Ventura's — Restaurant in City of Utica

We came back recently and wanted to share our great experience and some new pics. This visit was filled with so many fine selections we thought it was worth doing another review. Ventura's has stood the test of time, you will feel special once inside, as the tables are nicely covered and the atmosphere is old school elegant! Our server (Danielle) was very friendly, welcoming, helpful, and attentive. We had the clam chowder, and it was very tasty not too thick but rather pleasantly smooth! The warm bread and house salad are both very good. The special "Drunken Shrimp" App. Full of flavor, lots of roasted garlic, hot peppers, just the right amount of heat... We did the 16oz strip steak with Marsala mushroom sauce prepared medium rare, was a very nice combination, cooked more like medium, but didn't stop us from enjoying it. The broiled scallops were delicious, but were a bit under cooked( made it better reheating what we took to go). We also were fortunate to get a taste of one stuffed calamari, it too was a real treat and a blast from the past. It was imo, a little under cooked, but the stuffing tasted great however the calamari needed to cook some more in the sauce and that's exactly what we did with all the left overs. Oh, let's not forget the broccoli and baked potato( see pic). All in all, we had way more than us two could ever eat in one sitting, but a real nice sampling was surely enjoyed and it was even better the second time around at home! See all the new photos and videos... Below is the first review too. 2 years ago: One less star is for our waitress, not attentive at all... slow to order, never asked how our meal was, didn't refill waters and/ or soda, slow to get check, slow to p/u ck. Enough about her... the place is fabulous, we had the homemade cannelloni - delish, filled nicely with meat, really good. The classic riggies was excellent too. We would definitely return and we highly recommend you try this place. It is very clean, fancy, dining room, and has many classic Italian dishes which all...

I really looked forward to dining here on a business trip from Colorado. Italian food is one of my favorites and Utica NY had more options with great ratings than my home state offers between Four Collin’s and Denver.

Unfortunately, this was a regrettable choice. First, I was seated at a large table against a ceiling support. I waited an uncomfortable length of time while it seemed 2 servers were unsure who would wait on me. When my server finally took my order, I was sure to order both my drink and food, since I was unsure when she might return. Good thing I did!

I was brought my drink, then salad and bread. Then I was brought my main course, their Veal Maria . That was the last I saw of my server. Not once did she stop at my table the rest of the time I was there!

My salad plate wasn’t taken even though it was clearly finished.

The meal was unremarkable but good.

I had planned on getting dessert, but my server never returned. Finally I asked a nice gentleman if he could get my leftovers packed and my server for the check. He returned with my nicely packed leftovers, but again, my server never came by. I finally got up and went to the host table and asked if I could pay him. He had seen the lack of attention and apologized saying “It’s hard to find good help. If you come back, I’ll be sure you get a different server.”

I don’t think he has to worry...

At the advice of a friend, I hopped in my car for the hour-long drive from Syracuse to visit Ventura's Restaurant. It was worth the trip and then some. The atmosphere is very old-world Italian and cozy. Six of us were having an early dinner on a weeknight and none of us left hungry or dissatisfied. We started things off with a small cheese pizza and fried calimari. Entrees ranged from veal parm, porterhouse steak, steak riggies, surf n turf, fish soup and grilled veal chop with garlic and scallions. The veal chop was the thickest and biggest I've ever seen and was cooked to perfection exactly how I ordered it. It lay on a bed of gravy that complimented the chop with every bite. I had the opportunity to try the frog legs and shrimp in the fish soup and the shrimp was so tender, flavorful and buttery. The only thing I was disappointed in was the wedding soup. The broth was bland and could have used some seasoning. The soup could have been spectacular because it otherwise had just the right amount of pastina, escarole and tiny delicious meatballs. Our deserts ranged from vanilla ice cream, moist carrot cake and a lemon berry cream cake that was so light and out-of-this-world delicious. Our waiter Mo, the chef and the owner treat you like kings and queens here too. This is a very...