Plus find out what's replacing White Horse Pub
Michael and Victoria Calore, previous owners of the popular Mozzarella Fella in downtown Sarasota, are planning to open their new restaurant, Pazzo Southside, on Feb. 19.
“Getting real now,” reads a post from Tuesday on their restaurant's Facebook page.
Michael will be at the helm in the kitchen as well as son Andrew, and other staff members from their former restaurant will be joining the team. The new restaurant takes over the spot in Sarasota’s Southside Village previously occupied by Mojo’s Real Cuban. It has been transformed into a clean, modern setting with wood ceilings, a brick wall and a black and white color scheme.
The ambitious menu is heavily Italian while running the the gamut from an array of appetizers and salads to pizzas, pastas and entrees. Among selections of note are shrimp scampi and baked clams for starters; personal pizzas including one with mozzarella, prosciutto and artichokes; and a favorite meatball salad derived from the owners’ family “Sunday sauce,” which combines macaroni with sauce finished off with a salad atop the sauce.
There will be pastas ranging from classic spaghetti to a surf and turf version, plus Victoria’s favorite — spinach fettuccini with chicken, roasted peppers and asparagus in a light marsala cream sauce.
A wide choice in entrees includes paella, veal chop Milanese, veal spiedini, lobster risotto, blackened tuna, Montreal crusted filet mignon in a cognac cream sauce, plus classic parmigianas. Andrew’s renowned cheesecake is a signature dessert as well as the Nutella pizza with a marshmallow base and choice of toppings
“Michael has always believed in being very accommodating to our customers,” said Victoria. “If he has the ingredients to make something (a guest is) in the mood for, he will absolutely make it as a special request. We will always make changes to accommodate allergies, and will also have gluten-free products available.”
Beer and wine will be available at Pazzo Southside, located at 1830 South Osprey. The restaurant will be open seven days a week for lunch and dinner.
The Public House Tap & Grill
The Public House Tap & Grill taking over the old formerly White Horse Pub spot is scheduled to open later this month. Located in the Parkway Collection Shopping Center home of Detwiler’s Farm Market and the Parkway 8 Cinema, the new restaurant has been renovated into a more modern, open setting with a granite bar and seating for 150.
Owners Geoff Scalera, Frank Zilleckis and Mike Girolamo have years of combined experience in the restaurant field including Cornell Hotel School, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Miller’s Ale House and Applebee’s.
The restaurant is currently offering delivery service with a limited menu.
Among popular choices of pub food and American comfort fare are smoked then fried wings, mac ’n’ cheese, an array of burgers, sandwiches and salads (several veggie selections) and French bread pizza with choice of toppings, plus much more.
The casual eatery which includes a full bar will be open from 11 a.m. to midnight weekdays; until 2 a.m. on weekends. Located at 6240 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, The Public House may be reached at 941-822-0795 or online at the-public-house.com.