The Gourmander: Taverna Toscana brings 5-star fine dining to downtown Bradenton
Manatee County real estate prices have soared into the Sarasota and Pinellas realm in recent years. Anna Maria Island is no longer flying beneath the radar of national destinations like Siesta Key and Clearwater Beach. However, one metric that has lagged behind our neighbors to the north and south has been downtown Bradenton’s lack of true fine-din...
Owners of South Tampa’s Viva Napoli restaurant open Spacca Napoli in Carrollwood
When Simona and Andrea Sarpa, a husband-and-wife team, arrived in Tampa from Naples, Italy, almost a decade ago, they brought along a high pedigree in Italian food and the high standards well established in Italian culture. It wasn’t long before they realized that if they wanted a taste of home, they would have to do it themselves. Now, the couple...
Rocca: Tampa’s Pinnacle for Elevated Italian Dining
Nestled in the heart of Tampa Heights, Rocca stands as a beacon of culinary excellence, proudly boasting a coveted Michelin star. This elevated Italian eatery seamlessly blends traditional flavors with contemporary techniques, offering diners a premium gastronomic experience. From the moment you step inside the establishment, Rocca’s idyllic ambian...
Popular Italian restaurant with New Jersey roots coming to downtown Delray Beach
The popular New Jersey restaurant, Gabriella’s Italian Steakhouse, will soon be making its way down to South Florida. This fall, Gabriella’s Modern Italian will be bringing their extensive food and drink menu to downtown Delray Beach. Slightly different in name and concept, the new restaurant is slated to open in October and will be located on NE S...
New Italian restaurant Osteria Olio serves up community and hospitality
Just five minutes from downtown Athens lies one of the Classic City’s newest restaurants: Osteria Olio, which opened its doors on June 7, 2024. Osteria Olio resides within Rivet House, a hotel on the historic northside of Athens. Both businesses are owned by James and Jessica Whitley, a local Athens couple. Rivet House and Osteria Olio are managed...
NYC Favorite Felice Brings Tuscan Fare to Brickell
Felice, the popular Tuscan dining spot from New York City, us debuting its new flagship Miami location, Felice Brickell, in Miami on Thursday, July 18. Pronounced “Fe-Lee-Che,” which means “happy” in Italian, the restaurant offers a family-oriented approach to Tuscan-inspired cuisine. Executive chefs Roberto Consiglio and Luigi Bailon lead the kitc...
M’ama Napoli Brings Authentic Italian Flavor to Winter Park
Locals are finding a little bit of Italy by the corner of Orlando and Minnesota avenues with the recent opening of M’ama Napoli. The bakery deli features traditional Neapolitan recipes and hard-to-find imported goods that have been in growing demand since the doors opened on June 25. “The idea for M’ama Napoli came from a deep passion for authentic...
Counter-service Italian restaurant Pochino caters to the college crowd
A restaurant and franchise consultant for years, Jennifer Erdman hadn’t considered opening her own concept until she met Italian restaurateurs Giuseppe Barbera and Andrea Casarin. The Venice residents opened her eyes to authentic Italian cuisine. Together with co-founders Chris Lowe and Sam Lundy, they created Pochino Italy, a counter-service Itali...
Luca Mariano Distillery to bring Italian roots to Danville
When you think of Kentucky, you think of bourbon, and a new distillery here in Danville is giving residents a new option to enjoy Kentucky’s signature spirit. The Luca Mariano distillery is bringing a taste of Italy to the bluegrass. In 2017, owner Francesco Viola’s dream of infusing his family’s Italian-inspired whiskey recipe became reality with...
Italian Food Hall Eataly to Open First Florida Location in Aventura
World-renowned Italian food hall Eataly is officially coming to Aventura Mall in South Florida. A New Times source confirmed the news on Tuesday, July 9. Eataly will be located inside of Aventura Mall at 19501 Biscayne Blvd., Unit 3004, in Aventura. It will take up three levels and will span approximately 29,000 square feet.According to the most re...
‘That’s what makes a father proud:’ Oviedo’s D’Amico & Sons serves up family traditions
Many fathers push their goals aside to raise and provide their family. Now, Phil and Anthony D’Amico are making cannolis, lobster tail and other Italian foods to make their father’s dream come true. “After years and years of putting it off, he finally said ‘I just turned 61 I got to do it.’ It’s a goal of his. He said you know whatever you wanna do...
Tampa’s Trattoria Pasquale hosts a monthly 7-course Italian feast with a secret menu
Trattoria Pasquale’s “Big Night” 7-course Italian feasts have become one of the most anticipated culinary events in Tampa. Each month, the restaurant showcases a different region of Italy, bringing its food and culture to life through a meticulously curated 7-course meal. Chef Luigi, the mastermind behind “Big Night,” pours his passion into creatin...