Homemade bruschetta, rigatoni calabrese and shrimp Parmigiana are menu highlights
Lucie Regensdorf
| Special to TCPalm
Unique waterfront, historic restaurants are found on Treasure Coast
Treasure Coast has a vast dining scene you can’t get elsewhere, from historic and waterfront restaurants to new additions by modern restaurateurs.
There’s something timeless and cozy about Michelina’s Italian Restaurant & Catering in Stuart. It’s an experience wrapped in warmth, flavor and wonder.
As we walked through the front door, we noticed plastic bins piled high and lining the wall in the foyer. I am used to seeing cases of wine stacked up in restaurants because of limited storage. Curious, we asked what the bins were for. Cooking camp for children. If you, like me, think it’s time to get those 6-year-olds earning their keep by cooking dinner, then here’s the place to make it happen.
Seriously, teaching young people to understand, enjoy, and cook different types of dishes is an important life lesson. Michelina’s will help turn the kitchen into a place of joy and learning. I was impressed.
We entered the dining room starry-eyed. Literally. The dark ceiling is dotted with tiny white lights casting a warm soft glow as if under a Tuscan night sky. An assortment of elegant, framed mirrors hang on the walls, and the chairs are covered in black with white vines and cherry blossoms. The scent of garlic, basil and simmering tomato sauce permeates the space and enhances the romantic mood.
The menu is classic but far from boring. A basket of warm, buttery and soft garlic knots was delivered with our wine, and they disappeared faster than we’d like to admit.
We started with homemade bruschetta ($13). I am not a novice when it comes to eating or preparing this delightful starter, but I was blown away. Homemade focaccia was smeared with goat cheese, then topped with heaps of chopped tomatoes, parmesan, basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.
Hubby ordered rigatoni calabrese ($23), which has a history with us. Chicken or seabass calabrese was a dish we always ordered at a little restaurant in Miami back in the day. Michelina’s version had sweet Italian sausage, peppers, onions, mushrooms, ricotta and a bold, lush marinara sauce. It was rich and soul-satisfying. Even the side Caesar was great with crisp lettuce and tangy dressing.
My dinner was shrimp Parmigiana ($28) with house-made fettuccine. Jumbo shrimp were butterflied, lightly breaded, fried, then topped with the aforementioned marinara sauce and melted mozzarella. The shrimp were magnificent. Fresh pasta is a treat, and I savored every delicate, springy bite. My accompanied cup of pasta fagioli was full of beans, ditalini pasta and Parmesan cheese in a flavorful tomato broth.
Dessert was an unforgettable chocolate lasagna ($12). Chocolate cookies, layered with obscenely creamy white chocolate mousse, was indulgent, playful and worth every decadent bite.
The service at Michelina’s was warm and conversational, like being welcomed into someone’s home, and every part of the evening was consistent with that warm feeling.
Michelina’s charms with its community focus by catering parties and events and generously sharing with children the love and appreciation of cooking. With its starry-lit ceiling, community spirit, heartfelt food, love and authenticity, Michelina’s Italian Restaurant & Catering is a little bit of Italy here in Stuart.
Michelina’s Italian Restaurant & CateringCuisine: ItalianAddress: 1835 S.E. Federal Highway, StuartPhone: 772-286-3455Hours: 3-9 p.m. Tuesday-SaturdayAlcohol: Beer and wineOnline: michelinasrest.com
Lucie Regensdorf dines anonymously at the expense of TCPalm. Contact her at Lucie@theloveofcooking.com.
Dining and Cooking