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Scotti's Italian Restaurant
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Downtown
919 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 721-9484
919 Vine St
Cincinnati, OH 45202
(513) 721-9484
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- No
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- No
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
8 reviews for Scotti's Italian Restaurant
We came down here mosty for the nostalgia. It's a 97-year-old restaurant that probably hasn't changed much since it was founded. From the ceramic tile on the walls (yep, all of the walls!) to the chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling, it looks exactly like I remember it the first time I was here, forty years ago.
Our dinner started with a bowl of ministrone soup and a basket of bread. It was followed by a small salad with balsamic vinegrette. Both were really delicious. For my main course, I ordered cappelini with meatballs. The meatballs were tough, which is why I knocked them down a star.
But all in all, it was a nice day and a nice drive and a nice dinner.
Scotti's is such a fantastic find, I just can't believe it took me so long to get there! The first thing you notice when you go in is the decor. The checker-table-clothed tables are of tables crowded intimately in a dimly lit dining room, each with a Chianti bottle candle holder covered in dripped wax. More Chianti bottles hang from the ceiling in rows, and the walls are covered in mosaic tile. It is a sight to be seen. When I first saw the interior I was hoping the food would warrant return trips with friends because it's such a fun setting. I was not disappointed. The service here is prompt and capable, keeping bread baskets and water glasses full as needed. I had spinach pasta with a pasquale sauce, and it was the best meal I'd had in months. The sauce is described on the menu as, "butter, mushrooms, parmesan cheese, and a touch of tomato sauce." It was so good I couldn't resist eating the whole thing. My friend ordered basic spaghetti and meatballs, which comes with traditional giant meatballs, and was prepared to perfection. On our second trip, we invited friends, doubling to a party of four. I couldn't help myself and ordered the green fettuccine ala pasquale again, and it was just as good the second time around. The others ordered linguine con vongole (with butter and clams), linguine with butter, anchovies, and garlic; and ...oh, I can't remember the last dish. All of our food looked and tasted amazing, and the service was just as great as the first time we were there. Both of these visits were at lunchtime; Scotti's is a bit out of my price range at dinnertime, and most everything they make is available at lunch for quite a bit less.
I thought is was OK. Nice place, good atmosphere. A 92 year old business in the heart of Cincinnati.
I got the Half n Half, which was spaghetti with meatballs and ravioli. The ravioli was very good. The meat balls were pretty good.
The only thing I did not like was the sauce. It was a bit bland. Not a spicy Italian sauce. The bread was fresh with real butter.
I could have eaten a big bowl of the minestrone soup it was the best thing I had, next to the salad. The dressing was an Italian sweet and sour.
I loved the soup, salad and bread. The other was good, but just OK for me.
Going down to Cincinnati was a treat this afternoon, and I was glad to share the trip with another fellow Yelper.
Pretty good food, awesome decor.
I'm a little frightened of the service, which is on the thin line between funny and rude. It was fine for a lunch with coworkers, but I can't imagine being on a date or business lunch with that sort of atmosphere.
I'd love to go back, but it's mostly for the ambiance. The spaghetti and sausage was okay, nothing special.
Talk about authentic. Its like you stepped into Italy! Right down to the fights in the kitchen. Yes, that did happen. The style is ancient, yet neat. Its cozy, and old. But the food is not. The food is amazing. The selection of sauces is impressive. Wine choices are superb. The atmosphere is nice. The waiters are kind and quick. A must for a date. But it is Pricey!
Good luck finding this hole-in the Wall Italian place. Having been around at least 30 years you expect this family place to have character and it does. Looks ancient inside. Well done food. Way above the chain Italian in the area.
It's a quaint location with sassy service and very traditional Italian food. I prefer Campanello's sweet sauce...The bread is just plain bad - it was stale and dry and hard (even the garlic bread).
pretty good, standard italian fare. it is really small but reminds of me of the restaurant in lady and the tramp. the service can be interesting. they are rather abrupt and can deny service for whatever reason. salads and garlic bread are devine. definitely worth trying.
