Saratoga Ristorante Italiano (Hollywood)
***** Saratoga Ristorante Italiano–1917 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, Florida 33020–(954) 923-0100
Let me start by saying, that Saratoga is one of the best Southern Italian restaurants in South Florida. This joint has only been in business for about four months, so guaranteed you are one of but a handful that even knows that it exists.
Before the “debacle” which erased over 300 writeups, I had one which rated Matteo’s with locations in both Boca Raton and Hallandale Beach as one of my favorite Southern Italian joints for family style dining. To make this review simple, the owner of Saratoga is a fellow by the name of Julio, who at one time or another general managed both Matteo’s locations. He also owned a joint in Lighthouse Point named Julio Caesar’s. Suffice it to say, that Saratoga is a “combination” of the best of Matteo’s–some original Julio dishes–at price-points about 10-15% lower than Matteo’s.
The food is absolutely great. Humongus individual and family style portions. Beautiful surroundings (but you can still wear your shorts/tee shirts). Terrific service.
You now know about one of the best joints in South Florida before almost anyone else does.
Saratoga is open 7 days a week for dinner and for lunch Monday-Saturday.
Yay, you’re back!! I was in Hollywood/Plantation for xmas( actually stayed right next to Anthony’s Coal Fired on pine Island) and I was checking your site obsessively before I left. But alas, it was down!!
I’m going back in March and I’ll try this new place for sure. I really love Mama Mia’s, how does it compare?
Randi…This new joint is one of the best Italian restaurants going…Mama Mia is a real good RED SAUCE joint, but not even in the same league…While you are visiting, also checkout Matteo’s in Hallandale it is absolutely terrific.
Enjoy…
stopped by for lunch…the food and service were great….fried calamari and rigatoni bolognese best i’ve ever had…the other people i was with had the paninis, nothing but positive comments……the decor a welcome change….unique….paintings of horses something special to behold….good food…good service…good prices…a real find…
tom papa: Glad you enjoyed Saratoga. The food is absolutely delicious. Thanks for reading jeffeats.
I quoted your write-up of Saratoga for our upcoming event there. Should be a fun evening. Perhaps you’d like to join us?
Alan: I had dinner last night at Saratoga. The joint was absolutely packed. The food was terrific, but the service was a bit frazzled. I appreciate that new joints need a “shakeout” period so I think that Saratoga will soon be back on course. What really amazed, is how quickly this joint caught on. Anyway, I am glad that I was “one” of the first to spot it. What’s your upcoming event all about?
Jeff,
All of the info about our Lab Night event is posted on my own blog at: http://journals.aol.com/grapewiz/laboratory-night/
We always hold Lab Night on a Monday night since, generally, the restaurants are not so busy and are better able to accommodate our gathering. It’s a very friendly, social group, so we’d love to have you join us. You can see from the photos that we get a nice crowd, all ages (over 21, of course) both singles and couples.
Alan: The date you have set doesn’t work for me. Perhaps another time…enjoyed your websidte. Enjoy Saratoga.
I went on a Tuesday to avoid the crowds but could not find any parking the valet was full, the restuarant was empty the chicken was raw and the waiter messed up the order, and told me I was wrong when I mentioned it. I m not suprised I know Julio he has always had an attitude. Definitely not up to the standard that I expect.
nancy: The other evening when I ate at Saratoga, I paid $5 for valet parking. I have to tell you, that this valet parking thing could prove to be a problem for the joint. First, no one wants to spend extra money for parking. Second, it is very inconvient to have to valet park. As for my meal, everything that we had was excellent. That said, the joint was so packed, that the waiters were a bit “frazzled” and I will tell you, the portions were not as “big” as they should have been. I suspect that Julio was running low on food.
Anyway…Saratoga has a shot of being a great restaurant. It has only been open for a few months, so for now I will give it the benefit of the doubt. If Julio doesn’t get the parking, portion size and wait-staff concerns under control, the joint will fail.
Our group of 9 ate there on Jan.1 2008. Food was good but the wait staff was the worst ever. Incorrect food order for one couple, no food for one couple while the remaining 7 eat their dinner. BAD Service and no help from a manager (if)they had one that evening.
I went to Saratoga last night for the first time in a group of six. The food and service were excellent even though the place was filled! Glad we made a reservation.
Jeff,
My sis and I ate here tonight and it was fabulous. We loved it!! Way better( and more expensive) than Mama Mia’s. We had a gelato from a place a few doors down and that was great too.
randi: Glad you enjoyed this joint. Try Matteo’s which has locations in Boca Raton and Hallandale Beach…very similar food and absolutely delicious.
I’ve been to Saratoga about 10 times already. Their food is one of the best or maybe the best italian food i’ve ever had. I am a real Italian and I must say that everything taste homemade. It is a little more expensive compared to other restaurants in that area, but it is worth paying for quality. The service is great. I really recommend this restaurant.
Monica: Glad to hear that you enjoyed Saratoga…Here’s a suggestion–give Matteo’s a try. Matteo’s has joints in Boca Raton and Hallandale Beach. Enjoy!!
Jeff, I love your site and you have a good sense of the biz. Thats why I’m so surprised that you believe a word out of the mouth of Julio. It’s a bit of a moot point because he’s already been fired. Hey.. how can you fire an owner? You can when he’s lying about being an owner, like he’s done in every restaurant he has ever worked in. And as far as Julio being an owner of Matteos not for 6 years and never was he anything but a hired gun at Matteo’s in Hallandale.
Enough of that, Saratoga’s has no chance, absolutlety none. Too many reasons to list but lets just say when you want the original you don’t go to a knock off joint that has a clown at the door and dishwashers as cooks.
well, i worked @ the restaurant as a bus boy, and julio is an absolutely a%# hole. i quit beacase of him. now the restaurant is being managed by 1 of the ex waiters, his name is humberto…the place is much better now, better food, better service, the only problem is the valet , it hasnt changed at all. So for all of you that changed your mind about the restaurant because of julio. i would suggest to go back , beacause Saratoga restaurant has gotten much better.
Saratoga just changed names and hands. Now its called ALDO’S and the food is very good, lovely atosphere, good prices, good service. What more can you ask for. I would receommend it highly. By the way, also live music…Great drinks!!!!