I'm going with Santioni's to lead off. Not the Mandarin location, the Fleming Island location . The original owner runs this location and let me tell you, it's the best experience . Pasta is fresh, sauce is always good and he service is top notch . The wine list is pretty good too. It's wide ranging and offers some really great wine brands. You can't go wrong with a bottle of Hahn Pinot Noir, or anything with a Steele label on it here.
But really, I just prefer the food. The Tortellini Alla Penna is awesome , the mussels...oh man , yummy.
I'm tired of chain Italian restaurants, I like the privately owned and run restaurants... :-)
since I lived in Italy twice, it would be my own. Sorry
I'd second the Santioni's recommendation (Fleming Island). Been several times & it's really, really good. Owner even came by to thank us with complimentary lemoncellos on a busy night.
I've always had excellent food and service at Primi Piatti. I figure anything that's lasted that long must be halfway decent. and La Cena if someone else is paying (sorry not sorry).
Primi Piatti and Sorrentos
In the category of: "Best Quality, Presentation, Value, Authenticity and Atmosphere", with special consideration for the: "'Omg, I hope I can wait for lunch to eat my leftovers but I'll probably have them for breakfast!' Factor", the winner is...La Cena Ristorante!
A great Majority of my life was spent in Italia it is also where my main home is. So here we go... In jacksonville there are quite a few good places to eat... A few that I particularly enjoy are Maggiano's, Brio, Enza's, Joeseph's, Benito's, Vito's. I also like to go by my good friend Freddy's at casa dora when I am in the mood for a slice :) V's Pizza is also Italian owned and operated by a few really awesome guys from Sicilia :) If I had to pick a favorite though... Locally Joeseph's Simply because I love zeppole <3. If I was in the mood to do a bit of driving then Vito's on the southside it would be. If I wanted to have a night out then I would go to Maggiano's. And Casa Dora to grab a slice.
That being stated nothing beats some real home cooked food :) I posted some recipes in another thread. Nothing beats a group of friends (new or old) around a table.
Mangia!
I never understand why Primi Piatti isn't busier. I think they do a good job.
Quote from: Steve on September 03, 2014, 10:04:07 PM
I never understand why Primi Piatti isn't busier. I think they do a good job.
I must be the only one who thinks it was awful. They brought us wonder bread before our meal. Not joking, it was just toasted white bread. I dont think they have pizza so I can understand them not having bread, but toast was insulting. That and it was overpriced - no refills on soda even though it was a fountain drink? No salad or soup with my $15 bowl of noodles? I won't be back.
Back on topic, Santionis in Mandarin is always good. Now with all these flemming island comments i might have to check out that location. Are the 2 shops related?
I like Enzas.
Moral of the story: JAX has some decent/above-decent Italian food.
I will say I don't think we have a single 5*, high-dining styled Italian place.
For hearty, red sauce Italian food, I like Luigi's on University Blvd. Don't expect high style. Just good food, and more than you can probably eat at one sitting.
Enza's
Quote from: ben says on September 04, 2014, 11:07:45 AM
Moral of the story: JAX has some decent/above-decent Italian food.
I will say I don't think we have a single 5*, high-dining styled Italian place.
+1 but a good hearty Italian dish don't have to be from a 5* to be good fortunately lol
Quote from: AuditoreEnterprise on September 05, 2014, 01:26:00 AM
Quote from: ben says on September 04, 2014, 11:07:45 AM
Moral of the story: JAX has some decent/above-decent Italian food.
I will say I don't think we have a single 5*, high-dining styled Italian place.
+1 but a good hearty Italian dish don't have to be from a 5* to be good fortunately lol
100% agree. What I was getting at: there's not a single place that does anything beyond "heart Italian dish"
I don't expect Michelin star gastronomy a la NYC or San Fran, but having one non-hearty-Italian-dishes could be fun (i.e. something beyond "who makes the best rigatoni with sauce")
There's a new place that opened over on University in the old Angelos restaurant called Roberto's. Their lasagne is awesome !
Quote from: stephendare on September 05, 2014, 09:08:03 AM
In fact my go to for decent, vaguely Italian dining is the Regency Carrabas, which has consistently wonderful food
WHAT? From the same people who brought us outback steakhouse during the australian invasion? I don't know, "italian food" from a sysco truck doesn't sound very good to me.
Stephen, I highly suggest you give a some of these restaurants in this thread a try, you won't want to drive near carrabba's again.
