Emerald Coast Italian Food Wars Part 1: Pazzo's

Destin and Santa Rosa Beach are known for their exceptional eateries, and this is due partly to Pazzo's, one of the finest Italian food providers along Florida's Emerald Coast. In fact, there's a wonderful quote from famed cookbook author Marcella Hazan on the top of their website which perfectly sums up how they feel about their cuisine.

“ITALIAN FOOD IS TWICE BLESSED BECAUSE IS THE PRODUCT OF TWO ARTS, THE ART OF COOKING AND THE ART OF EATING”

I know which art I excel at, but the amazing people over at Pazzo's Italiano, if they haven't mastered the eating part, well they have certainly taken the cooking aspect to new heights. Although, the amount of self control needed to avoid eating food this good, especially if you are surrounded by it day in and day out, could easily be described as inhuman, so I am sure they've perfected both of those arts. If not, I am more than happy to volunteer my time to teach them how to stuff their faces with abandon.

Flavorful, fresh dishes fill the menu at Pazzo's, such as Ossobuco, Penne Alla Vodka, wood fired pizza or one of their specialty dishes, Pappardelle Dello Chef, which is an egg pasta mixed with Italian sausage, porcini mushroom and tossed with a creamy smoked Gouda cheese sauce drizzled with truffle oil that actually somehow is even tastier than it sounds like it would be. No small miracle there. Pazzo's is one of those restaurants whose bread is better than the main course at many other places. Served with olive oil, I've gotten used to asking for a small side of butter along with it; if they sell butter that good at the grocery store, I haven't found it. If you were to call Olive Garden "The Predator", Pazzo's is Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover combined.

As is the norm for restaurants of this caliber, the owners of Pazzo's Italiano have a plethora of love for what they do. In fact, this excerpt from their website explains perfectly:

Two friends, two devoted family men, two restaurant lovers and now businessmen, that have been serving and delighting others for over 20+ years. We are excited to share with you our passion, our heart’s work: Pazzo Italiano. Our menu has been carefully pieced together to bring you a combination of your favorite Italian staples, some more sophisticated flavors with a touch of fun and some new crazy combinations. We look forward to sharing our passion for taste and our love for service with you.

Beyond the fantastic meals and desserts you'll find at Pazzo's, their coffee is also in a league of its own. If you've got a laptop and some work to get done, time can quickly slip away from you at Pazzo's, between the atmosphere and the caffeine. Forget a Starbucks or a Panera, with the ambience, food and drink available at Pazzo's, this is the perfect make shift office on a slow weekday.

Their two owners, Alfonso Di Bonito and Levente Tischler, are as perfect a team as tomato and mozzarella. Reading their short biography's available on Pazzo's website, you can see how the world shaped these two lads to become teammates on a Jordan/Pippen level.

An Italian native and local award winning Pizza Chef for 8 years, has been learning, growing and perfecting his craft since he started in a bakery in his native Napoli, Italy when he was 14. Alfonso has a profound passion for cooking and a pride in his work because for Italians food is the centerpiece of human interaction, it’s their language of love. - Alfonso Di Bonito

An entrepreneur spirit from a small town in Romania, started his carrier in restaurant business as early as 14. He always had the vision and dream of opening his own restaurant one day. Now, thanks to his great business spirit, intuition, dedication and unwavering passion, his vision has come alive. - Levente Tischler

As one of the leading contenders in NWFL's Italian Food Wars, Pazzo's Italiano brings class, expertise and incomparable flavor to the frontlines. You'll notice I haven't really discussed their dessert, partly because I just don't have room by the time they are taking my empty plate away, and when you come to eat here, you will undoubtedly find yourself in the same position. As an experienced diner of Pazzo's, take my advice and get something to go. Chef Alfonso's cakes are to die for, of course they have amazing cannoli's, but they have a NUTELLA CALZONE. Excuse the all caps there, but I just get excited even thinking about it.

Be sure to follow Pazzo's on Facebook at facebook.com/pazzoitalianodestin and facebook.com/pazzotoo or for those on Instagram at instagram.com/pazzosrb and instagram.com/pazzodestin. You'll want to check out their full menu on their website at pazzodestin.com.