Cheap Eats: Panini Pizza Cafe'

(Credit: Danielle Hier)

Photos:

How nice it was walking into the Panini Pizza Cafe' and have it actually look like...well, a cafe' .  No red and white checkered pizzeria tablecloths or harsh wooden booths. It was neither a dressy Italian bistro nor a laid back pizza place, but a lovely hybrid of casual elegance.

The Decor: We were greeted by teardrop chandelier lighting, canvas upholstered booths that resembled a multicolored mexican serape, and heavy welded metal chairs and tables that were sturdy enough to survive a meteor hit.  The marbelized acid-washed floors and winding wood paneled walls gave the cafe' a chic modern look, with the sage brush, amber and terra cotta painted walls adding to a contemporary Sante Fe feel.

The Food: In celebration of their one year anniversary, a few lucky guests are treated to complimentary appetizers.  My significant other and I were served a plate of thinly sliced eggplant wrapped prosciutto and mozzerella cheese, along with a bed of sauteed spinach and a touch of marinara sauce.  When asked what it was called, we were told it was an original creation, not part of the menu. I do admire the way Italian cooks have of being able to create impromptu dishes from wherever the wind takes them. And my boyfriend (an admitted eggplant parmesan snob) gave it a hearty "thumbs up."

For the main course, we couldn't decide on a panini or a pizza, and opted to split lunches, with two slices of pepperoni pizza ($6.45) and a 1/2 each of the Capicolla Fontina ($8.45), a Sicillian style panini with parmesan, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and an Italian dressing.  The pizza has been named "the best you'll find south of New York", and they're right, further proving that all pizzas are not created equal.  The capicolla's saltiness was balanced nicely with the soft fontina cheese, and sweetened by vine-ripened tomatoes.

For dessert, I settled on a freshly baked cannoli with a not-too-sweet ricotta cream with tiny chocolate chips ($3.45), and a single shot of espresso ($2.25)

Northern or Southern:  I get asked all the time, "Do you like Italian food?"  But what does that mean, as I've never really been to two Italian restaurants that are exactly the same.  Just to get you started (if you're curious), Northern Italian cuisine has more of a French influence, and the entrees often include a cream sauces, risotto, beans and mascarpone cheeses.  Southern Italy has more of a Greek influence, serving many tomato dishes, mozerella cheeses, pasta dishes, and olive oil in basil.  Since Panini Pizza Cafe' is Southern cuisine, let's not leave out that they also specialize in seafood, cannoli, tiramasu and - of course - spaghetti and pizza.

The Bottom Line: Lunch specials start at $6.45, so with a beverage, you can eat well for under $9.  Sunday-only breakfast specials are served from 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., and include skillets, french toast and eggs ranging from $5-$8.  Order from the regular lunch menu and you're likely to spend $10-18 depending on whether you have dessert, beer or wine with your meal, and dinner options range from approximately $14-$20 per person.

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The Panini Pizza Cafe' is located at 8348 US 301N, Parrish (just past the Ellenton Outlet Mall).  Phone: 941-723-1111 or visit www.paninipizza.com for more information.

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