La Violetta Rustic Italian Restaurant
La Violetta Rustic Italian Restaurant
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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+1 941-927-8716+ Add websiteImprove this listing
Hours
Tue
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Wed
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Thu
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Fri
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Sat
4:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Reserve a table
Food and ambience
Italian, Mediterranean, European, Tuscan, Central-Italian, Vegetarian friendly
Special occasions, Romantic
Does this restaurant serve Ligurian food?
Details
About
Benvenuto!
La Violetta Rustic Italian Restaurant
Rustic, Northern Italian food, like you are there...
Location: 4837 Swift Rd Suite 100, Sarasota, FL 34231
Reservations 941-927-8716.
We believe in the simple pleasures of life.
Good food, fresh ingredients, and awesome friends. Our Handmade Dishes are from Authentic Recipes!
Intimate and designed to provide a rustic Italian experience, La Violetta is owned and operated by Emilio and Rosaria, who are originally from Parma, Italy.
CUISINES
Italian, Mediterranean, European, Tuscan, Central-Italian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Dinner, Drinks
FEATURES
Reservations, Seating, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Contribute
4.5
223 reviews
Excellent
175
Very good
28
Average
8
Poor
6
Terrible
6
Victoria G
2 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
I took my kids here as my students had kindly given me a gift certificate, we lived in Italy before Sarasota so were curious how authentic the food would be. It was exceptional quality! Our server Monika was very kind and helpful and offered a smaller simpler pasta portion for my 7 year old.
The kids were disappointed there was not a real Italian pizza on the menu but enjoyed their food and they are fussy!
Loved the rustic decor and atmosphere.
Highly recommend!
Written February 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WandererSarasotaFL
58 contributions
Feb 2020 • none
Much more. So many choices you'll have tor return again and again. Cozy and intimate, excellent food and attentive wait staff accompanies delicious food. Reservations are a must.
Written March 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Theodebear
Saint Augustine Beach121 contributions
Jul 2020 • none
Chose this based on TA reviews and price range. It was 20 minutes from my hotel, but worth it. Almost no cars, so I was concerned not open with COVID. But no problem. The owners are from Parma, Italy, and it shows in the food. Had a half bottle of Pellegrino at $3; same as a Coke and more refreshing. Lovely woman brought Foccacia and crostini with an eggplant/raisin chopped spread that was excellent. Ordered Frutti di Mare. Tons of clams, octopus, squid, mussels over pasta, half white half infused with squid ink. Light red sauce, but not tomato-ey. Very nice. $25. Had the panna cotta for dessert with a fresh berry coulis. Was very tasty. $7. Even got to practice my Italian. Didn't try any wines since I was alone and driving, but it looked extensive. Prices were reasonable given the food quality. Service was excellent. Atmosphere much like a good trattoria. Tuscan food is not Neapolitan. Far more refined. Wish I could have tried even more. Will definitely return if in the area again.
Written July 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FLtraveler
Punta Gorda52 contributions
Jan 2020 • couples
Very nice ambience, the staff was knowledgeable, friendly, and attentive. They have an extensive wine list but they do not have a full bar. The flatbread special appetizer was wonderful but unfortunately we were disappointed with the entrees. The presentations were excellent but both the ravioli and veal dishes lacked flavor and the portions were surprisingly small ESPECIALLY considering the high price points. We won't be going back.
Written January 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAKEWOODgourmet
Sarasota174 contributions
Aug 2021 • couples
An item, not often found on a restaurant menu, steak tartare was awesome, best ever, and that includes some pretty fancy restaurants in New York and Boston. The rest of the meal, while good, was not as good as the price points, which are very high, would suggest.
Somethings changed that shouldn’t have. In the old shop, they served a wonderful foie gras encased in puff pastry. That is gone, replaced by a foie gras that was a couple of steps down.
My partner had a veal Milanese, but ho-hum describes it best, just about what you would expect at any Italian restaurant, except the price would be about half as much. Fish special was good but again, as with the veal, nothing exceptional.
Their wine list is extensive and some excellent wines were available.
An interesting side-light, is that they have an Italian “grocery” open to the dining area. The items are, for the most part, unique, which may explain why they are so pricey. They sell some wines by the bottle, and if you buy one and decide to drink it 20 feet away in the restaurant, they charge you a hefty corkage fee, and that makes little, make that, no sense.
Service was excellent. The new decor quite pleasant.
Given the high prices and reservations about the food, we will not be returning.
Written August 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fitz-Edward O
Sarasota342 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
La Violetta's dining room, while not large, offers a cozy, comfortable, rustic setting. Service was friendly, helpful and efficient. The wine list is extensive. Their authentic Italian recipes and ingredients were prepared with culinary inspiration. The Frutti Di Mare and Zuppetta Di Pesce were outstanding. We'll definitely go back.
Written February 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sjwbigcats
Venice226 contributions
Apr 2022 • none
I love the ambiance! It is charming & intimate. The menu had so many wonderful choices that I had a hard time choosing, but decided on the duck confit. Many of the items were cooked sous vide, the duck confit being one. It was delectable! My guest ordered the Branzino, also cooked sous vide and she said it was "excellent". There were 2 problems though, that have me rating this a 4 out of 5 vs a 5: The hostess as well as our server, although very professional, seemed not happy to be there. There was a hard edge to their demeanor. The other aspect is that my guests spaghetti was over-cooked to the point of being "mush", as she described it. Our server did make a new batch that was then done perfectly.
