Seared - Itasca

Atmosphere, food, and the joy of arriving after a long drive to relax and enjoy a meal—everything was perfect! You all are fantastic! Thank you for the wonderful memories, and I look forward to coming back soon!

Service: Dine-in Meal Type: Lunch Price per person: $30–50 Food: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Atmosphere: 5/5 Recommended dishes: Banana Split, Seared House Salad, 12 Oz Center Cut Sirloin, Grilled Wild Salmon Fillet.

If you're looking for authentic Italian cuisine, Venuti's is the perfect destination. The food is outstanding, beautifully presented, and the portions are so generous that you're likely to take some home. Start with the appetizers; the calamari is a must-try, and the arancini and pizza bread are simply amazing. The eggplant Parmigiana is delicious and served in large portions. The lamb chops are decadent—some of the best I’ve ever tasted. The ribeye and filet mignon are unmatched. You can't go wrong with any of the veal or chicken dishes; the Marsala and Francese were particularly popular among our guests. We hosted a large dinner party with a mix of returning guests and newcomers, and the evening was a resounding success. Everyone was impressed not only by the fantastic food but also by the exceptional service. Dining at Venuti's truly feels like being welcomed into a family.

Charming! They really maximized the small space. The food is great as well!

However, the menu could use some adjustments. My holiday margarita tasted overwhelmingly sweet, like strawberry syrup, and I couldn't even finish it. The wine prices were also quite high. Additionally, there was too much food and too many courses for the kids. It might have been better to remove the adult salad course and add some fruit to the kids' meals instead. Overall, I wasn't impressed with the food itself. I think the menu should be streamlined to focus on a few standout dishes that can be executed well. It would also have been fun to see staff dressed in Elf costumes for an extra touch of immersion. All in all, while the decor and theme were a big hit, the food needs improvement. It could work well as a breakfast option, especially given all the sweet treats!