They dress like chefs, were trained like chefs and even included the word "chefs" when they named their restaurant. ...more

October 6, 2008

ITALIAN ALBERTO'S ITALIAN GRILLE AND BAR, 3970 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; (813) 814-2272. This strip plaza restaurant offers a fine twist on traditional Southern Italian fare. From bruschetta to pasta dishes made with spicy pink sauce, the menu features lots of creative dishes. Meat lovers will enjoy the Filet Alberto and the ossobuco. Other standouts include Penne Puttanesca, a salty pasta with olives, capers and anchovies, and Shrimp Richelle. ($) ...more

July 11, 2008

Will Hyde Park Village ever move beyond the enigma? More stores and restaurants seem to close than stay open, and high rents prevent the mom-and-pop shops and newsstands from setting foot on such hallowed ground. So when a business sprouts crowds, we take notice. ...more

June 19, 2008

ITALIAN ALBERTO'S ITALIAN GRILLE AND BAR, 3970 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; (813) 814-2272. This strip plaza restaurant offers a fine twist on traditional Southern Italian fare. From bruschetta to pasta dishes made with spicy pink sauce, the menu features lots of creative dishes. Meat lovers will enjoy the Filet Alberto and the ossobuco. Other standouts include Penne Puttanesca, a salty pasta with olives, capers and anchovies, and Shrimp Richelle. ($) ...more

June 6, 2008

It's Memorial Day weekend, the official start of the backyard barbecue season. If you'll be hosting a get-together, chances are you may end up with some picnic leftovers - not a bad thing in my book. I like to create salads and pasta dishes out of grilled leftovers, adding a few new ingredients or spices to liven it up. ...more

May 23, 2008

ITALIAN ALBERTO'S ITALIAN GRILLE AND BAR, 3970 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; (813) 814-2272. This strip plaza restaurant offers a fine twist on traditional Southern Italian fare. From bruschetta to pasta dishes made with spicy pink sauce, the menu features lots of creative dishes. Meat lovers will enjoy the Filet Alberto and the ossobuco. Other standouts include Penne Puttanesca, a salty pasta with olives, capers and anchovies, and Shrimp Richelle. ($) ...more

May 2, 2008

There will be no live opera singing at the new Mr. T's Ristorante Italiano, but there will be the same authentic Italian cuisine. ...more

January 7, 2008

ITALIAN ALBERTO'S ITALIAN GRILLE AND BAR, 3970 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; (813) 814-2272. This strip plaza restaurant offers a fine twist on traditional Southern Italian fare. From bruschetta to pasta dishes made with spicy pink sauce, the menu features lots of creative dishes. Meat lovers will enjoy the Filet Alberto and the ossobuco. Other standouts include Penne Puttanesca, a salty pasta with olives, capers and anchovies, and Shrimp Richelle. ($) ...more

December 19, 2007

ITALIAN ALFANO'S, 1702 Clearwater-Largo Road, Clearwater; (727) 584-2125. Owned and operated by the the Alfano family since 1984, this restaurant offers a bit of European flair along the bustle of Clearwater-Largo Road. Dining rooms are quiet and posh - modeled after the grand hotel lobbies of Italy - and servers work each table with crisp efficiency. Pasta dishes are a must, such as a simple but rich rigatoni with meat sauce or the popular Rigatoni alla Vodka, bathed in a heavy cream sauce with prosciutto, mushroom and hot red pepper. Adventurous diners should consider the Celeste Abacchio, an imported rack of lamb cut and grilled in the Roman style of robust herbal flavors. ($$-$$$) ...more

October 31, 2007

ITALIAN ALBERTO'S ITALIAN GRILLE AND BAR, 3970 Tampa Road, Oldsmar; (813) 814-2272. This strip plaza restaurant offers a fine twist on traditional Southern Italian fare. From bruschetta to pasta dishes made with spicy pink sauce, the menu features lots of creative dishes. Meat lovers will enjoy the Filet Alberto and the ossobuco. Other standouts include Penne Puttanesca, a salty pasta with olives, capers and anchovies, and Shrimp Richelle. ($) ...more

September 19, 2007