PLEASE NOTE THAT THE GOOGLE DESCRIPTION ABOVE IS COMPLETELY INCORRECT!
Small chef-owned ristorante featuring quiet adult dining, in house laminated pasta production and baking, fresh local fish, northern shellfish, veal scaloppine and chops, beef steak, and an extensive Italian wine cellar. Reservations are required. Babies, toddlers, and young children are not welcome and will not be seated. Strong personal scents are prohibited. If you are interested in a relaxed, quiet table for the evening, with food and service provided by adults, we welcome you.
Warm, relaxed restaurant & wine bar featuring modern Italian cuisine & family-style meals.
Magnus Ponson
Food was spectacular with great ambiance; however, some of the worst service we have experienced at a fine dining establishment. Waiter came to our table 3 times over the course of a 2 hour meal. Other waiters seem to be very attentive but ours acted like we didnt even exist, often walking right by us without acknowledging empty plates, waters, and wine(30-45min without service). We went the day before valentines at 5oclock to avoid any issues like this due to a rush and yet this may have been worse. Disappointing as the food was top tier.
… moreKent D. Edmunds
Absolutely Amazing Restaurant!! Quiet, Relaxing, Fabulous Food and Service! Yes, they have rules! I wish more upscale restaurants did. The rules are there to create the atmosphere that they have, and it’s perfect! We return frequently to enjoy a lovely dinner together. When we have the kids and grandkids (whom we love to go out with) we go to a place that is more designed for the chaos that brings!
… moreTrevor Autry
This was supposed to be a special dinner celebrating Valentine’s Day and it ended up being one of the worst dining experiences I’ve had.
We were seated at 7:45 PM. Our wine didn’t arrive until 8:15 PM, and only then were we able to place our order. After that, our server disappeared. No check-ins, no updates, no attentiveness whatsoever.
By 9:30 PM, another server an older gentleman stepped in, boxed our food, brought the check, and cashed us out. He was the only staff member who showed professionalism that evening. We had to ask for bread while watching other tables receive it automatically. The woman refilling water never smiled and came across as visibly irritated, which added to an already uncomfortable atmosphere.
The food itself was mediocre and not worth the nearly $200 bill.
What made it worse was the overall feeling of being unwelcome. As a same-sex couple celebrating a romantic occasion, the energy toward us felt noticeably colder compared to other tables. This did not feel hospitable which is deeply disappointing. As someone who values authentic Italian hospitality warmth, family, and making guests feel cared for this experience felt like the complete opposite.
Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this restaurant.
… moreRonnie Bowen
Very unusual ambience. On outside, just a building with no name on it and entrance thru the parking lot. Inside, an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere with subdued formality – more homey than restauranty.
Cannot say enough about the very personalized service!
They offer one fish per day, with a choice of about 10 preparations. Also, many veal, chicken (and maybe meat) and pasta dishes. No problem to tweak a dish – very accommodating chef.
Salad is included with the meal and the wine list is extensive ( I believe they are all from Italy).
There’s a $32 split fee, you should note.
Very nice (and different) experience.
… moreAinsley Freshour
So, the food is great! We knew the owner’s personality quirk before we went and didn’t have a problem with it. The reason we choose 4 stars instead of 5 is because of the overall experience and expense. The portions are gargantuan. Neither my husband nor myself can eat that much. But, we were required to order two entrees or pay a $28 surcharge. So, we started with carpaccio, which was fantastic! We moved on to the Trenette with Shrimp and Scallops which was dynamite! We dismissed the salads and bread, as we were already running out of stomach space. Then, we moved onto the Veal Brascaiola, which was tender and flavorful. We finished with Chocolate Mousse which was light and perfect. The kitchen split everything in the back for us which was really nice. We ended up taking 3/4 of everything home, which is never as good as if it was fresh. Our bill was about $250 with a $55 bottle of wine. I would rather come back several times to try the different dishes as opposed to being forced to order two entrees simultaneously. For this reason, we probably won’t return. Have difficulty paying for food we can’t eat; kinda dampens the otherwise great dining experience.
