Excellent food and excellent waitresses. Always love coming here.
My husband and I were initially going to go to the restaurant next door to here for dinner, but we were drawn into Il Contadino by the music and ambience. Our experience with Michael, who was the only person working (waiter/chef/owner) was amazing. It was a great place to get away from the hustle and bustle. The food was great, wine selection was astounding, and it felt like an authentic New York Italian restaurant. I have absolutely no complaints.
Delicious and great views. I always just get the calamari and have loved it every time.
Had a nice evening meal. The fish dish I received seemed off and the staff were quick to offer an alternative. Wait staff was very good. Food was average. Key lime pie desert was excellent!!
We wandered into this small restaurant at an off hour. The host declared the place open and offered us an outdoor seat. He was the only person on staff we saw that day, and we began to suspect he was the matrie’d, busboy, server, cook, and sommelier all in one. Although the place is decorated Italian, he had early 80’s disco music on loop. We were given a basked of overdone and possibly slightly stale focaccia. It’s slightly cardboard texture gave way when soaked in enough olive oil. We ordered the Grilled Cabbage Caesar salad to start. The cabbage was indeed grilled. The croutons were from a bag, the Parmesan cheese was not Reggiano, but Kraft grated in a green canister, and there were no anchovies to be caught anywhere on the plate. The Broccoli Rabe was awful; limp and soggy from excess olive oil, with minced garlic out of a jar piled high, instead of whole garlic cloves freshly sliced. Small details are glaring deficiencies here. We announced that we were done with the Broccoli and the proprietor took it back without a word or a question. It was not on our final check. We rounded out the meal with Chicken Contadina style, with tomatoes (from a can), sliced carrots, sautéed spinach. Mediocre at best, but given it was middle of the day, accommodating. We would not go back.
I never write reviews but I had to warn future patrons. Easily put: do not waste your money or your appetite at this place. My girlfriend and I were looking for a nice meal in Pineapple Grove. Roses daughter next door had an 1.5 hr wait so we decided to give this restaurant a try. I got the short rib over spaghetti and my girlfriend had the “branzino.” Horribly prepared, lacking flavor and culinary experience. The food was not quality and we were charged around $45 per entree. I have never felt scammed like this before. The waiter and also chef and maybe owner? Never asked how the food was or cared that we clearly were not happy even after we only ate 25% of our meals. We got the Bill and complained. He ignored our requests. The inside smelled and looked like it had not been cleaned or sat in, in a few months (dusty and old). Boxes everywhere. There was even a small camping stove inside the restaurant with onions on it that seemed old as well. Bathroom was also dirty.Avoid this joint and save your money. You are better going to McDonald’s or ordering a pizza from a chain.
One of the worst dining experiences in a very long time. The owner was the only server for the entire restaurant. No other waiters, no busboys, and certainly no host/hostess to seat you. By my count, at least 10 diners left after being seated with no service available. Our entrees finally came out after nearly 1 1/2 hrs ! All 4 entrees were room temperature - at best. We all suspected the dishes were pre-prepared during the day and simply plated later. The only positive was the wine list which was a saving grace to this disaster ! Never again
This restaurant is out of place, in the best of ways; all others on the block were loud and oddly the same. It has the charm of an old neighborhood Italian restaurant. Our food was delicious, specifically, the mushroom ravioli, beyond compare and the eggplant parm pretty good too. A simple Caesar salad was as it should have been but tasted like the quality of handmade dressing rather than a food chain..
Absolutely Fabulous! Michael (the owner) stayed open late for us, and blew us away with homemade pastas and traditional Italian dishes like only a grandmother can make. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and delicious - and made with a care that shows he loves his work. This is a restaurant not to miss if you like Italian food and you are anywhere in South Florida! Buonissimo!
Absolutely Fabulous! Michael (the owner) stayed open late for us, and blew us away with homemade pastas and traditional Italian dishes like only a grandmother can make. Everything was fresh, flavorful, and delicious - and made with a care that shows he loves his work. This is a restaurant not to miss if like Italian food are you are anywhere in South Florida! Buonissimo!