • Nicholas L.

    Pretty terrible. The mussels were not fresh, and in the worst white sauce I've ever had. Big undercooked pieces of garlic were everywhere, the liquid itself was oily, and incredibly under salted. The salad looked like it came from a super market salad bar. The eggplant Parmesan was a huge portion, but unfortunately soggy. No reason to go here with all the other restaurants around.

    (1)
  • Richard N.

    Great place to meet and eat. Friendly staff. The eggplant parmesan is amazing! There seems to many negative remarks about the calamari. I can only say I ordered it and it was also great. Not heavily breaded, thankfully. I look forward to my next visit.

    (4)
  • Patrick S.

    I recently had my son's rehearsal dinner here and i could not have been happier. The food was great -- good old fashioned Italian-American, red sauce kind of Italian -- and the service was outstanding. Chris, the manager (i think) was absolutely fantastic to work with. Helpful and friendly, he did everything he could to make the experience great for my guests and easy for me. I don't live in Cleveland but if i did, i'd be a regular. and if you're planning a private function i can't recommend them highly enough.

    (5)
  • Tiger J.

    Y-U-M-M-Y. There's a commercial for an Italian Chain Restaurant where a family goes to a Restaurant, everyone orders a different dish & they share. You know, when you're here, your family? Well, this is what my Wife, Brother & Sis-in-Law did...when my Wife took a bite of her dish and Googled a recipe so we could remake the dish next time we make pasta I guess that says enough. Staff was friendly, fast & excellent. Nice place to sit, talk and eat great food. I had lasagna, lots of sauce, excellent. I can't say the next time in Cleveland I'll come back...Cleveland is a great Foodie-ville but I'd like to come here every week if I could.

    (4)
  • Daniel S.

    Cute, simple, small place. True Italian family atmosphere. We had the cheese lasagna and simple gnocchi. Both were outstanding. Table next to us had eggplant. Being vegetarians we know good stuff when we see it. We cannot wait to return to try it. Wine list was short and sweet. We bought the sauce for home and it is great. Get some if you can.

    (5)
  • Michael T.

    First off, I am not a big fan of Italian food. I think it's because I don't like overly acidic tomato sauce or overly greasy food (sometimes). That being said... This was the best Italian food I have ever had. Our family went last Saturday night - 5 adults, 1 child - and we got 5 different dishes: spaghetti and meatballs, gnocchi al burro, eggplant parm, chicken picatta, and angel hair pasta aglio olio in garlic with mussels. My wife had sung the praises of the eggplant -- she was right! It was perfectly cooked, in six layers, no less! The gnocchi and the sauce were delicious. The chicken was kind of pedestrian, and somewhat tough. But the star of the meal for me was my angel hair in mussels. Such a simple dish, yet executed to perfection and thoroughly satisfying from the first bite to the last. They were crazy busy for the first part of our meal, but even at that, our waitress was attentive and very competent. Once things slowed down, she stopped to explain that the electricity had gone out earlier in the neighborhood, leaving theirs one of the few places with power, and, as a result, an over-full house. Can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Fermin B.

    Hardly worth it for the price. Nice atmosphere. It seemed like a family friendly restaurant where everyone was all dressed up. Small space, but can fit a large amount of people in it. I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, very simple, yet elegant. Aside from the decor, I would say the quality of the food for the price is below par. The ravioli was great, but it was just a simple ravioli in plain tomato sauce. Really? Can we get at least a little bit more creative here? For 12 bucks, plus tax and tip ( I think I paid in total around $16), 7 pieces of ravioli in a tomato sauce in a simple white plate is not worth $16. Especially for a college guy. I would rather get something else, something more meaty and filling, for the same price. Not worth eating here if you're HUNGRY or low on CASH. The food is not bad, but not that great either. I could make the same thing for 1/10th of the price.

    (2)
  • Sarah V.

    We always like to sit up front in the bar area. MUST try the stuffed hot banana peppers. They make me want to do the tango

    (3)
  • owen m.

    I went to this restaurant not knowing what to expect. It's a family run Italian joint so I ordered the classic spaghetti and meatballs. The meatballs were gigantic, and the sauce was remarkable. It had a low price point and I would definitely go again. The tables were very classic Italian, with a bottle of cianti on each, and actual cloth tablecloths! I love this place and would go back in a heartbeat. Good service, good food, and good oversight.

    (5)
  • Kim B.