I like Carraba's, because it's delicious stoner food, but it's no more Italian than the places you're decrying.
Having spent considerable time in Italy - I was just there for 2 weeks, and my mother-in-law lives there - I think JAX has some very serviceable Italian food.
When I go to Casa Dora for dinner, Freddie will gladly make something off the menu. But I've never had a bad meal there - lunch or dinner. Pizza's good too. I mean its not like the food I had when I worked in Italy years ago (hard to beat "real" Italian food) - but it's still good.
It's not even close - Sorrento is the best hands down.
Luciano, the chef, is phenomenal. When they do their fresh catch cooked positano, there's just nothing better. Their pasta is always al dente and who could forget the rolls?
I really like Enza's in Mandarin and Taverna in San Marco (which I would referance as having a hybrd Italian/Mediterranean-inspired menu).
Will have to try Santioni's. Always drive past it going to my mom's house, never had the urge to go in.
Quote from: exnewsman on September 05, 2014, 11:45:00 AM
When I go to Casa Dora for dinner, Freddie will gladly make something off the menu. But I've never had a bad meal there - lunch or dinner. Pizza's good too. I mean its not like the food I had when I worked in Italy years ago (hard to beat "real" Italian food) - but it's still good.
I just really enjoy the service there, but maybe it's an Italian thing. Freddy all around is a great guy though.
Quote from: fieldafm on September 05, 2014, 01:10:00 PM
I really like Enza's in Mandarin and Taverna in San Marco (which I would referance as having a hybrd Italian/Mediterranean-inspired menu).
Will have to try Santioni's. Always drive past it going to my mom's house, never had the urge to go in.
Speaking of Mediterranean, anyone try Chef Howard's risotto? (13 Gypsies.) if someone can find me better, anywhere, I'll treat you to a meal of your choice. (I've literally had three born and raised Italians tell me it was the best they've ever had.)
Quote from: stephendare on September 05, 2014, 09:08:03 AM
There isn't a single place in Jacksonville that I would go to for authentic Italian. Most of it is crap.
There are a couple of very serviceable italo american menus in the city and some decent traditional Italian offerings, but nothing for haute cuisine italian worth mentioning.
In fact my go to for decent, vaguely Italian dining is the Regency Carrabas, which has consistently wonderful food and if you sit at the chefs table, wonderful presentation. And Im not really a corporate chain kind of guy, but when it comes to Italian food, most of the stuff served in the city is an insult to the idea of 'cuisine'.
That said, its still pretty yummy for americanized food.
Crazy talk. Mamma Lucia's, corner of St. John's Bluff and Beach, is real Italian food made by real Italians. I mean, Carrabas??? La Cena is good if you have half a lifetime to wait for your dinner.
With all these self-proclaimed italians/italian experts it makes me wonder why we have no good italian shops in town.
Quote from: coredumped on September 05, 2014, 02:50:56 PM
With all these self-proclaimed italians/italian experts it makes me wonder why we have no good italian shops in town.
I don't claim to be an Italian expert. I do think I have an above average IQ when it comes to Italian food/culture, though. FWIW, I don't think we have any real Italian import businesses here (the kind you'd find in Brooklyn/Queens/Long Island NY) because those are "by Italians, for Italians" - we may have some Italians here, but not enough to keep a salumeria running. If someone wants to open one, by all means, I'll frequent it often! (I'm not saying it WONT work here, just saying nobody has done it and the clientele will be largely non-Italian, so the proprietor has to be pretty dedicated to keep it on point).
Just because this conversation has made me hungry, here are some foodie pictures from my trip to Sicily (went for 13 days, a few weeks ago):
Fresh stuffed zucchini blossoms (stuffed with homemade ricotta and fried):
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3849/14963354878_6f84959c79_c.jpg)
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5573/15126896706_74b7e4ff54_c.jpg)
Two of Sicily's most famous foods:
1: brioche and granita
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3855/14963361567_c865e6df3f_c.jpg)
2: arancini, fried rice balls typically stuffed with ragu and the like
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3885/15149930305_3ee8f42b11_c.jpg)
Went scuba diving off the coast of Ionian Coast (Ragusa), came up with sea urchin:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3870/14963369127_6c0ba2975e_c.jpg)
First course of mussel and spaghetti:
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5574/14963369818_9cdfd47685_c.jpg)
Fresh pasta night..couldn't resist making all different shapes and sizes (tortellini, angel hair, etc):
(https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5578/14963216569_f1b8e49b89_c.jpg)
Fettuccini w fresh squid ink sauce, made by my Italian grandmother (in-law) - a fourth generation recipe
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3877/14963363088_ab9409f16f_c.jpg)
And it wouldn't be Sicily without:
(https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3887/14963361918_56210615bd_c.jpg)
Anyone salivating yet?
