Powered By OpenTable: Restaurant Reservations. Right this way.
Restaurant Reservations - Free • Instant • Confirmed

  • Pensare Italian Bistro

  • Online Reservations

Reserve at Pensare Italian Bistro

Date

mm/dd/yyyy

Time
Party Size
Pensare Italian Bistro
Pensare Italian Bistro

Pensare Italian Bistro Details

  • Dining Style: Fine Dining
  • Website: http://www.pensareitalianbistro.com
  • Phone: (727) 786-2222
  • Hours of Operation:
    Dinner: Sunday - Thursday, 5:00pm - 9:30pm;
    Friday - Saturday, 5:00pm - 10:30pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Italian
  • Executive Chef: Ciro Mancini
  • Dress Code: Smart Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Bar Dining, Beer, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Smoking Area, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine, Wine Bar
  • Catering: We can arrange catering for special events, ranging from $20 - $40 per person...in some cases Chef Ciro Mancini will be there in person
  • Special Events & Promotions: Coming soon:
    Wine pairings with dinner
    Theme dinners (i.e. seafood, pasta night, risotto)

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Main Street
  • Parking: Public Lot
  • Parking Details: Ample Free Parking next to restaurant
A word from Pensare Italian Bistro
Pensare brings expert Italian culinary technique and impeccable service to Main Street in Dunedin, FL. Under the careful eye of Chef Ciro Mancini, the food served at Pensare combines old world traditions and creative genius into an unparalleled epicurean experience. Whether you are looking for a… place to relax and meet up with some old friends for a glass of wine, or treat yourself to a stellar meal, Pensare offers it all.
Continued
Foodspotting photos
See all photos >
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Overall
  • Diners' Choice WinnerBest Food
  • Diners' Choice WinnerItalian
Diner Reviews
  • "Had a great selection of appetizers, pastas, and meat/seafood course. Very adequate wine list with interesting selections at various price points."
    Dined on 7/21/2014
  • "Great service, large creative menu, heavy on the Italian wines and some good reasonable prices. Worth checking out. Probably need a reservation."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "Loved the food. All of the veal dishes were wonderful. The lemon dessert is a must have. Our waiter, Aldo, was exceptional. Highly recommend. Great location."
    Dined on 7/19/2014
  • "Great AUTHENTIC Italian bistro. Chef Ciro has one of the best kept secrets in Dunedin. Great food, superb service and extensive wine list! It's a hit!"
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "Wonderful food and excellent service from Aldo. Relaxing dinner, never felt rushed. Recommend it highly!"
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "This is a small little treasure in Dunedin, the food was excellent, the atmosphere good - a little noisy, but the AC isn't cold. we were given a table in the corner by the bar, and although mentioned several times how warm it was - we asked for the AC to be cooler, we ended up leaving early because it was just too hot to sit and enjoy. its a shame because the food and service were very good. I would probably not go back because of this."
    Dined on 7/18/2014
  • "This is one of the few places that gets it all right. We had an outstanding dinner. The food was so fresh...the seafood was great...and Everything about our dinner was great. Mike and his wife have done a great job. One of the best places in Tampa Bay area."
    Dined on 7/15/2014
  • "Food was great, waitress didn't seem to know much but everything else was perfect."
    Dined on 7/15/2014
  • "Pensare is the best Italian Restaurant in the Tampa Bay Are. Their pasta is always fresh and "al dente" we love it!"
    Dined on 7/13/2014
  • "We just moved to the Clearwater, FL area and have been searching for a great Italian restaurant. We found it! The food was absolutely amazing, the service was second to none, and the atmosphere was a lively Italian restaurant family. We had the calamari and the caprese salad as appetizers, which were outstanding. The caprese salad had no balsamic vinegar, which I was concerned about at first, but trust me when I tell you it did not need any vinegar - the cheese, basil, tomatoes, olive oil were incredible. Our meals were outstanding. Our waiter Aldo was fabulous. He took care of every detail at the table, the entire evening. We will absolutely be back."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "The food was magnificent. Server was very professional."
    Dined on 7/12/2014
  • "The food was very, very good!! The manager was very attentive, making sure everything was okay. We sat inside, it's very cozy. I would have preferred a booth but they only have tables. Our waiter was the worst part of our experience, he was horrible! He was more focused on speaking Italian than us understanding him or the specials. He was leaning on the back of my chair while taking the order, very uncomfortable and unprofessional. It's definitely worth trying again."
