Venny's Italian Restaurant

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skipjaxn

Joined 6 years ago

Average food, poor service, kitchen didn't know thier menu. My wife and I went to what WAS our favorite Italian restaurant for my birthday. We were met with a remodeled venue, which was very nice in comparison to the old Vennies. Unfortunately, the food and service were also remodeled and wasn't done as well as the venue. My wife's lamb came out on time but was cooked irratically: some sections were rare while others were well done. My stomboli came out much later (my wife was almost done with her meal) and was the wrong menu item. A pizza was delivered instead of a stromboli yet the waiter insisted that he checked with the chef twice and confirm that it was a stomboli. Only after insisting that he take it back did he confirm that indeed it was not correct. Another 25 minutes and the stromboli arrived. I was a bit disappointed as I was expecting the usual excellent food that Vennie's had come to be known for. It was only average. My glass of wine was compensated for the mistake as well as the desert (it was my birthday). But never once was our water glasses refilled during our entire visit. To top it all off, we waited another 15 minutes to get take-out boxes and the check. The manager was also walking around checking on the service but seemed to avoid our table.

I don't recommend the restaurant any longer. You can get the same food with better service just about anywhere else in Jacksonville.

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Contributor

Joined 10 years ago

Editorial Review. Characterized by homemade Italian and romantic ambiance, regulars would rather this easy-to-miss eatery stay a secret.

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austough

Joined 10 years ago

Venny's. My husband and I had our rehearsal dinner here (we had a very small wedding party and their banquet room was the perfect size for us). The staff did such a great job of accommodating everyone's special orders, and the service was perfect. They even picked up a cake we ordered from a nearby bakery and served it to everyone with no extra charge. I'd recommend them for any small (about 20 people) group function. We've also been back there several times since - the atmosphere is so romantic, and the food is always great.

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ktothefra

Joined 11 years ago

The best garlic bread- EVER. I have always loved the food at Venny's. It's one of those little "hole in the wall" type places that you have to know where it is or you wouldn't even know it's there. Nice to eat outside if it's not too hot, nice atmosphere inside. Beware, if you only have an hour for lunch- they aren't exactly the quickest in the lot!! The garlic bread is awesome and they aren't stingy with it, either. VERY good ziti and calzones.

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cami1976

Joined 11 years ago

Starlight Venny. Venny is a wonderful romantic restaurant. You can sit out side and there are lights in trees. The make the stars look so bright. You can see the glare of lights in your lover's eyes. In side the lights are low the candle is glowing on the table some of the staff can speak Italian so romantic. Plus the prices are not bad and food wonderful.

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mp_lynch

Joined 11 years ago

It's a 10. Italian food in the south doesn't seem to compare with the north. However, Venny's is VERY close. Excellent dishes, large portions, nice atmosphere, and reasonable prices.

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vtsen

Joined 11 years ago

Overdone and overrated. By no means was this a 10. The pasta was overcooked, the "supreme" dishes (i.e. chicken supreme, shrimp supreme, etc) were drenched in cheese (probably to cover up the lack of flavor otherwise), all breaded and fried dishes were over breaded and overfried. Even the "Italian" salad dressing was gross - thick, gloppy, etc. The only thing worth eating was the garlic bread which was delicious (fresh garlic spread on bread, perfect amount of butter and seasonings, heated through the perfect amount).