Venuto - Virginia Beach

A hidden jewel. Venuto looks very inconceivable from the outside, but the interior offers a very modern, cozy and clean atmosphere. I love the facility they were with. Plenty of space with enough tables for larger parties (I suppose you would want to call) and their cabins are very comfortable. You also have a nice bar area if you are looking for a quick service only. Venutos food is excellent. I had her Linguine Di Mare with the Mussels and it bleeded my expectations out of the water. A light spicy kick in the sauce, but flavors are incredibly well balanced and rounded. I have all the incredible aromas of seafood, tomatoes and meat melding together to create a taste explosion on my palette. Your free bread is also really good and the olive oil/balsamico vinegar/cask combo for diving is an excellent touch. Service was really fast and friendly. You got Peroni on Hahn. Honestly, I wasn't the biggest fan of the cocktail (some cherry-based Concoction, which tasted a little too much like Ludin's cough drops for my comfort), but that could be just preference-based. Someone else likes it, so I can't make points for it. Overall, I'm super glad I came to Venuto and chose this place for a last minute dinner. Not sure if I'm ever back in the area, but if I am, Venuto will surely be a stop place.

The boneless beef short ribs were amazing and I would come back every day of the week for this tenderness that was so eloquently cooked with thoughtful spices to a company that spinach and roasted potatoes. Every person in the dinner party (11 people) was satisfied with my dinner and the serving size was large enough to save for two or for the next day. and if saved for the next day, it still tastes great! The entire restaurant staff worked as a cohesive team, which was quite impressive compared to several other facilities I was in the area. In addition, despite the party of eleven people, they are easily prepared and serve the dishes and drinks as a coherent meal. I will definitely return and I recommend this restaurant!

Good food. Fast service. Friendly surroundings. Would come back.

That was a terrible experience. I'm never one to write reviews, but according to my experience here I felt it necessary. It took 2 hours to get our ducks. We ordered 4 standard meals and it took two hours. The 11 top table, which ordered 30 minutes after us, got her food before us. When this was brought to the attention of the staff, the owner came by and was extremely rude, did not apologize and gave us the run around. When the food finally arrived at the table, my salmon was RAW. Nobody apologized. I am extremely unhappy and will not return. It's a shame, because when the food finally came out, it was very good. It won't come back.

Our server, Cole was spot on and very attentive. Never having to ask for a refill, it always just appeared (its the lil things). Food was absolutely delicious all around and great deal on a 2 dinner meal!