Solita & Mastino

Haven’t been to this restaurant in several years and boy has it changed! It used to have white tablecloths, background music and an Italian menu. This time it was very plain tables, loud music, more of a bar scene and menu was not very interesting. Expected lasagna, chicken Marsala etc. had a hard time even finding something to choose. Service was good, our waitress was very nice and attentive but she couldn’t save this visit. Will not be going back.

We just completed the pizza 101 class. It was a fun date night experience. The owner is very knowledgeable and passionate about making authentic Neapolitan style pizzas. We arrived early and started with a shrimp and red pepper appetizer with a delicious side sauce. The staff was very friendly and attentive.

Watch out south Florida’s finest scamming on groupons. Double charged. Average food. They are trying to keep this place afloat in hopes and dreams

Talk about an awful experience. We should’ve never showed up. They told us we couldn’t come in the day we made a reservation and took off of work. We went in the next day for them to over charge us and give us gift cards to the restaurant no money back. They charged us for 10 people instead of 5 and we cannot get our money back. We left we are not fighting with management. Bad food bad people. Bad experience. Don’t go!

The pizza and eggplant dishes are super.
Also very good salads. We will def come back!

We absolutely loved this place. We attended the Pizza 101 event; Where you learn the history of Neapolitan pizza. They use a wood fire brick oven imported from Naples, Italy. We were able to try different types. Then we created our own. The ingredients they used were phenomenal. Everything was so Tasteful. We had a great time as well. At the end we had this desert pizza made out of berries and I believe ricotta cheese. We were in heaven with that final touch. Overall great experience.

We enjoyed a celebration dinner using the Dining In the Dark event offered via Groupon.
Loosely modeled on the Swiss Blindekah, this foodie experience remains highly recommended if you maintain an open mind and sense of culinary adventure. Host Miller deftly managed the plate delivery, wine pairing with the 3 course meal affording an occasion both educational and satisfying. I only wish we could write down the recipe names for the arugula salad, ravioli, and surprise beefy snapper dishes that we enjoyed respectively with sauvignon blanc, pinot noir, and chianti.

We were a party of 7 for 7:30. Sat down, no drinks. Waited. Waited. Martini came out first. Just the one. 20 minutes later the wine. OY.
Eggplant stack app was great but that took another 40 minutes to arrive. Dinner came out about an hour later. Chicken parm is very bread’y’ and dry. Had to ask for more sauce on the side. Veal chop is bready too and at $ 32.00 meh.
Too bad.

Definitely 5 stars I am writing this review on the Resturant, mainly regarding my experience at Dining in the Dark.
I have been to this Resturant on two occasions and both were for dining in the dark. The fist time was about two years ago and the this was my first time every experiences dining in the dark. It was a great experience all the food was great and the service was outstanding. They started off with a pre amuse course of Bruschetta which was amazing with one of the best balsamic glazes I have had beside my own pomegranate balsamic glaze. Then it was followed by a three course meal of mystery of sorts and a discussion about what we were eating and ingredients we tasted.
The room was totally dark one the first course was served. Because the exit sign could not be covered they gave us blindfolds which for me further enhanced the experience. The crowd was larger about 12 couples but the second dining in the dark was in another smaller room very intimate with three couples which was also an awesome experience. I highly recommend dining in the dark at this establishment. Also looking forward to having dinner there.

Terrible food– chef deserves less than 1 star …
This was our second time buying groupon for Dark room experience. Let me start off that about a year ago we tried this & had a reserved room with 15 – 20 people. We were a group of 4 adults & had a fabulous time the first time. This occasion we had the worst experience– not worth it at all. The service was mediocre — the private room is now a shared table of 8 people — we were 4 adults & 2 other couples we didnt know– when you are paying $ 30 per person that is ridiculous. Now the food the 1 st course — a generic salad– something i can buy at publix– ranch dressing tomatoes, onion & romaine lettuce– seriously??? Then 2 nd course — ravioli with cheese– it was saturated in butter– totally gross & had some sage & lemon. Final course — was ANOTHER PASTA– rigatoni with chicken, sundried tomatoes & alfredo sauce. Really? This is suppose to be a dining experience & all 8 of us came out saying it was crap! Dont waist your money– go to Salt across street they have spectacular food & wine. I will not return & doubt this place will last.

This review is strictly for dining in the dark. A group of 8 of us purchased a Groupon special. It was restricted to Tues-​Thurs night but there was a scheduling error on their part and they graciously agreed to let us re-​book on a Friday evening.
The room for DITD was right off the bar area. Since our reservations were for 7 pm on a Friday night the noise level was way too high. It was difficult to carry on a conversation with someone not either next to you or directly across. The other draw back is that the room was not pitch black like the other DITD place in Ft Lauderdale that I reviewed a couple of years ago. As a result we had to wear annoying blindfolds.
Wine does not come with the Groupon so we each ordered the $ 15 flight for the three courses. Ended up being one white and two reds none of which were memorable and the pours were stingy.
You had your choice of eating with or without silverware. Since the first course was salad we all opted to go with the hands. None of us could guess that we were eating chopped raw Brussels sprouts salad with walnuts, red onion, and Romano cheese in a light olive oil and lemon dressing. All guessed either kale or cabbage. It was really, really delicious.
Next course was a ravioli course which had a meat based sauce. The 3 in our group who do not eat meat were given a meatless option. Ate with a fork because too hot to eat with hands. Delicious.
The third course was also a pasta course. Orecchiette with a veal, pork and beef sauce. Really good but many were disappointed to have two pasta courses in a row. Carb overload. Believe the non meat eaters had a mushroom sauce.
As for the desert, it was not included. Tiramisu is supposedly one of there best deserts but we were told they were out. Shared a platter of what amounted to fried dough drizzled with Nutella and powdered sugar. Not one of my favorite things.
Our server Grace was terrific as was the gentlemen who greeted us and walked us out as we left.
Wow, time flies… my 400^th review!

