Matteo's
Written by Scott Joseph 

Matteo’s, a family style Italian restaurant out of New York, has opened on International Drive. The Orlando restaurant is the 10th for the small organization and the fourth in Florida (there are also restaurants in Boca Raton, Hallandale and Jupiter). The “family style” designation means that the food is brought to the table on platters to pass around rather than already plated. In terms of the portions, this might be called army style because your could probably feed a platoon with one order.

But it’s more than just ample portions, most of the food I sampled on a recent visit was quite good. My guest and I started with the warm mozzarella, made on the premises to order, hence the still-warm nature. It was milky white and had a perfectly creamy texture. Mozzarella, of course, has very little flavor of its own, so the accompaniments of shredded basil, a little cracked pepper and roasted red pepper were almost as important and added just the right flavor notes.

Baked clams Luciano, so called for the Luciano sauce of plum tomatoes, white wine and garlic, were OK, though not something I think I’d order again, not with so many other appealing choices. I even liked the Gabriela salad more, mesclun lettuces, tossed tableside, with candied walnuts, dried cranberries and goat cheese with just a touch of raspberry vinaigrette.

For a pasta course we sampled the ricotta stuffed rigatoni a la Chris, which featured a sauce, named for Chris, of course, of veal sausage, removed from the casing, simmered in a pulpy marinara. I don’t know who Chris is, but I love his or her sauce.

The veal chop Voldostano was an impressive 15-ouncer, bone-in, pounded thin so that it resembled a large paddle. It was breaded and fried, then topped with prosciutto and melted mozzarella, finished with a marsala wine sauce with mushrooms. The quality of the chop was first-rate, but the breading had a bit too much saltiness, which was probably exacerbated by the prosciutto.

My friend loved her sea bass Luciano. Yes, it’s the same Luciano from the clams dish. This time the sauce was just right. The beautiful thick fillet was sauteed in the sauce and served atop a bed of spinach with more than a little garlic in it.

For dessert I loved the ricotta cheesecake, about a good a version as I’ve had. The tiramisu and cannoli were also good, but the whip cream Napoleon cake, which seemed to be essentially all whipped cream, as promised, was like a big bite of nothing.

All the desserts are made on the premises, by the way, just as are the sauces and many of the other ingredients, which are assembled and cooked to order. This is definitely not a pre-made, pre-packaged sort of restaurant.

Service could have been a bit more polished. Every one seemed capable enough and friendly, but they couldn’t manage to address us in any way other than “you guys.” Tables are covered with nice white cloths, but the placement of television screens throughout the restaurant keeps it from being upscale. Matteo’s occupies a space that has been home to a couple of Brazilian churrascarias that made use of a rather permanent salad bar in the center of the room. Matteo’s has turned it into a dessert display station, which I suppose is the next best thing to having it removed.

I worry that Matteo’s portion sizes will scare some people off. Most items are available in full or half portions, but even the half size serves two to three people. At prices ranging from $15-$20 for half portions and $22-$30 for full, we’re not talking about over-priced food. In fact, it could be viewed as a bargain. But only if you’re in a position to take the leftovers home with you. Maybe it’s just me, but I hate to waste food. And I hate to overeat even more. It would be nice to have a single portion option.

Locals, of course, have the luxury of taking the food home and enjoying it for another meal. Or two. But locals might be more frightened by the International Drive locale. Don’t be. It’s just a couple of blocks from the Kirkman Road intersection, so it’s an easy off and back on to I-4.

 

Great Place
by Tom
November 03, 2008 - Likes it
I have been there twice now. A buddy of mine lives on Hollywood beach. We are both from the Northeast and would recommend Matteo's to anyone who likes great italian food, in a great atmosphere, at very affordable prices. Will be there again next wednesday. Looking forward to it.

A Touch of Little Italy
by Migs
April 16, 2010 - Likes it
It helps that the chef is from Siciliy. It helps the owners are from the boot. Most of all, the food is amazing, best Italian food I have had in Florida. The service is outstanding, the portions are very big, especially if you order family style. A classy restaurant, for any occasion and their chain is known to have celebrities stop by which is nice to see. What I enjoyed most, being I am a baseball fan I was able to watch the Yankees and Red Sox game while I dined at this fabulous establishment. If you want to go to a classy place, garage valet parking, great food, great atmosphere, and excellent italian food, this is the place to be!

