La Cena - Jacksonville

I absolutely adore this charming spot in Murray Hill! The food is exceptional and the service is outstanding. If you're in a rush, this isn't the place for you! Some of the pastas are handmade, and everything is made to order, so don't expect a quick meal. It's a wonderful place to relax and enjoy some wine alongside delicious dishes. I ordered the Escargot and the Bolognese, and both were fantastic. Our waiter was attentive and took great care of us. I can't wait to return!

We stopped in a mood without reservation and they could catch us in. We were fascinated first because the menu seems to lay many rules. We thought it could be another overpriced mediocre experience, but were pleasantly surprised! This seems to be a hidden gem, where the owners / chef take care of the menu, the quality of the Italian dishes and wine list and the maintenance of the ambience. To sum it up, they know what they work with! I asked the server to help me choose a wine and a pasta dish and she was extremely knowledgeable and nailed exactly what I was looking for. The portions are huge. It feels like a restaurant where they meet you with names. You seem to maintain very high standards, which I definitely appreciate and do not pay against. We're coming back!

Always an excellent place to relax, to savor entrees prepared with care and flair. Ample servings allow one to enjoy the sumptuous repast over several more meals at home or office. Outstanding profiteroles for dessert!

I finally had the pleasure of dining here for our 5 year anniversary and it was exceptional. You must have reservations and it is an adult only establishment, thus making it the ideal place for an intimate dining experience with your significant other. We started off with a bottle of prosecco to toast to 'us ' since they have an extensive wine list and cellar. They have baked in house bread sticks to nosh on while you look over the menu. It took us some time to decide as everything sounded incredible, and their staff is more than happy to help by explaining the dishes and the many options you have. They make 3 different pastas in house and bake fresh bread that arrives once you have made your selections. We chose to have our pasta dishes as appetizer portions which the Chef recommends come out first. To say they were decadent is an understatement. These portions are very generous and as such we decided to only eat half in order to have room for the rest of what was to come. The next to arrive were the salads which accompany the mains and you can select the mixed greens with vinaigrette or from their other offerings. We chose to have the fresh spring mix. For the grand finale I decided on the veal for and my beau had the chicken, both prepared in a lemon sauce. It was perfection. Both plates had 3 pieces and we each brought 2 home with us along with the other half of our pasta. Unfortunately we had no room for dessert, but we had enough food for another meal which tasted just as fantastic when reheated with care. This was a wonderful experience that I recommend anyone celebrating something special try out or even just because you enjoy really great Italian food.

We frequently dine at Italian restaurants, but this was our first visit to La Cena Ristorante. The owner, Jerry, welcomed us warmly and took the time to explain the various menu options. As we are Asian and not very familiar with Italian cuisine, his guidance was much appreciated. The Linguine with Fresh Clams in Red Sauce stood out as the highlight of our meal—it was absolutely delicious, and the clams were incredibly fresh. Many Italian restaurants have left us feeling disappointed in the past, but La Cena Ristorante has become our favorite for authentic Italian food. As the owner of Kim's Korean BBQ restaurant, I found it valuable to learn from another restaurateur's perspective. We also want to extend our thanks to our friend Bill for treating us to such fantastic food and a delightful experience.