Ama la Vita Ristorante

4.9

685 Reviews

$31 to $50

Italian

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

Ama La Vita means "Love Life" At Ama La Vita we believe that the greatest memories we give each other are often sharing meals and creating traditions. Tricia, owner of Ama La Vita would like to invite you to their dining room in true Italian fashion. Come and enjoy a table of good food and wine creating memories, laughing, and loving life with family and friends.

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This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, American, Seafood
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat 9:00 am–1:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Phone number
(941) 960-1551
Website
https://www.amalavitasrq.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Private party facilities
Ama La Vita Ristorante is available for your special dining experience. Please contact Tricia or Danny for more details.

Location
1551 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236
Neighborhood
Sarasota
Cross street
Located on Main Street between Lemon Ave and Orange Ave.
Parking details
Street Parking
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Popular dishes

Eggplant Rollatini
Thin Sliced Eggplant/ Egg washed and floured/ Ricotta/ Spinach/ Mozzarella/ Marinara
House Salad
Baby Spinach / Red Onion / Red Peppers / Olives / Cherry Tomatoes / Mozzarella / Mushrooms
Beet Salad
Baby Spinach / Roasted Red Beets / Goat Cheese / Red Onion / Sliced Almonds
Artichoke Oreganata
White Wine & Lemon / Toasted breadcrumbs and Parmesan Cheese
Burrata
Prosciutto/Roasted Red Peppers / Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes / Balsamic Glaze / EVOO
Caesar au Gratin or Traditional
Cold or Roasted Romaine Lettuce / Homemade Caesar Dressing / Shaved Parmesan
Clams or PEI Mussels
White or red
Arugula Salad
Arugula / Pine Nuts / Blueberries / Red Onion / Shaved Parmesan Cheese
Fried Calamari
Tender Calamari/ Flash Fried/ Spicy Marinara

Pasta

add Chicken or Sausage $6 or Shrimp $2.50 per piece to any pasta dish

Cacio e Pepe
Spaghetti/ Pecorino Romano Cheese / Fresh Cracked Pepper
Penne Bolognese
Penne/ Traditional Sicilian Meat Sauce
Puttanesca
Bucatini/ Capers / Olives / Anchovies
Penne Arugula
Prosciutto / Peas / Parmesan Cream / Fresh Arugula
Carbonara
Spaghetti/ Pan Fried Guanciale/ Pecorino Romano Cheese/ Cracked Pepper/ Egg Yolk
Amatriciana
Penne/ Pan Fried Guanciale/ Marinara/ Olive Oil/ Touch of Red Pepper

Entrees

Chicken Francaise
Bell and Evans Chicken Breast/ Egg Washed and Floured/ Pan Seared / White Wine/ Butter/ Lemon
Stuffed Pork Chop
Center cut Chop/ Stuffed/ Prosciutto/ Spinach/ Mozzarella/ Asiago/ Topped with Mushroom Marsala Demiglaze/ Roasted Potatoes
Diver Scallops and Jumbo Shrimp
Fettuccini/ Sun-dried Tomatoes/ Shiitake Mushrooms/ Parmesan Cream Sauce
Flounder Francaise
Filet of Flounder/ Egg washed and floured/ White Wine/ Butter/ Lemon/ over Sautéed Spinach
Halibut
Poached Halibut/ Topped with Parmesan Reggiano Romano Cheese/ Touch Bread Crumbs Toasted/ Tomato Risotto
Chicken Cacciatore
Braised - Boneless Thighs / Tomatoes / Mushrooms / Roasted Peppers / Onions served over Parmesan Risotto
Flounder Oreganata
Filet of Flounder / White Wine and Lemon / Toasted Bread Crumbs / over Sautéed Spinach
Bourbon Pork
Bourbon Glazed Pork / Mushroom Parmesan Risotto / Fried Leeks
Veal Chop
Grilled 16oz Bone In Veal Chop/ Sautéed Spinach topped with Poached Egg/ Parmesan Cream
Eggplant Parmesan
Sliced Eggplant breaded / Marinara / Mozzarella/ Spaghetti Marinara
Stuffed Pork Chop
Center cut Chop/ Stuffed/ Prosciutto/ Spinach/ Mozzarella/ Shiitake Mushroom Marsala Demiglaze/ Roasted Potatoes

Desserts

Desserts
All desserts are handmade. Ask about Tricia's Coconut cake and other daily treats!

What 685 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.9

4.9 based on recent ratings

4.9Food
5Service
4.7Ambience
4.8Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Ama la Vita Ristorante offers "fantastic food" and a "superb service" experience in a cozy setting. Known for its authentic Italian dishes like flounder Francese and cacio e pepe, patrons rave about the "charming" owner and attentive staff. Enjoy a delightful dining experience with "delicious" offerings and a welcoming atmosphere.