I went to Matteo's tonight for dinner with my family. I have been to two of the their locations in the past and loved it.  I was a huge skeptic since this location was on I-drive in the tourist capital of the world but it well surpassed my expectations. It was as good as the other locations i have been to in the past.....food, service and atmosphere were as good as the others.

Calamari, antipasta and paste with meatballs and sausage were off the chart!!!!

Love this place and will be back since it is around the corner of my parents house.

Great job recreating the really deal in NY.

	My favorite Family Style Italian Restaurant by Marc Steinberg November 30, 2010 - Likes it Born and raised in New York my wife and I were excited to find out that Matteos from New York finally opened up right in our own town. The location is about 15 minutes from our house in Winter Park and I will drive hours for REAL Italian family style food. Some off the staff recognized us from all the years we used to go to the Roslyn location before we became snow birds. The food is amazing we ordered all our Old favorites like Spidini, the Clams Calamari, Chopped Salad their were 6 of us and the pasta with Veal Valdostano was amazing. Wish them all the best! We will be back!!! 1 person recommends this review
	Bianca by Bianca December 02, 2010 - Likes it Wow! was recommended by the hotel, they were right ! Fabulous food , big portions ! best baked clams I ever had ! The staff is fantastic , very attentive! we had a great evening , we will be back!!! 1 person recommends this review
	Mobile review by Disneyland Biker November 29, 2010 - Likes it Great food, outstanding staff! We were visiting the area and read the above reviews so we decided to try it. Kris our server was outstanding in his service and meal suggestions. Craig, the manager, sat at our table for a short visit to tell us how they got started and to check up on the food and service. The entire staff made us feel welcome and important. Great atmosphere. You must try the "burned" green beans, you will not be sorry. 1 person recommends this review
	Penne Alla Vodka with Prosciutto by Adrienne December 18, 2010 - Likes it Vodka sauce and prosciutto, what else do you need in life.
	Mobile review by David December 19, 2010 - Likes it Beautiful. Just beautiful. After a rough day of pre-Christmas shopping this restaurant was just amazing. An island of calm. The food was fantastic. The atmosphere was elegant. I can't recommend this place enough.
	Matteo's by Bob December 25, 2010 - Really likes it This is the BEST Italian food I ever had in my 58 years of exsistence. The service is excellent. We started out with Antipasto and Baked Clams. Both were delicious. Our main course was a large order of Chicken Marsala and their special pasta dish both were out of this world. It was so much food we could not finish. We took it home to the kids. For desert my wife had their Italian Cheesecake which she said was better than her Sicilian Grandmother's homemade one. I had the cannoli which was fantastic. The BEST meal we ever had in Orlando in 27 years of being here.
	Mobile review by lisa December 31, 2010 - Likes it BETTER THAN CARMINES!!! I am a New Yorker and I know great Italian food. The service & food AMAZING! U have to get the napolitan for dessert A Perfect Evening by Orlando Resident November 19, 2010 - Likes it We just happened to drive by Matteo's on I-Drive, and decided to give it a try. Everything was amazing! The staff were all really on point. Our server, Nathalia did a great job and was very personable. We were especially grateful to Craig, who spent so much time caring for us; he walked us through the menu, made sure we enjoyed everything we had, even helped us put together a custom chicken & pasta dish (with this unbelievable sauce...can't remember the name now, but it started with an "L"...), and personally served our antipasto table-side. We were assisted by probably a dozen other employees, as well, each of whom made sure that every need was anticipated and tended to before we even realized we needed anything, all with smiles on their faces. Several managers came by to chat with us, and were so genuinely hospitable and appreciative of our business. As an unexpected personal touch, I was given a complimentary 20-year port that was the most superb I've ever tried. The food was outstanding, the prices very reasonable, but it was the service that stood out above all else. We've never before felt so warmly welcomed and comfortable. We will DEFINITELY be back!   MyCityEats & Entertainment Matteo’s Restaurant January 14, 2011 You say to-may-toes, I say to-mah-toes. You say po-tay-toes, I say po-tah-toes. You say an exquisite dining experience & amazing Italian menu, I say Matteo’s -- Matteo’s Family Style Italian Restaurant. Matteo’s Italian Restaurant is a household name in New York, Connecticut and Florida. It’s also a household name for anyone who’s visited these areas and frequented the famous home of the ultimate Italian comfort foods. When you can’t go to Italy, don’t fret, don’t stew. Italy comes to you… in the form of Matteo’s.