    After hearing such excellent reviews I couldn't wait to eat here. I ordered eggplant parmesan...it was served ice cold in the middle. The waitress promptly took it to the kitchen and MICROWAVED it. What I got back.was eggplant parmesan mush too hot too eat :( to say the least this was not good eats...after being told everything was prepared fresh, from scratch, this left me wondering how long before serving, is the food actually prepared for the middle to have been ice cold. I will not return.

    (2)
  • Melissa W.

    First time to this restaurant. As a business traveler, I experience many restaurant types and levels. This is by far the worst Italian food I have ever had. Food in any hospital cafeteria is better. Seriously. I ordered a filet Mignon and it was smothered in a brown sauce with mushrooms. It was spilling over the plate. I had to ask for another plate to avoid spilling. The quality of meat was very bad. Stringy, tough , tasted old and overpriced. The potatoes on the side were cold, tasteless and greasy. I cook way better than this at home. The vegetables on the side were a broccoli and carrot mix. They were from a frozen bag and tasted like it. I really hope I don't get get food poisoning from this place. The waitress was very slow despite only having a few of five tables that were sat. They also make you put your tip in the receipt before they run your credit card. Really? It took almost 20 min to get my card and receipt back. The waitress did not even inquire on how the food was. I think she knows it's disgusting. Will never go back. Save your money!!!! Can I give .02 stars?

    (1)
  • Thad H.

    So, so good. We had the gnocchi and split the meatballs. The have the best gnocchi, my advice is to split the potion with the table or whomever you are dining with. My wife and I split the lunch portion and had plenty!

    (4)
  • Karin J.

    I am a big fan of Italian wedding soup, and Trattoria's version is one of the best I have had - the meatballs melted in my mouth and the broth had a lot of flavor (without being salty). The meat ravioli was cooked perfectly, I don't like a heavy pasta shell but this was just right. very good sauce as well. Service was fine, busy during lunch, but the hostess came by to check on our table, which I appreciated. Trattoria has their own parking lot behind the restaurant (access it off of 123rd. St.). At night the parking lot has valet parking, but today at lunch we just parked ourselves, which if you have any experience parking your car in Little Italy is a fantastic selling point! Prices are very reasonable, my ravioli was just under 10$, and I took half of it home, so that gives you an idea of portion size. This is my go-to place for great Italian food.

    (5)
  • Dale E.

    Come here to get my Italian-food "fix," whenever I visit Cleveland, and Trattoria Roman Gardens never disappoints. Of course, while I always begin with a glass of Chianti, while carefully studying the menu, I end up getting the same thing every visit: Eggplant Parmigiano (think that's how it's spelled on their menu). Regardless of how they spell it, it's "molto bene." Delicious! What I call "mommy food" because - being Italian - it takes me back. Part of the reason it's so good is their homemade sauce - also delicious (and there's plenty of it!). Homestyle Red Sauce (aka as Red Gravy or SUGU to Italians) is such a personal experience but theirs hits the mark and there's no doubt it didn't come out of a jar or can! Only reason I gave 4 stars? Not sure, but probably because it could be a little better in some areas (but not the eggplant or red sauce). That's not a criticism; if your looking for solid, homestyle, unpretentious Italian food, this is the place. Go. Mangia. Enjoy!

    (4)
  • Russ D.

    I had the Shrimp & Gnocchi Trattoria and I enjoyed it tremendously!

    (4)
  • Mark G.

    How can you tell if a restaurant is good or not? Order the simplest thing on the menu and try it. Well my mother and I did just that and we both loved it. My father pretty much hates Italian food yet still found something that he liked. Very cool that you can pick potatoes as a side too. Not everyone loves pasta. The old Italian-American guy complaining about the long line for table was funny too. Yelpers who ordered seafood and complained about it: Why on Earth would you order seafood in a land locked state and expect it to be fresh!? This isn't Vegas. Casinos aren't even legal here. You really think a mom & pop place in Ohio is going to pay to ship fresh seafood on dry ice?

    (4)
  • Ermelinda C.

    Great patio, especially during the Feast of the Assumption in August. They do hire great bands and throw the best party in Little Italy - sure to entertain every time. Good food, but not great! Friendly service.

    (3)
  • Karen W.

    Good solid Italian food Great lunch specials, especially the sausage sandwich I recommend the eggplant parmesan as well Friendly service too.

    (4)
  • Jen M.

