Dining: A TASTE OF ITALY!

Photo from Bella Brava

By Nanette Wiser

Chef Missy Robbins and Talia Baiocchi’s stunning new cookbook Pasta is half encyclopedia and half regional Italian dishes. Here you learn how to cut, stuff, shape and cook pastas – cannelloni, cappelletti, corzetti and casarecce. Then comes the best part, regional pasta recipes from around the boot, from rigatoni al diavolo to delicious dishes beyond Bolognese. 

Intrigued and hungry, we decided to explore unique regional Italian pasta dishes at our fave restos from downtown St. Pete to Gulf Beaches and beyond. Our Italian cuisine maestro, USF librarian emeritus and friend Gerald Notaroalso recommends Italia Mia, Johnny’s Italian Restaurant, Bavaro’s, Bellissimo Italian Eatery, Noble Crust, Italian Touch and Toby’s Little Italy.   

I also like Louie’s Italian Kitchen, Amici Italian Eatery, Tony & Nello’s, Stefano’s and Soul Sicilian Fusion. You can also find authentic pasta fixings at local farmer’s markets, Mazzaro’s, Ippilito’s and DalMoro’s Fresh Pasta To Go.

Beau & Mo’s Italian Eating House: This swanky Chicago-style steakhouse features excellent carne and seafood, equally delicious seafood pasta dishes such as mussels fra diavolo and linguine with clams. DTSP (Downtown St. Petersburg)

Bella Brava: This Beach Drive favorite features New World Italian cuisine, electrifying cocktails, and boutique wines. Pasta Brava features wood-grilled chicken, fresh pappardelle, cotto ham, peas, roasted mushrooms, pecorino, asiago cream or opt for the Seafood Fra Diavolo (squid ink pasta, Gulf shrimp, Calabrian chili, bay scallops, San Marzano tomato and pecorino.  DTSP, St. Petersburg & now Tampa

DaSesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino: Authentic Northern Italian cuisine in a casual sophisticated setting, with an incredible wine and cocktail list. From the escargot to the veal, exquisite flavors served with risotto or freshly made pastas.  

The ravioli filled with chicken and provolone in a butter sage white wine sauce, jumbo ravioli filled with pear and gorgonzola cheese in a saffron white wine cream sauce and lobster ravioli are rock stars. Pinellas Park

Gigi’s: Just like Nonna used to make, from comforting lasagna and baked ziti (beef and pork, ricotta cheese, noodles and sauce) to my fave, the pasta al fresco (broccoli, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, red onions sautéed in virgin olive oil, garlic butter and white wine sauce served over penne pasta). St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island, DTSP

Grattzi Italian Grille:  The place to see and be seen, the virtuoso dishes, fresh pasta and crafted wine/cocktail offerings are superb.  You will swoon over the goat cheese baked ziti, Cavatelli al Pesto Genovese (handmade ricotta pasta, fresh pesto sauce, sun dried tomatoes, goat cheese and chicken), Gnochhi Pugliese (handmade potato pasta, crispy pancetta, cremini and porcini mushrooms, fire roasted tomatoes, peas, roasted chicken, in an Asiago cheese sauce) and Pappardelle Giuliana (seared scallops, sweet peas, mushrooms, fresh Roma tomatoes, and baby spinach, on a roasted red pepper and garlic madeira sauce). DTSP

Mario’s Ristorante:  Best of show is the Carbonara alla Mario, mushrooms, pancetta & black olives sautéed in garlic, olive oil, wine and cream, tossed with your choice of pasta, & finished with parmesan cheese or fresh grouper sautéed in a lemon white wine butter sauce with capers, pine nuts, fresh mushrooms and marinara.  Madeira Beach

Matteo Trattoria & Pizzeria: New on Central Ave., the Genoa-trained chef whips up fantastic hand-crafted pasta dishes such as Della Casa (mushrooms, green peas, shallots, pancetta in a creamy sauce with strozzapretti pasta), amazing lasagna and a Creamy Cacio di Roma cheese sauce, crushed black peppercorns, tonnarelli pasta. DTSP, Tampa

Pia’s Trattoria: La dolce vita, from the homemade desserts and pastas to the rustic Tuscan-style garden patio set with gorgeous mismatched linens.  Homemade lasagna, cold smoked salmon with horseradish cream cheese, or grilled octopus are sensational as is the pesto verde penne tossed with fresh basil, arugula, garlic, parmesan, pine nuts and virgin olive oil.  Gulfport

Tutto Bene: This fall, the ristorante introduces Sat./Sun. brunch 10am-2:30pm, and on Thursdays, wine bottles are 50% off. Live music, a huge patio with evening twinkle lights and spellbinding lunch, dinner, and Tuesday night date specials such as house made meatballs with ricotta, spinach ravioli in alfredo sauce and rigatoni napolitana (Italian sausage, broccoli rabe in garlic white wine). Gulfport (As of Nov. 2, Tutto Bene will become Pia’s Verandah)

Villa Gallace: Whether you dine al fresco overlooking the Intracoastal or inside, the gnocchi with pancetta topped with grilled shrimps in a savory light cream sauce is sublime, the wine list inspired and the limoncello cake a slice of heaven. Gracious host Luigi Gallace is best of show. Indian Rocks Beach

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