Nicola's Italian Kitchen — Restaurant in Florida

I don't understand how the ratings we've seen are all raving about how great this place is. Mediocre at the best! Much better pizza in other places in the area as the crust is very hard and chewy. No one at our table ate their pizza crust and yes we all have our original teeth thank you. There were two customers waiting in the seating area outside for their name to be called. Finally the gentleman came inside to the hostess and asked what the problem was as they had seen others that came in after them and getting table service as he claimed he had waited over 30 minutes already. The hostess said she would take a look but would try to get them seated next. The man went back outside to wait and then after about 5 minutes he came back in and told the staff, " Thank you for the terrible service and you can forget about a table for us now as my wife is very upset and we are going somewhere else". I felt bad for him as he was there way before us and we waited only 10 minutes. Well the server called our name and gave us what would have been his table. It was not a busy evening either. Well I then went to wash up in the men's room where I had to wait outside of the door for a moment but could look right into the kitchen where there was a tall large plastic container 3/4 full of spaghetti sauce yet uncovered. Right next to it was a bowl of noodles apparently ready for sauce and just sitting there. I used the bathroom and left and it was still sitting there untouched. Not a good thing for customers to see right there but it sure left an uncomfortable feeling for me and no, we really can mark that off of our " have to...

Parking is very limited in their paved lot, their secondary is an uneven "crushed shell" lot, their third area is grass. Waiting area is small and very uncomfortable. Service area in restaurant is small yet comfortable. Menu has abundant items although pricey for what a patron receives. ($$.$$) our tab for 2 entree's, no desert, no liquor or wine, water for our beverage, totaled before tip $55.89. Dinner entree's included "small" salad, basket of garlic knots and entree from menu. One entree "Shrimp Scampi" served on bed of pasta. Pasta cooked to perfection. Served hot. But OMG could you spare more than a cup of pasta? Large pasta bowl with s small spot of pasta in the middle with 5 scampi shrimp. Very flavorful but I'm not on z diet here!!! My entree "Lasagna" was served hot and was very acceptable. That said, again not on a diet here folks. And I'm out to dinner here. I expect to be served a meal not a tasting. Waitress was slow as molasses in winter for refill of water. Would I eat here again, yes, but not a resounding yes. And definitely not on a Friday night. Nope, no way, not again. Mediocre restaurant Nicola's. Like to throw your money away? Find here.

Luigi's in Port Charlotte much better choice!!!! A bit longer drive, but food is better and more of it, like to take some home for next day lunch. And cost at Luigi's is a couple dollars lower per same type entree and service...

Not what we expected. We went to celebrate my husband birthday. We arrived at 819pm on a Saturday. Although they close at 900pm we asked if it's ok to still eat .We were told yes. The waitress an older lady, who greeted us did not give a good impression. I attributed it to the fact that we were coming in to eat before closing. I came here because not only the rating stated a 4.6 but my husband passes this place everyday and kept seeing the parking lot full so he assumed it's a great place to eat. Unfortunately we cant say it was good. For the ratings to say the food is good, In my opinion i would be lying in my own rating if i told you it was good. It was not.The food did not taste like Italian food. It tasted liked sauces from a generic can . Sort of school lunch fake spagetti can of sauce The lasagne had no flavor. My husband ordered a seafood meal called Tina sorry i dont know the rest of the name. However the dish comes with spaghetti, mussels shrimp clams. It was so watered down had no taste he had to add parmesan cheese and salt to give it flavor. We were in shock at the poor food quality. We...