Cafe Martorano

Amazing! This is one of my favorite Italian spots! The service, atmosphere, wine, and food are all excellent. Be sure to get the meatballs & waffle dessert, mmmm! Must have! more

Wow!! Food was amazing! I had the eggplant stack!! As it started to get late the music started to turn up and it literally turned into a fun night club with people dancing everywhere. this place was was such an amazing experience and the food was to die for!!I am craving it a over again! more

Outstanding!** more

Every single time I go to Café Martorano it is an experience like no other. You literally feel like you are in a time capsule that takes you back to the days of when the classic Italian American movies were shot. Everywhere you look there’s something to take in. The famous Steve Martorano was there spinning and cooking when I went!!!!!AMAZING!!!!Not only is the scenery amazing the food is phenomenal. I personally don’t get why people complain about the noise as they do state it is part restaurant and NIGHTCLUB. If you don’t want that amazing experience and you want a boring dinner then go to Olive Garden!! Or you can just go earlier to the restaurant before 9 when it’s much quieter. Either way, 5 STAR restaurant for sure!!! more

Also the service was so great we had Atleast 8 guys asking us how we were and pouring water and packing food. more

The previous reviews on here are harsh. I was worried about it before I came and that's a big mistake. Previous reviews say the staff is rude and snobby. The staff was WONDERFUL. We first walk in alarmed at the incredibly tacky 70's night club. Then we are sat at a table that is right next to the kitchen which is viable and very enjoyable to watch. Then our waiter comes and is very pleasant and sits next to us. Me and Mother looked at each other and laughed. It was odd. He introduced himself (Scott) and pulled out an iPad and explained and showed us the specials it was impressive. Then we ordered. The menu on urbanspoon is exactly the menu you see. After we order we are brought out bread and roasted bell pepper, long shavings of cheese and balsamic reduction. It comes with the meal it's not an app. It was delicious everything about it. Then we are delivered out eggplant stack they cut it in half so we can share. It was to die for. Wow I knew the mozzerella would be good since it was from Fernanadas. The salad on it was dressed perfectly I loved it, the tomato was the right thickness and perfectly ripe, the eggplant was so great and seasoned amazingly. Did I say perfect? Then comes Meatballs and Brocolli Rabe and Cavatelli and Sunday gravy. I was so excited for the Cavatelli because I saw Michael Symon eating it on Food Networks "Best thing I ever ate". Already pretty darn full I take a bite. Complete disappointment. Wow I was shocked. It was really thick and chewy I have never had Cavatelli so I don't know if that's how it is or if it was undercooked. The meatballs were "Ehh" I didn't love them I stopped eating them after a bite they weren't bad but they weren't worth the space in my stomach. The Brocolli Rabe was great. I had also ordered Truffle Fries and they are the best I have ever had they are thick and I am eating the leftovers right now the perfect midnight snack. The bill was not a "rip off" all of that food including a coca cola was around $100 not including tip and not including the Bottle of Jordan, but Jordan is always pricey. It was a great meal and a great time we defiantly will be returning. The previous reviews in my opinion are totally false more

We been there many times ,however we have moved away and we drove 120 miles to get ripped off. The food is still good ,however the famous chef has made the portions smaller and the PRICES HAVE GONE TO THE MOON.They pushed the special,veal chop.and we ordered it. Very good,but the bill game and we were shocked. I have been all over the world and never payed $70 for a chop. We told the waiter he should have mentioned the high tab,he was sorry. We left and then realized why it was so high. Right in front of the place where customers should park,ego manic ,YO CUZ HAS A NEW JAG AND NEW MAZ. I wish this was a stock so I could short it and then I would have a Jag and Maz.I have seen this happen in the past. They forgot the customer.\r \r . more

This place sucks.... The servers are pompous a-holes, the food was ok the first time so I went again and was floored at how rude the servers were. We left without even getting our food. Hope it comes out of thier pockets. Jerks more

This place is awesome. They not only give you an abundance of wine, but they also play the music loud and infuse movie clips throughout the night. It was different, but it was fun! While waiting for our appetizers and then our entrees, we were dancing and drinking the night away! It was a blast and the food was sooooo gooood. We had our food family style, so the portions came out to serve our entire party. The meatballs were excellent. I want to go back soon. I am hoping that they have non-alcoholic wine so my friend can partake in the experience as well. I can't wait to go back.\r \r *After reading the other reviews, I do remember that there was some issue with the bill, but since I wasn't responsible, I'm not sure what it was. I know that it came out to much more than everyone expected. I suppose if you go, you tell the server what the price limit is to diffuse these kinds of issues when you are buzzed off of all of the wine you will consume, lol. more

Overpriced Italian food, Awful service, and everyone who works there has an attitude. Will never go back. It's hardly worth it to pay $150 for two people to eat average-at-best italian AND be treated like garbage. You're an idiot if you subject yourself to this place for the chance to see some celebrity who gets their a$$ kissed by the owner and staff. Go somewhere else to spend your hard earned cash. more

The food there was good. I love their coffee there. I will recommend to friends and family. Its a good way to go sit and talk with friends or family. Thanks for the good service. more

