PAPPARELLA TRATTORIA - EST. 1984 — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

My partner found this spot on social media, and since we live nearby, we decided to give it a try. We visited around 6 PM on a Thursday and were seated right away. The atmosphere was surprisingly upscale for the plaza it’s in, which was a nice touch. The restaurant had about 30 tables, but only 5–6 were filled the entire evening.

Our server was kind, though a bit awkward. We placed our order within 10 minutes of sitting down, but the food didn’t arrive for 45 minutes to an hour. We tried the Chicken Marsala and the Lasagna. The Chicken Marsala was just okay—much sweeter than expected, almost like teriyaki chicken with mushrooms, rather than the more savory style I prefer. The lasagna presentation in the Le Creuset dish was nice, but the flavor itself wasn’t anything memorable.

The manager stopped by several times after our food came out to apologize for the delay and ask for feedback, which I appreciated. Still, as a first impression, the overall experience fell short—$85 for two entrées, one glass of wine, and a bottle of Perrier (with tip) didn’t feel worth the value. It’s also worth noting this is more of a Brazilian take on Italian food, which is different from Italian-American cuisine.

Unfortunately I can’t recommend this restaurant based on our experience. For better value, service, and food, I’d suggest Frescos or...

I went to this restaurant on the recommendation of a friend. It was a very elegant place. I didn't have a reservation, but they didn't take long to give us a table, although it was the worst location, opposite the kitchen and overlooking the sink. I asked them to move us to the bar, but the chairs were too low to eat there, so in the end I asked them to move us to another table. The waitress was great. I don't remember her name, only that she was Brazilian. The manager kept coming over to ask us how everything was, very friendly. Well, I went with the specific intention of eating lobster ravioli, and they didn't have it. I ordered caponata, and they didn't have that either. Very disappointed, I wanted to get up and leave, but I decided to order something else from the menu. So I ordered something I love, carpaccio, which was actually fine, nothing memorable, and which, by the way, came with cold flatbread, nothing to write home about. Then I ordered a risotto with filet mignon, which was also fine, a little salty for my taste, and the meat was cut into pieces, which doesn't really define filet mignon. I was actually expecting more. All in all, it's a very nice restaurant, it may have other better dishes, but for me personally, it...

Finally, Orlando has food done right! I’ve tried dozens of restaurants in the area and was convinced that good, authentic, flavorful food didn’t exist here — until I found this place.

The quality is by far the best in town. Every dish is full of flavor, perfectly prepared, and clearly made with care and passion. It doesn’t just taste good, it reminds you how food should taste.

This restaurant completely changed my impression of Orlando dining. It proves that people here can make truly great food — not just average plates that look better than they taste.

If you’re looking for genuine flavor, quality ingredients, and food that actually delivers what it promises, this is the place. Without question, the best restaurant in...