LaTrattoria — Restaurant in Garden City

So this review will candidly save people a lot of time. My husband and I are Italian, so we've quite literally tried every Italian place in town and we compared LA Trattoria tonight to Scatoris, Crave, The Original Valentino Restaurant, Casa Calamari, Malibu of Surfside, Michael's, Gios, Vincinis, Villa Romana, Travinia......and La Trattoria beat our favorite restaurant. I had to list how many places we've been, because as Italians we want to find which Italian place is the best. Every aspect of this place beat everyone in town. Like if one restaurant is great at an entree..... they suck with the bread....or if another restaurant nails the bread and an appetizer, then they're bad on customer service or the entree is bland. La Trattoria beat everyone in town on everything, which proves you do not have to have one good thing or another you can nail everything. We were waited on hand and foot and left to enjoy our meal at socially aware moments. The bread and dip had a side of roasted garlic that no one in town can mimic properly (believe us we've seen it tried). The wedding soup was better than my grandmother's. The chicken marsala was the best in 100 miles..... and we do literally mean that...... because we tried everything short of Charleston SC. This is a very literal review. The canoli, was again, the best canoli I've ever had. Some people let the custard dry out for too long. I do wish the caprese appetizer had more reduction on the tomatos and a stronger basil leaf - but this isnt really a critique its my own personal preference. Its so small of a whim, if i had asked for more they would have given me some immediately. And I must say, we've been waiting in a sense for this review / trying to find the best Italian restaurant. La Trattoria is number one, Gio and Crave are tied number two, Scatoris is third, Malibu of Surfside 4th, and everywhere else just don't bother going. And honestly, we discussed on the car ride home, how we'd just rather not go out as often ..... and save our outings to eat at...

I had a dinner reservation at 5:30PM tonight with 6 people. When we arrived the restaurant was nearly empty. In the course of 30 minutes this place was packed. No way was it at 50% seating, not in compliance with the local rules. Tables and patrons were on top of one another. I would have gotten up and left but as I said it was empty when we arrived and about 1/2way through the service it was way too crowded and honestly I didn't realize what was happening. Food was a 6.5 -7.0 out of 10. Server was nice and was wearing a mask the entire time. However, the owner went from table to table asking how everything was. While she was walking around chatting with customers, she was the only employee not wearing a mask. When confronted as to her not wearing a mask she replied, " I'm not required to wear one" if you don't like it then don't come back. She's clearly not from the south. She was rude and nasty. Don't worry, I won't be back nor will my friends. BTW, we are locals and eat out every Friday. She will only wish people like us would come back in the off season....Don't worry We won't. I am also reporting...

Can I give this place a 10 Star???? Madone!!!!

I found my restaurant! This evening Anthony & I went to this little Italian Restaurant located off of Business 17 in Murrells Inlet called La Trattoria.

Everything we ate was so delish! I felt like I was back home in New York! The Chef Emilio came out to greet us and to find out from friends of mine, hes from New York. Little Italian Man he is! What made me laugh was he recognized Anthony because his son works with him!

Our server Sam was spot on! She even said "I feel like were family". I said "its done, we are"!

Every dish was better than the one before. The portions were huge and we brought something home from each plate we ate except dessert....couldnt bring home the Tartufo, it would melt 🤣

Italian Bread Calamari Fritti Mussels in Cognac Stuffed Artichoke Meatballs NY Strip over Mashed Potatoes Three Fingers (Chicken) Sorrentino Cannoli Tartufo

The price was extremely affordable! Highly recommend! Reservations Recommend! Open Wednesday through Sunday. Closed The Last Sunday of The Month!

Cant say enough about...