Dear ben says,
Next time you're in Italy, please bring me back some of them cannolis!
Your hero,
Gamblor ;)
Wait, you get stoned before Carraba's, too?
Maybe not Jacksonville, but nearby in Ponte Vedra is Poppy's. It's a charming little restaurant with an extensive menu. The food is delicious. I love their garlic bread. The service is always very good.
Recently had 3 Taverna Entree's: Salmon, Scallops, and Fettuccine + meatballs .
The Salmon was not just perfectly cooked but incredibly healthy.
Scallops were gorgeous and tasty.
Fettuccine house made .
Very, very good, and very comfortable atmosphere.
Quote from: MusicMan on September 05, 2014, 08:21:36 PM
Recently had 3 Taverna Entree's: Salmon, Scallops, and Fettuccine + meatballs .
The Salmon was not just perfectly cooked but incredibly healthy.
Scallops were gorgeous and tasty.
Fettuccine house made .
Very, very good, and very comfortable atmosphere.
I used to be ambivalent towards Taverna, but I must say, the last time I was there I was pretty blown away. Best scallop dish I've ever had.
I won't say they are outstanding but Gubio's on Old King's Road and Baymeadow's is quite good and for Americanized Italian food Perards out here in Whitehouse is very good.
Quote from: fieldafm on September 05, 2014, 01:10:00 PM
I really like Enza's in Mandarin and Taverna in San Marco (which I would referance as having a hybrd Italian/Mediterranean-inspired menu).
Will have to try Santioni's. Always drive past it going to my mom's house, never had the urge to go in.
Went to Santioni's in Fleming Island and really liked it. Reminded me of one of my mom's old places.
I believe the lady friend has a column on the place in this week's Folio Weekly.
Thanks for the recommendation RaylanLongmire.
I am a big fan of Dwight's Bistro on Penman.
I eat at Jerry's LaCena at least once per week. I went in tonight ... had some tea, waiting to order etc. Several different parties arrived. They were soooo busy. After waiting for a few minutes, watching all the people arrive, I texted Jerry, saying I would be back another day .... that I didn't want to slow the girls down as they were already running to keep up.
The clientele tonight included some attorneys I know, some city council members, a physician I know, and several other parties.
I am certainly not an experienced connoisseur of Italian food. And I don't know the degree to which Jerry's high volume should be considered to be a reflection of the quality of the food and service. But surely, there is a positive correlation. To suggest otherwise just wouldn't make sense.
I suspect that -- seeing the volume of business over the years, and from my usual seat up front, observing the satisfied customers departing, offering comments about returning soon -- the quality must be there in solid form.
Therefore, given my observations over recent years regarding the repeat clientele, the apparent satisfaction consistently exhibited upon departure, and the sheer quantity of people dining in, I suspect that, if the truth be known, Jerry's LaCena would have to be considered one of the best Italian Restaurants in the city. I can have no other opinion.
That's fair, especially considering the legendarily slow service at La Cena. The fact that so many people I know have horror stories about waiting for food, combined with the fact that the restaurant survives, must mean that the food is worth the pain and struggle of actually getting fed there.
I agree DTBrown that a long wait when one is in a hurry can be a horror story.
And you're probably correct about the occasional slow time in and out at LaCena, especially when they get overcome with walk-ins. Actually, I suspect that most who frequent the place, do so expecting to simply enjoy the quiet and the music for a little spell.
Those who want to eat-n-run at LaCena will probably be satisfied most of the time if they are not too busy. But if anyone is in a hurry, and the place is real busy, a delay might be.
What might be a cause for occasional waits, and the pattern of consistent quality, is LaCena's practice of actually cooking food to order. I've been to some "Italian" restaurants, and the "prepared early" taste and feel is clearly there.
In any case, I hope he stays put, as he's in the core, and its only two doors from my place. I get hungry, and I need all the neighbors I can get.
I love a $17 split plate charge....
Quote from: ronchamblin on December 10, 2014, 08:21:03 PM
I agree DTBrown that a long wait when one is in a hurry can be a horror story.
In any case, I hope he stays put, as he's in the core, and its only two doors from my place. I get hungry, and I need all the neighbors I can get.
