Bar Italia restaurant coming to Lakewood Ranch with dishes ‘elevated to a new level’

Foodies and others who want a night out with good food and good service will soon have a new place to check out.

Bar Italia, with an estimated Monday, July 15 opening at 6588 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point development, would seem to have hit all the marks as promised by restaurant group NCR Ventures .

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

And location. It’s right on the Manatee-Sarasota county line.

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

Bar Italia’s web page has been activated ahead of the Lakewood Ranch restaurant’s opening.

New Italian restaurant in Lakewood Ranch

“The menu pays homage to the essence of the great Italian-American restaurants in New York City. Where delicious, exceptionally well-prepared food is served in settings that are simultaneously elegant, comfortable and unpretentious. Familiar dishes like Classic Chicken Parmesan, Bucatini Bolognese, and Spicy Vodka Rigatoni are elevated to a new level,” the Bar Italia web page says.

In addition to menu offerings, Tim Davin, director of operations for NCR Ventures, said Bar Italia offers a great happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, indoor and outdoor seating for about 240, four private rooms to host special events and half-off prices on wine bottles Thursday nights.

“We’re looking to be great neighbors,” Davin said, referring to the other Center Point restaurants.

Having a variety of restaurants in one area helps attract more guests, he said.

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

Previously announced but not yet open at Center Point are 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.

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

It is anchored on the east by the 77,000-square-foot Center Point Medical Center, 6600 University Parkway, and on the west by Roper Technologies, 6901 Professional Parkway E.

What to know

▪ Name : Bar Italia

▪ Address : 6588 University Parkway, Lakewood Ranch

▪ Estimated opening date : Monday, July 15

▪ Phone : (941) 536-6057

▪ Online : www.BarItalia.com

▪ Takeout : yes

▪ Catering : yes

▪ Reservations accepted : yes