Little Italy Restaurant and Pizza

American Press Travel News–February 11th–Bob and Barb “On The Road Again” and dining our way along the Treasure Coast of Florida. Under new management, several changes were made including brightening up a formerly dark place. Today, home made, traditional Italian desserts and specialty offerings are part of a 200-hundred item menu. Home made soups, large portions of accompanying pastas, and a wide variety of salads, and specialty items grace the multi-page menus. We jumped into stuffed pepper soups, and a Fagioli accompanied by great garlic knots (rolls). Then out came a delicious cheese pizza, followed by a terrific eggplant and a chicken Parmigiana. We loved the sauces that were less acidic then what we remembered having at more than one or another Italian restaurant. We like that acoustically, the restaurant was not noisy despite the fact that there were many patrons dining there. We did really finish off our meals with two spectacular made in house desserts: Tiramasu beyond belief in taste and Tur Tofo, an Italian ball of ice creams covered in dark chocolate. Frankly, two of the best desserts I’ve had in a lo ng time. Located off of NW St.Lucie Blvd. Opening soon is their new deli, too!

American Press Travel News–December 18th, Port St Lucie, FL. Bob and Barb “On the Road Again”–We often take for granted how many businesses are in walking distance to the front gate of our Florida home. Upon our return from an extended time at our TN farm, we marveled at how many new food spots opened since we had left last April. Here’s just two of several new ones we just tried:
When Rosati’s opened last July, they were expanding their pizza business from Wisconsin to Florida, from their corporate headquarters in Chicago, into Port St Lucie, West. They are a great spot to get great hand-thrown dough pizzas delivered, or that can be picked up anytime day or night.
The business offers great salads, pasta and pizza as carry out, but there is some seating inside and outside as well. My favorite pizza is adorned with real garlic, olives and mushrooms, on a thin-crust with some crispy bubbles from the bake. When I see round mounds of dough ready to be rolled out, spun and thrown, I know the place is keeping it “real.”
If you just crave a slice and a soda, its $5-bucks. We tried both a Chicago style thick crust cheese and delicious Italian chunky pizza sauce. Both the thin and the thick variety were quite good-we’ll go back or call for more next week. Rosati’s motto is “Keeping It Real Since 1964.” They also provide catering services and they are located just across from our gate the opposite end of Dunkin Donuts. 772-340-0999.

Mission Barbeque, on our side of Port St Lucie Blvd., on restaurant row, is a unique smoked-meat BBQ. Every day at 12-PM all employees and guests stand, hold their hands over their hearts and sing the National Anthem. Barb and I enjoyed seeing youngsters joining in with their parents and the employee’s seemed quite proud of their work place and support of our troops and our great nation. Just outside, there is a large Army truck, outdoor seating and plenty of parking. They make their 10-sauces daily and we enjoyed the smoked brisket, ribs, chicken and turkey, as well as their tasty side dishes, too. Get on line, pick your favorites, take a cup for soft drinks and be prepared to not go home hungry. We liked the place. and as we noticed at the lunchtime filled tables, so do many others in Port St Lucie. Stop in for a sample taste if you like. Located in Port St Lucie, West on St. Lucie West Blvd, just down from a Publics.

Haywood Smokehouse In Dillsboro, N.C.

**A smorgasbord of barbecue. Smoked meats ala king! The best!!!**

**Dessert for dinner? Here it would work!**

**Carol Booth not only made the desserts, but she is much of the oil that keeps the wheels of this Smokehouse work so well!**

American Press Travel News-May 2nd-Dillsboro, N.C. “Bob & Barb On The Road Again” at Haywood Smokehouse. Mm. good Brisket, Saturday night Rib Feast. Heck, we had ribs and brisket, naked pork, fine swine, smoked chicken, Andouille sausage, smoked turkey, beans ,salads and garlic bread. Check out the image, we truly pigged out, but we did not finish the big food layout, had take-home for another day. The deserts were incredible too. Haywood Smokehouse has it down to a science. I viewed their big rotating smoker that employee, friendly and knowledgeable Shamus showed us. The humongous smoker can take a thousand pounds of meat products, and rotate these items through their smoking cycle until the end product is perfect barbecue. The ribs and brisket were quite terrific! Actually, we had a chance to sample every item they offered. All, including the chicken and turkey were spoilers! Their desserts brought out by their baker, Carole Booth, were a treat that would be hard to beat! Carole has been a fixture at the Smokehouse. Brownie and ice cream, true Southern Pecan Pie and a Banana Pudding finished off a spectacular barbecue dinner. Kajol, a delightful young gal who had recently graduated college, with a personality as good as the offerings, presented our meals professionally, and with a huge smile. Give a call, although there are no reservations usually needed to 828-631-9797, and their other location is in Waynesville, N.C. 828-456-7275.

PUERTO VALLARTA MEXICAN BAR & GRILL- PLANTATION KEY & ISLAMORADA FLORIDA

**Shrimp Fajita, with all the fixings-beans, guacamole, pico de galo,**

AmericanPressTravelNews – December 6th, Islamorada, Florida Keys–Puerto Vallarta Mexican Bar & Grill.- Barb and I are sitting at the Puerto Vallarta Mexican Bar & Grill. We are enjoying an spacious, clean, brightly decorated food place. A huge, yet comfortably intimate bar-scape where patrons have plenty of elbow room to dine and imbibe a variety of drinks both hard, soft ,and fountain beers.

We ordered off the menu shrimp Fajita, shrimp ceviche, seafood soup with crab, shrimp, calamari, fish and mussels, rices, delicious guacamole, tortillas, beans and pico de gallo also home made at P.V. A winner of a place to dine, drink and socialize! Located at 86701 Overseas Hwy. Islamorada 33036 mm 86.7 305-451-4083 www.pvmexican.com