The story of Johnny and Darrin, two Sicilian boys from Texas, goes back generations. They are the founders of Carabba’s Italian Grill located at 11435 N. Dales Mabry Hwy in Tampa, Florida.
These two families, the Carrabbas and the Mandolas, can trace their roots back to Sicily before their family immigrated to the United States. Their families chose to not stay in New York when their ship landed. They knew there was much more to see. Traveling though states like Louisiana, they picked up recipes for Western food.
While these families did not have a lot of money, they never went hungry. Every occasion was a reason to eat like funerals, weddings, graduations, christenings and births. Food brought them together and food is what keeps them together to this day.
Today, they serve not only traditional Italian food at Carrabba’s Italian Grill, they create new culinary delights. Their love of grilling expands their menus from traditional Italian restaurants. Fish, chicken, beef and lamb and be found on their menu in addition to spaghetti and meatballs.
With over seven hundred positive internet reviews, you too will want to add your two cents after enjoying one of their from scratch meals.
Trattoria Pasquale was first opened in 2012 in South Tampa, Florida. Catering to locals and visitors alike, they are a popular destination for amazing Italian Food.
Owner, Chef Luigi Cavallaro and his wife Kim, travel to Italy every year to seek out new recipes to serve in their beloved restaurant. They find not only new recipes, they find old-world family recipes as well. Chef Luigi is an award-winning Chef who was raised in Bolzano, Italy.
Trattoria Pasquale features each month one night dedicated to a different region of Italy. The “Big Night” has limited seating and reservations are required and is quickly sold out. The menu is kept secret to the delight of the attendees.
Ironically the “Big Night” was originally just supposed to be one night. Chef Pasquale hosted an evening in 1996 to premier a movie called “Big Night”
They have over one hundred positive posts online giving them a four-point-six-star rating.
Located in Historic Ybor City, is Bernini of Ybor. Owner, Jason Fernandez, is a fourth generation Tampa native. He started in the restaurant business as a kid working for a family friend. Not only did she teach him about the restaurant business, she taught him values like hard work, humility and gracious hospitality.
Jason worked his way through college earning a Masters in Hotel and Restaurant Management form Johnson & Wales. At the University of Tampa, Jason received a Business degree. He went on to work at some of the most prestigious restaurants in Nevada and California. He managed and opened several Outback Steakhouse restaurants in California.
Jason moved back to Tampa and opened Bernini of Ybor City twenty years ago. Now a favorite with Floridians and visitors alike, Bernini is not likely to go anywhere for a long time.
There are over seven hundred reviews on the web giving Bernini a strong four plus star presents.
Next time you are in Tampa, you should put at least one of these restaurants on your bucket list. Tampa Hood Cleaning Pros has been serving the Tampa area for years cleaning commercial kitchens. Our team of professionals are licensed, bonded and highly trained to do hood cleaning. Call us today at 813-607-4980.
