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CENA Italian Trattoria - Permanently Closed

4.5 (245)
$30 and under
Contemporary Italian
9200 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40299

About this restaurant

  • Innovative
  • Good for groups
  • Neighborhood gem
Cena Italian Trattoria is an upscale Italian restaurant in the Jeffersontown area of Central Kentucky. It is sophisticated yet intimate, ideal for meeting up for a quiet conversation and a great meal. Although the restaurant is located entirely in the basement of a building, the interior is designed in such a way that guests feel comfortable and pampered. The menu at Cena Italian Trattoria is full of gourmet entr�es like the popular short ribs, meatballs and prosciutto wrapped pork tenderloin. Appetizers and small dishes are also popular at Cena Italian Trattoria, with many guests ordering a collection of taster-size dishes in place of a full entr�e. Popular tasters include the goat cheese fritos, carbonara, bistecca and oxtail ravioli.

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Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    Contemporary Italian, Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Tuesday 5pm-10pm Wednesday 5pm-10pm Thursday 5pm-10pm Friday 5pm-10pm Saturday 5pm-10pm
  • Phone number
    (502) 333-0376
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Fernando Martinez
  • Location
    9200 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40299
  • Neighborhood
    Jeffersontown
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine

Menu

CENA Italian Trattoria - Permanently Closed's menu was last updated on 2/1/2022.

Antipasti

  • Baby Octopus/Potato/Olive Aioli/Lemon$11.00

    • Goat Cheese Frito/Basil Pesto/Truffle Honey$9.00

      • Arancini/Smoked Mozzarella/Saffron Aioli$8.00

        • Melon/Arugula/Parmigiano-Reggiano/Prosciutto$15.00

          • Raviolo/Butternut Squash/Bacon/Brown Butter Sage$12.00

            • Bone Marrow Al Forno/Gremolata/Brown Butter Panko$10.00

              • Meatball Al Forno/mozzarella/Pomadora$9.00

                • Mussels al Forno/Sofrito/Fennel/Sausage/Calabrian Chili$9.00

                  • Roasted Beets/Burrata/Marcona Almond$10.00

                    Barattoli

                    All served with toasted bread

                    • Vegetable Conserva$10.00

                      Annett's farm seasonal vegetable, roasted garlic puree, sapori d'italia local cream cheese

                      • Campfire Breakfast$10.00

                        Smoked poached egg, ricotta, walnut, maple, sea salt

                        Crostini

                        Choice of 3 for $9

                        • Eggplant Caponata/Capriole Farms Goat Cheese

                          • Peperonata/Ricotta Cheese

                            • Tuna Conserva/Farm Egg/Caper Aioli

                              • Tomato/Pesto/Mozzarella

                                Salumi

                                Choice of 3 for $15 or 5 for $25

                                • La Quercia Berkshire Prosciutto

                                  • Bresaola

                                    • Creminelli Calabrese Salami

                                      • Creminelli Finocchiona Salami

                                        • Iberico Lardo

                                          • Fra' Mani Soppressata

                                            Formaggio

                                            Choice of 3 for $15 or 5 for $25

                                            • Talleggio

                                              • Gorgonzola Dolce

                                                • Parmigiano-Reggiano

                                                  • Tuscan Sun Dried Tomato & Basil

                                                    • Capriole Obanon

                                                      Primi

                                                      • Rigatoncini$16.00

                                                        Bolonese/Beef/Pork/Pancetta

                                                        • Spaghetti$15.00

                                                          Carbonara/Farm Egg/Benton's Bacon

                                                          • Gnocchi$17.00

                                                            Fennel Sausage/ Ricotta/San Marzano Tomatoes/Oven Roasted Fennel

                                                            • Papperdelle$17.00

                                                              Wild Boar Ragu/Tomatoes/Chianti

                                                              • Cappellacci$16.00

                                                                Spinach/Ricotta/Marscapone/Tomato Sauce

                                                                • Linguini Frutti di Marre$19.00

                                                                  Mussels/Shrimp/Squid/Diablo Sauce

                                                                  • Ravioli$20.00

                                                                    Oxtail/Oyster Mushrooms/Truffle

                                                                    • Saffron Risotto$20.00

                                                                      Rock Shrimp/Grilled Prawn/ Green Onion

                                                                      Secondi (Famiglia Style)

