Page 18 - Life In Naples Magazine - November 2015
P. 18
Crazy
Enough
to Last
by Yvonne Ayala McClellan
S trolling along Pazzo!’s bougainvillea restaurant lived up to its name, not only for the cuisine, but for the atmosphere, and the
draped entrance and linen-covered number of patrons who would flock to the restaurant night after night.
patio tables on Fifth Avenue South,
most would never suspect the Italian In homage to its auspicious beginning, Pazzo! plans to celebrate its 20th birthday in
restaurant’s saucy past. style, offering guests a taste of their favorite dishes from opening year at the same prices
they were back in November 1995!
In its early years, it wasn’t unheard of to
see dinner guests dancing on the bar top or From Nov. 1 to Nov. 7, Pazzo! will offer the special anniversary “throwback” menu to
servers giving patrons back rubs, said Skip honor the first menu it ever served. Plus, the restaurant will also throw a big bash to show
Quillen, who opened Pazzo! Cucina Italiana appreciation for the way the Naples community has helped it thrive over the years.
with his partner Tom Gilbertson in 1995.
As an example, the Veal Italian Meatloaf ($11.95) dressed with Barolo wine gravy is one
“Pazzo! was always meant to be, like the entrée from Pazzo!’s first menu that diners still request to this day, which will be offered
name itself,a little crazy,”Quillen said,which is on the anniversary menu. Other dishes include Vognola Fresca ($4.50), a fresh soup with
what Pazzo means in Italian. “We didn’t want clams, tomato, escarole and Tuscan bean, as well as the Ravioli Di Casa ($5.95), Pazzo!’s
to be a totally traditional Italian restaurant, famed roasted butternut squash ravioli topped with prosciutto, fresh sage, basil mascarpone
and we still hold to that to this day.” and a lemon-butter sauce.
“We take classic dishes and classic flavors But while it honors its past, Pazzo!, the oldest Italian restaurant on Fifth Avenue South,
and give them our own unique twist.” has kept its eye on innovation over the years and offers diners something new to taste and
experience each time they visit. In the beginning, the restaurant offered bistro-esque fare
It was a surprise to everyone when the that was more casual and simple, and now it’s more sophisticated, but still very affordable,
Quillen said.
“I think of Pazzo!, when it opened, as kind of like a teenager,” he said. “She was a little
wild and crazy in her early days, but now that Pazzo!’s matured, she’s got the best years of
her life still ahead of her. She’s evolved and is a bit more sophisticated, and carries those
crazy memories of her early years with her still.”
Today, the restaurant’s wild roots influence the menu, by offering an ever-changing and
exciting cuisine. It’s one way Pazzo! has maintained its status as Southwest Florida’s best
Italian restaurant.
