Il Goccino Ristorante — Restaurant in Madison

This had been my favorite restaurant for years. Had two appetizers with a guest. Carpaccio $12 sliced filet mignon over greens with julienned mystery cheese on top. The beef was OK and greens seemed fine - the combination with cheese tasted and rejected. I had calamari that was lackluster and a bit chewy with tomato sauce that was very good. Entrees were chicken Fancese ($23) served with no seasoning and in a sauce that had no lemon or flavor but was yellow in color -- strange. The sides were string beans that were well cooked and worthy of any palate. In the center of the plate was an "ice cream scoop" of pasty riced boiled potatoes with no seasoning of any kind. Not as tasty as those in my high school cafeteria. My guest had the veal saltimbocca. ($27) Veal saltimbocca as I have never seen before. Three pieces of veal over cooked and dry stacked with a thin coating of some kind of cheese deposited on a scoop of chopped (not so good) spinach. Not horrible you say -- I am not done. This mistreated veal over boiled spinach was then covered - I dare say drenched with an extremely salty brown sauce that was thick gloppy and not worthy of anyones palate. My guest had a couple of bites of the veal and asked that the rest be wrapped to take home. Once outside the veal hit a trash can. The desserts offered looked to be relics of better days and greeted with a - no thank you. No one ever asked how our meals were and we paid $100 plus and left. We wanted to get something that would be an upgrade to our palates -- we thought Burger King -- but went home in stead. I question if the owner/chef was there but if he was not -- that is no excuse for serving a meal only fit for the trash can. I had told my guest that the food would be great -- I was embarrassed -- the kitchen...

This is undeniably a hidden gem of a restaurant, offering a truly exceptional and unparalleled Italian fine dining experience. Il Goccino's stands out as a one-of-a-kind, charming, and intimate dining establishment that has consistently exceeded my expectations. My wife and I find ourselves returning time and again, whether it's for a spontaneous weekday dinner or to celebrate a special occasion.

What sets Il Goccino's apart in today's restaurant landscape is its unwavering commitment to culinary excellence. Rather than attempting to cater to every trend and whim, they have chosen to focus on the fundamentals, and that means an unwavering dedication to the quality of their cuisine. Each dish is a masterpiece of flavor and craftsmanship, meticulously prepared to tantalize the taste buds.

It goes without saying that the level of service at Il Goccino's is truly exceptional. You can immediately sense the pride and passion that the staff takes in delivering an unforgettable dining experience. They consistently go above and beyond to ensure that every guest feels welcomed and pampered.

Il Goccino's is not merely a restaurant; it's a haven for those who appreciate the art of fine dining. It's a place where the simplicity of impeccable ingredients, combined with culinary mastery, creates a dining experience that lingers in your memory long after the meal is over. If you're seeking an authentic and unparalleled Italian dining experience, look no further than Il Goccino's. It's a true gem that deserves recognition as one of the finest dining establishments...

I can't speak highly enough of this restaurant. The BF and I went out spontaneously and chose a random Italian restaurant 8 minutes from home to celebrate a job promotion. This place is LEGIT. As per the BF, "the bolognese tortellini was made just right." The carpaccio is a little light on meat (4 thin but large pieces) but PERFECT flavor and quality. The lobster bisque felt like an autumn flavor, but delicious with little chunks of lobster. The Capellini Sinatra was so well done - the scallops and shrimp were positioned AROUND the pasta so the scallops didn't overcook. They brought out a platter of desserts. The cannoli and tiramisu were phenomenal AND homemade. The espresso is on point with the lemon peel. I have no pictures. We ate everything. AND THE SERVICE: definitely the best part of the ambience. Fairly empty tonight (we came in at 8:30 PM) but the servers were so polite, funny, and personable. Highly attentive, very friendly, family-owned, need I say more? If you haven't tried them yet, CHECK OUT IL GOCCINO. Keep in mind this is a BYOB restaurant, so bring ye wine! First experience, but 10 out of 10. For those a little more west and can't make it to Madison, Benito's in Chester has a very similar style of high quality and service. Keep impressing, my friends. We can't wait...