684 Reviews

SC
SueC
VIP
Seattle
21 reviews
5.0
21 reviews
Dined on August 29, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It was a wonderful send off for Ama La Vita. The service was great…so much water. 😂. We had an amazing meal and finished off with Tricia’s homemade coconut cake. Thanks for all the fantastic meals, amazing service from a great staff and the friendship. Enjoy the next chapter. 😄💕
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F
Frank
Tampa
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on August 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This restaurant was great at all levels. Unfortunately it is closing this week
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B
Bob
VIP
Tampa
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
We were entertaining business clients from the NYC area and I wanted to take them to our favorite dining spot. As usual Tricia and the staff did not disappoint. We each had something different and each meal was wonderful. Our guests couldn't have been more complementary. We will be working on a 2nd home for them as they are relative new-comers to the area. They stated, "we will definitely be back here." My wife and I utilized the "Savor Sarasota" menu and enjoyed the wonder choices in the 3 course dinner. Topped it all off with a couple bottles of wine and it was a great evening. Thanks as always to the staff.
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M
Matthew
Tampa
7 reviews
5.0
7 reviews
Dined on August 17, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This is an excellent restaurant on Main Street downtown.The food is superb service excellent and ambiance comfortable and relaxing.One of our favorite restaurants in Sarasota area.
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J
Justin
New York City
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Our experience at Ama la Vita last night was excellent. The food was fantastic at a good price point. The service was great and the owner was extremely friendly. We both had the cacio e pepe, a dish that's not available at most Italian restaurants. I highly recommend this place of you're looking for great Italian food right in the middle of downtown!
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W
William
VIP
New York City
14 reviews
5.0
14 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was fantastic. The service was top notch. The owner, Tricia, spent some time with us. She is an absolute delight and everything about her is reflected in her restaurant. This is a place, NOT to be missed. Thank you. The Judge.
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L
Louann
Naples
18 reviews
5.0
18 reviews
Dined on August 16, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
Ama La Vita is EXCELLENT, SUPERB, FANTASTIC!! The sauces are so delicious that you’ll want to drink it from your glass. We had sautéd calamari in Fra Diavolo sauce and the calamari was cooked to perfection. The sauce was a delight. You can’t beat the summer special savings menu on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of a 3 course meal for $40. This is definitely on our “go to” restaurant list.
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A
Alan
VIP
Naples
142 reviews
5.0
142 reviews
Dined on August 15, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always an outstanding dining experience at Ama la Vita Ristorante. Food, service and ambiance is superb. Highly recommend this gem in downtown Sarasota.
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K
Kwdiner
Central Coast
80 reviews
5.0
80 reviews
Dined on August 9, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 4
2nd time dining in this intimate restaurant that is very well run by Tricia (who also bakes a fabulous coconut cake!). Artichokes, flounder, chicken cacciatore, etc all were delicious. Do not overlook this very personal place with a quiet presence on Main St
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LC
LeighC
VIP
Orlando
9 reviews
5.0
9 reviews
Dined on August 8, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This was our second visit in two weeks. This experience was just as good as last week. Service was great and the food is excellent. Looking forward to going back again soon.
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FAQs

Ama la Vita Ristorante is rated 4.9 stars by 685 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

1551 Main Street, Sarasota, FL 34236

Additional information

Cross street
Located on Main Street between Lemon Ave and Orange Ave.
Neighborhood
Sarasota
Hours of operation
Brunch Sat 9:00 am–1:00 pm Dinner Mon–Sat 5:00 pm–9:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian, American, Seafood
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Vegan, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://www.amalavitasrq.com/
Phone number
(941) 960-1551
Private party facilities
Ama La Vita Ristorante is available for your special dining experience. Please contact Tricia or Danny for more details.

Ama la Vita Ristorante

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Additional information

Eggplant Parmesan

Cacio e Pepe

Fried Calamari

Antipasta

Eggplant Rollatini

House Salad

Beet Salad

Artichoke Oreganata

Burrata

Caesar au Gratin or Traditional

Clams or PEI Mussels

Arugula Salad

Fried Calamari

Pasta

Cacio e Pepe

Penne Bolognese

Puttanesca

Penne Arugula

Carbonara

Amatriciana

Entrees

Chicken Francaise

Stuffed Pork Chop

Diver Scallops and Jumbo Shrimp

Flounder Francaise

Halibut

Chicken Cacciatore

Flounder Oreganata

Bourbon Pork

Veal Chop

Eggplant Parmesan

Stuffed Pork Chop

Desserts

Desserts

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

How is Ama la Vita Ristorante restaurant rated?

Is Ama la Vita Ristorante currently accepting reservations?

Permanently Closed

Additional information