Puccini’s – the real thing!
I love Puccini’s, the new Italian cafe in Sarasota, Florida. Everything is just right. As a former food reviewer in New York City, it was rare to find the food, ambiance, service and price, nearly perfect on my first visit.
I was warmly greeted as I entered the cozy, colorful dining room. The menu was simple, yet eclectic, with a fresh fish that changes daily. I did not meet the chef-owner Richard De Felice, because he was very busy in the small, yet efficient kitchen. He spoke to me through his food, delicious, rustic Italian.
The Hill team enjoyed food like this in the farm houses of the small villages in Tuscany and Umbria. There was not a freezer or can of anything in those fragrant kitchens.
My first surprise was a hearty amuse of bruschetta with fresh herbs, crunchy ripe tomatoes.
I ordered a simple dish of freshly prepared fettuccine with local tomatoes and spicy sausage. The best part besides the taste, was that it was served hot, in a deep bowl with fresh herbs and hand grated Parmesan cheese. Just like Italy.
The other positive for wine lovers is that I brought my own Chianti Classico, graciously opened without a corkage fee.
Now, the only problem is to try and get a reservation. Even though Puccini’s is relatively new, and nearly hidden in a small row of store-fronts in Coral Cove, they are full of wine and food lovers every evening.
Tonight I will join them for fresh grouper and a cool white Italian wine in a warm atmosphere that is beginning to feel like home, only better.
Like the name of the famous Italian composer, Puccini’s lives up to it’s name.
Puccini’s
7252 S.Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, Florida
941-923-7002
Brenda C. Hill
International Food Wine & Travel Writers Association
Books By Hills Success Log Where & What in the World Blog
Finalist in the Writing and Publishing category of the 2009 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, “$uccess, Your Path to a Successful Book”
Author: Brenda Hill
As a longtime food writer for Where Magazine New York City, Brenda Hill, along with her writing partner, Maralyn Hill (no relation), writes and publishes books about chefs, food and international travel. They co-authored "Our Love Affairs with Food & Travel" and joined French Master Chef Herve Laurent in writing "Cooking Secrets: The Why and How" Brenda has been active in the California Writer's Club, IFWTWA, and the Santa Barbara's Writers Conference. Brenda Hill and her partner Maralyn Hill conduct marketing and writing seminars. Maralyn and I will be heading back to Rancho La Puerta in July to give our presentation on writing and marketing your book, as well as bringing back some freshly picked off the farm nutritious and tasty recipes.
