The pizzas are often good, although sometimes a little undercooked. The pasta is OK but not al dente as often as you'd like. The atmosphere is nice and the friendly management is a plus. The wait staff is hit or miss. Stay away during high season.

Being an Italian American from New York City and also a former chef, I am very picky on where I eat Italian food. I must say, me and my wife eat at Café Epicure as often as possible after we decided to eat for lunch one day while strolling along Main Street in Sarasota. Great pasta cooked al dente (not overcooked) great homemade sauce and appetizers as well.

Priced correctly for Sarasota, very clean, the food is good, very good service, I have been there many times. I recommend the excellent bread.

Fabulous, and what was even better was that it was unexpected fabulous. We were walking around Main Street without a clue where we were going to eat. Cafe Epicure seemed the most active so we decided to give it a shot. Wow, were we glad we did! Our server was a very attentive young Italian gentleman who made wonderful recommendations. Three of the four of us had different pasta dishes (all wonderful) that we couldn't pronounce while the fourth had Veal Marsala that was also wonderful. One glass of wine each, terrific salads before, and a very good espresso afterward. Wish we had room for desert, but we were stuffed and happy. Everything for $60 a couple including a 20% for our server. What a deal. We're from Baltimore, but have a house in Sarasota so Epicure can count on us as regulars while we're here.