Bar Italia brings upscale Italian cuisine to Lakewood Ranch

Lakewood Farm

Foodies and others looking for a night out with good food and great service will soon have a new place to visit.

Bar Italia, scheduled to open Monday, July 15 at 6588 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point development, appears to be meeting all of the expectations of restaurant group NCR Ventures.

Those features include a beautiful, new building near other popular restaurants (Owens Fish Camp and Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse), a staff trained for the opening, a proven model and a proven menu.

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And the location. It’s right on the border of Manatee-Sarasota County.

“Whether you’re engaged, celebrating with friends or just looking for a dinner date without all the back and forth about ‘where should we go?’ you’ll find a comfortable seat and fresh, simple, well-prepared food at one of our establishments,” according to the NCR Ventures webpage.

The Bar Italia webpage was activated before the opening of the Lakewood Ranch restaurant.

New Italian Restaurant in Lakewood Ranch

“The menu pays homage to the essence of New York City’s great Italian-American restaurants, where delicious, exceptionally well-prepared food is served in a setting that is at once elegant, comfortable and unpretentious. Signature dishes like Classic Chicken Parmesan, Bucatini Bolognese and Spicy Vodka Rigatoni are taken to a new level,” Bar Italia’s webpage reads.

In addition to the menu, Bar Italia offers a fantastic happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, indoor and outdoor seating for about 240 people, four private rooms for special events, and 50% off bottles of wine on Thursday nights, according to Tim Davin, NCR Ventures’ chief operating officer.

“We want to be good neighbors,” Davin said, referring to the other restaurants in Center Point.

Bar Italia restaurant is expected to open July 15 at 6588 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point neighborhood. James A. Jones Jr. [email protected]

According to him, you attract more guests if you have several restaurants in one area.

Bar Italia also has restaurants in Lakewood, Ohio, Beachwood, Ohio and Winter Park.

Previously announced but not yet opened locations at Center Point include Tommy Bahama Marlin Bar, Toasted Yolk Cafe, Bad Ass Coffee, Lake Park Diner, and Crisp and Green.

Center Point is being developed by Casto, which also developed Lakewood Ranch Main Street.

Bar Italia restaurant is expected to open July 15 at 6588 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point neighborhood. James A. Jones Jr. [email protected]

Center Point is located south of University Parkway, east of Lakewood Ranch Boulevard, and west of Business Boulevard.

It is anchored on the east side by the 800,000-square-foot Center Point Medical Center, 6600 University Parkway, and on the west side by Roper Technologies, 6901 Professional Parkway E.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on the Bar Italia rooftop sign at Lakewood Ranch. The restaurant has an estimated opening date of July 15. James A. Jones Jr. [email protected]

What to know

Name: Bar Italy

Address: 6588 University Parkway, Lakewood Ranch

Estimated opening date: Monday July 15

Telephone: (941) 536-6057

Online: www.BarItalia.com

Takeaway: Yes

Catering: Yes

Reservations accepted: Yes

Bar Italia seen from University Parkway. The restaurant has an estimated opening date of July 15. James A. Jones Jr. [email protected] Bar Italia restaurant is expected to open July 15 at 6588 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point neighborhood. James A. Jones Jr. [email protected]

James A. Jones Jr. writes for the Bradenton Herald covering business news, tourism and transportation.