Best Contemporary Italian Restaurants in Lakewood Ranch

Ash is great. I've only been this one time and I'm unlikely to return for a full meal as it's expensive, but I wish I could return again and again. I was there last night and woke up today thinking about the artichokes. I loved the razor clam pasta and the scallops. Others in my party raved about the beef tartare and the cassarecce. The Jimmy Nardello peppers turned out to be shishito instead, but we were comped the peppers since they weren't the ones we ordered. They were great, but I would really have loved to have Jimmy Nardello. The asparagus were yummy. Only the anchovy toast was underwhelming. The waiter recommended the focaccia with the pasta and that was a good call. I don't usually order a cocktail, but I had a great one last night. My partner, who always orders cocktails, thought that the price was high for what I got. The polenta cake was OK, but we all enthusiastically dug our spoons into the carmamelia. That was a great surprise. One note about service -- we were celebrating two birthdays and Ash celebrated the birthdays by putting candles in our desserts. I wish they had offered some prosecco or a free dessert or something. Why ask if we are celebrating if it's only going to entail a couple of candles? Also, about the noise level. We were on the patio two tables from the street. The noise level was generally fine, but large trucks and small, noisy cars drove by with some frequency. The quality and composition of the food was enough to overcome any deficiencies.

Six friends dined outside. It was quiet - lovely atmosphere. Great food. Great wine and overall a beautiful evening.

Lovely wait staff. Great music. Excellent food and plentiful. Creative menu. Very good ambience, though semi-lost in a shopping strip. Parking a great improvement over its prior location in downtown Sarasota. They did not rush us. Would go back.

Food and service were great! Ava is consistent! Pasta was amazing! Old Fashion was delicious. Highly recommend the bread service. Its special!

Great authentic Italian food. The service was great too!