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Amelia's Restaurant
Category: Restaurants Italian Italian [Edit]
235 S Main StSte 107
Gainesville, FL 32601
(352) 373-1919
- Hours:
Tue-Fri 11:30 am - 2 pm
Tue-Thu 5 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 10 pm
Sun 5 pm - 8:30 pm
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street, Private Lot
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- Yes
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- Paid
- Good For:
- Lunch, Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Intimate
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
About This Business:
* Homemade Pasta and Sauces * Thin-crust Italian style Pizza cooked in a brick oven * Create your own salad * Fresh Ingredients * Lunch and dinner… read more »
19 reviews for Amelia's Restaurant
19 reviews in English
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Review from Coni S.
Elkton, FL
1/16/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Dinner was very good. We had a groupon. A little disappointed that we had a different menu than everyone else. The food was good and plentiful but, felt a little duped that we were not able to order from their regular menu.
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Review from R. V.
Fort Lauderdale, FL
5/7/2012
***FOOD POISONING***
I would not recommend anyone eating here. A group of my colleagues and I went here after a long weekend of conferences. It appeared to be a regular restaurant on the surface. Unfortunately by the next day I was throwing up, nauseas and highly weak and dehydrated from having diarrhea. I knew it was the food that I ate here because shortly after dinner my stomach was cramping, but I did not think anything of it. But then the next day I ate leftovers and by the end of the night I was in the fetal position. During the same week after recovering I later learned at meeting with my colleagues that others were also experienced nausea, cramping and diarrhea. Two of my colleagues were admitted to the hospital and needed fluids. We all had different orders that night. My dinner was neither that great nor horrible. I had the ravioli. I must say it must have been the utensils, cookware and plates/cups that probably were not properly sanitized. Honestly this can happen at anytime but because it was my first time eating here, I am unfortunately scarred and probably will not ever eat here again. Please be careful.
The service was great. It was a nice atmosphere. But the bathrooms need to be kept better. -
Review from Crystal M.
Gainesville, FL
7/5/2011 2 photos
Went here on a Tuesday night for a mini celebration with my mom. We made reservations and when we came, there was one couple dining outside and one inside and that was it. Sort of eerie, and we considered changing restaurants, but I really wanted to try it, so we braved the silence inside.
The waitress was wonderful and kept our water glasses full at all times. She came by at perfect intervals and was always polite.
I ordered the lasagna for $13 and my mom got some chicken dish with butter and wine sauce for $14. All meals come with bread and a side salad and if not a pasta dish, a penne with tomato sauce on the side.
The bread basket came first. It had 3 different breads in it, a white, a stone-wheat and a herbed italian. Olive oil was provided on the table for dipping.
I subbed the house salad for a ceasar salad for $3 and it was pretty good. The subbing fee is pretty high, but I really love ceasar salad (the sharing fee is $7!!!! Basically makes you order your own dish)
The lasagna was really good, definitely home-made. It didn't have that addictive sweet sauce you get at Olive garden or the thick, fatty cheese at other chains, but maybe thats a good thing...
I was too full for dessert, and our bill was $35 for two.
i'd go back again, it was a pleasant experience.
(will post pics eventually...) -
Review from Eunice C.
Alachua, FL
8/3/2011
I met a colleague for lunch here. She suggested it and I'm glad she did! I discovered a new place to eat in Gainesville that's affordable and delicious. I I had the Pomodoro Salad and it was awesome. I don't usually enjoy salad but this one was great. Really nice staff and the chef comes out and plays Happy Birthday to you on his saxophone for your birthday.
Coffee was excellent, too. All around great experience, I will be back. -
Review from Shannon B.
Destin, FL
6/12/2011
I heard about Amelia's from a friend and looked up their menu online and decided to give it a try for date night with my boyfriend.
We were promptly greeted and sat by the hostess and the first interaction we had at our table was with the chef and owner of Amelia's, who came by to give us waters and let us know our waiter would be with us shortly. Our waiter made a great recommendation to my boyfriend for an imported beer called "La Rosa" by the Italian brewing company Moretti.
I ordered the Gamberoni Amelia (jumbo shrimp with linguine in a lemon butter sauce) and my boyfriend had the Suprema di Pollo Sorrentino (chicken breast topped with eggplant, prosciutto, basil & mozzarella). I'll have to admit that my bf won this round of "who ordered the better entree?", but mine was still very good. My only complaint was that there were only 5 jumbo shrimp in the pasta--I would've like a few more. The flavors in both our entrees were exactly what we expected and the portion size was extremely satisfying, but not Olive Garden-jumbo-size-overkill.
