Alfano's Restaurant — Restaurant in Largo

I had reserved a room for a special 95 th birthday celebration for my mother. I had been looking forward to being at Alfano's because my mom had been wanting to try it. There had been so many positive reviews from her friends and on google. However, most of us were very disappointed with the food. We had the fixed limited menu because that is what was required for the larger party. I was ok with that. However, they were low on one of the already limited menu entrees (eggplant)which many wanted, so some had to choose something they desired less. Also, they did not have the spumoni dessert that was on that fixed menu. We were not given an opportunity to choose an alternate...we were just given mint chocolate chip ice cream that was melting. I think we should have been given a choice of desserts and when the eggplant was not available those who wanted it and couldn't have it could have been offered something off the regular menu. I was one that got to eat the eggplant but, in addition to all of the food being lukewarm the marinara sauce needed salt, and the eggplant was tough around the edges (which were inedible) even the melted provolone cheese was tough. The chicken tetrazzini tasted like a frozen tv dinner. Others in my party said that they just didn't care for the food. A couple of people in the party said their meal was ok. and the calamari WAS good. Also, the tables were not set up like I had asked and there was an extra table and chairs pushed into the corner so the room did not look neat and pretty. The 2 stars were because the price for the event was reasonable and we were able to get a separate room for our event. That was important to me because of Covid 19. The wait staff wore masks like I requested and they were very nice and polite. We were accommodated in other ways-like turning down the a/c and we had 3 last minute unavoidable cancellations which we were not required to pay for...AND we managed to have fun with our family in spite of all the negatives. Maybe it was just an off day for them :0( since they seem to be very popular and the restaurant was...

Alfano's Italian Restaurant is a charming and cozy restaurant located here in Clearwater that maintains an old-style Italian-American atmosphere. The waitstaff, dressed in black-and-white uniforms, are knowledgeable about the menu and regular customers.

Their menu includes a range of dishes, such as pasta, fresh seafood, and elevated treats like Scallops Rockefeller, Escargot, Cannelloni Florentine, and my favorite, Lamb Chops Scottadito!

During my recent visit with a party of ten, we were seated at a large round table in the dining room, under a large garden umbrella that had a "Tuscan Garden" vibe to it.

The atmosphere was comfortable and charming, with beautiful, interesting Italian touches throughout. The service was exceptional, and we did not feel rushed at all, allowing us to enjoy our dining experience at a leisurely pace.

The food was fresh, and delicious, and arrived at our table hot and on time. The appetizer of Scallops Rockefeller was delightful. The lamb chops were perfectly seasoned and cooked. Their wine list is extensive, with many great choices, and they even have a wine cellar that has a table you can book for a private party.

The General Manager, James Jerichow, an affable young man, was kind enough to show us around and share the history of Alfano's, along with interesting stories of some of their previous diners, such as Margaret Thatcher (yes, the Iron Lady herself has enjoyed dining at Alfano's).

Overall, we had a great time, and the restaurant truly exceeded our expectations.

Alfano's Italian is my go-to restaurant when friends and family are visiting, as it never disappoints! I highly recommend Alfano's to anyone who enjoys great Italian food, desserts, and friendly service. Go and enjoy! Trust me, you won't be disappointed, and you can thank me later!

Update: I'm back again for dinner with friends visiting from NY for the Lamb and Scallops Rockefeller, I added the delicious table side Cesar salad and the Seafood Capri! Outstanding! Everyone raved about their meal! Looking forward to a...

This restaurant has had a long reputation of being a top quality restaurant in the Clearwater area. However, it is suffering from a lack of self-awareness.

In its heyday, circa the 1970s, it had a standard restaurant layout which it continues to have today, with several cavernous rooms filled with wall-to-wall tables. There is no attempt to give any individual tables any privacy. Additionally, the lighting leaves something to be desired. If you're looking for a restaurant with a romantic atmosphere, this isn't it.

It also has had a reputation for excellent cuisine. Yet, when we recently dined there, the prices were exorbitantly high for cuisine that is very average, at best. The chicken piccata was somewhat slimy in texture. The chicken wasn't cooked fresh in the kitchens, but appeared to be precooked cutlets that were warmed and then covered in a relatively insipid sauce. Two years ago I had the ossobuco, which was spectacularly impressive. The price for the dish has gone up, however, and that price is also spectacularly impressive.

Another failing this restaurant has is the unwillingness to provide soup or salad with an entree. If you want soup or salad, or virtually any greens whatsoever (besides the obligatory garnish) you will be upcharged for it. Fair enough, but not really standard these days and somewhat annoying to discover.

Their garlic bread appears to be freshly baked and is excellent. One of our dining companions had a pasta dish with fish which was over-seasoned and too spicy to enjoy. It would be wise to offer the option of mild, medium, or hot spiciness. Making the assumption that she could handle that level of heat was the wrong assumption to make.

The wait staff have always been very attentive, and we had another fantastic waiter, which made up for some of the negatives.

An ever aging population of loyal diners has kept Alfano's in business, so far. However, they are going to have to make some changes and work harder to attract a...