Benvenuti's Ristorante — Restaurant in Norman

Very nice, upscale interior. Whey you walk in, the tone is set for a nice evening. This is definitely not a dine and dash eatery. I had actually been referred there for the tomahawk ribeye, not the Italian food. The build-up from a friend was over the top and this steak was up to the task. Even at $72, it didn't disappoint. Kobe beef, perfectly cooked, just the right amount of char, it was utterly delicious. My friend had no review of the Italian food bc he always got this steak. Garlic mashed potatoes were creamy and as good as I have ever had. Not over-powering at all. We switched out the standard brocolini side for asparagus and got one spear bc it was massive. Although it tasted ok and was tender enough, I would prefer some smaller, younger, more tender and more flavorful spears over one the size of a foot long weiner. We started with bruschetta and it was more of a fresh mozzarella discs on toasts with balsamic. I wanted the typical fresh tomatoes, spices and balsamic over a toast slice. Since I don't eat cheese, I had none. It was reported to be a little on the sweet side, but clearly more of a buffalo mozzarella appetizer. Then, they don't have sweet tea. Last time I looked, this was the South on a hot day. Sweeten your tea. Service was a little better than MEH, but barely. One of my guests got the ravioli. It looked more like Chinese dumplings. She wasn't too wild about it. My son ordered a special cheeseburger and fries. The burger was 6" tall. You couldn't get all of it in your mouth. But the real star, second only to the tomahawk, were the seasoned fries. Everyone kept eating them off of his plate until they were all gone. Delicious. So, a mixed bag. We still can't rate the menu in as to Italian dishes, but the steak was good. A shrimp cocktail with only 3 shrimp for $20 seemed really overpriced. We had no alcohol and my wife and I split the steak and the bill was $150 for 3 entrees with one being a hamburger. So, a mixed bag. Absolutely go for the tomahawk ribeye steak. And plan on being there awhile. After that, you are...

We've visited here only once before and the visit was remarkable altogether. Yet, while the food was all excellent (we had the spaghetti and meatballs and the grilled lamb rack), it was the atmosphere overall that truly set the mood and changed our night. The interior of the building is beautiful, especially the exposed brick throughout, and the candlelights on the tables were a nice complement.

We stumbled in at 7:30pm on a Monday evening; since we are still learning the city, we had never heard of it before and had decided to try it. You can imagine our surprise when we stepped through the door and realized what kind of establishment they were; they turned to my fiancé and said, "Do you have any reservations?" The look on his face said more than what he was likely intending. However, they also accept walk-ins so the two ladies at the front simply laughed and found us a table.

The food was great, and while it is pricey, it is nothing terribly different from what similar entrees at other Italian restaurants would cost you upon a visit. My spaghetti and meatballs was $17, but it was unbelievably delicious. He had the lamb and potatoes for $44, but they had a variety of other options that were more affordable (like their pizzas and pastas, for example!). The proportions on our selections were a little small compared to my expectations, but they were filling enough to make them worthwhile for the cost. Wide selection of drinks available as well, but we stuck to their version of a Moscow mule.

Our waiter--and I feel terrible about not catching his name--was just as grand. We also didn't look like their traditional patrons (we're both in our early twenties, and he came in jeans and a t-shirt), I'm sure, so I always appreciate it more when we still receive stellar service as that's not always the case.

Overall, we would certainly recommend this place and are intending to return...

Updates! A/C works! I've been back four times now. This last visit was for my husband's birthday and unfortunately things were off! The focaccia, ceaser salad, and tiramisu were the only things that were the same! The crab claws were slightly fishy and the sauce was less robust and complex, the veal Parm was differently prepared and plated and not an improvement sadly. Even drinks from the bar tasted different, namely the limoncello martini and Rosemary mojito. I ordered an affogato and the entire thing was chilled. Should be cold cup, cold ice cream, hot espresso. Easy. Had it here before and they did it perfectly. Additionally, there was a food photographer doing a photo shoot in the dining room with stupid bright lights. I had my son move so I could block the light for him. Chicken Marsala was pretty good, but not as good as I expected from this place. My son had chicken piccata and enjoyed it. Our server didn't offer Parmesan or red pepper flakes and was much less engaged than our previous servers. Visits 2 and 3: servers were a little snotty but the food was exceptional. First visit: Our server was a recent grad from OU and stayed here after she graduated, she was delightful and lovely. Very helpful with menu questions! The food was to die for, we started with snow crab claws and carpaccio. Entrees were veal Parm, rack of lamb, and the pork belly and scallops. Everything was beautifully presented and packed with flavor. My husband declared the veal Parm the best he's ever eaten. I had a rosemary mojito and it was so refreshing and delicious. Make. A. Reservation. We went on Saturday evening, snagged the last reservation on the website and watched other parties be turned away. It was...