Update: The general manager of Cafe Martorano called me about my horrible experience the other night. He was very gracious. He offered his sincere apologies and invited me and my girlfriend for dinner and drinks on the house. He also said when he found out who was smashing bottles next to my table, that person would be fired on the spot. Can't say fairer than that. That's a lot more than a lot of South Florida eateries would do for a disgruntled customer. I'm actually looking forward to it. Despite the atrocious service, the food was really good. Will update after I get back.\r \r How to describe the highlights of my visit to this temple of the culinary arts. Was it the waiter who thought tripe was a type of fish? Was it the strip-club decor and pounding techno music that made conversation nearly impossible? Was it the $40 plate of chicken and broccoli rabe? Or was it the meatball scam, whereby the waiter offered to add a couple of extra meatballs to an appetizer, neglecting to tell us it would triple the price of the dish.\r \r No, on reflection, I would have to say it was the team of trained monkeys behind the bar who loudly smashed beer bottles in an attempt to drive us from our table because they wanted to go home early. Real classy.\r \r I have a suggestion for owner and chef Steve Martorano, a transplant from the City of Brotherly Shove who brings to South Florida all the civility and hospitality that Philadelphia is rightly famous for. Why not drop the pretense you're running a restaurant? Take a cue from the fictional gangsters that adorn your walls and as soon as anybody walks in the door, hit them over the head with a baseball bat, snatch their wallet and then toss them into the street. It would be a more honest way to make a living than the way you do now.\r \r I'm tempted to take a page from the Cafe Martorano Book of Etiquette, and say "Screw you, you big dumb meathead". But then I realize I'm the dummy for spending $400 at your execrable establishment.\r \r Cafe Martorano? Fuggedaboutit. more

How to describe the highlights of my visit to this temple of the culinary arts. Was it the waiter who thought tripe was a type of fish? Was it the strip-club decor and pounding techno music that made conversation impossible? Was it the $40 plate of chicken and broccoli rabe? Was it the Mama's meatball scam, whereby the waiter offered to add a couple of extra meatballs to an appetizer, neglecting to tell us it would triple the price of the dish. No, on reflection, I would have to say it was the team of trained monkeys behind the bar who loudly smashed beer bottles in an attempt to drive us from our table because they wanted to go home early. Real classy. I have a suggestion for owner and chef Steve Martorano. Why not drop the pretense you're running a restaurant? Take a cue from the fictional gangsters that adorn your walls and as soon as anybody walks in the door, hit them over the head with a plank of wood, snatch their wallet and then toss them into the street. It wouldn't be that different from what I experienced this week at your execrable establishment. more

Great food great service. I love this place not a great date place though very loud. But lots of hot ladies at the bar and a great menu and wine list more

I am IN LOVE with this place! Amazing food amazing people and amazing atmosphere! Great waiters also so great I was almost convinced to stay on vaca another night so I would be able to spend a friday night at the resturant and experience the "nightclub" scene but realized it was way too expensive to switch flights lol great resturant worth the prices more

