- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
The Laughing Cat
Rating Details »
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Attire:
- Casual
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Good for:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
12 reviews for The Laughing Cat
Great little Italian spot in Ybor. Knowledgable and pleasant waitstaff; decent wine list. The gnocchi was fabulous. Recommend keeping with the pasta, but trying some of their more eclectic combinations.
Really enjoyed the atmosphere . . . . .recommend for small groups or duo-dining.
Have never tried dinner here, but I have experienced the lunch buffet a few times. As buffets go, this one is pretty good. The entries are varied and usually quite tasty, but you do encounter the dreaded bane of all buffets: somewhat tired, overheated food. Still, if you need a weekday belly-buster, this one is very filling in a good way, even if a little on the pricey side at something like 10 bucks.
2.5 Stars
I came here with a colleague on a business trip and he took me here because he thought it might fit my foodie sensibilities. I don't know if I'm really a foodie, but I like good food.
This was, well, pretty mediocre.
When people think of Italian restaurants, I'm sure that evokes a lot of different interpretations. The Laughing Cat is not close to my definitions.
I can only judge on what I ordered and I thought it was strange. I got a seafood bisque that was okay, but since when does Italian food do bisque? Then, I ordered a fettucine a la mare that was in a cream sauce. Why wouldn't you do something like this is a wine, garlic, and lemon mixture? The proprietor came to me several times to tell me that this is his favorite dish. Why would you soak perfectly good seafood in this mess?
So, I've actually had lots of Italian food in Italy and this doesn't come close to even being in the same league as those lunches and dinners.
Don't bother. Go someplace else in Tampa.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
This restaurant was incredibly hard to review. In terms of good food in Tampa I think I should have given in a 5 star rating (Tampa is way behind the rest of the country as far as culinary taste). Unfortunately for The Laughing Cat I live in a place where even average Italian food is still amazing.
We went for dinner around 7:30 on a Monday expecting a small crowd but none of us were in hurry, quite luckily. The table we were seated at was horrible. Immediately next to the door and directly facing the outside light bulb. No matter where you sat at this table it was just uncomfortable.
Our waiter was rushed all over the room and it did not take us long to realize he was the only one on the floor. When he came over I ordered a bottle of wine, told him we understood his position, and not to rush for us by any means. 10 minutes later he returned to tell us they did not have our choice of wine. I ordered a different bottle, a Barbara D'asti, the waiter eventually knocked the price down on for the inconvenience.
For dinner we ordered Mussels as an appetizer, Tortellini Genovese, Lasagna, and Veal Saltimboca as entrees. While we waited we snacked on over-baked bread with cheap butter packets. This might have been the most displeasing part of the night. No olive oil or balsamic vinegar were available on the tables and the butter truly was cheap, cold, squares of West Creek butter. 30 minutes went by, no appetizer, no dinner, but they did bring us more bread.
About 10 minutes later the waiter returned to apologize and tell us the Chef had lost our order. 10 minutes later the chef came out with our entrees, but the appetizer never mad it to the table. To further add to the mess one of the entrees was wrong and in fact not even close to what we ordered. The chef was nice about it, apologizing and personally coming to the table to find out what we actually ordered.
Now to the food though... The Lasagna was to die for. Huge, piping hot, layered perfectly with just the right amount of ingredients and the perfect salt to sweet balance. This was easily the high light dish of the night. Next was the Veal Saltimboca, a huge disappointment. I LOVE veal. I've been cooking veal for years and eating it for nearly my whole life. This Saltimboca was way too tough, way too salty, and simply boring. When our third dish finally arrived it was a great blessing to have something else to try, however it didn't blow my mind. The Tortellini was cheese filled, in a cheese sauce, with cheese on top. Simply a cheese overload.
Our waiter truly felt bad and we could see that. He brought us a complimentary Tiramisu but sadly that was one of the worst Tiramisus I've had. This dessert was 80% cream, 20% lady finger, and barely a hint of liquor. All in all I understand having a busy night and being understaffed, however 86'ing a substantial portion of the menu and not warning customers up front of long wait times is a mistake in my book.
All in the all in the meal was good and as much as I want to forgive the uncontrollable events I think I would have rated it 3 stars regardless. Also, I love the family restaurant feel that this place has, but please please please... control your children. The small 4 year old girl holding the door open all night and running around while we were trying to enjoy our expensive dinner was a huge mood killer.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Cool (1)
Not sure I am ready to sound the trumpets of the second coming of Christ on this one. The lunch buffet was like Venice, past its prime, and not in the good way that Venice is.
I had salmon and penne a la vodka, and I will never eat either of those there again. I would go back if a friend dragged me, but as an Ybor local I will nosh elsewhere.
If you like anything other than the big chain Italian restaurants, then this place will do.
This is my all time favorite restaurant. Every entree we have ever ordered has been delicious. The apps and desserts are not representative of their other courses (I believe they outsource the dessert). The staff has all been there forever and always recognize us we go eat there. The chef is a character - he is like the aloof artist.
I suggest ordering the Chicken alla vodka, Chicken Marsala, mushroom soup, their seafood risotto is the BOMB. I could go on and on.
Oh - and their bread is the best ever. The texture is perfect, crispy on the outside, moist and doughy on the inside. The bread is always made fresh and comes to the table fresh out of the oven. It even has the perfect yeast flavor that you rarely taste in America. (In Europe they use fresh yeast - you can't get that in the US).
Leave some bread to soak up the sauce in your dish. They is something spectacular going on with the sauce.
This place was side suggested by a co worker and it was wondeful! Had the stuffed veal and side of veg ... Way too much food for me to eat! Had half and took the other half home for lunch. Service was casual but the food was well worth the 30 min wait! Enjoy!
Sweet potato gnocchi was delicious but very rich. Lunch buffet is overrated.
I've been hitting up the Laughing Cat's awesome lunch buffet for years, but I hadn't been there for dinner in ages until last night. It being a weekend in Ybor, the place was loud and bustling and we couldn't get a table right away, but it was worth the 15-minute wait. We picked a smooth, full bodied Castellani Sangiovese/Cab/Syrah blend from the all-Italian wine list. I had the filet mignon "Cat Style," which is sauteed with portobello mushrooms, red peppers, artichoke hearts and fresh herbs in a white wine sauce. The meat was so moist and tender and the various flavors intermingled so thoroughly that it almost seemed braised rather than sauteed, but in either case it was delicious. My dining companion tried the Pollo Limone, a pair of chicken breasts sauteed with garlic, basil, broccoli and artichoke hearts in a white wine/lemon sauce and seemed happy with the choice. Both our plates were heaping with food, and our sides -- pasta and vegetables -- were also piled high, which might explain why the Laughing Cat feels a bit overpriced. Still, the service was exceptional, and I'll definitely be back -- not just for lunch. (2/7/2009)
Best Italian food I've ever tasted. Hands down. I have searched for a replacement but can't even come close. I definitely wish they had one of these in CA. :) Boy do I miss it!
Fantastic food in a cozy corner of Ybor. Can get crowded. Reasonable prices. Not many choices, but that's okay because whatever the chef has prepared is amazing. Usually a great fish dish and pasta with cream sauce.
Excellent. Delicious food in a casual setting. The lunch buffet is incredible for the price. One of the best places to have lunch in Tampa.
