Portofino's

August 2018 review  /  March 2018 review 

Calzones And Meatballs Portofino’s Style

St Petersburg, Florida USA

Cuisine Style: Italian

Average Price: $

Overall Rating: 1/5

Dined in: August 2018

By Sean Overpeck (CFE)

**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for 

Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:

By Cuisine  /  By Country

Portofino

Casual Italian Family Dining

St Petersburg, Florida USA

Cuisine Style: Italian

Average Price: $

Overall Rating: 1/5

Dined in: March 2018
Article Updated: June 10, 2018

By Sean Overpeck (CFE)

**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for 

Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:

By Cuisine  /  By Country

Portofino Zomato score:

 

Portofino is a fishing village on the Italian Riviera coastline, southeast of Genoa City. Pastel-colored houses, high-end boutiques, and seafood restaurants fringe its Piazzetta, a small cobbled square overlooking the harbor, which is lined with super-yachts. A path leads from the Piazzetta to Castello Brown, a 16th-century fortress, and museum with art exhibitions and panoramic views of the town and the Ligurian Sea. The description alone makes you want to book your airline tickets, doesn’t it? 

Now, imagine a small restaurant in your typical American strip mall with a Publix shopping center on one end and a large pet store on the other. The restaurant’s doorways are lined with brick, and the expediting area from the dining room to the kitchen is built with Roman style arches from one end to the other. The Restaurant is called Portofino Italian Ristorante, and is family owned and operated, where the younger teenage daughter is the Hostess who greets you with a smile escorts you to the table, and as long as your first drink order is non-alcoholic, she will take that order for you. 

Portofino Menu:

• Cold Appetizers / Antipasto
• Hot Appetizers / Antipasto
• Zuppe/ Soup
• Side Orders
• Pollo / Chicken
• Veal / Vitella
• Pasta
• Fettuccini Dishes
• Seafood
• individual Casseroles
• From the Stone Oven - Pizzas

Gratzzi Italian Grille

22 May 2017 review  /  13 November 2016 review

Returned For More Bada Bing!

St. Petersburg, Florida USA

Cuisine Style: Italian

Average Price: $$$

Overall Rating: 5/5

Dined in May 2017

By Sean Overpeck (CFE)

**A full article and index glossary of restaurants, wines, recipes and travel for 

Wine Dine and Play are in the pages section above, or by following these links:

By Cuisine  /  By Country

Executive Chef:

Anthony Magnifico

Restaurant owners::

Domenic D'Angelo and Chef Anthony Mangiafico

My wife and I have been coming to Gratzzi Italian Grille more times than we can count over the years, meeting with friends, drinking, socializing, and sometimes having a full meal. The first review from November 2016 was such a sit-down. This time we had a large party of friends sitting down to a meal. Drinks around the table were of the assorted variety from Espresso and Nolet martini’s to King Estate pinot noir bottles out of Willamette.  According to the winemaker, the palate offers an elegant blend of dark cherries, rhubarb, and blackberry, evolving into complex flavors of cranberry, walnut, and cassis.

Menu:

• Early dinner menu
• Antipasti
• Zuppe & Insalate
• Fresh Pasta
• Chef’s Selections
• Other Favorites
• Gratzzi Grille
• Personal Gourmet Pizza 
• Desserts

Focuses for this meal setting were the tuna tartar over a bed of arugula lettuce strands, topped with seaweed, and pickled ginger. The taste was a bit spicy and strong acid accent from the lemon, but beautiful in texture, presentation, and taste. The dish came with a double layered style sauce combination of a sweet chili and topped with a garnish of wasabi cream.

Tuna tartar

Some other friends at the table enjoyed the carpaccio di Manzo with four assorted types of meat, and three kinds of cheese, one of which was a delightful Padana parmesan which honestly can compete with Parmigiano-Reggiano any day of the week. Include some black olives, Dijon sauce, capers, sweet onions, arugula, with a mixture and drizzle of infused oil and you had a plate fit for a king or queen, which boasted well with the King Estate pinot noir. 

Padana parmesan

The veal parmigiana one of three on the menu, with the other two being chicken or vegetarian eggplant was breaded with a Romano cheese mixture and panko, topped with a light and semi-sweet Pomodoro sauce, sprinkled shavings of mozzarella cheese and sat on a bed of spaghettini. Veal is all that needs to be said, because who could ask for anything better unless it is a wagyu or an authentic Japanese Kobe of course.