    Dear Little Italy, I officially give up. I have eaten myself to death up and down Mayfield Rd in search of a *good* Italian restaurant that makes a great tomato sauce. Fortunately (or unfortunately) I had high hopes for Trattoria on the Hill. The cavatelli with extra tomato sauce was just plain mediocre. So there you have it. I'm officially done with settling for mediocre Italian in what is reported to be the most authentic Italian neighborhood in Cleveland. Sadly, Jen

    (3)
  • Shayna R.

    My visits to Trattoria have been pretty solid, but not mind-blowing. My first visit was a few years ago, and all I really remember from that experience was a very rude and kind of crazy server. I recently went back for dinner for a friend's birthday though, and the service was far better. Our server was sweet and efficient. I got the gnocchi with shrimp which was good - the portion is massive and I love the creamy tomato mushroom sauce. I've also stopped by to meet a friend for a few drinks at the bar which were yummy, and the bartender was great and really friendly. I would go back to Trattoria, but I'm in no big rush.

    (3)
  • patrick k.

    i ordered 3 things. 1) garden salad: nothing special. same salad you would get at a diner. it was the best thing i had. 2) calamari: not good at all. i've had better pretty much anywhere. 3: linguini with clam sauce and mussels. overcooked linguini, mussels were a little off.

    (2)
  • Holly N.

    One of my favorite Italian restaurants in Cleveland's Little Italy. I've been here multiple times with friends and family, in fact my mom always insists that we go because their tomato basil spaghetti sauce (which is also sold by the jar) reminds her of her great aunt's homemade sauce. I've never been disappointed with a meal here. Tip: if you go for the spaghetti, you can choose to have one meat ball and one Italian sausage instead of only picking one of the two. The house red wine is excellent, also!

    (4)
  • Julie C.

    I was pretty unimpressed by Trattoria. As a restaurant in Little Italy, I expected more than just regular pasta. We split the shrimp/gnocchi and linguine pasta dishes. While the pasta was cooked well, the sauces were flavorful, and everything came in huge portions, there wasn't anything special about Trattoria's food that couldn't be replicated at home. The menu is fairly limited and the food is pretty plain. Service was okay, but relatively slow and unattentive. I don't plan on coming back -- there's definitely way better Italian restaurants in Little Italy and Cleveland as a whole.

    (3)
  • Michelle B.

    If you want to dine in Little Italy, Trattoria is the place to go. Food is as good, if not better, than all of the other restaurants there, but it's not as expensive. Price: Cheap. Food: Absolutely delicious Signature sauce: Amazing Service: Friendly and quick Portion size: Gigantic, especially for the price! It can get crowded, so I'd recommend making a reservation. However, I've been there several times where I'm the only one in the place and have yet to figure out the magic day of the week/time when that happens. I love the eggplant parmigiana and have trouble branching out when I go, but everything on the menu that I've had is wonderful.

    (5)
  • Snehee C.

    Great yummy food and simply awesome desserts! This place is simply awesome! Their specials are super yummy too! Their service is great too!

    (4)
  • Johnny A.

    This was the very first establishment I ate at after moving to Cleveland from Cincinnati. Took my whole family here because we are all full blooded Italians and I wanted them to see Little Italy. This particular dining experience was so-so. The service was pretty fast (unless you count the wait time before we got seated) despite being slammed wall to wall with people. I got the lasagna here and it was edible but nothing remarkable I couldn't finish it and didn't take the leftovers. My parents got veal parm and spaghetti and meatballs. Again a so-so experience for them. We can cook better than that and have also had much better Italian dining experiences elsewhere. The food was way overpriced so I'm guessing people primarily pay for the "feeling" of little italy when they go there rather than the food. None of us risked desert we walked to the bakery down the street which was awesome.

    (2)
  • Bradley P.

    It's not high-end Italian, but for those of you who are just looking for some tasty Chicken Parm and some pasta, this place will definitely hit the spot. The prices are reasonable, and the portions are very big, so you shouldn't have to worry about leaving hungry. Very quick service as well. Nothing special about the atmosphere, and other than being quick the service is nothing special. A few pointers about the food: 1) If you like gnocchi, GET IT HERE! The gnocchi at Trattoria is the best dish I've had there in many, many visits. It comes in a creamy tomato based sauce, a lot like Vodka Sauce, and the sauce alone knocks my socks off. 2) DON'T GET WINE. Again, this is nothing high-end, and as such the wines they offer have never been anything but a disappointment. Just accept that you're looking for a quicker, simpler meal, get your pasta and a diet coke and enjoy yourself.