I completely agree, and I hope he stays forever. Word to the wise, though: this is not your pre-theater or pre-concert restaurant. I've tried that and informed the staff when I made the reservation and when we were seated. We allowed plenty of time. PLENTY. We nearly had to walk out. Jerry didn't get that reputation by accident.
My wife and I call La Cena a "two bottle restaurant" because even without trying, the first bottle is gone before an entree shows up.
Excellent food, to be sure.
The split-plate cost is a policy decision similar to my paperback minimum price in the bookstore. Both policies ultimately function as subtle suggestions to some overly thrifty customers that perhaps they should consider other options.
I've made the conscious decision to eliminate customers who would, during repeated visits, complain about my minimum prices on the older paperback books. I suggest to my overly thrifty customers that they might find the 50 cent or one dollar book at the flea market or the garage sale.
Every small business has its target market, or the kind of customer it attempts to cultivate so as to increase and maintain business strength. And in most instances the business does not wish to cultivate overly thrifty or cheap customers simply because to do so would soon push their business into mediocrity and failure.
Imagine how unhappy the established LaCena clientele would be if Jerry offered bargains to bring kids into the restaurant, and bargain two-for-one split-plate meals to bring in crowds of loud bargain hunters. He would be gone in six months.
Each of the cooked-to-order plates at LaCena usually has an abundant amount of food upon it. The cost to prepare it is probably more than we might suspect, given the product cost ... overhead etc. Therefore to invite splitting the plate by having a too-low charge for doing so, would encourage the split-plate practice, and would, in my opinion, weaken the financial strength of the business.
A businesses' policies, in prices or otherwise, are usually designed to engage a subtle selection process to cultivate the customers best suited to its operation.
For the customer, there is always a cost/value choice to make. Although occasionally possible, one seldom can consistently get high variety/value at very low cost.
Carrabba's at Regency is no more....
QuoteBy Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor
Bloomin' Brands Inc. has closed its Carrabba's Italian Grill in Regency as it shutters 43 underperforming restaurants throughout its system.
A sign on the door at 9840 Atlantic Blvd. says the restaurant is closed. Landlord DLC Management Corp. referred questions to Carrabba's, but its site plan online shows the space as vacant and available for lease.
Nation's Restaurant News reported Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands Inc. said Friday it had closed the locations, but did not say where, because of weak same-store sales at most of its casual dining brands.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549389
Quote from: thelakelander on February 21, 2017, 12:04:39 PM
Carrabba's at Regency is no more....
QuoteBy Karen Brune Mathis, Managing Editor
Bloomin' Brands Inc. has closed its Carrabba's Italian Grill in Regency as it shutters 43 underperforming restaurants throughout its system.
A sign on the door at 9840 Atlantic Blvd. says the restaurant is closed. Landlord DLC Management Corp. referred questions to Carrabba's, but its site plan online shows the space as vacant and available for lease.
Nation's Restaurant News reported Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands Inc. said Friday it had closed the locations, but did not say where, because of weak same-store sales at most of its casual dining brands.
http://www.jaxdailyrecord.com/showstory.php?Story_id=549389
Does Stephen know about this? He'll be gutted - he reckoned they were one of the best restaurants in Jacksonville.
^ I was about to say the same thing.
Big deal - another link in a corporate chain bites the dust. Read Arbus about all the locally owned very good restaurants and patronize them.
I agreed with Stephen, this was the better of the Carabbas to eat at.
I was just there last Monday, and only noticed the portions had shrunk.
As to the nomenclature "underperforming", many times it means alcohol to food sales ratios were getting too low.
Its the same reason Tony Roma's left, same for Johnny Carinos, most of the O Charleys, Don Pablos and a host of other "themed" chains.
The booz drinkers are moving up and this leaves mid-tier chains like Carabbas struggling to get them back in.
I was at Seasons 52 2 weeks ago on a Tuesday, place was full, bar was full and there were glasses of wine on almost every table. Not so at Carabbas.
I like Primi Piatti - it does a good job of approximating my experience of Italian food in Italy, which, in my opinion, is far from being haute cuisine, but rather consists of fresh ingredients, prepared simply, but w/ utmost attention to craft. As I said, I think Primi does a good job of *approximating* that feature of italian cuisine which I imagine is actually very hard to replicate in the U.S., given how we tend to process our food.
I've yet to find pizza here that replicates the Italian experience - I think the environment must have a bigger impact on perception of taste than one might imagine - but the wood fired pizza that is intermittently found at the Art's Market comes closest.
