Back in Orlando, I used to pull espresso shots and pour pinot noir. That was at Palmano's, a trattoria on Park Avenue. Between steaming milk and drying wine glasses, I would tune out the store owners fighting and dream of Italy.
When I walked into the cavernous Trattoria di Bernardone, I did more than dream of Italy.
I tasted Italy. I tasted it in saltimbocca, gnocchi, and meatballs. I felt it with the friendliness of Mario Bernardone, the owner, who boisterously greeted each guest.
Today the Durbin trattoria was filled with people. The atmosphere was alluring with high ceilings and a sort of stone theme. I took in the chaotic din of excited conversation and the smell of garlic. The Yelp Elite had invaded, and the mood was contagious. The pasta, the people, the place; this Pasta Party was everything.
Forks, Ready. Attenzione!
I scooted through the crowded tables scanning for a place to sit. I found one at a table of 9. As I scooted into the corner of the room, I began acclimating myself to my dinner neighbors who were enthusiastically chatting.
Soon, Mario addressed the crowd and shared the story of his family. His wife, Laura, and their nine children all work at the restaurant. The famiglia cooks together and celebrates recipes from the villages of Abruzzi. This was a passion project, a pasta passion project.
The feasting commenced. The sauce for the Mario’s lasagna was salty, fresh, and vibrant. I wanted more. The baked mushrooms were flavorful, succulent. The pizza had figs, yummy cheese, and basil. There was a fried dish that was savory and even had a little kick to it. I think it was the saltimboca. The shrimp pasta dish was perfectly al dente.
The espresso martini paired well with everything. When we got to dessert, I didn't have much room. The cheesecake and tiramisu were standard but tasty desserts, those Italian restaurant staples. The pistachio cake was rich and creamy with an exotic green hue.
Discovering a Book Club in the Wild
I found myself sitting with a book club that also happened to be Elite Yelpers. My inner English major self danced with glee while I sipped my yummy red wine and attempted to dive into the conversation. I shared all my favorite authors that I had discovered while working at the Bookmark.
Between bites, we dished about the upcoming book-turned-movie, "It Ends with Us" starring she who is unparalleled in hair beauty, Blake Lively. One girl told me about her podcast, PostPartum Delivered, which is about to hit a one-year milestone. I was in good company.
When in Rome
The Yelp Elite Pasta Party made me think of the festive meal I had in Rome when I was 16. Lorenzo Del Vento had invited my school tour group to a stand-alone dining house for a 4-course meal. We dined on antipasto, salad, bread, pasta, and baked chicken. It was decadence delivered. Our host embraced us with warmth and enthusiasm. Here in St. Johns County, Mario Brandadorne exhibited this same zest for hospitality.
It was an honor to visit Mario's family restaurant. I got to hear his story, try new flavors, taste an array of herb combinations delicately dispersed and displayed in dish after dish. I must admit that I eviscerated several plates of pasta and left quite full.
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