By Jane Bartnett
There’s a distinct and delicious southern European vibe on Mall Drive in Gulf Gate. On May 14, the popular Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine restaurant moved into a newly refurbished location on Mall Drive after leaving their previous location on Gateway Avenue. One door away from Bruschetta is the new Degli Angeli Gelateria where owner and chef Anthony Vecsesi has opened a small gelato shop featuring his own hand-made, small batch gelatos. Sitting next to Degli Angeli is Taste of Spain, where Spanish chef Fatima Soriano offers Spanish paella to go, Spanish delicacies, wines and tapas classes.
Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine
A welcoming atmosphere makes the intimate restaurant that seats 36 feel roomy and inviting. Chef and owner Marco Delzetti designed and built the restaurant’s interior himself. The blonde woods and Italian wines that are showcased along the walls, as well as clever artwork such as a Godfather movie poster, imply that this is a place to enjoy delectable Italian dishes and good friends.
Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine
Each day, Delzetti offers a special dish that may feature his own lasagna, eggplant parmesan or another creation. Always on the menu are the restaurant’s signature bruschetta ranging from the classic: fresh bread topped with olive oil, garlic, tomato, basil and mozzarella, to the pepperoni, shrimp e pesto, and salmon bruschetta.
Appetizers include the ever-popular Nonna’s Meatballs, made from Delzetti’s grandmother’s recipe, carpaccio rucola e parmigiana, shrimp e gorgonzola, grilled octopus, and mussels marinara. A variety of risotto dishes are also offered. Entrees include chicken Milanese, chicken parmesan, veal Milanese and veal parmesan. Dessert choices include tiramisu and homemade desserts. Italian Danesi caffe, from Italy, is served as well as espresso and cappuccino.
Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine
Raised in a family of restauranteurs in Torino, Sicily, where he first learned to cook, Delzetti spent time working in Rome before moving to Sarasota in 2009. “I was born in a kitchen,” the amiable chef joked. He and a friend ran a restaurant here for several years. After taking a trip to Key West, he decided to move there and opened the first Bruschetta restaurant. Five years later, he returned to Sarasota and opened Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine in Gulf Gate. “I enjoy making our customers happy,” he said with great enthusiasm.
Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine
Reservations for Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine may be made through Opentable or by calling at 941-923-6091. The restaurant is located at 2661 Mall Drive, Gulf Gate. bruschettasrq.com
Degli Angeli Gelato
One door away from Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine is the newly opened Degli Angeli Gelateria, the home of artisanal gelato. Anthony Vecsesi is the gelato master behind this special little shop that offers hand-made, 100% natural small batch gelatos. Plant-based, dairy-free offerings are also available. Only eight gelato and sorbet flavors are offered on a given day currently. The selections change weekly. Featured dairy selections that appear on the Degli Angeli website included: Flor de Latte or stracciatella; poached cherries and vanilla; Sicilian pistachio and Italian Danesi espresso and chocolate, made with 54% Belgian dark chocolate. Featured fruit selections shown were lavender and lemon, and strawberry and basil. An alcohol infused sorbetto for adults, 21 and over, called the Sorbetto alla Margarita includes Reposado Tequila, triple sec, lime and agave.
Degli Angeli Gelateria
The name, Degli Angeli translates to “for the angels.” It is, according to their website,” a tribute and testament to the guiding spirits. Gelato for the angels.”
Sold in small cups and pint containers, Degli Angeli gelato may be enjoyed on-site or taken home. “Gelato is served 10 degrees colder than ice cream,” reported Vecsesi. A small table and chairs are outside.
Degli Angeli Gelateria
On a hot summer afternoon or evening, gelato is the perfect dessert to follow a meal at the neighboring Bruschetta Mediterranean Cuisine. Visit https://www.degliangeligelato.com and drop in at 2665 Mall Drive, Gulf Gate. Call 941- 364- 9708. Hours are Wednesday – Saturday, 3 to 10 p.m.