From deep dish to Margherita, everyone loves to put their spin on the beloved pizza. One of America’s most treasured varieties is New York-style pizza, which Capo Pazzo Pizzeria is serving up in Gulf Gate. The eatery just won gold for best pizza and an honorable mention for best pasta in SRQ Magazine's annual Best of Competition. 

“We came down here about three years ago and knew there was something missing in regard to the pizza in the area,” Steven says. “There was a need for New York-style pizza in Sarasota. We had some good ideas and good partners in New York who were willing to come down and help us.” He and his wife Melissa relocated to Sarasota from New York and last September opened Capo Pazzo, which has become a local favorite for pizza, pasta, salads and more. Steven runs the restaurant along with Eric Montpetit, and Melissa heads up social media and marketing. The Sarasota-based team also works with business partners Rino Bresciani and Stephen Menna, located in New York. “Our pizza has a thin crust and a sweet sauce, and we use the best ingredients in regard to our flour. It’s double-zero Italian flour. We use Grande, which is the best mozzarella cheese that you can buy. If people know pizza, and they know that you’re serving Grande, you can’t buy any better than that,” he adds. The restaurant is committed to ensuring freshness and quality in every bite. “There’s extra work involved in everything we do,” he says. “It’s not like we’re getting it in a bag or can; we’re cooking it in-house.”

When diners enter the restaurant, they’ll be transported to New York City. As an introduction, Steven recommends guests try the Classic NY Style Pizza or the Margherita, which are more traditional options. After getting their feet wet, many guests opt for specialty pies, like the Prosciutto Arugula with Parmigiano Reggiano, lemon and truffle oil, or the Donnie Brasco, which features pepperoni and spicy sausage. Pastas such as the Potato Gnocchi with white truffle cream sauce and Penne Alla Vodka are crowd pleasers as well. From the appetizer menu, the Arancini Rice Balls, filled with melty mozzarella, are a standout. “That has the most love that we put into any appetizer because it’s a very slow process, especially cooking with risotto. I would say that’s the most labor-intensive,” he says.

Onsite diners will enjoy their meal in a setting evocative of the Big Apple, but guests can also order delivery via the Capo Pazzo app, which is available for Apple and Android products. For their first order, they’ll receive a 20 percent discount. “We brought it back to an old-school pizza parlor in New York. I have a lot of customers who are in their 60s and 70s and feel like they’re brought back home to Queens and the Bronx and the smells. It’s a black-and-white traditional place, we have pictures of Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren and Pavarotti,” Steven adds. “There have been a couple of times where people have mentioned or they walked in and said ‘Wow, I feel like I’m back home,’ and they’re referring to New York City.”

Capo Pazzo Pizzeria, 2053 Reynolds St. Sarasota, 941-487-8677, capopazzo.com. Visit Capo Pazzo Pizzeria on Facebook and Instagram for menu updates and specials. 

Pictured: Pizza, salad and other specialties from Capo Pazzo Pizzeria. Photo by Photo Guru SRQ.

Capo Pazzo Pizzeria

 Daiquiri Deck, an iconic bar and casual restaurant that delivers a quality experience, great times and good vibes, is pleased to announce it is now a proud partner of the Tampa Bay Rays, opening its sixth location inside Tropicana Field. Baseball fans can now sip on frozen daiquiris in the flavors of strawberry, margarita and non-alcoholic electric lemonade within Tropicana Field, with a brick-and-mortar bar in the First Base Food Hall and servers delivering frozen drinks to stadium seats. Through its partnership, Daiquiri Deck has provided its patent pending proprietary technology and machines to the stadium, allowing for fresher and more consistent drinks. Large tanks sit in walk-in coolers and through a long draw filling system, they allow for automatic filling of machines, reducing mess and injuries. The technology fills drink machines automatically with citrus and fruit preservation technology, self-cleaning and remote data viewing for inventory refilling and troubleshooting.   For guests who don’t want to miss any action during a game, servers will be moving throughout the stands carrying insulated trays and polycarbonate vessels, offering fans a unique pop top option, provided by Drinks2go, that comes sealed for freshness, allowing for the perfect frozen beverage to be delivered right to their seat. Daiquiri Deck is set to be a multi-year partner of the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. The restaurant has five other locations in Sarasota, Venice and Bradenton Beach. 

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, Hooters is offering guests a special deal on Saturday, May 5.  Enjoy the festive combo deal of two Legendary “83” Margaritas made with Sauza Tequila and Tres Agaves and Tex Mex Nachos with fresh chips laded with cheese, chili, guacamole, lettuce, fresh pico de gallo, jalapenos, sour cream and avocado ranch for $20 at all South Florida Hooters locations. LTP Management, a Franchisee of Hooters of America, owns and operates 15 locations in South Florida. For more information about South Florida Hooters please visit www.HootersFlorida.com or follow us at Twitter @HootersFlorida, Instagram @SouthFLHooters and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hootersflorida/. 

The summer heat has come early this year so Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar wants to entice you with a new Lighter Side of Summer Menu specially crafted by award-winning Chef Pedro Florez. “I wanted to embrace the fresh flavors of the season while offering a variety of special ingredients to create a menu large of choices and tastes”, says Florez. Come enjoy a refreshing lunch and don’t forget about our creative tiki cocktails. All served with beautiful water views, indoors and out. Large parties are welcome. 

Pictured: The tuna poke bowl is made with sushi rice, cucumbers, carrots, sliced oranges, avocado, radish, cilantro and red onion, topped with a soy vinaigrette. Photo courtesy of Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar.

For full menu click here

Guests have two more reasons to love brunch at Bonefish Grill, which has revamped and reintroduced several popular menu items and made the event a two-day affair by adding Saturdays to the experience. The even more enticing combination of top-tier service, innovative dishes and expertly crafted cocktails makes this the perfect place for brunch besties to relax and connect any day of the weekend. “We’re excited to bring our guests their favorite Bonefish brunch offerings, now reimagined with innovative twists and an additional day to enjoy them," said Mark Graff, President of Bonefish Grill." The weekend offers a craveable collection of brunch entrées found only at Bonefish Grill, including their version of Eggs Benedict with Bang Bang Shrimp® Eggs Benedict, along with various other sweet and savory selections and a vibrant array of libations (including spirit-free choices) to sip and share. Brunch is served at Bonefish Grill every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. To find your closest spot to grab your crew and catch up over a mouthwatering menu, visit www.bonefishgrill.com. 

Al Fuller and The Moonlight Movers are going to rock the outdoor stage at The Bazaaron Saturday, April 27th from 5:30-8:30pm. Plus, The Bazaar will stay open until 7pm. Al Fuller is no stranger to the Sarasota music scene. He has been singing, playing, and composing music for most of his life. His music ranges from original songs, rock and roll to blues. His band, the Moonlight Movers include Barry Sikes on bass guitar, and Rich MacDonald on drums. Get ready for some dancing to songs like The Thrill is Gone, T-Bone Shuffle, Paint My Mailbox Blue, Black Magic Woman, and other blues and rock classics. Hamlet’s Eatery will be open for dinner. Craft Beer, wine, Prosecco on tap are available for sale.

821 Apricot Ave in Sarasota. For more information visit, www.hamletseatery.com