                                                                      Pick one contori

                                                                      • Roasted Black Bass$36.00

                                                                        Lemon/Mushroom agridulce/Fresh Herbs/Garlic

                                                                        • Porchetta$35.00

                                                                          Apple/PineNuts/Raisins

                                                                          • Bistecca Fiorentina$65.00

                                                                            Balsamic/Rosemary

                                                                            • Whole Roasted Chicken$30.00

                                                                              Panzanella/Salsa Verde

                                                                              • Short Rib$32.00

                                                                                Horseradish Gremolata/ Pomodora

                                                                                Contorni

                                                                                • Anson Mill Polenta/Mushrooms$6.00

                                                                                  • Crusted Herb Roasted Potatoes$6.00

                                                                                    • Broccolini/Red Pepper/Garlic$6.00

                                                                                      • Roasted Cauliflower/Pine Nuts/ Raisins$6.00

                                                                                        • Brussel Sprouts/Smoked Bacon/Candied Walnuts$6.00

                                                                                          Desserts

                                                                                          • Desserts

                                                                                            All our desserts are homemade by our pastry chef Christian Cobos

                                                                                            What 245 people are saying

                                                                                            CENA Italian Trattoria - Permanently Closed reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

                                                                                            Overall ratings and reviews

                                                                                            4.5
                                                                                            4.5 based on all time ratings
                                                                                            • 4.6Food
                                                                                            • 4.5Service
                                                                                            • 4.4Ambience

                                                                                            Noise • Moderate

                                                                                            245 Reviews

                                                                                            1. rose1114

                                                                                              Central Kentucky4 reviews

                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                              Dined on November 28, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              Food excellent as was service. Sorry you are moving !!! Yuck

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                                                                                            2. LouisvilleMike

                                                                                              Central Kentucky10 reviews

                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                              Dined on November 21, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              Amazing 4 course tasting menu...as usual. Hopefully some of our favorites dishes pop up in the new place.

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                                                                                            3. GLouisville

                                                                                              Central Kentucky1 review

                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                              Dined on November 8, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              Cena is one of our favorite restaurants in Louisville. One of several culinary gems owned and operated by Fernando and Christina Martinez, it consistently stays at the top of our list of go-to places for special occasions. The food is always amazing and we quite often opt for the four-course tasting menu. The pistachio and chocolate torte is one of the best desserts on the planet! Great atmosphere, outstanding cuisine, and excellent service!!!

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                                                                                            4. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                              Central Kentucky2 reviews

                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                              Dined on November 8, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              We are sad to see Cena leave Jtown but will absolutely still visit after the move to Norton Commons!

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                                                                                            5. wildcatpetie

                                                                                              Central Kentucky1 review

                                                                                              3.0

                                                                                              Dined on November 6, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                                              2. Food 2
                                                                                              3. Service 2
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              Our waiter recommended a couple of entrees. I did not enjoy my entrée nor did one of my two girlfriends. We sat for quite a while before he came back to check to see if everything was alright. At the end when he asked me if I wanted to box up my entrée I told him no, that I did not like it at all. He said he wished I had spoken up and he could have brought me something different, however he never checked back with us until the other two gals were almost done eating. Very disappointing. Ambience was great, however I will not return.