After we were finished eating and waiting on the check, the chef/owner came back by to formally introduce himself and thank us for our patronage. In fact, he made it a point to stop by every table during the evening to say hello and thank each customer for eating at his restaurant. How often do you see that anymore??!! I thought is was extremely thoughtful and commendable, and I will definitely come back to Amelia's when I'm in the mood for a quiet, romantic dinner or when I want some fresh, delicious Italian cuisine. -
Review from lance s.
Gainesville, FL
10/14/2011
had dinner there last night, brought our dog Layla too.
our house salads were very fresh and filling
my wife had the chicken with asparagus that she shared with me, it was fantastic!
i had the pesto linguini that was very good and just enough, but truth be told i would love it with more garlic, but it was still great.
our waiter was attentive, but relaxed and Chef Andy came out to say hello and we talked about traveling in Italy and of course the food there.
we had not come here in a few years, no reason just did not think of it. we won't be away for that long again. a beautiful night, great food and great staff. -
Review from Kevin W.
Gainesville, FL
4/24/2010
Ok, so the disclaimer here is that I have only been to Amelia's for lunch. I cannot comment on dinner - yet, but I am sure I will eventually do dinner as well.
I haven't yelped in a while because like Carol King I "felt so uninspired". And I had some preconceived notions on Amelia's. Food would be average, cost would be great, service would be slow. I was so incredibly wrong.
On three occasions I have been for their lunch and each time it was a wonderful surprise. Amelia's has this deal where they do a quick lunch (comes out of the kitchen in less than 10 minutes) it's like 8 bucks and it's a giant portion that tastes divine.
Carraba's? Seriously? Olive Garden? Really? Calling them Italian is like calling McDonalds a steak house. New chef/owner Andy Foss (or Fass) is amazing. I had the Fagioli and spinach salad on my last visit. The Fagioli was the best tomato based soup I have ever had! Ever. The Spinach salad was fresh and tasty. On my previous trip I had the mussels teresa. The portion was huge and the mussels were perfectly prepared and delicious.
The service was nearly invisible until I needed something and then she magically appeared with whatever it was.
What really annoys me is that Gainesville seems to be clueless about good food. I pass a packed house at Harry's (average on a good day) and enter an empty Amelia's. Twice as good, half the price and no one there. I guess everyone's goes to Olive Garden or Carrabas for Italian...really? -
Review from Spencer M.
Round Hill, VA
10/26/2011
Excellent
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Review from Jimmy B.
Gainesville, FL
10/5/2007
This is a little classic Italian restaurant tucked away behind the Hippodrome. They have a HUGE menu of more traditional Italian foods, which I feel can be a little overwhelming.
As an appetizer I had the Rollatini di Melenzane which is eggplant wrapped around ricotta with marinara sauce. It was a nice, fresh, light way to start a meal. However, it was a little expensive for the portion size, and there are several offerings my friends had that were much better.
As a meal I ordered the Veal Scaloppine with Artichokes, Capers, & Olives in Light Tomato. The artichokes were a great addition, but I feel like it needed something to balance against the capers and olives. I think having some pine nuts instead of olives would make take this to a new level. My veal was overseasoned for my taste, but it was very tender. The sauce itself wasn't anything to write home about, I expect this type of quality coming from this restaurant.
For dessert I had flan - which was absolutely delicious. A wonderful blend of caramel and custard made it a great way to end dinner.
However, it wasn't all bells or whistles. The bread that was served was lacking flavor, and they just gave us olive oil to dip it in. I would expect a restaurant of this caliber to have something else. The service was fine, but I felt misinformed when they charged $3 extra for replacing a house salad with a caesar salad, and that you can only split checks prior to ordering. Yes, it's in small print at the end of the menu about splitting checks, but it would have been nice to be informed.
All in all, not bad, but pretty average as far as italian restaurants go (Olive Garden and Carrabas earning ZERO stars from me..gross). But definitly one of the only places in Gainesville offering real italian. -
Review from Belle C.
Gainesville, FL
3/21/2008
Excellent food, especially the dinner specials, which tend to be more inventive than the stuff on the very traditional main menu. The appetizers can be hit or miss - I love the spinach/artichoke/garlic crostini, but Italian staples like bruschetta and prosciutto with melon are just so-so.
What really stands out about Amelia's is the service. Everyone is so friendly and attentive. Five stars for that!
And you must try their homemade limoncello. It's got cream and vanilla in it, which sounds odd. But it's fantastic!Listed in: Top Gainesville Restaurants
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Review from Kim S.
Sarasota, FL
1/2/2012 Seated via OpenTable
Really good food and very nice atmosphere- highly recommend it.
