Donatello - Tampa

We went to this restaurant for a double birthday celebration. The two friends had not been in years and raved about how wonderful the place was. I was not impressed in the slightest and suggest to anyone looking for authentic homemade Italian food to look elsewhere. Keep reading because they don't even make their own pasta. To start, the inside is so dark I had to use my cellphone flashlight to see the menu. I'm 43 and can see just fine everywhere else. It was so loud that you had to shout at each other. One of the birthday girls had a sore throat and couldn't yell at the levels required to hear her across the table. The food was subpar, lukewarm, and not worth 1/3 of what they were charging. My fish was dry, the scallops were undercooked, and the shrimp were overcooked. The only thing hot on the plate was the vegetables. I asked around the table and this was how everyone's food was served. When ordering, I asked if that pasta was homemade. I was told that the only home made pasta was the fettuccini. I figured that I would add that to my dinner since I was at an Italian place. That was the worst pasta ever. I wish I ordered the box stuff for $14. The desserts were underwhelming and to be frank gross. The tiramisu tasted like raw egg and looked like vomit on the plate. I ordered the chocolate mouse cake. It was literally just whipped cream with chocolate sprinkles on the top. Someone else ordered the Neapolitan Cake. It only had two layers..of the same color. Going out to a nice restaurant on a Friday after a long week is a treat and great thing to do. I would just suggest going somewhere else if you are looking for authentic Italian or homemade pasta. I'm not going to name the other restaurant on this review over on Clearwater Beach that makes their pasta fresh daily. However, their food is hot when presented. Their service is impeccable. The desserts are to die for. Also the prices are the same but you actually get a view of the ocean. I end up going to the beach place about once a month for some reason or another and they put this place to shame. I would recommend that the owners of Donatello look up Italian restaurants on Clearwater Beach and go there for dinner to see what they can bring back to their establishment. I am not sure how this place stayed opened for 40+ years offering this quality. To each their own and if people like lukewarm non homemade pasta then I love it for them. That isn't me though. However, I do reserve the right to be wrong about this place and for it to have just been a bad night regarding the temp of the food (since that is the only variable I was disappointed in that could be modified). Yet, I will not be trying it again to make sure that I am wrong.

Wow, this was our first time and I am so sad I haven’t been going for years! Atmosphere was amazing, Silvio was an impeccable server, the food and drinks were incredible. Just really really good, old school Italian.

We had an absolutely amazing birthday dinner for my Mom at Donatello. There were 6 of us and most of us had different things. Best Caesar salads any of us have had anywhere. The crab pasta was amazing. Best crab I’ve had anywhere. The pappardelle used for the bolognese seemed to be homemade and was perfect. Everything we had was fresh and everyone loved what they ordered. It was a memorable dinner. Prices are high, but it’s a good experience.

Always such a nice vibe, food and drinks delicious and love the rose detail for the ladies.

Second time here and again it did not disappoint! I had the rolled fresh pasta stuffed with veal and tomato. Excellent! Red sangria was great, finished with an Amazing Tiramisu. Everybody in our party left happy.