Little Italy .................................. 19

by Gabby Gregory

St. Lucie West’s Own Little Italy

Who knew that St. Lucie West is home to its very own Little Italy?! Though Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza is the oldest pizza restaurant in St. Lucie West, serving customers for the past 30 years, its new owners, Will Cowdell and Roger Lussier, have renovated and revitalized it to become an even more authentic representation of New York-style Italian fare. The menu has remained the same, but renowned Chef Gennaro, a native of Naples, Italy who has been cooking for 38 years, has brought his cooking prowess into the mix.

Gennaro is beloved by many in the area for his classic Italian style and expertise. He explains, “I cook with heart and I only use fresh ingredients. I make stuff right because I love what I’m doing.” Based on our experience, we can attest that he’s telling the truth: Chef Gennaro does indeed pour his heart and soul into the dishes at Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza.

For this review, Abby and I also brought along my little sister, Zariaah, from the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program of Palm Beach and Martin Counties.

We started with two appetizers: mozzarella sticks ($7.75) and steamed mussels ($11.25). The homemade mozzarella sticks are shaped like half moons, stuffed full of delicious, velvety cheese. They are served with a side of traditional marinara sauce, which has a rich tomato avor that nicely complements the milky mozzarella. You can absolutely tell that this starter is made in-house, as it has a fresh, natural avor instead of a processed one that you nd in frozen varieties. Abby and Zariaah shared the generous portion of mussels, which were steamed with butter, garlic, parsley, and onions. I am not kidding when I say that they devoured the appetizer within 3 minutes of it being placed on the table … the mussels were that good! Zariaah reports, “these taste like heaven.” Abby agrees, adding, “they are cooked perfectly and have just the right amount of butter and garlic.”

For our main courses, we each tried a little something different.

One of Abby’s all-time favorite meals is chicken francese, so she decided to put Little Italy’s version ($17.99) to the test. Dipped in our and egg, then sautéed with wine, butter, and lemon, the chicken francese is a classic Italian dish that is chock full of avor. After eating Chef Gennaro’s rendition at Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza, Abby said, “I guess I need to move to St. Lucie West now so I can eat this more often.” The chicken is tender, melting in your mouth, and the sauce has “just enough of a delicious lemon tang.”

If you’re feeling more creative, get a calzone and pick out your favorite ingredients to stuff inside it. Zariaah ordered a small one with onions, mushrooms, green peppers, and meatballs ($12.99), and when it arrived we were all shocked to see its size… HUGE! We couldn’t believe she had only gotten a small. It was bigger than the plate! She loved that the calzone was packed full of each ingredient she chose because it was not only delicious, but very lling.

For the cheese-lovers out there, I suggest you try the baked ziti ($14.99) because it is absolutely loaded with fresh, creamy ricotta and mozzarella. Each bite is full of that yummy, cheesy avor without overwhelming your palate, as the marinara sauce brings balance with some acidity on the plate.

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Do you have questions or comments for Abby and Gabby? Email them at diningreview@mediaoms.com.

you should try the cheesecake ($4.99) and a cannoli ($4.99). Zariaah said, “I’m gonna cry… it’s bussin’,” when she sampled the cheesecake. Meanwhile, Abby said of the cannoli, “it’s not even right how good this is.”

As much as there already is to love about Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza, soon enough, there will be even more to enjoy! In the next 2 months, the restaurant will begin offering full service catering for all of your special events. Additionally, the owners Will and Roger have purchased the space next door to the existing restaurant, with plans to serve all to-go, take out, and delivery orders from there, because Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza has become so popular in the community that the line sometimes goes all the way out the door! This extra area will also house a NY-style deli, offering top-of-the-line Italian meats, breads, and cheeses, as well as freshly baked cakes and pastries.

Get a taste of Little Italy in St. Lucie West! Visit Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza to experience classic, NY-style Italian fare, as well as quality beer and wine. Or, order online on Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza’s website for pick-up or FREE delivery. However you choose to dine, you’ll be sure to get a taste of Italy in every bite!

Little Italy Restaurant & Pizza is located in the Shoppes at St. Lucie West at 1329 NW St. Lucie West Boulevard in Port St. Lucie. The restaurant is open Mondays-Saturdays from 11AM-9PM and Sundays from 12PM-9PM. For more information, call 772-878-4040 or visit littleitalyslw.com.