    (4)
  • Roger C.

    Best bang for your buck restaraunt in Little Italy. The staff is very friendly and accomodating. ***The free bread, butter and tomato spreaid is awesome*** ***The best dishes are their gnocchi and eggplant parmeasan***

    (5)
  • Dana B.

    After attending the White Coat Ceremony at Case Med on Sunday, my husband, father-in-law and I headed here for dinner. It was my choice and I take full responsibility. I will clarify by saying I'm a recent Bay Area transplant to Cleveland, so I'm still figuring out the local menu idiosyncrasies. My first mistake was ordering "fresh" mussels. They were mushy and flavorless. I then ordered the homemade gnocchi - another mistake. The dumplings should melt in your mouth. These were like rocks. The sauce was spaghettio-like and disappointing as well. My husband had the linguini with "fresh" mussels in a red clam sauce. The mussels were his choice. The sauce had some garlic flavor to it, but it was mostly bland. My father-in-law had the chicken marsala which he liked, but chose not to taste. The service was quick and friendly and they had a decent beer selection - but I'm definitely crossing this one off the list. After a really exciting morning, this was a disappointing way to end the day. I think I'll try La Dolce Vita next.

    (1)
  • Ferdinand H.

    Good portions for a good price -- but not spectacular. Friendly waitstaff and prompt seating and service brightened the edge of otherwise lacklustre performance.

    (3)
  • Liz E.

    I've only had pizza here, and it was good. We customized ours with prosciutto, chicken, and onions. There aren't a ton of choices for toppings, but enough I suppose. Our waitress was ok: not good, not bad. Pizza prices are great. Go with some friends, do splitsies, and your wallet will be happy.

    (3)
  • Jeffrey N.

    I stopped in here with a vegetarian friend of mine due to hunger and because it was one of the only restaurants that was open before 5. Trattoria is the kind of family style Italian restaurant that can be found anywhere and the food wasn't bad. The pasta was cooked to perfection and the accompanying sauces were neither too thick nor too thin. However it will only get two stars. The service was the worst I've ever received. It was hard to get service from our waitress at every point of the meal except when ordering where she was impatient while we looked over the menu. The other staff didn't seem that great either. They were friendly enough when chatting with each other but they rushed to and from tables with a lack of care for the customer. If you take the time to use Yelp you should take the time to find a different restaurant.

    (2)
  • Roxanne L.

    I've been to Trattoria several times...with family and friends. Recently I had the fettuccine alfredo and it was delicious. So much I had it for lunch the next two days also. Definitely a good bang for your buck in little italy!

    (4)
  • Katelyn B.

    I am starting this review with the fact that I keep forgetting that Cleveland is just not Chicago or New York. I grew up here. I know that people here are not night owls. However, since moving away, and then back again, I still forget. What restaurant closes at 8:15? Granted it was a Monday night, but 8:15?? Well, they were not technically closed... We stood in the doorway for a few minutes perplexed at how early it was yet, it seemed no a single person wanted to even look at us. So we stood, and then finally someone came out and looked at like we belong on mars. Maybe we do. Then every single person on staff proceded to stare and judge us. We really should have left at this point, but it was raining and we did not want to melt since people from mars do that sorta thing. Finally someone came out and said if we ordered in the next 15 minutes we could stay. Alright we said, we can do that. We ordered a bottle of white zin- insert mars judging all you want, we are cheap and like a cheap wine. Our waitor sighed when we asked for the wine list. Clue number 2 that we should have left when we had the chance. We both ordered Cavetilli (Sp?). It came out particularly mushy, like it had been boiling all night... And we had to ask for parmasean cheese... I mean even Olive Garden brings the cheese with the meals come on people... So all in all, our night ended with them turning on the bright lights in the dim restaurant. And let me tell you with half a bottle of white zin in me, I was not too pleased with that choice. I may or may not have stolen one of the tacky BUY OUR SAUCE ITS SO GOOD! jars from a table nearby and walked out with it in my hand, just to prove that people from mars do not know societal rules.

    (2)
  • Katrina C.

    Great prices, AMAZING food! Valet parking, indoor and outdoor eating, friendly waitstaff. The atmosphere is a bit lacking and outdated, but the food was absolutely amazing! I'm Italian and from the NYC area and very overly critical about Italian food, but it was great!

    (4)
  • Kristine E.