Veal parmigiana

The last meal event my wife and I had included the cavatelli bada bing dish, which we did recommend, and another person at the table ordered. This dish is prepared table-side and is a fantastic show from start to finish. The only way it could be better is if Pavarotti himself was singing behind him while the action station is presented.  A handmade ricotta cavatelli is flambéed inside a large wheel of the Padana parmesan, with San Daniele prosciutto, tomatoes, basil, and vodka. A massive and amazing wow. Great flavors and the smell is heavenly. You literally are missing all taste and sensory feelings if you don’t enjoy this dish.

Bada bing!

YouTube bada bing:

Dessert:

The Limoncello cake had a slight flavor of the alcohol from the cello making process, and the yellow cake mixture was soft and delicate. The taste was light with little sugar as the lemon would be the overpowering flavor profile from the dish. Next came the chocolate cake, thick, dark, and a big bursting surprise of taste that would wake an Egyptian mummy and have him beg for more.

Limoncello cake

Please see these guidelines for Tipping in Restaurants and on following proper etiquette, customs, cultures, and avoiding assumptions when you dine out.

Wine regulatory’s for the tastings in this article:

United States: 

American Viticultural Area

Oregon: 

OWA: Oregon Winegrowers Association

Other Noteworthy Italian Articles & Restaurants:

Alioto’s Restaurant Historic restaurant serving Sicilian-infused seafood in San Francisco, California

BiCE Restaurant, Dubai Marina Acclaimed upmarket classic & innovative Italian in Dubai, UAE

BRIO Tuscan Grille Relaxed Tuscan-inspired Italian chain eatery, reviewed in Sarasota, Florida

FarmTable Kitchen Casual Cal-Italian cuisine and chef tables in St. Petersburg, Florida

Feola’s Italian Ristorante relaxed eatery for pizza and pasta in Treasure Island, Florida

Gino’s East Pizzeria Chain serving Chicago-style deep dish pizza & other Italian eats in Chicago, Illinois

Gino’s Restaurant & Bar Old-school & modern genial Italian eatery in Tampa, Florida

Greystone Restaurant Italian CIA school restaurant in Calistoga, California (Now Gatehouse Restaurant) 

La Petite Maison Relaxed French-Italian Restaurant at the DFIC in Dubai, UAE

Locale Seasonal Northern Italian at the De Bortoli Winery in the Yarra Valley, Australia 

Noble Crust Modern contemporary Italian and Southern dishes in St Petersburg, Florida

Pia’s Trattoria Tuscan-themed old-school Italian restaurant In Gulfport, Florida

Pizza Republica Trendy Italian trattoria and pizza restaurant in Centennial, Colorado

Ponte Vecchio Fine dining Italian classics in the Fallsview Hotel, Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada

Prato Rustic Italian bistro with modern takes on classic dishes in Winter Park, Florida

Roberto’s Ristorante A walk into the Piemonte with a contemporary twist at the DIFC, Dubai, UAE

Romano’s Greek & Italian Restaurant Casual Greek & Mediterranean Dining in Brandon, Florida

Sea-Guini Chic restaurant with seafood & Italian-inspired cuisine in Clearwater Beach, Florida 

The Garlic old world style Italian with Mediterranean classics in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary”

Other St Petersburg restaurants and articles on Wine, Dine, and Play:

Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro Laid-back dockside spot for global eats St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

The Iberian Rooster  Colonial Portuguese Fusion with tapas St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

The Tap Room  Lively Bar and Grill  At the Hollander Hotel St. Petersburg, Florida, USA

A Few Florida Favorites:

Sea-Guini Italian-inspired seafood at the Opal Sands Resort Clearwater / Beach, Florida USA

Bridge Street Bistro Third Floor terrace Seafood Centric New American dining Bradenton Beach, Florida, USA

Key West Food and Wine Festival Multi-day festival and tasting Key West, Florida, USA

See the whole list by visiting “The Wine Dine and Play Article Glossary by country”

Final notes, review basics, observations and more pictures:

Most reviews are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsible, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience to the best of the writer's knowledge, even if it includes metaphors the restaurant may not like to read about. My ratings are by the stars I award (from 0 to 5). The rating is calculated on a point accumulation of six separate factors based on individual experience. They include wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, and wow factor. To see more details of this rating list, read this article:

What Is A Restaurant Review, And Am I Any Different?

