Menu
We had a reservation through Open Table. When we arrived they told us that they could seat us but we wouldn’t get our food for at least an hour. They said they had more people show up than they anticipated.
It happens, I guess, but they could have called to let us know or declined the reservation. Very unprofessional.
We went across the street to Trattoria, got seated immediately and had a great meal.
Reservation seemed to be for nothing. I reserved on open table. And then called to confirm. We get there one minute before our reservation and... no table for us. Had to wait outside for 20 minutes before they sat us and even then it was “we won’t have a server for you”. What the heck is the point of a reservation? It was 35min after our reservation we finally got some water at our table and then they picked it up, giving us a free taste of pasta and salad. From then on the service was fine. So they made it right but a really poor start. We had grandparents and young kids so not ideal. Food was really good.
Very disappointed in our recent experience. Having been here more than a dozen times over the years and big fans of the food, vibe, etc., we were discouraged that we had to wait for almost 30 minutes before a server made contact, part of our entrees never arrived, were seated at a filthy, plastic fold-up table, and interrogated by a passing server if we had a reservation or just seated ourselves (we did have a res and were seated by the host). The food was under-seasoned and just "ok" -- the kitchen dialed it in and it was obvious. On a busy summer night, we get it, it's hot, etc., but all the passion and joy for the restaurant we usually see from the staff was missing. Really not sure if we'll be going back, which is unfortunate because it was always one of our favorites. :(
BUT! To end on a positive, Terry came around with a bowl of Cacio e Pepe before dinner, which he served himself as a little treat, and it was a bright spot in an otherwise dreary evening.
They were busy but the owner and staff welcomed us and made us feel at home. The food is authentic Italian neighborhood fare, generous portions, exactly what we were looking for.
Food and service was exceptionally poor...would never return and absolutely do NOT recommend!
We dined LaDoce Vita for my wife’s birthday and the experience was not good. I placed my reservation on OpenTable as I usually do for this restaurant. However, the hostess informed us that since our reservation was placed on OpenTable we will have to dine on the side of the restaurant or outside, and was advised to call instead of booking online. I found this rather interesting and did not make an issue of it because of the special occasion. We decided to take a table at the side of the restaurant. Our overall experience wasn’t good unfortunately. If this is the new normal going forward I recommend the restaurant post clearly your procedures! You advertise on Open Table and someone who does not frequent the restaurant or new in town using Open Table could be disappointed for misinformation. Also the side restaurant ambience was less appealing with clutter and dying plants
Overall the food was good, waitress nice, and the owner was hospitable
Great meal while visiting Cleveland! The complementary fruit and ricotta desert was a perfect ending.
No air conditioning. They were out of 2 wines.
Fans on a super hot day was unexpected. Food was great. Try the gnocchi with Pesto Omar on anything.
Great food!! The owner came and spoke with us at the end of the meal, great food and wonderful all around experience!!
Although a good dining experience, it was the unique "opera" night with a fixed menu and live singing. It would be advisable for La Dolce Vita to post Opera night with a disclosure there is a fixed menu on the Open Table reservation system so people know in advance what to expect.
When you go to an Italian Restaurant, you expect certain things. One of them is not listening to Hispanic music the whole time you are there. It kind of ruined the ambiance. The patio was very busy and the wait staff worked hard to keep up. The food was great. We had to wait a long time for the check, but as said before, they were very busy.
La Dolce Vita was an interesting little place in the heart of Cleveland's Little Italy, which was jumping on a Saturday evening, especially during All Star Weekend! We had an outdoor table, which added to the fun as we could see all the neighborhood comings and goings during out meal. The food was good - if I had any complaint AT ALL it would be that the portion size was too big for someone staying in a hotel with no way to enjoy leftovers, and I hate to waste food. There were a few surprises, such as the owner coming around with a bit of Cacio e Pepe, and some fresh fruit for dessert (although that didn't stop us from ordering the gelato as well!) Would definitely recommend.
Had dinner with my son at La Dolce Vita. we were seated outside. it was busy. The atmosphere was friendly, casual and great. The service was little behind since they were busy, but still ok.
The food was amazing, I had Pesto Omar with shrimp and my son had cheese ravioli, both were outstanding.
Would definitely come back.