Finally tonight we made our way over to Mastino and I’m happy we did. This little gem is the high end Italian style food we’ve been looking for.
The place was a little dead, but hey, it’s summer in Florida so that is par for the course. Bartender Eric was double tasked with waiting on us at the bar and hosting the Dining in the Dark. Because they were slow I feel like they could have helped him a little more to keep up with everything.
We started with the Brussels Sprout salad, which was delicious. Tangy and crunchy, and most importantly, not overdressed. Outstanding.
I had the Chicken stack and my husband had the Chicken under a Brick. Both were super flavorful, perfectly seasoned and came out hot and fresh.
We will definitely be back to try the pizza!

I went for dining in the dark. You need to make reservations. They currently offer –it Tues-​Thurs 6pm or 8pm seating. It is in a small room that is darkened but you can still see once your eyes adjust. They gave us face masks to wear. In the future they will offer it in a blackout room where the staff will wear night vision goggles and you can’t cheat and see your food.
Bruschetta when you sit down followed by:
1^st course: spinach, red onion, and vinegrette
2^nd course: fried eggplant stack with layer of mozzarella and tomato
3^rd course: baked chicken, capers, olives, olive oil sauce, roasted garlic and tomatoes
Dessert is exctra… we had a chocolate mouse that was delicious.
While you are eating each course they will ask you what you think you are eating. It is fun to see how your senses change when you can’t see what you are eating. I ate most of my meal with my hands which helped to decipher what was stuff by touch.
The food is EXCELLENT and portions are large. the staff is great also. The only reason for the 4 stars and not 5 is that it is not a completely blacked out room. I will be back!

SoLita has great food, and offers gluten free options which is a hit as my sister is intolerant. The ambience is just off and our server was really odd. He actually came to the table and told us how tired he was and seemed really spaced out, offering too much outside conversation.
Anyway, I would recommend the lobster raviolis because they are delicious and the gnocchi was good as well.

Mastino by Solita has a great atmosphere, the staff is extremely friendly. I recommend trying the pizza; the crust was crispy and the toppings were high quality.

I wasn’t a big fan of this restaurants food however the customer service, live band and atmosphere was great!
I ordered the meatball sliders, this was delicious.
My cousin ordered the shrimp and calamari but this dish did not meet my standards. I had to send it back. I’m used to calamari bring crispy. I guess they fry it and then mix it in a sauce which takes away from the crispness.
The Brooklyn pizza was OK but nothing to order again.
I give this place 2 stars for food but 4 stars for their customer service, décor, and atmosphere.

Great happy hour. Amazing food. Relaxed atmosphere and cheerful and attentive servers. If you want a real Neapolitan pizza this is your place!

I had a wonderful time. I came here on date night and took the pizza academy class. They treated us amazing. Salvotore (sp) taught us the history of pizza before we got to make our own. We had a great group and great teacher. It came with a good glass of wine. He was very patient with us. Great customer service. Well worth it. The entire staff was amazing. Ambiance was great. 5 stars. Thanks for making our night,

Friday night… And we have walked by this place a million and one times. It’s just off the Ave, tucked away in a corner. When you walk in the front door you have a choice of SoLita or Mastino restaurant.
We were drawn here by a Unilocal event but arrived at the end to see the student band pack up.
We saw another band setting up do we decided to stay. Ordered a mozzarella cheese dish (yum) and a handmade pizza. So many pizzas it was hard to choose. The food and as about 3 – 5 stars But 5 stars go to the UNBELIEVABLE Band.
Truly worthy of the price of a drink, an appetizer and a pizza.

My boyfriend and I swung by Mastino as we wanted to try a new restaurant for «date night.» We had heard about Mastino from a few friends, and we were SOOOO very surprised at how wonderful the food was.
The appetizers were out of this world. We had the chicken parmesan and the meatballs. Both were absolutely amazing. In addition to the appetizers, we had to get pizza, which was to die for. I don’t think I stopped thinking about it since we ate it a few weeks ago. We ended the night with the dessert pizza. It was a nutella and mascarpone with powdered sugar, and it was just the perfect way to wrap up the meal.
Since eating there, we have suggested the restaurant to a ton of friends and family, and we have heard nothing but good things from those who have tried it. We can’t wait to go back. The atmosphere was lovely, and it was a perfect date night for us!