    Dined on 7/11/2014
  • "Upscale and outstanding food!! We love this place. A little pricey which is why it's a special occasion restaurant but worth every penny."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "The food and service were very good but we were seated very close to people that were very loud. That put a negative spin on our over-all experience."
    Dined on 7/3/2014
  • "Having enjoyed Pensare on previous occasions, we recommended the restaurant to our visiting relatives for a "memorable" Italian dinner. Memorable indeed! The food was less than mediocre as well as the service, and the sangria we ordered was overpriced and undrinkable. What we had considered a neighborhood gem has deteriorated into a neighborhood fiasco."
    Dined on 7/2/2014
  • "Great Italian Food right in the heart of Dunedin. I would highly recommend the restaurant. Very extensive menu."
    Dined on 6/30/2014
  • "Excellent food and service. Lively energy throughout. The noise level is the only issue. We could not converse at a low level. It was difficult to hear. We will only return when it is cool enough to set outside."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "Everything was incredible , the sauces ,meats ,seafood and of course the pasta. We love the olive oil dip and the bread is incredible. Only drawback is that it gets much too hot and becomes uncomfortable when eating."
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "My husband and I met a group of friends at Pensare Italian Bistro. It's the 3rd time for my husband and I but it was the first time for the other 6 people. Our server Priscilla was one of the best servers I've come across. She was very thoughtful with great attention to detail. Pensare is our new favorite restaurant; it's so exciting to have a fine dining establishment with so many gluten free options. We were pleased that our friends found it equally as enjoyable and thoroughly enjoyed their dishes. If you are looking for fresh mouthwatering italian dishes, Pensare Italian Bistro is it. Perfect combination of options for carnivores ;) pescatarians or vegetarians. The chef does an outstanding job!!!"
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "We love Pensare's! The food is delicious!!! Service is excellent!!!"
    Dined on 6/27/2014
  • "The staff at Pensare always work to accommodate your needs and special occasion requests. The food is very unique with something special in every presentation for example, a side of spinach is expertly prepared and the most unique flavor I have ever tasted."
    Dined on 6/25/2014
  • "There are few Italian fine dining establishments in the area and Pensare in Dunedin is one of the best!"
    Dined on 6/22/2014
  • "Our waiter was a professional. He know the food and the wine, and made perfect recommendations."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "Our Floridian friends were not sure we would find Italian in Florida that matched the fine food we find in Chicago regularly, but they were off base. We had a wonderful meal, and fine service here, and if we lived in Florida, we would be here often. Loved it! We'll be back when we head back to Florida soon! Thanks."
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "The food was fantastic and it was just like being in Italy! Five star service....Highly Recommend!!!"
    Dined on 6/21/2014
  • "I have been here twice. The food has been outstanding. The pastas tase fresh and homemade. Last visit, I took a date who had spent time in Italy. She felt the food served at this establishment duplicated the type of meals served in true Italy."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "Excellant Pasta and appetisers. Owner, Mike, is an excellant host. We will go back!"
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "I was from out of town, found the place from the web that had great review. Pensare Italian Bistro food is wonderful; service is excellent. I would come back, highly recommended."
    Dined on 6/20/2014
  • "Family from NJ was in town so we decided to take them to Pensare. We all had a type of veal dish. The veal was cooked to perfection, the portions were a nice size and the service was above excellent. Our server was very knowledgeable about the food, wine, specials - never reading from a slip of paper to remember. Matias (our server) was professional and always kept an eye on the table."
    Dined on 6/19/2014
  • "AS usual our dining experience at Pensare was wonderful. Their food is always fresh and hot dishes come to the table hot and cold cold. The Chef Ciro always visits the table to chat and is a very charming and talented man. We love it there."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "We eat out often, and heard rave reviews of Pensare. We were disappointed. There are many places with food and ambience as good, with larger portions, and more modest prices in this area."