Overall from this experience and the score factors outlined in the ‘about page’ section, based on my individual experience and rating, I give Gratzzi a 5 out of 5 stars, meaning that they maintained the same rating from the previous visit which was not only outstanding and far above the average dining experience of most restaurants, but they surpassed all expectations and were yet again an extraordinary experience. From the first visit, they have maintained the five-star level.

What are you waiting for, book your reservations!

Scores are detailed in the factor chart below:

Formula Factor Conclusions and Overall Ratings	Max Points Possible:	Total Points Awarded:	Total Points deducted:
Ambiance	10	9	1
Food quality	10	8	2
Plate presentation	8	8	0
Customer service	9	8	1
Alcohol and other beverages	10	9	1
Total regular points awarded	47	42	5
Total percentage Before Bonus		0.893617021276596
“Wow” factor BONUS	5	4	0
Total bonus percentage		0.0851063829787234
Total percentage with a bonus for the final star rating		0.978723404255319
Stars Awarded (see chart below)	0 - 5	5

**A full break down and explanation of the observations and point disbursement is available in the linked article above. To receive a detailed copy of your score, feel free to contact me at any time and I will provide it to you.**

***

Overall Star Rating:	5 of 5 Stars:  98% Rating with a 4 point “wow” bonus An Extraordinary Dining Experience
Corkage fee’s:	This Restaurant does not list any corkage fee’s however, most American restaurants charge  $25.00 per bottle
Restaurant style:	Casual dining
Cuisine style:	Italian, Tuscan, Milanese Allergen or dietary accommodations:  Farm to Fork, Gluten Free, Local, Organic, Pescatarian, Sustainable, Vegan, and Vegetarian Options
Reservations:	Not Required, But Recommended Walk-Ins: Accepted, but not guaranteed
Dress code:	Casual attire It’s Florida, everybody wears flip-flops!
Child policy:	The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a kids menu or cater to them; however, for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended that kids not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette.  If not then: Hire a Babysitter!
Experiences:	Place for foodies, Modern, Trendy, Romantic, Hotspot, Great bar, Good for special occasions, Intimate, and a Neighborhood Gem.
Payments:	Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
Parking:	Street meter parking
Wifi	The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
Noise level:	Medium
Smoking:	Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
Patio or terrace:	Yes

Food Prices 

(excludes, alcohol, taxes & 20% gratuity’s)

$£€¥ -                Under 50.00 (inexpensive)

$£€¥ x 2 -          51.00- 99.00 (moderate)

$£€¥ x 3 -          Over 100.00 (pricy)

$£€¥ x 4 -          Over 200.00 (expensive)

$£€¥ x 5 -          Over 400.00 (very expensive)

**Currencies reflect the world’s major travelers, restaurant, or wine connoisseur’s**

Currency:	Price
United States Dollar (USD)	$$
Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)	££
Canadian Dollar (CAN)	$$$
Chinese Yuan (CNY)	¥¥¥¥¥
European Union (EUR)	€€

 Alcohol prices:

$95.00 USD

Gratzzi Italian Grille:

211 2nd Street South

St. Petersburg

 Florida, 33701

Contact Information: 

Restaurant website:	Gratzzi Italian Grille
Maître d or host:	+1 727 623 9037
Online reservations	OpenTable
Email Contact:	Contact Gratzzi
Serving hours: Eastern Standard Time (GMT - 5:00)	Lunch: Mon-Sun 11:00 am - 4:00 pm Dinner: Mon-Sun 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm Happy Hour: Daily 4:00 pm - 5:30 pm
Social Media  &  Accolades:	Facebook link
	Twitter @GratzziGrille
	Pinterest
	YouTube
	Google +
	Instagram

****

The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list of who is writing it and changes on a regular basis. The Wine Dine and Play best experiences are based on my highest rated stared restaurants, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. From cafés, chains, mom + pops, hole in the walls, to fine dining including a few Michelin spots. Visit the Top 100 page to see the entire list.

A few to tease you with…

Attica An innovative and eclectic tasting menu  Ripponlea, Australia

Aubergine   Innovative East Meets West Menu Cape Town, South Africa

La TABLE de Joël Robuchon  Haute French Restaurant  Paris, France (Now L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon)

Other Pictures:

Bada bing!

“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things, 

But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”

-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)

Who is John Galt?

TTFN