La Mucca Ballerina

Absolutely unbelievably fantastic Italian dining. The operators of this restaurant have literally brought Rome to Sarasota. This is the most authentic Italian food I have ever tasted in the United States - far surpassing the ‘fine Italian dining’ establishments you’ll find in any major city like NY or CHI, etc. If you are visiting in or near Sarasota - La Mucca Ballerina should be part of your plans.

Stunning little gem in the heart of Sarasota. I think the staff must be the children of the owner as they are all citizens of Rome and at least bilingual. The food is off the charts good. The menu is varied. We ate on the street side and it still had atmos. The staff were attentive yet not in your face. All the pasta and bread is freshly made daily on the premises. This place was recommended to us and now we recommend it to you!

From the focaccia bread to start, to the incredible AUTHENTIC Italian main courses, to the delicious desserts, Mario and family have created not just a memorable meal, but one of the most welcoming family experiences you could ever ask for. Visiting from out of state, but if I lived local to Sarasota, we’d be here at least two nights a week without fail. Amazing. Don’t make the mistake of not trying this amazing family restaurant.

We had tickets for an 8:00 movie so we needed a casual restaurant for an early pre show dinner. Our decision, La Mucca Ballerina. For simply made Italian food, it's hard to beat this place. We started with the Antipasto all'Italiana, which after polishing off I could have been happy just stopping there. For entrees, I ordered the Cacio e Pepe and my wife, the pasta alla vongole. A few weeks back I read a fairly negative review from some guy complaining that he too had pasta vongole at La Mucca Ballerina, but that they used red instead of white wine in the sauce and he just didn't appreciate that. Well, they do use red wine in the sauce and I have to say that it was the best pasta vongole I've ever had. The trick I think to any good seafood pasta is that you have to build a seafood stock and incorporate that into the pasta sauce. Without it, you just get some seafood mixed with the sauce but the sauce doesn't obtain that taste of the sea which is critical to a good seafood pasta.

Incredible night at La Mucca Ballerina downtown SRQ across from the old white church. Fried pizza, clams and pasta, chicken Marsala, fresh spaghetti marinera and alfogato (sp?) Wonderful family owned. Sisters were super kind and it felt very authentic!!! Live music a great touch too. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!