The market is what one walks into first and that looked very inviting. I did take a closer look before leaving and I will definitely shop there for specialty items in the future.
Written April 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Veritiero
Mashpee153 contributions
Mar 2020 • couples
We have dined throughout Italy from Venice to Palermo and at countless Italian restaurants in the United States. We have not enjoyed better, more creative Italian cuisine anywhere. Whenever we leave, we cannot wait to return.
Written March 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Karen C
Sarasota90 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
This used to be my favorite restaurant and was excited to go back. They have changed the setup inside, which looks very nice. I think our waiter was a bit overwhelmed because when he was trying to talk to us, another table would get his attention and leave us. He was in the middle of opening our wine and stopped to attend to another table. Food was mediocre my husbands dish was a pile of pasta and sausage. Very mushy.$26.00. I had a fish that was ok. $45.00 which we thought was a bit high. Then we got our bill and he charged us $179.00 for our wine. When we told him, it was “ no big deal” . We spoke with the lady at the check out and her response was the same. So I don’t think we’re going back and like the attitude. “No Big Deal”
Written November 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emilio F
the lady you spoke to is my wife and also the owner to whom you said you were not well and she tried to reassure you, but you told the waiter you were happy. I wanted to specify for the people who come to eat with us and who understand what we are doing in the kitchen. We make pasta or ravioli for the evening the same day unlike most restaurants that buy frozen pasta in California 6 months ago or pre-cooked pasta. What you ate are called Pici and they are Tuscan and it is impossible that they are soft because they have different dimensions, some are 3 mm others 2 mm. They are handmade and it is quality fresh pasta, and it is not comparable to a frozen or pre-cooked pasta. The fish you ate is a sea bream from the Adriatic Sea. The weight is 600/800 grams and it is fresh fish and you didn't tell my wife that it was ok but that it was the best fish eaten in your life. $ 45 is not a high price. A high price is $ 30 a fillet of fish frozen in china or some chicken piccata. I don't know if you understand the difference. The waiter does his best to please everyone, but when all the customers arrive it's complicated. We have 3 waiters, 1 busboy and a food runner. You have come several times and you have always been well, why didn't you write me a nice review the other times?
Emilio Ferrara
Written November 13, 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Todd W
Sarasota34 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
My wife had been wanting to visit this restaurant so we decided last night was a good time. We don’t have much experience dining at authentic Italian restaurants. The place is small but they seated us immediately even though we did not have reservations. We picked the lamb ravioli as one dinner and duck tortellini as the other. Hands done both were the best Italian dishes we have ever had. Both seasoned perfectly so all we added was more parmigiana cheese. Not a bite was left on either plate!! We definitely will be back again with friends to enjoy.
Written February 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
J Mc
Sarasota14 contributions
May 2021 • none
Unplanned visit, but there’s a reason you need a reservation even on a Tuesday evening! Amazing food! A Foie Gras Crème Brulée... who would think of such a thing? And the pasta skin on the Gnocchi was like gossamer - you tasted the filling, not a lot of dough. And don’t get me started on the Panna Cotta... a smoother pudding is not made.
A keeper! Glad I live here so I can try the rest of their menu!
Written May 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chardotfla
Florida103 contributions
Aug 2021 • none
Our meal started off with a bottle of Ros'Alba Rose Pecorari.
Then the Flori special (which was stuffed Zuccini flowers), they were to die for.
The special Cappellaci was outstanding, and the Veal Ossobouco was fork tender.
Our server Dimitre was attentive and made excellent recommendations, never rushed us along. All this excellent food and attention came to a total of $135.57 plus a nice tip. A definite return will be short coming.
Written August 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephan S
1 contribution
May 2021 • none
Amazing food, wine, and atmosphere. This was a great place to celebrate a birthday. The raw tuna appetizer was delicious. The pasta dishes were phenomenal and the beef tenderloin melted in my mouth. We all saved room for dessert and no one left disappointed. The staff is friendly and the restaurant was immaculate. Overall a great choice. We will be back with more friends and family.
Written May 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1_travelmuff
Kennebunkport20 contributions
Jun 2021 • family
We are excited that La Violetta is reopened and love the new space. Our dinner was spectacular on every level. Tartare was better than my former favorite in Paris. Veal ossobuco fell off the bone and risotto was perfectly seasoned and cooked. Attentive, professional and very friendly service from Dimitre. The market has a lot of authentic Italian products and brands not found easily in the States. We were happy to see Rosario on our way out. We have missed LaVioletta owners, staff and food. We will be back soon.
Written June 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
retirededward
375 contributions
Sep 2021 • couples
This is an unusual place. Half of the facility is an Italian deli with various Italian condiments and salamis, wines and baked and cooked take out meals, the other half is a quite nice little bistro type restaurant. Parking was on site. The menu was very interesting and a bit different. It is upscale Italian cooking. The wait staff did a fine job.
The food was good but not up to the level that the menu price would suggest. The overall dinning experience was good. Some of the takeout food looked interesting. (Lamb stuffed ravioli). Try it!
Written September 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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