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                                                                                            6. FinickyFoodie

                                                                                              Columbus2 reviews

                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                              Dined on November 5, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                              3. Service 5
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              I've said it before and I'll say it again, best restaurant in Louisville. The occasion, unfortunately, for our visit this time was to say "good-bye", after having heard the news that Cena will close on November 28th. Word on the street is that the "concept" will reopen at some point in a different location, but what I've heard sounds like quite a departure from what Cena is now - delicious, worth every dollar spent, and just an overall quality dining experience. So, go and enjoy while you can. A continuation of the concept will NEVER meet or exceed the current Cena experience unless it is, in fact, Cena in some downtown or Highlands or Frankfort Avenue digs. And order things you might not otherwise. I especially recommend the goat cheese appetizer, as well as the smoked egg appetizer and the spare rib ravioli. If you don't have them here, you'll likely never find anything like them anywhere else. Truly a sad day for the Louisville restaurant scene is on the horizon when Cena dims it's lights for the last time. Chef/Owner Fernando Martinez seems to truly know what he's doing in the wonderful world of restaurateurs, given his notable list of wonderful restaurants, but on this decision, I remain a skeptic. Goodbye Cena, I'll miss you.

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                                                                                            7. Vogy VIP

                                                                                              Southwest Florida32 reviews

                                                                                              1.0

                                                                                              Dined on November 4, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 1
                                                                                              2. Food 1
                                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                                              4. Ambience 4
                                                                                              We sent two appetizers and one entrée back to the kitchen to be heated. The pork entrees were so ordinary and so much was left on the plate, the server should have asked what was wrong them. The owner's other restaurants have been excellent throughout the years but this one was a real disappointment.

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                                                                                            8. OpenTable Diner

                                                                                              Central Kentucky1 review

                                                                                              5.0

                                                                                              Dined on October 22, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 5
                                                                                              2. Food 5
                                                                                              3. Service 4
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              Everything was great about this dining experience. The food was remarkable, the wine was excellent and our table in the wine room was a nice touch for our anniversary dinner.

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                                                                                            9. AllieN

                                                                                              Central Kentucky11 reviews

                                                                                              3.0

                                                                                              Dined on October 18, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                                              2. Food 3
                                                                                              3. Service 3
                                                                                              4. Ambience 5
                                                                                              I came back after a wonderful first experience, specifically because I wanted the same dish. I ordered, and 20 minutes later was informed that they were out of what I wanted. It was rather disappointing. I ordered something different and it was alright but nothing spectacular. Service was great and the appetizer was awesome. However, I probably won't be back for a while because of high prices and frankly this past time the price wasn't worth the experience.

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                                                                                            10. DIane

                                                                                              Central Kentucky1 review

                                                                                              3.0

                                                                                              Dined on October 17, 2015

                                                                                              1. Overall 3
                                                                                              2. Food 4
                                                                                              3. Service 2
                                                                                              4. Ambience 1
                                                                                              I felt claustrophobic in Cena due to no windows and low ceiling. It seems our waiter was trying to upsell the menu to us. We had to ask twice for the cooler for our wine after he said he would bring it to the table.

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                                                                                            FAQs

                                                                                            CENA Italian Trattoria - Permanently Closed is rated 4.5 stars by 245 OpenTable diners.

                                                                                            1. Home
                                                                                            2. United States
                                                                                            3. Central Kentucky
                                                                                            4. Louisville
                                                                                            5. Jeffersontown

                                                                                            Not available on OpenTable

                                                                                            Unfortunately, this restaurant is not on the OpenTable booking network. To check availability, please contact them directly.

                                                                                            Is this your restaurant?
                                                                                            Claim this listing
                                                                                            Google Map for CENA Italian Trattoria - Permanently Closed

                                                                                            9200 Taylorsville Rd, Louisville, KY 40299

                                                                                            Additional information

                                                                                            • Neighborhood
                                                                                              Jeffersontown
                                                                                            • Hours of operation
                                                                                              Tuesday 5pm-10pm Wednesday 5pm-10pm Thursday 5pm-10pm Friday 5pm-10pm Saturday 5pm-10pm
                                                                                            • Price
                                                                                              $30 and under
                                                                                            • Cuisines
                                                                                              Contemporary Italian, Italian
                                                                                            • Dining style
                                                                                              Casual Dining
                                                                                            • Dress code
                                                                                              Business Casual
                                                                                            • Parking details
                                                                                              Street Parking
                                                                                            • Payment options
                                                                                              AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
                                                                                            • Executive chef
                                                                                              Fernando Martinez
                                                                                            • Additional
                                                                                              Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Full Bar, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Private Room, Wine
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