Tuesday, September 17, 2013

RESTAURANT REVIEW: TAVOLINO DELLA NONNA by Barry Epstein

 If you have not heard or been to Tavolino Della Nonna, you must be living under a rock. Ed Pozzuoli has created a South Florida version of the Copacabana in New York City, with an awesome creative menu, personable wait staff and a showroom to rival any around. Located on West Sample Road, just west of University Drive, this hidden gem has been around for six years, but just beginning to achieve the recognition it deserves.
            The menu is so extensive, but we started our evening with Travolino’s signature pear pasta: walnut blanc fromage in cream sauce and roasted pears; Calamari ala Travolino: seasoned flash fried with hot cherry peppers and garlic butter, served with basil marinara and orange marmalade sauces; Roasted vegetable chicken orzo garnished with pecorino romano; Feta & Watermelon Salad: compressed watermelon, Greek feta, toasted pine nuts, aged balsamic, mint emulsion, radicchio & micro aurgula; and Arancini di Aragosta: Hand crafted Lobster rice balls, sweet peas, manchego cheese, pimento crema, & basil pesto
            Our entrees included Nonna’s Terra e Mare: grilled to perfection Filet Mignon, which you could cut with a fork, butter poached lobster, haricot verts, black truffle potato puree with bernaise & cabernet reduction; Zuppa di Pesce: clams, mussels, calamari, shrimp, scungilli & scallups sautéed with marinara sauce over linguini; and Florentina: Egg battered chicken breast with onions, mushrooms & spinach in a light Chardonnay cream sauce with melted provolone cheese.
            As if that wasn’t enough, desserts included Nana’s homemade ricotta cheesecake garnished with fresh berries; Apple tart with vanilla gelato drizzled with caramel and cinnamon; Coconut crusted crème caramel gelato: dulce de leche ice cream, caramelized bananas, rum caramel sauce & pineapple carpaccio; and Nonna’s Nutella Martini: layered cannoli crema, notella ganace, shaved two tone chocolate sugar & cinnamon crisp with frangelico syrup. The extensive wine list is even backlit with LED lights.
            Rolling into the showroom, we were treated to a marvelous jazz songstress, Paulette Dozier, backed by a three piece jazz ensemble, that topped off our evening.
            Rooms are available for private parties and events and one even features, Grandma Nonna’s 50’s kitchen. Do yourself a favor and make a reservation soon. Tavolino Della Nonna is located at 10181 W. Sample Road, Coral Springs. Telephone: 954-509-0046.             

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