Quote from: bencrix on February 22, 2017, 08:29:52 AM
I like Primi Piatti - it does a good job of approximating my experience of Italian food in Italy, which, in my opinion, is far from being haute cuisine, but rather consists of fresh ingredients, prepared simply, but w/ utmost attention to craft. As I said, I think Primi does a good job of *approximating* that feature of italian cuisine which I imagine is actually very hard to replicate in the U.S., given how we tend to process our food.
I've yet to find pizza here that replicates the Italian experience - I think the environment must have a bigger impact on perception of taste than one might imagine - but the wood fired pizza that is intermittently found at the Art's Market comes closest.
Italian pizza is nice, but I'd rather have an NYC slice any day.
Quote from: bencrix on February 22, 2017, 08:29:52 AM
I've yet to find pizza here that replicates the Italian experience - I think the environment must have a bigger impact on perception of taste than one might imagine - but the wood fired pizza that is intermittently found at the Art's Market comes closest.
I didn't have a great pizza experience in Italy. I ordered it a few times and it wasn't great, so I switched to other items which were fantastic. I think V Pizza is as good as any I had while I was in Italy.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 22, 2017, 12:22:40 PM
I didn't have a great pizza experience in Italy. I ordered it a few times and it wasn't great, so I switched to other items which were fantastic. I think V Pizza is as good as any I had while I was in Italy.
(http://i.imgur.com/FOacuYl.jpg)
Quote from: Captain Zissou on February 22, 2017, 12:22:40 PM
Quote from: bencrix on February 22, 2017, 08:29:52 AM
I've yet to find pizza here that replicates the Italian experience - I think the environment must have a bigger impact on perception of taste than one might imagine - but the wood fired pizza that is intermittently found at the Art's Market comes closest.
I didn't have a great pizza experience in Italy. I ordered it a few times and it wasn't great, so I switched to other items which were fantastic. I think V Pizza is as good as any I had while I was in Italy.
I had the same experience in Italy, I ordered pizza three times and wasn't impressed. I was most impressed by the seafood in the coastal areas.
Quote from: jlmann on February 22, 2017, 03:40:11 PM
theres a lot of shit pizza in Italy particularly in the larger cities, but that's a bit like an Italian guy spending a week in our vast country and then saying he couldn't find a good cheeseburger even though there are burger joints everywhere
Yep, I'm sure you're right and there is good pizza there. I was just surprised that the places that the various hotel concierges were suggesting as the best around were, in my opinion, so mediocre.
On that note, I wonder what a concierge at a Jacksonville 4 or 5 star hotel would recommend for Italian food.
I've had good pizza in Italy. But I just prefer the Americanized version. Perhaps it's because I get it so rarely now - but there's nothing like a slice of cheese pizza, NYC style.
Quote from: jlmann on February 22, 2017, 09:07:24 AM
QuoteBig deal - another link in a corporate chain bites the dust. Read Arbus about all the locally owned very good restaurants and patronize them.
my thoughts as well. carrabbas is fine, pretty enjoyable and consistent. But I could never understand what elevated this one so much in particular.
but this highlights why chains suck. in no way a member of the community. when a couple of performance metrics move into unacceptable territory some exec from HQ shuts er down.
With you on that. Why that one stood out I dont know. I went to other Carrabbas, but for some reason we always came back to Regency.
Its like my Red Robin experiences on another thread. Some do well, some are really bad.
As far as pizza goes, I am a Giordanos/Lou Malnati's deep dish guy.
I like all kinds of pizza, NYC, Silicilian, etc. But Chicago style deep dish makes it. I have yet to find a decent one in Jax yet. Still waiting.
Quote from: spuwho on February 22, 2017, 04:31:24 PM
Quote from: jlmann on February 22, 2017, 09:07:24 AM
QuoteBig deal - another link in a corporate chain bites the dust. Read Arbus about all the locally owned very good restaurants and patronize them.
my thoughts as well. carrabbas is fine, pretty enjoyable and consistent. But I could never understand what elevated this one so much in particular.
but this highlights why chains suck. in no way a member of the community. when a couple of performance metrics move into unacceptable territory some exec from HQ shuts er down.
With you on that. Why that one stood out I dont know. I went to other Carrabbas, but for some reason we always came back to Regency.
Its like my Red Robin experiences on another thread. Some do well, some are really bad.
As far as pizza goes, I am a Giordanos/Lou Malnati's deep dish guy.
