Italy Bottega brings a taste of Italy to Central Avenue
Italy Bottega is opening soon at 1045 Central Avenue in the EDGE District of Downtown St Pete
Imagine driving through the rolling hills of Tuscany in your 2013 Fiat Panda when your stomach starts to rumble. You pull off the road and stroll into a small café for a buttery, flaky croissant and a warm caffé latte. While enjoying your traditional Italian colazione (or breakfast), you begin to think…Life sure is good!
Well, I can’t promise that exact scene here in St. Pete, but a new market and café offering up an authentic taste of Italy is opening very soon in the EDGE District. And although it won’t beat the Bel Paese (or beautiful country) itself, we’re hoping it’ll be a close second.
Italy Bottega will be located at 1045 Central Avenue. Customers can either order a meal at the counter and dine inside or take the ingredients home to make their favorite Italy Bottega dishes.
Federico Fanelli, Owner of Italy Bottega
Owner Federico Fanelli is a native of Italy who moved to St. Pete last year. He envisions the market and cafe as a neighborhood spot frequented by locals and tourists alike.
“I want to make this place something different because there are already a lot of restaurants on Central Avenue,” said Fanelli. “I want Italy Bottega to be where people can also find a part of their soul.” Accordingly, Italy Bottega’s slogan is “Food, Wine and Soul”.
For breakfast or lunch, check out the nine sandwiches on the menu. Offerings include a bresaola panini, a savory croissant sandwich, and a vegetarian panini.
If you bring a friend, consider the charcuterie, which feeds two. The Italy Bottega charcuterie board comes with an assortment of meats and cheeses, such as proscuitto mortadella, hot salame, genoa salame, soppressata, olives, caramelized onions, parmigiano, tomino, and pecorino romano.
On the healthier side, there are also four salads available.
Italy Bottega also offers a few classic dishes, such as Lasagna Bolognese, Eggplant Parmigiana, and two types of quiche.
A tomino Melt is a 4oz round cheese wrapped in Italian Ham
Wash it all down with a fresh Italian Lavazza coffee, beer, or wine. Italy Bottega will serve all of your favorite espresso drinks, from cappuccino to iced caffe crema.
And lastly, don’t forget dessert! Grab a few Bombolone Nutella (Italian doughnuts) or perhaps a classic Cannoli Ricotta or two.
Best of all, Italy Bottega will be well priced. Sandwiches will range from $6.75 to $10.75 and salads will be under $11. Charcuterie boards will cost between $18 and $20.
All of the menu items will be made by Chef and Food Manager Roberta Massetti who is an Italian native, born in a small village on the Adriatic Sea and has dreamt of bringing authentic Italian cuisine to St. Petersburg for years.
Italy Bottega will offer italian doughnuts called Bombolone
On the market side, shelves will be stocked with fresh Italian groceries and display cases will be lined with meats and cheeses imported from Italy. Fresh ravioli and pasta will also be for sale.
Fanelli has already started planning events for the Italian market and café. He hopes to partner with local organizations to host a monthly event allowing special needs youth to serve guests. He’s also looking forward to having a small-scale Sunday morning market with produce from 15th St. Agrihub.
Additionally, Italy Bottega will have much more to offer than delicious Italian food and groceries. Fanelli wants the café to serve as an educational opportunity as well. Customers will have the ability to see where exactly their food comes from via a huge map of Italy displayed on the wall.