Fat Friday

It's Fat Friday again! I was so looking forward to lunch out with a friend, but it turns out I was to have lunch with one of my very favorite people right here at home. Our sweet Tiny has a fever virus, so we are enjoying the day together. She is quietly sleeping right now and I am tempted to join her!
Tampa is home to many culinary delights, but I now understand why the only place recommended to me when we moved here was Pane Rustica. It truly is the BEST Tampa has to offer. Tampa has many wonderful restaurants, but for those who love really good food prepared well, you must go to Pane Rustica. It's wide variety of menu items pleases all palates. I love that you can eat for $5 if you buy their pizza and drink water, or you can have a salmon sandwich on homemade rosemary foccacia bread for around $12. Fantastic!
This summer, Kevin, owner of Pane Rustica, expanded his restaurant. The "old side" still allows up-at-the-counter ordering, but you can sit on the new side for full-service at lunch and dinner. We have even called and made reservations for lunch after church with a crowd of 10 and we were accommodated. I told the server that Pane Rustica was going to be our country club on Sundays since we are still fairly new to Tampa and have not pursued membership at this time! The food really is the best in town and you always feel like it's pretty healthy too.
I can't get enough of their flatbread pizzas. They make interesting combos like bacon, gorgonzola, and caramelized onions or roasted red pepper, mushrooms, goat cheese, and caramelized onions. There is a great zucchini, squash, and olive tapenade pizza as well. For $5, it's a great deal for a big slice!
My favorite sandwich is the grilled chicken with roasted red peppers, a delightful mayo, grilled onions, and melted cheese on rosemary foccacia bread. You can choose your bread from several fresh offerings.
The menu specials change daily. They make delicious mussels, scallops, salmon, pheasant, gnocchi, and all kinds of other delightful meats and foods. In fact, I had a fantastic grilled mortadella, grana panna cheese, cranberries, grilled figs, and a green herb flatbread that was amazing. Kevin's staff uses fresh, in-season ingredients. You will not be disappointed!
Some people enjoy their breakfast pastries and other offerings served with fresh illy coffee for breakfast. It's a great place to go any time of the day! They are closed on Mondays and on Sun. evenings. Bon Appetit!

**I tried my best to take images off of their site so that you can see the food and restaurant, but I couldn't do it! Be sure to visit their website!**