Spazzi Italian Grill

Friendly, aromatic, delicious and authentic. Mangia, mangia!

Although I’m not Italian, I have some fond — and mouth watering — memories of Italian family dining traditions. As a child, my wife and her mother had their hair cut in the basement of an woman named Grace who was as cherished for her cooking as she was for her hard working “home salon” work ethic. Years later, after giving both of our boys their first haircuts, Grace took the opportunity to overwhelm us with her food. As one plate after another was placed before us, Grace would bellow, “Mangia, mangia!” — “Eat, eat!” — and we would all progress to eat more irresistible food than we ever imagined we could.

The atmosphere created by the new owners of Spazzi Italian Grill reminds me of those friendly, aromatic, delicious gatherings, and I couldn’t help recalling Grace’s command to indulge as Gabriella Moulton, Spazzi’s new general manager, delivered plate after plate of freshly made menu items.

Spazzi has it all, whether you’re looking for a casual pizza night with the family, a hearty business lunch or a fine Italian dinner with the one you love. And no matter what meal you go for, you are sure to taste the staff’s passion for Italian food.

If you’re in the mood for pizza, but feel like venturing away from Charlotte County’s few staples in that arena, Spazzi’s wood oven pizza is a great reason to bring the family for an inexpensive and delicious night out. There are now 10 choices on the menu, from the traditional Margherita, meat lovers and white pizzas to the more extravagant garlic shrimp or chicken Marsala pizzas. You can also have “pizza your own way.” You name the toppings, and they’ll make it happen. And as a bonus — at least in a family where no one can agree on pizza toppings — the pizzas are only 10 inches each, so you can order a few and share. A 16-inch pie can be ordered to go as well. The crisp toasted flavor of the crust from a wood oven is something you can’t get out of your microwave or home oven.

Lunch meetings at Spazzi seem to be a good idea, since you can choose from an array of appetizers, salads, pizzas and Italian wraps and sandwiches. Eggplant, meatball and chicken parmesan subs are available as well as a Philly cheese steak sub.

Our feast for four — my two teenage boys and wife accompanied me the night of my review — featured a variety of selections handpicked and delivered by Moulton and her staff.

It’s worth noting that my sons, having traveled extensively with their world champion Model United Nations team at Port Charlotte High School, have novice connoisseur credentials at the ripe old ages of 15 and 17. At their age, I still hadn’t experienced anything Italian beyond red cross spaghetti and my mother’s homemade sauce.

Our selection of appetizers included bruschetta, tomato caprese, mozzarella marinara and Sicilian rice balls. The bruschetta, crusty Italian bread piled with freshly diced tomatoes, garlic and herbs, and was as good as any we’ve had. Tomato caprese with basil,mozzarella and a homemade balsamic vinaigrette is always a tasty and light way to start a meal. The Sicilian rice ball was the most interesting of the bunch, a fried ball of risotto, peas and onions served with a bolognese sauce. This was really a hit with our family.

The lightly fried ball was crisp on the outside and not at all greasy, and the soft risotto blend inside was wonderful. Mussels, calamari and antipasto are also available on the appetizer menu.

Our entrees included sirloin Marsala, a tender, high-quality steak with a sweet smooth Marsala wine sauce. We also indulged in chicken parmesan, which was lightly breaded, fried and topped with pomodoro sauce and melted parmesan cheese. The sauce was bright red with a delightful hint of garlic throughout. The dish was fresh and no oily overtones were left despite the fried preparations. My wife and younger son’s favorite dished were the sirloin Marsala and Margherita pizza, which in its most basic form serves as a good bread side dish with a basil mozzarella bonus. My older son really enjoyed the Spazzi seafood delight. This fresh mix of scallops, Florida lobster, shrimp, mussels and clams was all served over a bed of fresh linguine. The light Provencal cream sauce was a perfect catalyst for the shellfish flavors. The dish can also be ordered fra diavlo or with olive oil and garlic. I’ll definitely be back to try both. A refreshed wine by the glass list provided for appropriate quality wines for any of the dishes.

While we didn’t have any of the house pastas this time around, Spazzi offers 10 varieties. There’s certain to be something there for anyone’s taste preferences. As Spazzi is striving to be the best Italian restaurant in town, these pasta selections really anchor the menu.

Although several excellent cheesecakes are made fresh daily — we had the New York, pumpkin and Oreo cheesecakes — the tiramisu really can’t be missed. It’s moist, yet firm in texture, and full of Italian flavor.

Chef Eduardo Viteri and Moulton have rescued Spazzi Italian Grill from anonymity, and thanks to them, it is well on its way to becoming Punta Gorda’s favorite Italian restaurant. Bring your family, friends and business partners to enjoy their flavorful Italian food and enthusiastic service. You won’t be disappointed.

Spazzi Italian Grill is located at 111 West Olympia Ave. in Punta Gorda. The restaurant is open for lunch Monday–Friday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dinner hours are Monday–Thursday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Call (941) 575-9669 or visit www.spazzipuntagorda.com for information.

HARBOR STYLE would like to thank Gabriela Moulton, Chef Viteri and their entire staff for providing our reviewer with such an enjoyable evening.