FIRST LOOK – Pazzo on Orange
A Sarasota favorite gets a brand-new start!
⏱️ Time Flies! Thirteen years go by in the blink of an eye. At least, that’s what it seems like to me. 2011 was the year Michael and Victoria Calore burst onto Sarasota’s dining scene with an itty-bitty sandwich shop that captured the taste buds and fancy of local food lovers.
My first introduction to Mozzarella Fella was through their #10. 📝 For the uninitiated, the Mozzarella Fella #10 consisted of fresh mozzarella, Genoa salami, oregano, and olive oil. Truly a piece of simple sandwich deliciousness.
Michael has come a long way since the little storefront on Main Street. His latest culinary project, Pazzo on Orange, threw open its doors just this past week. And judging by folks’ first impressions, it’s going to be a tough seat to get come season.
🆕 The Perfect Blend of Old and New. Take one part traditional Italian restaurant. Mix in some tried and true sandwich favorites. Then sprinkle with a little upscale sophistication, and you’ve got Pazzo on Orange.
The Rosemary District has been coming into its own as a food destination since Derek Barnes opened Derek’s Culinary Casual in 2006. Adding Pazzo to the food mix definitely keeps things trending up.
👀 Let’s Take a Look at Pazzo on Orange
🟰 THE BASICS
• WHAT: Pazzo on Orange
• WHERE: 481 N. Orange Ave | 941-364-4682
• WHEN: DAILY, 10AM TO 9PM
• GET MORE INFO: Pazzo on Orange FB Page | dineSarasota Info Page
🤷 WHAT’S THIS PLACE LIKE?
Sarasota offers some fantastic outdoor dining opportunities. I mean, that’s part of what makes living here so different than, say, upstate New York. There are lots of great outdoor urban dining settings in town. This is one absolutely of them!
Yes, you can choose to dine inside if that’s more your thing. Pazzo offers some pretty traditional indoor options.
And, of course, there’s this…
If the restaurant’s full, it might present a chance to meet some new friends and grab a pre-meal drink while you wait for your table. If you happen to be solo, this seven-seater bar is perfect place to pull up and dine.
📄 WHAT TO ORDER?
This menu has a range! There are sandwiches for lunch. They’ve chosen to go with names this time instead of numbers. That probably makes sense for the type of place this is. 📝 NO, the #10 has not returned, even under another name! I have really got to stop obsessing over this. 😁
For dinner, things get more complicated than just a sandwich. You’ve got the full spectrum of traditional (and some non-traditional) Italian dishes to sort through and choose from.
I love to do a little research before I walk in the door to a new place. Now you can too!…
➡️ HERE’S A LINK TO THE PAZZO ON ORANGE MENU!
📷 PICTURES ARE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS
We started things off with a “little” bowl of Italian Wedding Soup. Just so you know, nothing is small here. You’ll be taking some extras home with you.
Since our trip was for lunch, we went with the Italian Tuna Sandwich. Super fresh bread makes an ideal carrier for this tasty lunchtime treat! 🐟
👀 RANDOM OBSERVATIONS
• Pazzo is the definition of upscale casual dining. This would be a nice stop before a concert or show. It would also make for a great date night!
• If you’ve had anything out of Michael’s kitchen at Pazzo Southside, Osteria Southside, or Mozzarella Fella, then you know what to expect. No surprises here. It’s all good!
• The outdoor terrace is the gem of this place. At least from a seating perspective. We have so many beautiful afternoons and evenings where this would be a terrific choice. OH – if you’ve got out-of-town guests and you’re not going for the “water view,” they will love this!
✅ BOTTOM LINE
When the word gets out (and it will), Pazzo on Orange will be hopping. Whether it’s for a casual lunch or a more upscale Italian dinner, there are menu choices for all tastes. They have a pretty good-sized wine list. Wine makes everything better, right? My advice, get there now before the crowds hit. You can thank me later. 😊
~ LH
📌 ODDS & ENDS
🌮 An Unexpected Taco Tuesday. Usually, it’s a place that has a menu with a Mexican tilt where you would expect this now popular weekday dining deal. You wouldn’t expect Madfish Grill. But that’s where we land on the taco timeline. Every Tuesday (of course), $5.90 tacos (minimum two) and $5 margaritas. The Mahi Taco is the “go-to” here.
🍲 It’s More Than Just a Bowl. Friday, November 5th, is the 24th Anniversary edition of Empty Bowls. This fundraiser benefitting the The Food Bank of Manatee, and, Meals on Wheels Plus, is a longstanding community favorite. Not only can you help two very worthwhile local food causes, but you can slurp down some delicious soup AND get your very own handcrafted soup bowl as a keepsake. – MORE INFO HERE!
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD EVENTS 🗓️
Here are some upcoming local food events that we think you might find interesting. All you need to do is make that reservation. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
⭐⭐ If you have an event, we’d like to help you spread the word. Let us know! (EMAIL IT)
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2024 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – OKTOBERFEST 🍻
📆 WEEKLY POP-UP KITCHEN EVENTS – 99 Bottles Taproom & Bottle Shop
Things are just gettinh restarted after Helene and Milton. We’ll post events here as info becomes available. If you have an event that you’d like to have listed, EMAIL US! 📩
NOV 2 – Rockin’ Lobster (Children First) – INFORMATION
NOV 8 – Chalk Festival – After Hours Wine Tasting – INFORMATION
NOV 17 – 6th Annual SRQ Craft Beer Festival – INFORMATION
DEC 7 – Lakewood Ranch BluesFest – INFORMATION 🎸
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS
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