Osteria Celli - Fort Myers

Let me just say, when we dine at a nice restaurant, we don’t want to feel rushed. We expect a relaxing evening, not a fast-food experience. Our appetizers came out quickly—fegatini that were to die for, possibly the best we've ever had, served on four pieces of toasted Italian bread with a whipped texture and anchovies. The calamari was superb as well; I initially thought it would be fried, but I was pleasantly surprised to find it grilled. For the main course, I had the mushroom ravioli with sage sauce, which was delightful, while the pasta Bolognese was excellent. The eggplant was drenched in cheese, and the veal cutlet was quite salty and also overloaded with cheese. Nevertheless, we all enjoyed our meals. However, before we had finished, another server abruptly came to clear our table, and one of us hadn't even finished eating. To make matters worse, they began boxing up the remaining food and placed the boxes directly on the table. I had to intervene and ask her not to do that. To the owner: you have a lovely restaurant with a great menu, but without proper service, the entire experience suffers. Please focus on training your waitstaff. This isn’t a critique of them individually—it’s a management issue. Dining out should be a holistic experience. We all felt hurried and were being pushed out the door, which ultimately spoiled our enjoyable evening.

I ordered the Sea Bass, and it was fantastic. The flavors were excellent, and the portion size was generous. It was nicely crusted with tomatoes, accompanied by artichokes and olives. My wife had the pan-seared scallops, which were also very good, but the Sea Bass was the star of the evening.

The best Italian food I've ever had! I was in New York, and this place stands out as the best! We really enjoyed the friendly atmosphere. The variety of dishes is fantastic, including the desserts and wine. Every meal was delightful. I can't highlight one person because everyone was exceptional. Marco and the staff are truly outstanding. I highly recommend you check it out!

Honestly, this is some of the best Italian food I’ve ever had, and without a doubt the best in Southwest Florida! The ingredients are fresh and high-quality, the recipes are authentically Italian, and the food is prepared with a passion that sets it apart from other Italian restaurants we've tried in the region. The service is efficient, friendly, and well-organized, which speaks volumes about Marco beyond just its amazing kitchen. The selection of Italian wines here is hard to come by elsewhere, and even if I don’t dine here, I’d be tempted to move in just for the Ribolla Giallo or Arneis! Osteria Celli is a must-visit if you’re in the area, especially if you care about authentic Italian cuisine!

Chef Marco is truly one of the top chefs in Southwest Florida. He personally prepares each dish and updates his menu every week. He even takes the time to come and greet diners to ensure they enjoyed their meal. If you appreciate exceptional Italian cuisine, this is a must-try restaurant. Visit his establishment; you won't be disappointed!