I like all kinds of pizza, NYC, Silicilian, etc. But Chicago style deep dish makes it. I have yet to find a decent one in Jax yet. Still waiting.
You not a fan of Carmine's deep dish?
Quote from: Gators312 on February 22, 2017, 05:40:28 PM
You not a fan of Carmine's deep dish?
Carmine's is definitely not bad. I do not need to go back but they're on par with the Giordano's in Orlando. They can't touch the one in Chicago.
My wife is from Italy and, of course, so is her mom. A small island off the coast. We brought her mom down a few years ago and took her to a handful of Italian restaurants. Her favorite? .....Olive Garden. No contest. Same with her mom's sister.
Go figure!!
I really believe that most of the food eaten by us Americans in restaurants here in the states has been so "Americanized" that we don't really know what it's like to eat authentic Italian, Chinese, Mexican, or almost any other food. I've eaten pizza in N.Italy and it was nothing more than a great piece of dough with tomatoes, basil, oregano, and sprinkled cheese. Very minimalist by our standards. It was delicious. I bet most Chinese would give a puzzled look if you asked for chop suey. Often times the people who live in the countries we try to copy would love a big Carmine's pizza. We taken products of others and have shaped it to fit American tastes. Not wrong, just different. Best Mexican food I ever ate was in Victoria, British Columbia! Can hardly wait to get back to Scandinavia for a dish of Haagen-Dazs. (Of course I'm kidding)
My apologies in advance for posting buzz feed, but if these people are all Italian, you can see how tastes differ even among "real Italians."
https://youtube.com/v/UVyhE3-_lCM
The most popular frozen pizza in Italy is made by a German company called Dr Oetker.
People are people. What's the most popular American restaurant? Whatever it is, would you consider it a good example of American food? The idea that something is good because "real" (insert nationality here) like it is foolish. What's popular isn't always what's best. And "best" can be very subjective.
Quote from: jlmann on February 23, 2017, 09:05:26 AM
taste is taste, but Carmines! any place that puts canned or nonfresh veges on pizza is out for me. maybe that's changed in recent years though
how that place stays in business less than a couple miles from moon river, mellow, and v
on par with als, maybe.
they clearly got some secret though because lolas is even worse
Totally agree. I felt like I was the only one.
It's not strictly Italian, but we had a great meal at Picasso's in Mandarin. Excellent pasta and seafood.
Quote from: Tacachale on February 23, 2017, 09:59:22 AM
It's not strictly Italian, but we had a great meal at Picasso's in Mandarin. Excellent pasta and seafood.
Shhh!!! That place is busy enough! :)
Also not strictly italian but just down the road is moon dog pie house, very good chicago deep dish, which is hard to find in Jax. I put it up there with Ale pie house IMO.
Il Desco is the closest to the food I had in Italy. I was near Florence and Cinque Terre.
Quote from: spuwho on February 22, 2017, 04:31:24 PM
I like all kinds of pizza, NYC, Silicilian, etc. But Chicago style deep dish makes it. I have yet to find a decent one in Jax yet. Still waiting.
Biggies out at the beach has awesome pizza. I'm a huge fan of Sicilian and their's hits the spot. Otherwise, it's NY style stuff and very good. I don't know what "authentic" Italian pizza tastes like but this place is seriously good.
I'd argue there isn't really anything important about authenticity itself. You use fresh ingredients and take a care in putting the thing together and cooking it, and it should be good. It's pizza after all, not rocket surgery.
It has been probably been said; but Picasso's for me.
10503 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Quote from: PeeJayEss on February 23, 2017, 01:31:25 PM
Quote from: spuwho on February 22, 2017, 04:31:24 PM
I like all kinds of pizza, NYC, Silicilian, etc. But Chicago style deep dish makes it. I have yet to find a decent one in Jax yet. Still waiting.
Biggies out at the beach has awesome pizza. I'm a huge fan of Sicilian and their's hits the spot. Otherwise, it's NY style stuff and very good. I don't know what "authentic" Italian pizza tastes like but this place is seriously good.
I'd argue there isn't really anything important about authenticity itself. You use fresh ingredients and take a care in putting the thing together and cooking it, and it should be good. It's pizza after all, not rocket surgery.
Kudos on the Biggies recommendation. I've been working out at the beach since Sept. V pizza is within walking distance of my office so I hit them up pretty regularly. Tried Biggies today -- the Sicilian "grandmas pie" was great. Simple, evoo, basil, garlic, tomato sauce , mozz and romano. On point.