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Review from Brea G.
Gainesville, FL
1/1/2010
Having passed Amelia's countless times I was really looking forward to trying them out.
From the menu posed outside I could tell they were pricey and the patio looked like a nice place to hang out.
Unfortunately expectations and reality were once again on the outs when we went here.
They weren't seating outside and the inside was a surprise.
It was clean etc. but it looked like high tea at my grandmothers social club... seriously *not a comfortable setting (to me - maybe you're a senior looking for some action).
I don't remember what we got for an appetizer (so I guess it's fair to say it wasn't memorable) but I do remember that it was tiny.
I do remember I had gnocci as a main course and that it was something better than Olive Garden but not as good as Carrabba's.
I don't remember what my wife got but I remember trying it and wondering if the sauce was Ragu.
Way too expensive for what it is and I can make *way WAY better italian myself.
I'll probably go back at some point just to verify that I didn't hit them on an off night. -
Review from Coty S.
12/22/2009
This was my number one place I would ask for go to on my Birthday every year. Inconveniently located in the Sun Center, they were once the only Italian restaurant that served gnocchi. A delicious potato dumpling.
I love all of the pasta sauces here; they are not to offensive in sweetness and are rich enough to please. All of the appetizers are amazing and they have some great vegetarian options. Skip Carrabbas and spend the same amount on an excellent authentic meal, at a local business, in style, and make it an experience.
Their entire menu is on their website, making a reservation is recommended. -
Review from Cindy M.
Gainesville, FL
7/23/2011
If you want "real" Italian, this is your place. Chef Andy is an inspired chef. Forget the chain Italian restaurants. Treat yourself and enjoy a great meal. You'll think you're in Tuscany. If it's your birthday, make sure you let Chef Andy know. You'll be in for a surprise!
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Review from R J.
San Jose, CA
5/30/2011
We came here to celebrate a GATORS graduation this year! The staff was very accommodating and the server was great. We made reservations in advance for a large party of 12 people. Everything on the menu was delicious especially the calamari, sonoma pinot wine, and the fetuccini alfredo was spectacular! I will come back again if I am ever in the area (i.e. football season!).
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Review from Jorge U.
Gainesville, FL
7/20/2008
Not perfect, but still good. Great food -- especially the specials. The service can't be beat. Not a huge wine list, but they've introduced us to a few new favorites. And you can't forget the limoncello ... absolutely delicious. The free parking in the Sun Center parking lot is nice. And although it might be said in the menu, it would still be nice to have it pointed out that you have to ask for separate checks in advance and also that they add an automatic gratuity for large groups. Trying to figure out the how to split a check among 10 people who all only have plastic isn't my idea of a fun way to end an evening.
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Review from Katie A.
Champaign, IL
8/13/2008
For the price, I expected food better than Olive Garden, but it was disappointing at best. I had an angel hair pasta with a light cream sauce. Others we were with seemed to like it okay, but also felt it was a bit overpriced for Italian food. You can get a better tasting meal and price at Carabba's. I wish that weren't the case, b/c I really prefer local places!
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Review from Il P.
Austin, TX
1/6/2010
I had a mixed experience here. The marinara sauce is good, and the special lobster ravioli was pretty good too. It was real lobster meat, although the ravioli was a little less cooked. My friend had a red snapper with wine sauce and capers -- it was terrible. Dry and chewy fish with almost no seasoning. The muscle and portabella appetizer was excellent. The small mushrooms were filled with ground carrot and perfectly half cooked. I really liked them. For a moderately high price, I would expect to get homogeneously better food quality.
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Review from Sanjida S.
Gainesville, FL
12/13/2009
This is a shame to Italian cuisine. Once I sat down and had the first bite of my salad, I wish I went to Olive Garden's. Actually, I was wondering if I could just pay for the salad and just skip out. I think the mushroom and the carrots used in the salad were canned? The dressing was off too. I was deeply disappointed. I ordered a suprema pollo marsala. It was the most disgusting thing imaginable. The chicken pieces were soggy and rubbery (that's after I was able to get thru to it after the disgusting marsala sauce). The sauce was watery and a totally different type of marsala wine I ever tasted. It was almost a florescent orange hue with a watery sweet taste with no depth; I managed to keep from gagging public. I, then, wanting to give the place a second chance, ordered the chicken parm, which too disappointed me. The chicken this time was cooked well, it was the house marinara sauce. It was very acidy, fruity, and minty. I was repulsed. The price for the chick. Marsala and the chicken parm were 15.99 each. For the same price, the food quality and the atmosphere at Olive Garden or Carabba far exceeds Amelia's. I was deeply disappointed.
