Angelina's Italian Gourmet

My wife and I go to this restaurant quite frequently, we absolutely love the food. We did stop going for a while, however, because the big fat owner was extremely rude to us and yelled at our waitress (that was by far the best waitress in the place) because I was letting my wife try a bite of my food and she didn't want to charge us a sharing fee of ($7) which is ridiculous anyways. The rest of the meal was awkward and we felt bad that our waitress got embarrassed so bad because she was such a nice person. Needless to say we still go back after about 6 months of boycotting because my pregnant wife was craving it, but not as much as we used to. The fat guy needs to wake up and realize he is not living in NYC and is not the leader of the mafioso, maybe he needs to stop eating so much of his own garlic bread and look in the mirror. Food is excellent, but stay away from the fat guy with the cannoli in his front pocket. Pros: Food is excellent Cons: Owner is rude more

I registered on this site just to write this review.\r \r I'm down in Tampa for business. Our firm is based in NYC, and I've lived in NY for over 20 years... anyways, the place was quite dead when my colleague and I went down to grab a Margherita. Management/staff consisted of a friendly but slow waiter, and a big guy with poor fashion sense. Of course, this is secondary to the food, which felt amateurishly made. The pizza still has a long way to go if they claim to be ""NY Style."" The tomatoes did not match the sauce, the basil was burnt, and the crust tasted like pre-made flour. All this for more $ than I pay for at Grimaldi's in Brooklyn, which is NY's #1 pizza place for 8 years running. Pros: Small parking lot. Cons: Mediocre food, slow service, over priced. more

Anyone that has a problem with the food at this place must have mutant taste buds! It is the closest thing to New York quality Italian you will find in the Tampa area (and I've lived here over 20 years). The service can sometimes be slow, but the food makes up for it. They are also great with special orders, or orders off the menu.\r \r I would recommend this restaurant to anyone and my family and I eat there often. more

Sooo.. My wife and I decide to drop by on a Saturday night to see what this joint was like. We just moved to the area and thought it looked kinda authentic? Anyways, we walk up the side walk and the owner?.. a big fruity guy dressed like a Christmas ornament, drinking a tall boy of bud light, admiring his escalade parked nearest the entrance was at the door. He avoided us. The place was practically empty but we thought it was maybe early and that we were in luck. Our waitress was new, and very nice. She tried really hard to provide a good dinner experience but it was out of her control. The sangria my wife ordered was like fruit juice and maple syrup mixed with wine. Not good. While we waited for our food, the Christmas ornament cruised around the restaurant not making any effort to do anything. Just wandering around. After about 20 minutes of waiting, our food still wasnt there but we got to watch the ornament entertain a good looking young woman in a secret conversation. Looked suspicious. If you were there, you would know. Anyways, the food came and I think that their microwave was working overtime that night. Is there a word that says mediocre better than mediocre? Over priced.... not so great food.. lots of potential.. A creepy weird big guy that floats around in the strangest shoes I have ever seen.. Never go back. more

My wife and I stumbled across this restaurant a couple of months after moving to Tampa, and now we go about 3 times a month. The atmosphere is great now that they have renovated the interior as well as added a patio in the rear. They even have live music on Friday nights, which makes it great for a romantic evening. The portions are huge and you will definately want to take them home with you. A trick that we learned is to split an entree. Unlike most places that with a split charge only gets you a salad, the split charge here gets the second person a wohle other helping for a little over half of the price. Everything on the menu has been great. Pros: Large servings, amazing atmosphere Cons: Wait staff sometimes slow more

this is a favorite destination. new owner new servers and fabulous food. don't miss this...worth the $$ more

I have passed by this restaurant a few times over the past few months and yesterday, October 17, 2007, thought it was time to give it a try.\r \r WHAT A MISTAKE!\r I went in with a guest to have dinner at around 7 PM and the restaurant had 5 tables of people. We stood in the doorway for a minute until a waitress walked by and told us to sit down at the table in front of us. We sat down.... and waited for about 3 minutes before getting up to get our own menu. \r \r But wait.... it gets worse.\r \r After deciding fairly quickly what we wanted, we put our menus down and observed the waitress walking around to the other tables, serving wine, taking orders and continually walking past us. \r \r Eventually a steward came by to pour water in our glasses.\r \r After sitting there for about 13 minutes - after I picked up my own menu - I realized that there was a very good chance that a year could possibly go by without having any service. After making eye contact with the waitress, the stewart and what I could only imagine the owner my guest and I finally gave up and walked out. \r \r 16 minutes of no attention what-so-ever in a tiny restaurant is a little much wouldn't you say?\r \r We ended up going to the Olive Garden for great service and wonderful food. Pros: The sign outside the restaurant was attractive Cons: The service was terrible. Who wants to go to a restaurant to be ignored? more

