Donatello offers the BEST regional Italian cuisine in Tampa. The setting is very romantic and dressy at night with salmon colored cloths and lighting, roses at each table, and tuxedoed waiters, most from Italy. Lunch is reasonably priced and great to do business over. Try the Calamari Amalfitana, Calamari and zucchini fritti, and the best Caesar salad in town. The homemade pastas are wonderful, especially the lasagna verde bolognese and tagliatelli alla kathy (ham, cream, tomato, mushrooms). The seafood is fresh and delicious- oysters fiorentina and mussels are amazing, as is the swordfish pantelleria. The ossobuco is outstanding, as is the nodino di vitello with a brandy cream, and mushroom sauce. The homemade desserts- tiramisu and napoleon cake are out of this world. Yes, it is VERY expensive at night, but there is no other restaurant in this area that offers the caliber and selection of food, ambience, and service.
Pros: outstanding food, romantic decor, snazzy piano bar
more