    Dined on 6/15/2014
  • "My boyfriend's birthday dinner was made special by the exceptional food, service, and atmosphere provided by Pensare's. We had a little table for two in the main dining room. All the tables were full, but it wasn't too loud. Mathias was personable, upbeat, extremely knowledgeable, and took the time to chat with us; we never felt rushed. Chef Ciro and staff did it again with an outstanding bolognese, and daily specials that make coming back an adventure because you never know what amazing dish will be featured! Mathias brought out a generous slice of strawberry cheesecake with a candle on it for John. Thank you, for making our visit special. Pensare is not to be missed."
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "Our expectations are always exceeded! Michael has been our server the last two times and he is the best! He really adds to the great experience we have had!"
    Dined on 6/14/2014
  • "We dine in Sand Key area most of the time. This was a little off the normal location. But what a surprise. The service was great, Michael really knew his stuff about food and wine. The menu was extensive. Everything we had in our party of 6 was great. Wine list is large. Prices were lower then the other places near Sand Key and Clearwater areas. I think this is the best Italian restaurant in the Clearwater area."
    Dined on 6/11/2014
  • "Our first time dining here, food was very good, especially the cesare salad. However, our server was horrible. He never introduced himself to us, was unfriendly and rushed us through our meal. IF we go back, we will request another server. Also note that the place is very small and loud. If you want an intimiate romantic scene, this isn't the place."
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Made reservation for sat at 7pm on wed. Arrived at seven and had to wait 30 min for a table at the bar. Our server was the bartender and thus her attention was at the bar. There was a table of six next to us was were screaming all the to time I asked for the veal saltinboca with past and got it with veggies and mashed potatoes. When I complained they brought some pasta with a red sauce Been to this restaurant three previous times with no issues"
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Have taken out of town guests here several times. Food has always been fantastic! This past experience was not the best! They had two large groups celebrating parties. One group was fine but the other was so loud you literally could not even talk to each other. My dish was one I had in the past and this night it was not very good. They seem to overwhelmed with the large tables! The restaurant is too small and cannot accommodate parties. I would definitely give it another try as the food and service have been excellent in the past. Just so disappointed for my guest!"
    Dined on 6/7/2014
  • "Experience dependent on server in my opinion. The bartender is rude every time. The table service is either ok good or great depending on where you sit. Caprese tasted like water. Sad. "
    Dined on 6/6/2014
  • "We visited on recommendation of some friends. 1. The menu is presented in a 3 ring binder w/sheet protectors over plain paper. Not upscale menu presentation! 2. The $20 veal dish came with mashed potatoes, scooped from an ice cream scoop and house vegetables were cauliflower/broccoli/carrots (I can eat those at home.) We have never been to an Italian restaurant that served mashed potatoes! Pasta or polenta? The vegetable was served with the veal and salmon dishes and we really expected a more creative seasonal vegetable. The clams linguine and the hot bread were very good. The service was okay however the waiter did not makes us feel special only hurried, which was fine as the noise level in the small area of our table was unbearable."
    Dined on 6/6/2014
  • "Three of us dined on a Sunday night after being at Clearwater Beach for the day. We were casually dressed but were welcomed right inside. When we go out to eat, we like to try as much as possible to get a real sense of the fare that's offered. Everything was phenomenal. The waitress Nicole was knowledgeable, friendly, personable, and a pleasure to chat with. She surprised us with a lemon cake with a candle on it … great way to make it special … it was so light and the best lemon dessert I've ever had. The apps we ordered ranged from ahi to bruschetta, to parmigiana melenzane and everything was delicious. Entrees we got where the chef's signature dish Saccottini Ciro, a cheese dish, a veal dish and the fish special of the night."
    Dined on 6/1/2014
More reviews ›
Larger map ›
Smaller map ›
Diners' Choice Awards
  • Tampa / Central Florida West Winners
  • Italian
  • Clearwater Winners
  • Best Overall
  • Best Food
  • Fit for Foodies
  • Neighborhood Gem
  • Romantic
  • Most Booked
Learn more ›