… moreAlana Hassan
We dined at La Cena on a Friday evening and were beyond impressed. From the sophisticated ambiance to the expertly curated international wine list, every detail was thoughtfully executed. The fresh bread was irresistible, the pasta absolutely decadent, and the experience unforgettable from start to finish.
Meeting the owner while enjoying our bread pudding dessert was truly the icing on the cake; a genuine culinary genius with meticulous attention to detail. The craft and precision behind each dish did not go unnoticed. We can’t wait to dine here again.
… moreDavid Debs
Extraordinary food. The dining room is a rare example of brilliantly executed simplicity. And- OMG the food is wonderful. Be prepared for a nuisanced overtone of strong suggestion by the staff of what the experience should be……..accept this and enjoy an amazing evening.
… moreAmity Shroads
We enjoyed one of the better meals we’ve had in a long time tonight at La Cena in Murray Hill. Given that Jacksonville’s food scene doesn’t always leave a lasting impression on me, finding a gem like this is nice. We had a great experience, and the dishes were well-executed.
We started with beef carpaccio as an appetizer. I’ve tasted carpaccio across the globe, but this one stood out as one of the better ones I’ve had. For our mains, my husband went for the veal scaloppine parmigiana, while I indulged in the trenette alla Juilianna which came with shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes in a light creamy sauce. Both dishes were delicious, with the pasta made from scratch in-house.
They also served us crusty bread with salted butter which was lovely. The shrimp in my pasta was perfectly cooked, and the sauce was excellent – rich but not too heavy. Our meals came with salads; I had a Caesar that was perfectly good but nothing memorable. My husband chose the house salad with a lovely vinaigrette which I would opt for next time. Although I ordered a small pasta, the portions were generous, and we were too full to even think about dessert.
All in all, I’d rate La Cena a solid 90/100 for the Jacksonville dining scene. It’s a place worth remembering and definitely worth a return visit!
… moreFlo Duford
A couple of years ago, I would have described this restaurant as average. Whether it was an off night, my particular order, or perhaps my own overly critical expectations as someone born and raised around authentic Italian cuisine, it simply didn’t leave a lasting impression at the time. Tonight’s visit, years later, completely redeemed this place. From the moment we arrived, the ambiance set the tone: romantic, quiet, and unhurried. We spent a full three hours dining, exactly as Italian meals are meant to be enjoyed, making it the perfect setting for a New Year’s celebration. As tradition calls, I ordered everything fish-based, and every course exceeded expectations. We began with the Posillipo sautéed fresh mussels antipasto, which truly blew me away, from the depth of the sauce to the plump, meaty mussels. I followed with linguine with fresh clam sauce, and oh my, beautifully balanced, fresh, and comforting. For my entrée, I chose the Grenobloise, a lightly battered fish finished with a delicate lemon cream and capers that was both elegant and satisfying. My husband enjoyed his selections just as much. He started with Penne alla De Santos, featuring tender strips of beef loin, eggplant, and a pleasantly spicy tomato sauce, followed by chicken bolognese with prosciutto and cheese, rich and full of flavor. To close the evening, a double shot of espresso provided the perfect finish. The staff provided seamless service throughout the evening, attentive to every detail while allowing the meal to unfold at a comfortable, unhurried pace, exactly what a dining experience like this deserves. This visit was a reminder that restaurants, like people, can evolve, and that sometimes a second chance is well worth taking. What was once average for me is now a place I would gladly return to for a special, slow, thoughtfully prepared Italian meal. The only disappointing part is that we were too full from the generously portioned entrees to try any dessert! We look forward to visiting again. Have a great and blessed New Year everyone!!!
… moreJulianna O’Hara
I was born and raised in Jacksonville. Italian friends from New Jersey insisted upon visiting this restaurant. It was magnificent! Many things were foreign to me on the menu. The owner was so informative and I love the eccentric style. No children! No perfume! We had leftovers galore I tasted a lot of new things for me and it was all delicious
… more