    My husband and I went to Trattoria for lunch on the recommendation from another local business. We were so impressed after our visit that we sought out information on using them as the site for our rehearsal dinner for our wedding. The staff was kind and helpful in booking our event, and the menu options were awesome! We were very pleased at how well our rehearsal dinner went at Trattoria. The room was perfect for such an event, and the wait staff was friendly and attentive. The food was just as good as we had experienced in your dining room, and our guests were also impressed! We highly recommend this restaurant for dining and/or event service.

    (5)
  • Alison M.

    Large busy Italian restaurant with huge portions. Seriously humongous portions. I ordered the eggplant parm on recommendation and it didn't disappoint. It was finely sliced eggplant piled high with a yummy tomato sauce. It came with a side of spaghetti as well! It was so much food that half the eggplant and all the spaghetti ended up untouched in a to-go box. I also loved the brushetta spread they put on the table with the bread. Service I thought was so so, because they mixed up out to go boxes, but they brought the food out fast. I'd probably go again because it was good, but I wouldn't say the food was spectacular.

    (4)
  • Leanne E.

    Loved my pasta, sauce was not overwhelming. I hate pasta that is swimming in sauce. And most importantly the bread was great. When you walk in the desserts are right there,I was tempted to skip food and do dessert. I think i need to return for a martini and dessert.

    (4)
  • Kyle W.

    Trattoria was a staple of mine when I lived on the East Side. I haven't been in awhile but I assume it hasn't changed (as very little does in Little Italy). GOOD STUFF: Great Italian food, huge portions, fairly inexpensive. I always got the chicken parm and it was really good and big (enough for two or a full lunch the next day). BAD STUFF: Not exactly fine dining but clean. Has a parking lot in back but its often full...then your stuck looking for parking in little italy...woof. PRICE: About 50$ for two with bottle cheap wine. OVERALL: Great place in little italy....try the chicken parm...yum.

    (4)
  • Sue Z.

    well, where to start? we visited Trattoria Gardens for my birthday a couple weeks ago. there were five of us and we got seated in the bar. not bad, but not great either. we ordered the calamari which to say it was disgusting is an understatement. barely any calamari, and lots of battered pepper rings. I ordered pasta with garlic and olive oil sauce. I asked if I could have sautéed veggies on it, was told yes, ended up with a plate full of cauliflower. I told the waitress and all,I got was a shrug. I ended up calling to explain what happened with the calamari and my dish, was told "oh so sorry, you'll receive something in the mail". well, obviously, their promises are as lousy as their pasta as we've received nothing. It's been two weeks. will never go back, lots of other Italian restaurants in Cleveland. too bad they could care less how they treat their customers. Sue Z.

    (1)
  • P W.

    The Chicken Parm was pretty good. I think it was around $13. The prices were excellent. Whoever said it is overpriced is crazy. It was honestly the biggest piece of chicken that I have ever seen. I thought it was maybe even a different, larger bird. The bread and tomato/garlic spread is a real tasty treat. My friend had the Veal. I am not a huge fan of veal but the Chicken Parm was better in my opinion. I enjoyed my lunch here and will one day return!

    (3)
  • John A. B.

    I'm surprised to see as many mixed reviews here because I had a terrific dinner here tonight. I ordered the wedding soup and the lasagna. Both were superb. The pasta for the lasagna is made on the premises and it was perfect. Prices are very reasonable, the portions are generous, and the service excellent. I'd go back in a heart beat.

    (4)
  • Joao Pedro L.

    good place for summer days, food is good and prices ok

    (4)
  • Kat S.

    I am positively bewildered by the negative reviews of this restaurant. Last night, we had a lovely, flawless meal here. A bottle of chianti for the table, a couple of appetizers: the crisp, and what I believe were fresh calamari; as well as the stuffed banana peppers, which was possibly the best dish of the night. Both were accompanied by what was obviously a homemade, well-seasoned tomato basil sauce. The entrees ordered were eggplant parmigiana (a decadent, crisp, and fluffy six layer affair), veal parmigiana (lightly breaded and tender), and penne arrabiata (which arrived steaming hot, with sliced black olives, and a spicy tomato cream sauce). The simplicity of the dishes hardly means that Trattoria serves clunky food. While the prices are similar to those at national chains specializing in serving goopy, depressing, 4-cheese messes, the dishes at Trattoria are unfussy, straight-forward, and well, damn good. The chefs at Trattoria allow the ingredients to really shine for what they are, and if those ingredients were anything less than high-quality the result would be mediocre. That was anything but true of our delightful meal. The service was fast, helpful, and courteous (our waitress rightly suggested that we share 2 appetizers). The complimentary bread was delicious and fresh, served with diced tomatoes in garlic. I hope to return.

