The Italian Connection

I attended a group work dinner at The Italian Connection and we had a great time. The restaurant is in a converted house, and it does feel like a big dinner party! The food was amazing and is made to order. The pasta is fresh and delicious. Our server was friendly and was able to answer questions and make recommendations. This is definitely a place to come back to!

What a perfect homey Italian restaurant. The interior is cozy making you feel right at home. The service was welcoming and very personable. All the food was delicious. The homemade pasta was cooked to perfection and is hard to find in Fort Wayne. I can't want to come back and try other offerings!!

This is a pretty cool old-school Italian restaurant. It's like being in somebody's home, and it has a warm atmosphere. Pictures hang on every wall, and the staff were professional. I definitely recommend getting a reservation. Even though I didn't have one, though, the staff got me in. I tried the fettuccine Antonio, which was delicious. The smoked meat really added to the creamy flavor. Prices seemed reasonable. This is definitely a hidden gem in Fort Wayne.

I've been here for a decade and I have never heard of this place before, until I was talking with some guys at work and one of them told me about this place. It is in fact a restaurant, but it was someone's house that has been converted. Its wonderful in there. The tables are a little close together, so there's a nice background noise of people enjoying themselves, but its not so loud you can't hear the company you're with. The staff was very pleasant - though they have a unique way of interacting with the clientele. Not bad, just different from other sit down restaurants or reputable eaterys; maybe a bit less professional than what I'm used to, but that doesn't mean it was bad. They recommended dishes, and wines, and even explained to me what some of the Italian words meant. They described in great detail what their dishes were like and which ones might suit my tastes. The walls were filled with memories. Pictures from various families crowded them, and it felt like a museum of happiness in there. They used bottles of wine that had been signed with notes of appreciation and dated by previous customers going all the back to before I was born. The real star of the show for me was the food though. Its been about a month since I went there, and I'm still thinking about the food. Now understand, I've never been a real fan of Italian food. I mean its a poor food. It was borne of necessity, and now its considered "luxury" for noodles with a bit of toppings. But this dish that I got, the Alex's Special... it was truly unlike anything I have eaten before. They served the dish to me on plating that was chipped a little bit, but clearly very well cherished and taken care of. And when I bit down into the food itself it was like I got connected to the entire Italian culture. Generations of love, laughter, and bliss seeped through me as I chewed and then swallowed that one bite. It felt like that scene in Avatar when Jake Sully connected to the ancestor tree of Eywa for the first time. Thats the best way I can describe it. I understand now why Italian food is coveted and considered a delicacy, I had just never experienced true and real Italian food before in my life. I can see why this place is so popular, and why one requires a reservation. I made mine 3 months in advance as it was a special occasion for someone I love. She too enjoyed it. If you care about someone highly, I recommend taking them here. It was fairly priced, and you get a lot of food for the amount that you pay. Its an older fashioned sort of place, with incredible charm. I recommend everyone in the Fort Wayne area eat here at least once before they die.

What a gem this place is. Amazing atmosphere with all of the pictures and decor, fantastic staff and food that was amazing. Call and get a reservation as the place is small but you won't be disappointed. Brian the owner was extremely welcoming and told some great stories. Danni our server was simply amazing. Stayed on top of our orders all night and was so much fun. The selfie she took while taking our group pic was hilarious!! The food was very impressive and everything is hand made. Thank you Italian Connection for a fantastic evening.

This is a hidden gem. Is the food good? Yes, it is. You'll find Italian standards along with some unique creations. The atmosphere and service really set this place apart. Once you walk in, you no longer feel like you are in Fort Wayne. With wine bottles and old framed family photos literally covering the walls, this converted house has a hole-in-the-wall vibe that goes on for days. The crowning jewel of our visit was the service. Our server, Mallory, delivered the best service we have had in years. She was kind and witty, and made us feel like regulars even though this was our first visit. Her service alone has guaranteed many return visits for us.