Trattoria di Bernardone — Restaurant in Florida

Arrived as a walk-in around 6pm. One hour wait, ok we will sit in the bar and get an appetizer while we wait. Bar staff take a bit to check the table, I found a menu to look at, we ordered the prosciutto strati, a glass of wine and a couple waters. $16 and expecting a decent appetizer, about 6 pieces of prosciutto topped with a little pepper and breadcrumbs put briefly in an oven. No provolone that I could tell as stated on the menu, throw this on some bread or a flatbread and it would be an awesome appetizer (but it wasn't). Now I know prosciutto is expensive but compared to the pizza appetizer for the same price go for the pizza. While in the bar, a piano player was playing. With the hard walls and high ceiling it was hard to hear others at times at the table ( I felt for the group seated next to the open piano). The bar area was about 80% full, so they should look at some soft surfaces to tamp down the noise level.

Finally we get sat at the table (basically high back wooden benches with no cushioning (which seems a little out of place for a mid level Italian restaurant) at about an hour plus from our arrival, order another glass of wine trying another red (comes out ice cold and is turgid not clear), served in another wine glass that has streaks and residue from washing and drying.

Server is new to serving based on their presence and some of the following. We order a San Pellegrino for one person and another water with lemon. Server forgets a glass for the San Pellegrino (liter bottle served) and the lemons. Okay, not a big deal. We order our meal at the same time as the drinks, server brings 5 pieces of bread for three people including a hungry teenager. Wife comments about the odd number of pieces, but alright, we move on.

Server stops by and it was been 45 minutes after ordering and we are still waiting for the meal ( no checking up on the table), server asked if we wanted more bread, we said yes since it has been a bit of a wait and not sure how long until the meal arrives. A few more minutes pass and a runner starts bringing the meal out. Bread does not appear. Wife has simple spaghetti podoro plus a meatball, teenager gets veal parmesiana (two pieces of veal scallopini $28) which comes with pasta in red sauce, I get chicken marsala. Their dishes look good. Mine looks like brown gravy on some noodles along with one piece of scallopini chicken ($24). The marsala is bland and not too appetizing, while the noodles are fresh and the chicken was tender there was no flavor to this dish (each at the table tried it and agreed it did not taste anything like a marsala dish). The other dishes seemed to be fine but not great.

By this point we are two and a half hours in. During the meal the sound system and the piano from the bar are competing in the dining area which was unfortunate. We ask for the check, 10-15 minutes go by and I take the check to the hostess booth so we can get it paid.

We support local restaurants and especially when they are nearer to our neighborhood. We have been to many local Italian restaurants and many of the top 50 Jacksonville restaurants (not that I'm expecting Top 50 restaurant here at the Trattoria)

Fours months or so they have been open and maybe they are still working out the kinks. I hope they do so more local restaurants will have more presence.

This was one of the most disappointing meals I have had in a couple of years, and between the bar and restaurant, dropping $145 for three people without more drinks or dessert on the bill was a little tough to swallow. I hope they will improve. Yes, I did consider speaking to a manager but after all the time there and little urgency in serving people it didn't feel...

Trattoria Di Bernardone: A Slice of Italy in Every Bite

Stepping into Trattoria Di Bernardone feels like being welcomed into a warm, bustling Italian home. Owned and lovingly operated by Mario and Laura Bernardone, along with their seven family members, this charming restaurant offers more than just a meal – it provides a heartfelt dining experience that stays with you long after the last bite.

Atmosphere & Ambiance

From the moment you walk in, it’s evident that Trattoria Di Bernardone is a labor of love. The furniture, meticulously built by the Bernardone family, exudes rustic charm and authenticity. The epoxy flooring, expertly laid by Mario’s father, adds a polished touch to the cozy interior. With seating for up to 300 guests, including a spacious patio for alfresco dining, the restaurant effortlessly blends comfort with style. The occasional live music in the large piano bar enhances the vibrant, inviting atmosphere, making it a perfect spot for both casual dinners and special celebrations.

Menu Highlights

The menu at Trattoria Di Bernardone is a culinary journey through Italy, with each dish showcasing the family’s dedication to quality and tradition. The flour for their pasta is imported from Italy, ensuring an authentic taste that delights the palate.