Had a 730 dinner reservation. Arrived at 715 and was seated right away. Ordered bruschetta as an app and it arrived within 20 minutes and was very good. Unfortunately the meals that we ordered for our main course took over 90 minutes to arrive. (Both were pasta dishes). Several staff members noticed that we had been sitting without food for a long time and gave us token responses about how our food would be “coming right up” but time jus went on. Finally the server admitted that our order never made it to the kitchen. They did comp half of our bill and the food did taste good - but after such a long wait inside a very warm restaurant we were exhausted and it basically ruined our evening.
We had a group of 10 and everyone of us loved our entrees. bread, appetizers and salads were delish too. An old Cleveland favorite! Authentic Italian!
Delicious food. Owner always comes by with a special street. Great street tables and people watching.
Very quaint. Was disappointed that we had seen and add stating Monday nights were opera nights only to find out that was not the Monday we were there.
The owner/chef (?) came tableside with some fresh cooked pasta in a cheese sauce that was excellent. Our meals were a little less desirable, but still ok. Portions were nice size. I wanted for a little bit of salt or garlic in my basil pesto. The noodles my friend had looked like green noodles and had no taste at all. The fresh fruit plate at the end was a bonus.
The ambience is lovely and the wait staff very personable. I would love to try again.
La Dolce Vita is one of our favorite places to visit in Cleveland, The food is always amazing, the owner is always so very welcoming, service always great, love the atmosphere. Just a great place to to hang with friends and have a great time
Everything was fantastic, Terry makes you feel at home as he treats everyone like family. Best Veal
Parmesan I have had in years.
Decent food. Eclectic decorations. Helpful and courteous staff. Hostess was amazing. Average value.
Very average. Server overwhelmed but pleasant nonetheless.
Neighborhood place, warm friendly, good food. I can't wait to go back.
We love La Dolce Vita. Amazing food and wonderful staff. Benissimo!
We loved the food and the ambience of this quaint little restaurant. The owner was so nice and welcoming, and we had an amazing time.
The owner walked around with fresh pasta and for dessert we got fresh fruit and cream.. Just special added touches! We had a great time!
Wow! Another great meal and one of Cleveland's gems. We were there for a double birthday celebration, and Try and staff did not disappoint.
We had the perfect outdoor table, on a perfect late-spring evening. The food was both delicious and plentiful. As usual, our eyes were bigger than our stomachs, and we left with snacks for the weekend.
With so many "trendy" restaurants opening up throughout Cleveland "chic" neighborhoods, people should not forget how much fun there is in Little Italy. And Little Italy wouldn't be so much fun without Terry Tarantino holding fort at La Dolce Vita. He makes the entire experience all the better.
Finally, another reason to visit here; the Neighborhood. We're never rushed at the restaurant. And both before and after our meal, we can walk around a neighborhood of shops. It's so much more than just meeting people for a meal, then going separate ways. Our entire evening took over three hours.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Great dining experience. Sat outside and enjoyed the vibe of the neighborhood. The food and service were great.
Giving La Dolce Vita five stars across the board hardly does it justice! On a scale from 1-5, they score 50!!!! The food was beyond amazing, just absolutely fabulous! The service was stellar and the atmosphere was incomparable to any other! Just an overall FANTASTIC experience!
B day dinner, absolutely marvelous ...food soooo withering Italian ( I am one, so I know !!)....ambiance a blast too
Over priced food that was not very good. Service was slow.
Next time we are in Cleveland we know where to go for seafood with pasta .LOVE IT
Delicious, genuine Italian food served most graciously in a delightful setting and an authentic neighborhood.
Eggplant was outstanding, everything else was good, they forgot my whole table appetizer of buffalo mozz w peppers but there was plenty of food. Overall happy with dinner.
We love La Dolce Vita. Brought friends to Little Italy who had never been threre, and they were VERY pleased with our restaurant choice!
Pre-marathon meal!
Mother’s Day meal with family. Loved this restaurant and owner of 30 years. Excellent appetizers, meals and drinks! Will definitely return.
Mother’s Day.
Mother’s Day dinner was a great experience. Owner was very attentive to our party and staff was awesome.
Fantastic food
Service was not the best
Felt rushed to order but everything seemed to take forever to come out.