    (4)
  • Jamie C.

    the smell upon walking into this place is good enough for the 5 stars. the food is amazing. i grew up w/ authentic italian food and am quite picky when it comes to something as simple as marinara sauce. but this place is delicious and gets no complaints from me. the atmosphere is cute- maybe a little crowded- but it's little italy so what else would you expect?

    (5)
  • Frank G.

    We went here with my son and his fiance along with her parents because we thought it would be a special place for a special event. We were wrong and we found out quickly; the hostess lady was just nasty and acted so put out just because we debated for a minute over which table would be better for our gathering. The food was nothing special either....just OK. Our actual waitress was pretty attentive and nice, but unfortunately the rudeness of the hostess lady was continually obvious as she stalked around the place. We will never go here again.....there are too many restaurants out there that appreciate their guests and treat them well.

    (2)
  • Joseph C.

    My family and I had dinner there last evening and the best that I can say is that the service was attentive. The food was simply mediocre. It was a special occasion for us and while we are not inclined to complain, unless there is a glaring issue, we would never return. We are Italian, we are a family of people who love to cook and most of what we had was just not worth going out for. Sorry to say.

    (1)
  • Ly Ann P.

    Near the top of the hill, just as you enter Little Italy, this is one of the few restaurants on the main strip with its own parking lot. It's mildly romantic inside (thanks to dim lighting), the waitstaff is attentive, and the food? The food is Tony-the-tiger grrrrrreat! Try the homemade gnocchi. I'm getting wistful just thinking about it.

    (4)
  • Brandy B.

    Definitely NOT fine dining but the food was GREAT! I had the eggplant Parmesan and instead of spaghetti on the side, I ordered the fettuccine Alfredo. The calamari was good, the staff was friendly and everyone in our group was happy and full by the time of our departure. The place needs a much needed face lift and looks kinda like one of those restaurants our of kitchen nightmares, but the food tasted fresh and good and that's what matters...oh, and they need bigger martini glasses.

    (4)
  • Teenie K.

    i thought the pizza was really good. yeah, cleveland is most DEFinitely not chicago or NY... but maybe after going to all these so-so places in CLE my standards - for that day at least - lowered a bit. in any case, i think it might be safe to say that this is one of the better restaurants in cleveland's little italy...for pizza at least!

    (4)
  • Graves D.

    Delicious! Little Italy here in Cleveland is a must. We followed the suggestions on Yelp and tried this place and are so glad we did.

    (5)
  • Katie M.

    Decent place. A good restaurant if you want your ravioli or chicken parmesan without pretense and extra cost associated with it. White cloth napkins, but a little more casual. None of the wines by the glass was more than $7. That's a beautiful thing. Attentive service. Parking is the same for most of the restaurants on the street. Park in a paid parking lot somewhere or hope to get a spot on the street.

    (3)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 8:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Categories

Italian Cuisine

The immense popularity of Italian cuisine globally isn't unknown. You can find an Italian Pizzeria around every corner of almost every city in the United States. Not to forget that in every house, people enjoy mac and cheese as comfort food. But it would be wrong to believe that Italian food starts with pizza and ends with good pasta as this Mediterranean country has much more to offer other than these two dishes. In Italian Cuisine, there is a high use of fresh tomatoes, all kinds of herbs, great quality of cheese, all types of meat, seafood and fresh handmade pasta. Many find it hard to believe that Italians have been making noodles long back.

Italian and Greek cuisines are always mistaken to be same, but they are poles apart. The primary difference between the two cuisines is the use of cheese in most of the Italian dishes. Italians love to cultivate their own cheese and process them as per their food requirement. It is believed that some cheese is so expensive that cheese producers secure them in lockers.

If you are bored eating the same old pasta or pizza, you can try some of the authentic Italian dishes like Risotto, Polenta, Ribollita, Lasagna, Fiorentina Steak, Bottarga, Ossobuco, Carbonara, Focaccia, Arancini and Supplì. Another item which Italians love to relish every morning is a good cup of Italian Coffee. Once you taste a freshly brewed cup of Italian Coffee, you might not visit Starbucks ever again. Authentic Italian food is made with heart and soul, so go find a restaurant where you can relish Italian cuisine in your city.

Trattoria Roman Gardens

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