Primi

• Mario’s Lasagna: Layers of delicate pasta, rich meat sauce, and creamy béchamel – a true testament to Mario’s culinary expertise. • Gnocchi Gorgonzola e Asparagus: Pillow-soft gnocchi paired with the bold flavors of Gorgonzola and fresh asparagus. • Spinach Ravioli Alfredo: Tender spinach-filled ravioli in a velvety Alfredo sauce.

Secondi

• Gemelli Aglio e Olio con Salsiccia e Funghi: Twisted pasta with garlic, olive oil, sausage, and mushrooms – simple yet sublime. • Mini Meatballs di Bernardone: Bite-sized meatballs bursting with flavor, a Bernardone family specialty. • Tromba Rustica: A hearty dish featuring rustic ingredients and traditional preparation. • Lamb Arrosticini: Skewered lamb grilled to perfection, offering a taste of Abruzzo’s culinary heritage.

Contorni

• Insalata Abruzze Blue Cheese Vinaigrette: A fresh, tangy salad that complements the rich main courses.

Dolci

• Lime Mascarpone Cheesecake: Creamy and zesty, a delightful end to any meal. • Italian Lemon Cake: Light, moist, and infused with the bright flavor of lemons. • Tiramisu: Classic and indulgent, with layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream.

Wine & Spirits

Trattoria Di Bernardone boasts an impressive collection of wines and spirits, carefully curated to pair perfectly with their menu. Whether you’re a wine connoisseur or simply enjoy a good glass with dinner, you’ll find something to satisfy your palate.

Events & Private Parties

The restaurant’s banquet hall can accommodate up to 70 people, making it an ideal venue for private parties and special events. The family’s dedication to service ensures that every event is memorable, with personalized touches that reflect the Bernardone’s commitment to hospitality.

Conclusion

Trattoria Di Bernardone is more than just a restaurant; it’s a celebration of family, tradition, and the rich culinary heritage of Italy. Whether you’re enjoying a quiet dinner, a lively family gathering, or a special event, every visit promises to be a delightful experience filled with warmth, flavor, and the genuine hospitality of the Bernardone family....

My experience at this restaurant has to be one of the worst dinner experiences I have ever had in my life. I hate to be one to complain let alone write bad reviews but I was livid by the end of my meal. I understand opening a restaurant and being overwhelmed however you should never open a restaurant without adequate staffing.

My boyfriend and I were quite excited to try out this new restaurant after seeing it had recently opened and was featured on 904 happy hour on Instagram. We arrived and were told a 30-45 minute wait, which we were fine with as we found to seats at the end of the bar and planned to grab a drink. We sat down and for 30 minutes not a single person acknowledged us, it wasn't until I spoke up and asked for a menu. We were given menus and another 10 minutes went by still nothing. My boyfriend then went to check on the table because at that point we might as well just sit down to eat and we were told another 15 minutes. We didn't leave knowing we were waiting on a table and were excited to try the food. At that point I spoke up to the bartender and asked if we could order. She said "um I am really backed up right now (there was an overflow of receipts on the counter from orders) so no I can't help you" and walked away in the middle of the conversation. The couple next to us who during that time had received drinks and their appetizer said we had been sitting there a long time and I said yes not single person had helped us in the 45 minutes of sitting there. Another server over heard us and said they didn't have enough staff to keep up with the amount of people coming in. Finally then someone came from the back of the kitchen and asked us what we would like to drink. Once we received our drinks, we checked on our table and they said another 10-15 so we asked to order appetizers. The guy returned to the back of the kitchen after catching the bartender up with her disorganized mess of drink orders all over the counter. No one else came to ask us if we would like to order food for another 30 minutes until he returned from the kitchen and noticed once again not a single person had helped us since he left. At this point we said we might as well order at the bar and he talked with the hostess who seemed like she had no intentions of sitting us in the dining room as I watched two other couples be seated that waited at the front. Finally we ordered our dinner and yes the food was good, but it definitely was not good enough to return after our experience. I came to find out the guy that had been helping us was the owners son who was being pulled around to every job, which he admitted was the first time he had ever done most of those jobs, to help catch the restaurant up. I explained the experience we had but thanked him for being the only one to serve us the whole night. We were one of the last people to leave the restaurant at 10 after getting there at 7:30, the manager and owner were never asked to come talk to us, which from what I witnessed twice throughout the night it would not have mattered as she seemed pretty useless in apologizing and making the customer happy. We were never offered to have an item removed from our check to make up for the experience. I do not mind paying the full price, however after working in a restaurant for several years we would always compensate the customer after a...