Donatello
Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: (813) 875-6660
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Kennedy Boulevard
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri 11:30am- 2:30pm, 6pm-11pm , Sat-Sun 6pm-11pm
Message from Donatello
Best Italian Food Winner on Citysearch 2003, 2002 and 2001
- Authentic Dishes
- Live Music
- Opulent Environment
Paid advertisement by Donatello.
Editorial Review for Donatello – by Alexander Thomas
The Scene
It's the kind of joint you'd expect to see in a mafia flick. Dark wood and burgundy accent the decor. A white baby grand sits in the lounge. Quiet diners dress tastefully with understated elegance. Stars and star-gazers perch at tables. But remember--autograph seekers have no place at Donatello, and the staff here will tell you as much.
The Food
Start your meal with a little smoked salmon, carpaccio or some zuppa campagnola--a chicken broth with spinach, cheese and whisked egg. Then move on to one of the Don's many pasta dishes, like the tortellini in double cream sauce. And after all that, if you're up to it, order an entree. Chicken fans will take to the eggplant and mozzarella version, while beef lovers will enjoy the filet with goose pate.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Waiting to ExhaleSmokers won't miss the baby grand, since the lounge is the only place in the restaurant to light up.
Valet, MerciParking around Donatello is a nightmare, so take full advantage of their complimentary valet service and hand over the keys; it's worth the tip.
User Reviews for Donatello
06/10/2008 Posted by paola77
I went there believing in the authentic northern italian sign and was sooo disappointed with pretty much everything. It looks like a ruined set from a frank sinatra movie.. outdated, not even clean, the food was below average and the prices make no sense at all. We were 2 people and paid almost $100 for not even dessert or coffee, not even appetizers and just 2 glasses of wine. I am half italian and lived and travelled in many places in the world to be fooled that easily!! the highlight of the night was the owner (whom I believe is the one that greets you after you come in and when you leave) eating people's food while he was serving it next to the dessert station they have over there!! He did it more than once!!! such a joke this place... if you know how to eat well or know real good italian food don't even go to or try this place, you will feel robbed!!
Pros: haven't found them yet
Cons: bad food, too expensive and ugly interiors
04/23/2008 Posted by aravenel
I really wanted to like Donatello; however, the combination of good-but-not-above-average food and the astronomical prices charged for it dragged it down. I'd like to think that I'm familiar with good Italian food, and have had my fair share of it, some of the best of it in the Tampa area (try Casa Ludovico in Palm Harbor). The food at Donatello was good, I can't deny that--but it wasn't great. I had the fried mozzarella appetizer and the spaghetti carbonara the night I went. The mozzarella tasted and looked like it came out of a freezer--it had that distinct chewiness and melting pattern that only comes from processed cheese. Real mozzarella doesn't melt like that. The carbonara was good, and the pasta perfectly cooked, which I have to commend, but it was oversauced, used bacon instead of pancetta (and not very good bacon either, astonishing for a restaurant that claims to be authentic, even moreso given the prices), and cost $28 for a rather small portion. We had the tiramisu for dessert, which was a dense, soggy mess, nothing like the light (in texture, not in calories!) and delectable dessert that it should be. Furthermore, I got the impression that it was the kind of placed that charged a lot because they thought the could--a see and be seen kind of place, not a place that had high prices because the food deserved it. I also found the setting dingy and depressing, with everything looking like it was 20 years old and hadn't been cared for at all. Service was, however, impeccable, I have to grant them that. Overall, I came away with a very bad feeling from the place. I won't be going back, and feel like I wasted an evening in having gone there. Not to mention $70 for a small, average-tasting meal.
Pros: Service
Cons: Average food, astronomical prices, dingy & dirty atmosphere
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