Florentine Restaurant

Recommends

rraycols

Joined 7 years ago

Relaxing family-style restaurant. If you're looking for a relaxing, family-style Italian restaurant - try the Florentine. I went, reluctantly, with my family for my Mother's birthday. The atmosphere is very casual, but the old school charm is still evident. The food is good, homemade Italian-American. I had the eggplant baked in spaghetti and mushrooms, and it was fabulous. The sauce is rich and hearty, the pasta is fresh and flavorful. Everything that was served at our table was very good - veal parmesan, fettucini alfredo, spaghetti with meatballs. The salad plates were chilled and the house dressing is very good, but no tomatoes served on the salad.

Most of the wait staff is young - i.e. inexperienced, but their attitude was fine. The location isn't the greatest, but adds to the overall ambience. We will definitely dine there again!

Recommends

meesterquen

Joined 8 years ago

Good old-fashioned Italian food!. I have read some of the other reviews for Florentine, and I have to say, "lighten up, people". This is just an old-school, family owned Italian restaurant, the type that used to flourish in our city. It's not Olive Garden, Bravo or Bucca di Beppo folks, the spaghetti is homemade, the wine list is limited, the service is either Dot (good) or sassy (most of the rest of the wait staff). I feel like I'm going back in time 40 years every time I enter the front door...and am surprised that Dean and Frank aren't sitting at a table.

Recommends

t_wms

Joined 9 years ago

Italian-American Food. Those who compare this to Italian restaurants like G.Michael's, or LaTavola are missing the point. This is an Italian-American restaurant in the old tradition. Actually, the spaghetti is homemade, the sauce has a bit of spice, but is essentially fresh-tasting. The service is hit and miss, but some of the servers are wonderful. This is the place to go if you are feeding a crowd, and while the wine list isn't extensive, it is reasonably priced. Try not to be so stuffy when you go, and have fun.

Doesn't Recommend

jonfern8

Joined 9 years ago

Italian, Ragu Style. I dined at the florentine on the adive of a co-worker and was stunned that they found this place good. I've come to the conclusion that people in Columbus mistake quantity for quality. If they pay more than $8 for a entree, it's bad food. You get what you pay for, and this place is proof. not only is the sauce smack of Ragu, but the service was very slow. Truly bad food! Don't go!

Recommends

Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Classic Italian cuisine in a classic Italian restaurant.. The Vibe
A really fancy place, circa 1970. This is due mainly to the Mediterranean art on the walls: painstakingly rendered bowls of fruit; the sea, as viewed through wooden frames made to resemble windows. The restaurant is large and somewhat noisy, with a bar up front and huge tables in the back for large parties. You can bring your kids here.

The Food
The menu has many variations on the combination of pasta, sauce and cheese. Add veal, and it's veal parmigiana. Pork and capicolla make Pasta Antonio. This works because the noodles are chewy and homemade, and the sauce is rich and flavorful. You'll also find pork chops, steak and chicken marsala.

What You'll Spend
Prices are reasonable: none of the pasta dishes are over $9.95, with a half order of spaghetti and meatballs starting at $6.95.

Recommends

taylorjr1217

Joined 11 years ago

A Ture Experience. The Florentine is a true classic. The building is beautiful, the food is excellent, the service wonderful. Granted it is not a chain yuppy resturant like Bucca Di Beppo, or G. Michaels, but the food and service is not to be compared with resturants like that. Their stuff is homade, not a frozen dinner wannabe like Bravo's. If you don't like class, and sophistication then don't go to the Florentine.

Doesn't Recommend

sloopy2001

Joined 11 years ago

not a 10. Food was ok at best. This is certainly not an upscale restaurant. Its very old school spaghetti with possibly a home made sauce, in a very old building. The wine list is pretty much non existant and the food just isn't very good if you like to dine at fine restaurants. If you do decide to go lock up your car its not in a very good neighborhood.

Recommends

gahannagal

Joined 11 years ago

Italy lives in Columbus. Food is consistently wonderful. Been going there since the early 50s. No fly by night restaurant, it has kept its place in family. Reasonable prices, large proportions. Best spaghetti noodles in town. Sauce is heavy on garlic, yum, and rich in taste. Cozy and homey environment. Better come early on weekends, it is packed. Staff is excellent.