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Isola Ristorante & Lounge

All-Italian kitchen team, brick-oven pizza, and Ossobuco on Billy Folly Road.

restaurant
authentic Italian brick-oven pizza Ossobuco Pelican Key

Why Go

Isola Ristorante & Lounge on Billy Folly Road makes a bold statement in its staffing: the entire culinary team is Italian. Not Italian-trained, not Italian-inspired — actually from Italy, cooking with the muscle memory and palate that only growing up in Italian kitchens produces. That authenticity shows in every dish, from the brick-oven pizzas to the Ossobuco to the homemade chocolate molten lava cake that ends the meal.

The Experience

The Pelican Key area of Simpson Bay is slightly upscale from the main strip, and Isola's $$$ positioning matches the neighborhood. The dining experience offers Mediterranean atmosphere across two settings: air-conditioned interior rooms for those who prefer controlled climate, and a sunset dining area for those who want the Caribbean evening to participate in their meal. The menu reads like northern Italy brought south: brick-oven pizzas with the proper blistered crust, pastas made with fresh original ingredients, seafood that benefits from Caribbean waters, and the kind of veal specialties (Ossobuco, Milanese) that demonstrate true Italian technique. Scallops and Ahi tuna appear as appetizers, showing the kitchen's comfort with fine-dining presentations. The Hollywood Casino next door creates a natural dinner-and-entertainment pairing, and the Hilton Flamingo Beach proximity brings resort guests who want a genuine Italian experience without leaving the Simpson Bay corridor.

What to Try

Ossobuco is the test of any Italian kitchen — braised veal shank requires patience and technique, and Isola's all-Italian team delivers. The brick-oven pizza is worth ordering alongside pasta to compare both pillars. The chocolate molten lava cake is homemade and should not be skipped.

Insider Tip

Billy Folly Road at 37 is near the Hollywood Casino entrance — use the casino as your landmark. The sunset dining area fills quickly during golden hour; request it when making reservations. Isola also serves breakfast, making it a versatile option for guests at nearby hotels. The lounge component provides a post-dinner drink option without needing to relocate.

The Practical Stuff

Location: 37 Billy Folly Road, Simpson Bay (Pelican Key area), Dutch side. Price range: $$$. Hours: check locally (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Payment: US dollars, major cards accepted. Reservations recommended for dinner.

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