Ortygia

Russell Black

6 years ago

What a special place. In the heart of Bradenton’s Art District there is a little house with a special chef. Gaetano started this restaurant 13 years ago as the Chef, Owner and writer. He wanted to bring a little Sicilian flare with a New Jersey touch to Florida’s West Coast. This quaint out of the way farm to table restaurant will surprise you with its homemade Sicilian cooking. Today with all the restaurant chains, it is nice to have gem like this in Bradenton. My wife and I have not been out to dinner in over 4 months. We wanted to find a restaurant that could offer a unique dinning experience with fresh to table entrees. Well, we found it. My only regret is that I found Ortygia thirteen years later. I have often said to many of my friends Bradenton lacks true fresh Chef dinning restaurants. Maybe I was just not looking hard enough. If you want a quiet, nice dining experience, this will be perfect for you and a special someone. Ask for Penne, she was warm hearted and took care of our every need. We called to make reservations and that seemed to be the best way to ensure you got a table. Enjoy!

Pedro Collusso

3 years ago

Amazing Italian restaurant located at the Village of Arts area in Bradenton! Led by renowned chef Gaetano Canatta, Ortygia specialty is the Sicílian Cuisine, with a menu that is frequently renewed. I’ve had the opportunity of visiting the restaurant 3 years ago while visiting Bradenton and in that occasion was attracted by the coziness and home feel of the restaurant, the wonderful live music and the deliciousness and authenticity of its menu and the very courteous service. Not to mention that chef Gaetano would momentarily take a break from the kitchen, pull out an harmonica from his pocket and play and sing the blues! Yesterday I was able to finally come back to Ortygia with my wife. We’ve ordered a grilled octopus appetizer: very Tender and well seasoned. Our main dishes were veal Milanese (perfect!) and, by suggestion of our server Ellen (hope I’ve got her name right) we also had the Yellow Edge Grouper. This dish was the highlight of our dinner. I don’t think I ever tasted a grouper so tasty in my life! Chef Gaetano came several times to our table to check if all was to our content! Definitely, Yes, Chef! Our desserts were a black cherry gelato and a very creative and delicious lemon-basil semi fredo! Our meal had the company of a good Sicilian Nero D’Avola red wine! Dining at Ortygia is Highly Recommended not only because of its extraordinary authentic Southern Italian cuisine but also because the establishment’s Chef and its staff make sure you have a truly wonderful experience. If only Ortygia was in Orlando…😊

Vii Duquette

3 years ago

Very tasty! I had the stuffed portobello mushroom and chocolate ladyfingers (but without the raspberry) I really loved this cute little Italian restaurant! It's been converted from an old house and I love that. They're very personable and even speak to the customers by name. The menu changes every week and that keeps things interesting. I will absolutely be back.

Aleena Manning

year ago

Chef Gaetano and Server Melissa were both friendly, hospitable, and knowledgeable. The food was amazing and authentic. Getting to hear the story of Monzu cuisine coupled with all of Chef's experiences in Sicily painted a beautiful picture on the dishes. The weekly changing menu is peak creativity and culinary expression. I am so glad I was able to try their food, and you should too!

Jason Roberts

year ago

THE best Italian meal, start to finish, I have had in as long as I can remember! The restaurant is cozy and the staff is great. The chef mingles with the diners. A refreshing and amazing experience. I had the Babbalucci con Carciofi, Veal Francese con Carciofi, and a wonderful blueberry bread pudding with white chocolate. Everything looked and smelled amazing. I found myself looking at the other dishes coming out and planning my next visit. Make a reservation by filling out the form online as seating is limited. They will message you back with confirmation of your request one way or the other. This is a great place for a romantic evening, a small group, or dining by yourself. You will love everything about the experience!

Joe Watson (Joe Cool)

5 years ago

Amazing authentic Italian food. The atmosphere was intimate and the service was impeccabile. Everything was cooked to order and everyone in our party of 4 was extremely satisfied. We will definitely go back again. We love Italian food and this is the best that we have ever had.

Matias Baldi

4 years ago

Incredible. A remodeled family home, with tables in different environments of the house, which provides options for large and small groups but always preserving privacy since there are no more than two tables per room. The attention is very cordial, it is attended by its owners and they care about all the details. The food is excellent, they have a small but very complete menu and the dishes are prepared in an incredible way, allowing you to enjoy a type of gastronomy very different from that found in the area.

Ron Goltsch

2 years ago

Small place in the Village of the Arts in Bradenton. We came in on a Saturday evening without reservations. They didn’t have a table inside, but they were able to set us up outside on their beautiful patio. The menu is unique. It seems they have two items that are consistently on the menu, but the rest are different each week. The food was spectacular. They don’t serve liquor but they do offer a wide range of wines and a few beers. We shared a bottle of wine that went perfectly with our meal. Our server was knowledgeable of both the menu and the various wines offered. She was friendly and outgoing. The chef came out to speak to us on the patio and see how we were enjoying our meal. Overall a great place. No. It’s not like the chain places….and that’s what makes it great.

Natalia Spinelli

year ago

A Hidden Gem Worth the Hunt I recently stumbled upon a true culinary gem: Ortygia. This unassuming spot serves up dishes that are bursting with flavor, making it a must-visit for food lovers in the area. The menu may be limited, but each dish is crafted with care and precision. The veal cutlets I had today were simply divine. The perfect balance of flavors and textures made for an unforgettable meal. And let's not forget the desserts! Each one is a masterpiece, made to order and absolutely delicious. The restaurant's limited hours and seasonal availability only add to its allure. If you're lucky enough to snag a reservation, you're in for a treat. The reasonable prices make it even more appealing. Don't miss out on this hidden gem!

mlamanno

4 months ago

Last year, my wife (then fiancé) and I chose Ortygia for our rehearsal dinner. We had eaten there once and found out that the menu changes weekly or soat this restaurant; the chef gears the menu toward what he can buy fresh/in season at that time. We quite liked our food the first go-around, which are in pics 2-4, and we wanted to support a local business. So, we booked this place for our dinner after we finished our wedding rehearsal. It was a perfect cool and crisp day for our rehearsal dinner, and everything from the food, wine, and dessert were perfect. The chef came out and asked us all if anything was wrong, even the sliiiiightest bit off. But the food was remarkable, and my friends and family quite enjoyed the quality, so no complaints. There was also no music blasting, making it easy to speak with everyone. We were already in a good mood considering the occasion. Nevertheless, I appreciate Ortygia being a part of making our wedding weekend just a bit more special.