Osteria Natalina — Restaurant in Tampa

First time eating here. Started out really good with kind, attentive service. The servers and host were very kind and mostly attentive. The fresh bread and the meatball appetizer were very good. Dinner entrees were very disappointing. The portion size and quality of the food did not justify the high prices. We were very surprised when the check came and found out how much the "off menu" entrees wound up costing. Two of us ordered what was supposed to be short rib with marsala sauce, but it was more like a beef brisket that was very dry and charred. The marsala sauce was very skimpy and was not enough to compensate for the dry meat. These "short rib" entrees were not worth the $33.00 each that was charged. The chicken parmesan was somewhat disappointing as well. The $24.00 chicken was paper thin and only one piece, when other places provide two thicker pieces for less money that taste better. The melted mozzarella topping over the chicken was thicker than the chicken, so it was more like eating an appetizer of mozzarella rather than chicken parmesan. The sauces were ok but nothing spectacular. The spaghetti with meatball entree was lacking enough sauce as well, and the spaghetti was rather dry and little taste, and they charged $22.00 for this inferior dish. The meatballs were good but didn't justify the $22.00 price tag. The Sacchetini Du Pere was very delicious, but the price for the portion given was way over the top. It came on the plate with what looked like a small portion, but they said it was the large portion because it had ten pieces of pasta. If it was the $13.00 price, it would have made sense, but it was the $23.00 price that was very disappointing for the portion size. The only thing that was large, was the plate. Other restaurants have given a full plate for this same type of meal. The four desserts were very good, and for the $9.00 each price, the flavor and size were adequate but could have been larger. We had five entrees, four desserts, one appetizer, bread, and everyone had water to drink, and this cost over $240.00. We have paid more money at other restaurants, but at least at those, the portions and quality of food were worth the price. The restaurant appearance was nice. However, it was so loud in there that we could barely hear each other talking, and the noise never had any quiet gaps. This made it slightly unpleasant to wait for our meals, but that’s not the restaurants fault. Just loud people escalating their voices to be heard across their tables. The best part of the dining experience was sharing time with our family, the meatballs, and the desserts. We probably won't eat here again because we don't feel like we received enough value for the price paid. We were hoping to have a stellar experience but left disappointed. I should have read the reviews before going. Many similar experiences by other people. Chef Boyardee tasting sauce, small portions for the high prices, small desserts for the price. These are things that people have experienced as well. I look at the different review levels including 1 star reviews to see how the restaurant responds. Virtually zero replies so they must only care about collecting your money and seem to place little value on reviews. Their 4.7 stars is really not a good reflection of the actual experience. You'd think a business would want to make...

So, listen up! The moment you step foot into this joint, your taste buds will do a happy dance. Sure, it's a cozy little place with no reservations, just a good old first-come, first-serve policy, but trust me, the anticipation is worth it. This Italian gem is decked out in charming decor, making it the perfect spot for a romantic date night!

Now, let's talk libations. While they boast an impressive selection of wines, I decided to go the Italian beer route, and boy, was I pleasantly surprised! But let me tell you, it's the food that steals the spotlight here—it's downright phenomenal!

To kick things off, we dived into the Pasta e Fagioli soup and some mouthwatering meatballs, accompanied by their delectable house bread. The meatballs came smothered in a rich marinara sauce, while the soup hit all the right spots.

For the main event, we opted for the legendary Lasagna and the Flounder, a special of the day. The Lasagna was a true masterpiece—generous portions of delicate, creamy layers of heaven. We ordered it with the pink sauce, but I guarantee we'll be back to try it with the classic marinara. Trust me, it was that good! As for the Flounder, it was a fish lover's dream. Picture this: tender flounder adorned with succulent scallops and mussels, all simmering in a delightful marinara sauce. And as if that weren't enough, it was accompanied by perfectly cooked pasta in a pink sauce, with a side of vibrant spinach and asparagus. I kid you not, this dish had us completely mesmerized.

The dining experience was elevated to the next level by the velvety voice of Frank Sinatra serenading us in the background, creating an ambiance of pure nostalgia. And let's not forget the exceptional service that completed the picture-perfect evening!

To cap off our visit, we indulged in not one, but two desserts—a heavenly lemon cream cake and an amaretto-infused delight reminiscent of tiramisu. It was the sweet finale that left our taste buds singing in joy.

So, my friends, if you're seeking an authentic Italian experience that will transport you straight to the streets of Rome, make your way to this delightful eatery. With its delectable cuisine, charming atmosphere, and service that goes above and beyond, you'll find yourself savoring every moment....

Quite possibly the very best Italian meal that I have ever enjoyed.......Osteria Natalina is a small family-owned and operated restaurant, located in a little strip mall off MacDill and just under the Selmon Expressway.

Osteria is an Italian word describing an eatery which is a bit less fancy and more of a casual feel, but still with great homemade food. Natalina is the name of owner's (Spartaco) mother who still resides in Rimini, Italy, a northern coastal village. She makes many visits to Tampa each year to see her son. His Mother was born on Christmas Eve, hence the name Natalina.

Now this delightful Italian eatery is small, but with amazing personal service, and out of this world food and wine selections. Our meal started with Spartaco greeting us by the front door and welcoming us to our table towards the back of the restaurant, where he introduced our waiter. They told us that while there is a fixed menu, and that the chef prepares several special dishes each evening, and that if we didn't see anything that we liked that they would be honored to cook us anything from scratch.

Candace and I started with glasses of Sangiovese, an Italian red varietal, while our waiter described the Chef's specials for the evening. We settled on a special seafood dish in a light cream sauce, served over linguini; and Bucatini (sausage) with freshly-sliced cheese over spaghetti pasta for our entrées, and split a Mozzarella and Caprese salad which was drizzled with good balsamic vinegar. Oh my gosh, the meal was superb, and our waiter spent some time describing the dish and how it was prepared before allowing us the opportunity to pounce on our plates like rabid wolves. Everything was made from scratch, and simply outstanding!

Even though we were stuffed to the gills, we managed to squeeze in a few bites of a very light and delicious cake, layered with cream, and drizzled with a Key Lime reduction. Oh my goodness!

Truly an outstanding meal, enhanced by very warm and personable service. We felt like members of the family by the time our meal was over, and Spartaco once again shook our hands and thanked us sincerely for dining with them as he held the door for Candace and me.

Grazie Mille, Spartaco! We will...