Mandola's Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Cedar Park

Update 11/13/20: Not a good experience. They did not have Bruschetta as an option -so, the last review regarding it isn't valid. I ordered the Caprese Salad instead and was very underwhelmed. Very sorry with no other flavor. The spiced olive oil that came with the bread was WAY more flavorful than the Caprese Salad which was so salty that I didn't finish it. The basil leaves were placed in such a way that they didn't cover the mozerella and it was a pain to rotate each leaf before eating (a poor example of looks over function). I ordered chicken on my spaghetti and it was very thin and dry with little flavour. Very disappointing. I was pleasantly surprised. The food was fresh and tasty. The house wine - I drank a Pinot Grigio - was a mellow "table wine" that was decent and finished with some tanis notes. It was a good choice for wine with a meal for a fair price. The bruchetta was nice with small sliced fresh cherry tomatoes and dice garlic. The bread was flavorful. It was soft and easy on the teeth/gums. I would have preferred just a bit of crunch. But, I would definitely order it again. I ordered the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. The noodles were delicate with just the right amount of chew. The sauce tasted fresh - maybe, just a bit more bland than I would have preferred - again, a master of personal preference. The chicken was tender, juicy, and had his flavor. I was very happy with my meal and will definitely be returning to try their lasagna. Lasagna is the bar by which I judge every Italian restaurant. There are none in the Cedar Park area I would ever eat lasagna at a second time. It will be interesting to see how Mandola's lasagna will fare! Overall, I will definitely be returning to Mandola's again. Not something I could say for several other Italian places in Cedar Park.

The atmosphere was comfortable. Music was just the right volume. There was a light, relaxed, airy feel without being super intimate or too "bright." Maybe, not a "Valentine's Day" night with your spouse. But, a great place to go for an evening meal.

Note: the setup is different! Almost like a Deli. Patrons order food to the right after entering and seat themselves. The food is brought...

Good service, borderline on excellent. Too bad the food was disappointing 😕. I get it, it is the Austin area, and there seems to be a trend towards the healthy side, according to belief rather than science. However, nobody says flavor has to suffer in the process. The best taste came from the least healthy food, the bread, oh, and the oil, that was really good, except we do not enter a restaurant to chug on oil. Everything else was kinda blend, with a slight attempt to give it taste, and of course it came from the sauce or if you want put more salt on it. From someone who has lived in Sicily, I expected more flavor. The gelato was ok, and the cappuccino was ok as well. Overall an ok experience and most of it due to service. Very serviceable and helpful, especially be it our first visit to this location. However, if we're going to spend the money you spend there (it's not cheap) you expect to be wow by the food and the service. If one has to suffer, let it be the latter not the former. Yes, great food can get you through anything, good service too, but eventually you'll be forced to reevaluate your decision. Parking was fine, plenty of it, and portions were really good (big). Would we come back? Sure, we're prepared to give them another shot, but, at least me, will go for something I know an Italian restaurant should not mess up, that way, my next assessment will be more accurate and will definitely tell me what to stay away from. Even though, you would think they could not possibly screw up a Caprese Sandwich, which I only added Chicken (won't make that mistake again). The appetizers were fine, for what they were [fried Mozzarella cheese and Bruschetta (blend)], wife wasn't impressed with her meal either (and she had pasta, again, blended). Hopefully, you all have a better experience than we did, and of course, try them for yourselves, everyone's palate is...

This is my second time I've been to this place with my family, and to be honest, it's not worth it's 4.4 star rating. I had the Lasagna and the quality is only slightly better than a Stofers microwave meal. I didn't even realize mine had ricotta cheese in it until I got halfway into my Lasagna, and even then when I got there, it was only one half of the Lasagna. There was such a huge amount of ricotta cheese, that I couldn't even finish it all due to the uneven heavy amount. As far as the flavor goes, it's mediocre at best, and you really are better off just buying a frozen dish.

I can't speak for all the dishes, but my family had just the plain pasta with red sauce and sausage and shrimp, and it was the blandest looking pasta I ever saw. There wasn't even enough sauce, and the flavor was just okay.

Not to mention, this restaurant is more buffet style, when you walk in, you grab your own menu and order, (while still standing, nobody brings you the menu or drinks) then you go sit down. If you want small plates for your bread and other appetizers, or just general silverware, you have to get up and get it. Drinks are fountain that you also have to get.

They have a dessert shop in the restaurant that sells cake and ice cream, but the last time my family tried the Italian cream and Coconut cream cake, it was dry and wasn't very moist.

Now, I will say, the one REALLY good thing about this place is the bread and the oil dipping. When you are seated, a server will hand out complentray bread and an oil and herb dip to go with it. If you are to get anything, buy the bread and oil herb dipping, because the bread is so soft and fresh, and the dipping is perfectly flavorful. 10/10 would recommend the bread and dipping. Other than that, it's overhyped. Is it cheaper? Yes. But in the long run, it's not worth your time...