Food is nothing great these days. The only thing that is decent is the pizza and sometimes even that is a bit heavy on the garlic. Owner is a major tool. Mr. Wanna be Gangster! News flash buddy this isn't NYC! My husband tried to make small talk with the guy and he was sooo rude. Little did he know we have been there numerous times w/ BIG tabs and referred quite a few people. Not anymore do to the lack of professionalism and food quality on a steady decline. Can't wait to see this place fail! more

I'll make this real simple--Food was okay-nothing special-Tasted much like a frozen entree although the portion size was nice. Service-James our waitor and Heather-the hostess/bartender-GREAT. Atmosphere-BAD-Plastic table cloths for this high priced place?? Large man (manager/owner???) RUDE AS HELL!! Yelled at hostess across the room when she didn't answer-busy serving patrons at the bar-he got out of his booth to yell at her across the room about a table that needed a refill. I won't be back just because of his behaivor. Too pricey for this kind of rudeness. Pros: No wait for a table in very busy Brandon Cons: Rude manager/owner High prices more

I'm a ""local"", and LOVE Angelina's Gourmet Italian restaurant. I've been there many times, and the prices are comparable to other gourmet restaurants in the area, but they by far have the best food. It's a great place to go for our Anniversary too. \r So far, I've never found anything ""imitation"" in my meals there, but if they are, then they're cooked to perfection as I wasn't able to tell the difference.\r The staff is friendly and courteous every time we've been there, and took the time to explain some of the things we didn't understand on the menu. Just thinking about Angelina's makes me want to go back very soon......wonder if they're open for Mother's Day? Pros: Food & excellent service Cons: Parking lot shared by other businesses more

I recently ate at this establishment. I had many choices as I drove down the strip but the little establishment tucked away amongst all of the chain stores drew me in. People are forgetting that the US is being overrun by chain stores and restaurants that aren't nearly as special as the small family businesses.\r \r I've read a lot of the reviews that are listed under this restaurant. Some people are being far more critical than they should be. I've read several claims that the food at the restaurant was cold or that the server was miserable. This is entirely possible but common sense dictates that no restaurant is going to succeed with poor service and bad food. As I understand it, Angelina's has been around for 10 years. I think they are entitled to one or two off days.\r \r My experience with Marie (bartender) was superb. I traveled alone to the restaurant and enjoyed a delicious meal for a moderate price. My drink was refilled promptly and the conversation was well worth the trip to the restaurant alone. As for the prices being equal to those in NYC, you obviously know little about NYC (very little).\r \r As promised, I will be returning to Tampa in six months and this Italian spot will be on my list of stops. I'm not a food critique but I do a LOT of traveling and eating out. Locals that are fortunate enough to know of this spot, consider yourselves lucky. \r \r End all be all, if you feel like Italian, this is worth the stop. Pros: Service and food more

Once upon a time, when we first moved to Brandon in 2002, it was a nice break from the chain restaurants with good albeit pricy dishes. I don't understand how restaurants that serve bad food and high prices make it in Brandon. I think the son inherited or something but ever since the, Angelina's has gotten worse and worse. Management is rude beyond belief. One of the first times we went in Angelinas, we introduced ourselves to the management. We're from the Northeast where getting to know the mom and pop owners assures you of a warm welcome and great care and service later on. The manager was immediately defensive and wanted to know what was wrong. That should have been our cue to stay away. Staff waiters are poorly trained. Food ridiculously overpriced. The quality and ingrediants have gone downhill yet the prices have even gotten higher. For 23 dollars for an entree, I can go to one of many South Tampa restaurants priced likewise but with well trained and knowledgeable staff, courteous management, and incredible food of exotic and gourmet ingrediants. Our last and final trip there was last weekend with another couple. I paid 23 dollars for a pasta that had overcooked, dry shrimp (obviously cooked hours ago) and artificial crabmeat. The use of that just flabbergasted me where they could justify that high price tag. When I asked for some more sauce since the pasta was rather dry, a busboy came and poured a scoop of red marinara sauce over my cream based pasta. When I told the waitress she apologized but said that the busboy just didn't know any better but she didn't offer to replace the dish either. Apparently neither did she since she kept telling me that they only serve ""authentic"" Italian food and she would know since she too was italian. But then I've never heard anyone pronounce veal as ""vil"". Even Chef Boyardee would blush before calling any of this stuff AUTHENTIC. Pros: Would recommend to people I can't stand. Cons: Food Food Food. Service, Ambience, Management. more

