Restaurant Reivew
Taste of Italy
Despite the less-than-stellar location, Taste of Italy is actually a decent local Italian establishment. For anyone craving some delicious Italian food, you will not find a better option in the Gatlinburg region. As an added plus, this restaurant is tucked away in a little Strip mall, far away from the tourist mobs.
Food
At Taste of Italy, you will find all your favorite Italian dishes. Start with the toasted ravioli- these are absolutely worth the price and calories! By far the best part of the meal!
As far as entrees go, the Baked Ziti and Fettuccine Alfredo were both excellent filling choices. The owners are transplants from New York, so you know the food is authentic. It's rare to find an East coast style Italian place in this region, so Taste of Italy truly is a hidden gem.
Specialties to try include Taste of Italy (Chicken Parmesan, homemade lasagna, manicotti, and pasta), Blackened Salmon Alfredo, Baked Spaghetti, or Vegetable Ravioli. There really is a nice diversity of entrees, with options for everyone, from the seafood lover to the vegetarian.
Although the menu is a bit overpriced for the area, each entree does come with a side salad and garlic knots. Plus, the servings are quite large. Likely, you will have a nice leftover to bring back to the hotel to snack on later.
Service
Service was just okay, more on the casual side. Better presentation and a more professional waitstaff would improve the ambiance a bit. One would expect better service based on the exorbitant menu pricing.
Atmosphere
The setting here is really casual, perhaps a bit too casual for the prices they are charging. Unfortunately, there is not much in the way of decor, the room is a bit too dark, and the space is a bit cramped. Nevertheless, it's a nice quiet place to enjoy a comforting meal after a long day exploring Gatlinburg.
Final Remarks
Taste of Italy is the best Italian food you will find in the Gatlinburg region. If you are craving a hearty, comforting Italian meal, this is definitely the best local Italian place in the area to check out.
