IL Ritorno

Beautiful meal and (not so) hidden gem in St Pete! This modern Italian restaurant (with some Asian fusion) is absolutely delicious!We've heard great things but never got to try this place out. It is in a very unassuming spot but is very upscale once you step foot inside. We were told the chef owns a butcher shop next door and pastas were made in house. So we were expecting some amazing dishes!To start we had the tuna belly tartare and the smoked meatballs - surprisingly we were more blown away by the tuna belly with hints of beet puree. The meatballs were good but need more sauce. Both our pasta dishes were superb. Loved the duck tortellini, the sauce was deep in flavor and duck was moist! The Taleggio agnolottis were delicious and sprinkled with crispy lamb belly!For dessert we got a yuzu orange sorbet which was refreshing and could have been a palate cleanser with each course! The apple tarte was amazing - fall in every bite and perfect amount of saltiness from the miso.What a gem! Highly recommend this place to anyone who loves Italian

An absolutely fantastic dining experience. It's hard to pick my favorite part because everything was perfect. From the taste and presentation of the food, down to the service and crumbing of the tables, every detail, was spot on. Our server, Alyssa, was 5 star as well and made the night extra special! I highly recommend this spot.

We were very pleased with the chef tasting all the way around. The establishment is just the perfect size to wear they can be busy without being overwhelmed. Loved the look and feel of the place. The staff was amazing and super welcoming. We will be back to try the regular menu for sure. Highly recommend.

Absolutely delicious!!! Every dish has such complex and delicious flavors. The service was impeccable and ambiance was romantic and cozy. Highly recommend.

Il Ritorno - Downtown St. PeteTonight, I decided to indulge in a craving for a delightful Italian dinner, and Il Ritorno in Downtown St. Pete was the perfect spot. This was my first visit, and I was pleasantly surprised by the entire experience. The atmosphere was intimate, the service was exceptional, and the food was some of the best Italian I've had in a long time.We started with the Cheese and Charcuterie Board - a Chef's Selection with crafted accompaniments that set the tone for the meal. The flavors were well-curated, making for an excellent beginning.For drinks, I enjoyed a Negroni Boulevard - made with Barr Hill Tom Cat Gin, Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth, Barolo Chinato, Campari, and bitters aged in-house. This was followed by an Il Ritorno Old Fashioned - featuring Whistlepig Piggyback Bourbon, Demerara Sugar, Angostura and Orange Bitters, with a hint of salt and smoke. Both were expertly crafted and complemented the meal perfectly.For my entrée, I chose the Pork Campanelle - fresh house-made pasta cooked to perfection. The Italian sausage had great spice and a touch of heat, the crispy pig ears added a satisfying texture, and the lime provided just the right amount of acidity. It was a beautifully balanced dish.To cap off the meal, I enjoyed an Affogato - Vanilla Gelato with a Chocolate Dome Espresso. Paired with an Amaro Montenegro, it was the perfect way to end the evening.Il Ritorno has earned a spot on my list of favorite dining spots, and I highly recommend adding it to your date night rotation. I'll definitely back.

First time trying this gem & my goodness I was impressed with their food & service! The parking was street parking, you'll have to pay the meter. Inside, it's very quaint & intimate. I don't think I'd bring small kids IMO. We had the mussels & the burrata to start off with. The table bread is addictive. Our meals consisted of The Raviolo, and two other dishes which I cannot name but don't let that define their amazing taste.l profile! Our server Shay was a doll. She knew her menu, made great recommendations & was so sweet! The only reason I didn't give the restaurant 5 stars is because the plates are a bit small for the price, and bc 5 stars is where they should aim to be 10/10 recommend for your next dinner adventure

I liked this place just didn't love it. I felt like the tables were a little close but I understand it's a small place. Food was overall really good & could see myself going back!

Il RitornoDuring our recent visit to St. Petersburg, we had two dinners at Il Ritorno. Our first dinner was a test of the restaurant and the second dinner was with our large group in their private dining room. The service was prompt and the menu is typically Italian. We had a variety of starters and main courses. Everyone was extremely pleased with all our dishes. I had the octopus as a starter and the angel hair pasta with caviar. Both were amazing. Feedback from all my colleagues was excellent. The restaurant has an extensive wine list with domestic and old-world options. Kat was our server both nights. She was excellent. Overall, highly recommended.

I've wanted to try Il Ritorno for a couple of years now, and I finally got to try it the other night for a date night. I heard of Il Ritorno because I saw the chef had beat Bobby Flay, so I knew the food had to be good. Il Ritorno is quaintly located in Downtown St. Pete. It is simply decorated on the inside with a view of the kitchen. Our server was very attentive and polite. For an appetizer, we tried the 'Frutti Di Mare' which was a raw scallop tartare, rock shrimp, Manila clams, Avocado charred tomatillo, and clam brodetto. It had so much flavor in it. We could've eaten a whole bowl of it. It was perfectly flavorful, light, and refreshing. I highly recommend this appetizer. For my entree I had to try the infamous 'Short Rib Mezzaluna' which is paired with truffle fonduta, concentrated tomatoes, piave, and chives. I can see why the chef beat Bobby Flay with this dish. It was so delicious. The truffle wasn't over powering and paired nicely with the dish. I really enjoyed the tomato sauce. Their pasta is made fresh and it made the dish even more delicious. My fiancé tried their 'Lobster Tortellini' which came with black trumpet mushrooms, sea beans, asparagus, and lobster brodetto. The lobster was perfectly stuffed inside the pasta and was beautifully presented. My fiancé really enjoyed his dish. For dessert, we tried one of their newest desserts it was a guava cake paired with chili, mango, lime sauce. It was so interesting and had a whole world of flavor going on. It's definitely worth trying. It was plenty to share for two people!We really enjoyed our dinner here. If we lived in St. Pete, I'd definitely want to come back again.

TL; DR version: an absolute gem of a restaurant, delivering creative & delicious food and exquisite service.Longer version:You will love this place. If it's your first time, DO THE TASTING MENU. We did, and it was spectacular. Sat at the bar and Chandler was terrific. Joe, manager, went out of his way to make it a special night. I'm still dreaming of the agnolotti. The A-5 Wagyu and accoutrements were just perfect. This was such an amazing experience. Starters, main, desserts, beverages, service, vibe...you cannot do better than this in St. Petersburg!