RESTAURANT REVIEW

Tavolino Della Nonna (cont.)

Do try the Stuffed Pasta Purses with Pears and Blue Cheese ($13), a rich dish for sure, the combination of flavors absolutely explode on your palate. The lightly roasted sweet pears work off the distinctly sharp cheese and the walnut Gorgonzola Cream Sauce hits it outta the park — pairing like heaven with the Prosceco, as does the homemade semolina bread and dipping sauces they bring to each table.

While our bottle of Super Tuscan breathed, we tried Nonna’s Meatballs ($11). Two huge homemade orbs served with a wonderful homemade “gravy” and a touch of heavenly Fresh Ricotta Cheese. (OH ME, Oh MY.) The Beef Carpaccio ($12), paper-thin raw or rare Beef Tenderloin, served with baby arugula, and shaved Parmigiano Cheese, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil was unreal!

Two additional trips with other couples, elicited RAVES. And each time, we found ourselves literally tasting off each other’s plates, family style. The Caprese Chicken ($20) a pan-fried Breaded Cutlet sautéed with Garlic Marinated Plum Tomatoes, and fresh Mozzarella dressed in a sassy aged Balsamic Tomato Sauce was incredible and enough for another meal the next day.

The simple yet extraordinarily flavorful Jumbo Shrimp Scampi ($25) was delicately sautéed with slivers of fresh Garlic and Lemon in a scrumptious butter and white wine broth.

The Pan Roasted Snapper Almondine ($23) was heaven! Perfect in a sauce of Amaretto Di Sorranno, toasted Almonds & a touch of cream. The food is worthy of celebration here, and you see people you saw the week before — like the Zagat reviewer and a commercial airline pilot and his wife who were engaged here and try to come at least a couple of times a month, or another couple who come regularly for date night. Warm and friendly — you’re treated like family the minute you enter, but it’s also sultry and romantic and the well-trained staff seems to know who wants what when.

Childhood friends 43 years, owners Tom (Genduso) and Ed and their families simply created a place where people harken back to a time when there was JOY in dining. They have lovely specials with whatever is fresh that brilliant Executive Chef Fernando creates nightly. Self-taught, it proves a passion for food, and not being afraid to think outta the box, make for culinary brilliance. He chefs and makes all the desserts. Usually if one is a talented chef, they don’t bake. Lucky for us no one told that to Fernando.

Desserts are a must. Chocolate Volcano Cake, Nana Rose’s Homemade Ricotta Cheesecake, Apple Tart with Vanilla Gelato, Tiramisu Parfait, and a spectacular tower of Cannoli are ALL $8-9 and UN-FREAKIN-BELIEVABLE. But do not leave without trying Tavolino’s Signature Cookies —­ if you like almond, these Sicilian Amaretto Cookies served with Fresh Cream and Berries have become my heroin.

Beer and wine, private party room and off-premise catering. 10181 W. Sample Rd., CS. Closed Mondays. Lunch Tues-Fri from 11am, Dinner until 10pm. Sat & Sun Dinner from 4pm, “until everyone leaves,” says Ed. Reservations Suggested. 954.509.0046. www.tavolinorestaurant.com. If you come, pinch Ed on the cheek for us and tell him Parkland Life sent you!