This place advertises NY style pizza? UGH. You godda be kiddin me! \r The pizza was absolutely disgusting, overpriced.... wouldn't last a day in NY. \r Our first and ONLY trip there started off with poor service when we ordered a pizza and were told that the price on the menu had been raised by $7.00. Then we were served a pizza that did not fit the description on the menu and when we complained, the server said there was nothing the owner would do.\r He ""assured"" us that all the ingredients were fresh. I have never seen fresh basil that was dried, chopped finely and brown!!!\r Our trip ended in a confrontation with a very rude and arrogant owner who raised his voice at us in front of other customers and then threatened to ""kick my husbands @$%"" ( yes, in those words. )\r We paid our bill for an overpriced, disgusting pizza that we did not eat because we were told that if we did not pay, he would call the sherriff's department.\r Someone ought to let this man in on a little secret... poor customer service does not bring in customers!!!!\r WORST EXPERIENCE EVER!\r THINKING OF EATING HERE?\r FUGGEDABOUTIT! Cons: poor service, bad food more

Tired this place a few years ago and it was a terrible experience!! Everything I tried to order was ""not available"". Anyway I heard it was under new mangement so thought I would give it another try......wish I hadnt!! The menus needed to be wiped down, which is completely disgusting. I ordered a pizza....it was very bland and soggy. My husband ordered a ""fresh"" seafood dish........the fresh ""blue crab"" ended up being imatation crab. He was so disgusted...the dish was 23.00. My husband asked the waitress to ask the Chef if it was ""real"" crab, and he stated it was. There may have have been a few real pieces but the majority was NOT!!! My husband was so disgusted......he is a chef so the lie just upset him even more.......after this the waitress hardly came back and there was no discount on the bill. My 9in pizza was 15.00. I was blown away......a waste of perfectly good calories, time and money. The olive garden would have been better or even the can of Chef boyrdee in my cabinet. Cons: Dont wast your time. money or calories!! more

My veal was tough, the pasta tasted like it was microwaved, the grouper tasted fishy...service was fair at best...we were very disapointed Pros: no line...wonder why? Cons: poor food more

good food, a bit pricey $16 for 6 spinach rav.? Also didn't get everything that was ordered on the phone. tough parking , the escalade should park in back to let customers park in front. HELLOOO! ! we're paying for that monstatry! Pros: good food Cons: price, parking more

As an Italian growing up on wonderful food cooked by my Mother and Grandmother I can say with absolute certainty that Angelina's is one of the very few Italian restaurants that serves authentic Italian food. Appetizers, entrees and dessert were equally delicious and the presentation was far and above any I have ever experienced in the Brandon area. The service was great, the ambience wonderful and the owner a delightful host! Highly recommended for a romantic dinner or just a great place to relax and have some fabulous food. Can't wait to go back! Pros: Great Food, Great Service, Great Value Cons: Didn't experience any more

Moving here from Chicago, I never thought I would find a good pasta place that would measure up. We have dined at Angelina's twice and both times from salads to desserts the meals have been fantastic. If you are looking for a good Italian dish in the Brandon area, make sure you give Angelina's a try. We also have orded their pizza takeout a few times and it is equally as good. Pros: Quality of sauce, Personal attention, Excellent service Cons: Small parking lot more

I heard that Angelinas had good food so I thought that I would give it a try. I mistakingly took the advice. It was the worst dining experience of my life. From the moment we walked in it was an ordeal. We started off our evening by having to track down the server to order our food. We also had to beg for bread and water. Yet it gets better. My husband and I ordered a pizza while my mother ordered a fish entree. Most restaurants bring out everyone's food all at the same time. Not Angelina's. The pizza was brought out and about a half hour later my mother finally got her food. The server did absolutely nothing about it nor did she care. The owner was absolutely rude and did not even try to accomodate us. All of that said, I will never eat at Angelina's again. Pros: good pizza Cons: rude staff more

The waitress was horrible, she had a funeral face. We are not big eaters and from the reviews we knew they served big portions so we decided to order Fruitti De Mare and share the dish ($21.00). On our Bill, a $7.00 fee was added for sharing. I asked the waitress to show me where on the menu does it state the sharing fee, her response, ""I assumed you knew"". FYI, it is not stated on the menu or anywhere else in the restaurant. The owner was very rude and stated that every rest charges a sharing fee. I know that many charge a fee, it's usually stated on the menu, at least you are informed before hand and not at the time of payment. The owner did not care about customer satisfaction, his response to this, ""Oh well"". Bad Food, bad service! We will never go back! Cons: Bad Service, mediocre food, Expensive more