Crooks in Black Suits!!!!!!!!!! Just went there for a bachelorette party and have NEVER EVER had a WORSE dining experience in my life. Started off great with fun music and the server seemed nice but he was prepping us for the premeditated scam about to unfold. We told him we have never been there before. He told us the restaurant was "family style" with "generous portions." He also stated that a group of 10 should order 2 appetizers and 3 entrees. He then stated, and I quote, "I will portion it out for you and serve everyone." So we order 1 appetizer of "generous sized" meatballs and 1 order of "generous sized "caprese salad." ONE plate comes out with 4 medium sized meatballs on it. We assumed it was our ONE order of meatballs ($14.00) that we ordered. Later we get our bill and discover that we were actually charged for 7 appetizers instead of 2. The waiter took it upon himself to order us 4 orders of meatballs (at $14.00 A MEATBALL!!!) and 3 orders of caprece salad (at $18.00 a pop). When I asked the server about it, he said "honey, i told you we were going to portion it out." He said this many times. I kindly explained to him that "portion it out" to everyone at our table and in the dictionary means that you cut the serving into pieces and divy it up. He said that he knew 1 meatball wasn't enough for us so he ordered us 4.... So without our permission, we were served $60.00 worth of meatballs (again 4 meatballs on 1 plate so it appeared to us to be 1 "generous- LOL" order or we would have questioned earlier). I asked the same about the caprece salad. HE COULD NOT GRASP that he should not spend other peoples money without asking. He kept saying "family style." Family style does not mean server decides how hungry and/or rich you are and stuns you at the end....it means you order food to pass. The CUSTOMER orders food to pass. Getting no where with this swindler, I asked for a manager. About 10 minutes later an uninterested fellow greets us and I explain to him that the server could have made suggestions to us but should not have quadrupled our order and spent $90 extra of our money without our permission. The "manager" made it very clear from the beginning that he did not give a rats a** and that its "just how we do things." I then asked him for his credit card so that I could go shopping b/c I should be allowed to spend his money. He didn't follow. I then asked if it would be acceptable to order 1 drink at the bar and then later get charged $90 more by the bartender b/c the bartender FELT as if you needed more to drink. We are adults and we can order more if we need to...It's not up to the server! Tweedle Dum manager then offered to buy everyone a round of drinks after 10 minutes of us pleading our case. UMMMM....how about you save the $100 you are going to spend on making 10 girls drinks and take the 5 appetizers we didn't order off of our bill?!?! SO THEN.......the table behind us of 8-10 people ask to speak to the manager as well. They had the same server...COMMON DENOMINATOR. Are 20 people dumber than this 1 server or is he scamming everyone w/management's approval? The server had also taken it upon himself to add at least $100.00 worth to their bill without their knowledge. And remember it all comes out on 1 plate so you think you are eating your "generous portion" instead of 4 orders!!! The General Manager (Jersey Shore type who walks up with his arms crossed as if this should be fight instead of an adult conversation) gets called out for this guy unlike Tweedle Dum that I got to talk to. The GM states to this guy for all to hear, "Are you really that strapped for cash?" The customer keeps his cool and tells him he is not going to pay for food he did not order. His bill was well over $300.00. THE GM OF THIS RESTAURANT STATED IN FRONT OF 20 CUSTOMERS, "F*** YOU!" I am not joking. Cops were then called and rightfully so they stated that the issue is civil and they couldn't help us. The shocking part is that 20 customers just spent about $600.00 and have the same issue with the same server and the same management...and the argument is very public at this point and is now in the front of the restaurant for all the world to see.....AND THESE MORONIC PEOPLE don't do anything to appease us. So in the end, CAFE MARTORANO STOLE almost $100 bucks from our table and over $100 from the table behind us. You do that to every table and you got a good racket going. Most people do not have the time to take a restaurant to civil court and since you mistakenly ate what you thought was your $14.00 order of 4 meatballs instead of realizing each meatball was $14.00....you can't walk out on your bill or you are committing theft! They got you by the balls at this place. No pun intended. I initially tried to see their side of the story but then I realized that not 1 person that worked for the restaurant gave a crap nor did they have a good argument...therefore, they must do this on a regular basis and are not sorry for it. It is a premeditated system in which they lure you in by saying we serve "generous helpings which we will portion out for you" when they really mean that the server will add to your order when he wants to and stiff you in the end. They must be doing really well for $60.00 for 4 meatballs!!! AGAIN- If you are a normal working person that looks at your bill and/or you don't appreciate someone else spending your money without your permission and/or you don't like being told "F*** you" or "you must be strapped for cash" after bringing the dispute to MANAGEMENT after spending $600.00.......DON'T GO TO CAFE MARTORANO. THIS PLACE IS MANIPULATIVE AND DISHONEST AND CORRUPT AND THEY DON'T GIVE A DARN IF THEY STEAL YOUR MONEY AND YOU DON'T LIKE IT. NEVER EVER EVER EVER HOPE TO DINE ANYWHERE LIKE THIS PLACE AGAIN. The people who know about this and steal from customers on a normal basis should be ashamed and disgusted of themselves. The person responsible for hiring these "professionals" that curse and fight with customers and allow a half hour long scene to ruin the experience for other guests, should be embarrassed. It's sad that people can be this disgusting....I feel better after writing this but that won't get me my $100.00 back. more

Cafe Martorano is a great place to take a date or a group of friends who are down for a good time, good food, good service and good music! First of all the food is really good, but you will be paying $25 and up for a entree. However, if you like fresh pasta and great Italian sauces...this is the place for you! The Mussels, Veal and Chicken Marsala are VERY GOOD!! For that matter the stuffed peppers and about everything on menu is very good! The service and the experience is what really sets this place apart. They play "Italian Classic" movies while you dine and just when the best parts of the movie is about to come on...they BLAST THE VOLUME! After about 9pm the DJ gets going and plays some great blends! In my opinion, its a one of a kind dining experience! more

Best Italian I've had,great service and phenomenal food. We like the Oakland location. Not for kids more

Quirky, fun and very tasty but definitely not a place to take the kids with the Sopranos and other r-rated videos playing on the many screens.\r \r The portions are huge. Skip the bread if you don't want to walk out with a couple of leftover bags.\r \r I will add this to the must do restaurants in south Florida. more

I am terribly sorry, but, Martorano's @ Hard Rock is absolutely TERRIBLE. I paid over $50 (w/tip) for this......1 beer...1 Meatball (w/lousy salad) and 1 small slice of average Tiramisu. Are you kidding me ? I'm still shocked at how little food I actually paid for. Let's remember this- YOU GET NO PASTA w/the Meatball - which was NOT the best I've ever had. It was good. That's all. Good. The service was pushy - why? there were plenty of open tables. The music.....ahhhhhhh..the music...I will bet my life I will never go into another restaurant and here the ridiculous loudness I heard. It was almost comical how loud it was. I had to shout into my waiters ear. He standing RIGHT NEXT TO ME. WTF ? I rate my experience 1-10......a 4. WAY TOO EXPENSIVE. RIDICULOUSLY EXPENSIVE. Pros: Nothing Cons: Too little food-Ultra Expensive-Whats with the music? more