Piccolo Buco Roma - set mere steps from Rome's famed Trevi Fountain - is where Cooper's Hawk Founder, Tim McEnery, first discovered Chef Luca Issa and his wonderful pizza. The ingredients were deceptively simple: creamy, indulgent mozzarella mingled with a bright and bold tomato sauce. But it was the extraordinary, tall crust - crisp on the outside yet cloud-like at the center - that won his heart. He couldn't wait to introduce America to a pizza this special!
Che Vita Restaurant brings the soul of Southern Italy to the heart of downtown Tampa. Inspired by the hospitality, traditions, and flavors of regions like Campania, Puglia, and Sicily, Che Vita offers an all-day dining experience that celebrates la dolce vita through authentic cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and warm service.Enjoy house-made pastas, Neapolitan-style pizzas, fresh seafood, and signature entrées in our vibrant dining room or on the newly renovated Che Vita Patio. Featuring lush greenery, stylish outdoor seating, and signature yellow umbrellas, the patio provides a lively al fresco setting for lunch, dinner, cocktails, and special gatherings.Join us daily for Aperitivo Hour and enjoy Italian-inspired small plates, handcrafted cocktails, wine, and spritzes designed for sharing. Whether you're starting the day with espresso, meeting friends for happy hour, or settling in for dinner, Che Vita delivers the flavors and spirit of Southern Italy in the heart of downtown Tampa.
We learned at an early age that sharing meals was our family's language of love. We gathered frequently around the kitchen or dining room table and everyone was welcome. We discussed the days happenings, recalled joyous occasions, engaged in spirited debates and comforted each other in times of sorrow.It is in this spirit that we created Forbici, a restaurant where you are at home sharing food, enjoying good company and making memories with family and friends, old and new.
In 2003, while exploring Tuscany and indulging in the finest Italian culinary delights, we recognized a need for an Italian restaurant in Tampa that fuses traditional flavors with the contemporary essence of urban living.In 2005, BellaBrava: New World Trattoria was established in downtown Saint Petersburg, where our Tuscan-inspired vision became a reality. Our New World Trattoria offers a relaxed dining experience, affordable prices, and a focus on building lasting connections with our guests rather than pursuing haute cuisine.Our menu harmoniously blends old-world tastes with new-world sophistication. From seafood and classic pasta dishes to mouthwatering pizzas, we're confident that everyone will discover a delightful treat. Our special Woodstone ovens create delectable flatbreads, pizzas, and calzones, using fresh, locally sourced ingredients that evoke the flavors of Tuscany and other Italian cuisines.
## Trattoria Bella Napoli: A Taste of Italy in the Heart of SarasotaBest Authentic Italian and Neapolitan Pizza in Sarasota , traditional wood-fired oven, using imported Italian ingredients. Located in the heart of downtown Sarasota, Trattoria Bella Napoli offers a true Italian dining experience with handmade pizzas, fresh pasta, and a warm atmosphere.2 Place at the World Neapolitan Pizza Championship in Las Vegas 2024.Best Pizza Sarasota Herald Tribune 2025.
Bavaro’s is a locally owned, family-run Neapolitan pizzeria that opened in 2009 as thefirst of its kind in the state of Florida. Located on Clearwater Beach, just steps from theocean, Pier 60, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium—Bavaro’s offers anupscale-casual dining experience perfect for any occasion.Best known for its authentic craft pizzas, Bavaro’s also features a thoughtfully curatedmenu including classics like Penne Alla Vodka, Chicken Parmesan, and a variety offresh salads and shareable appetizers. Guests can pair their meal with local craft beersor a selection of wines.At the heart of Bavaro’s is a commitment to tradition. Each pizza is made using ahand-crafted, wood-fired brick oven, a 100-year-old yeast culture, Italian-importedingredients, and century-old recipes passed down through the Bavaro family.
