“Strozzapreti is a funny word because it means priest choker,” said Spartaco Giolito, with a reminiscent grin.
For all the non-Italians scratching their heads, Strozzapreti is actually homemade corkscrew pasta consisting of only flour and water, a star dish at Giolito’s Italian restaurant, Osteria Natalina.
The search for authentic Italian cuisine in South Tampa stops at 3215 S. Macdill Avenue in the small niche of an L-shaped coral building.
Sandwiched between Yoko Sushi and a quaint bakery, Osteria may be Tampa’s best-hidden gem.
Framed memories line the restaurant’s rustic walls, telling the story of Osteria Natalina Vino E. Cucina. Vino E. Cucina means wine and kitchen in Italian; in other words, a night full of hospitality and laughter.
Osteria means “tavern” in Italian, and Natalina was the name of Giolito’s mother. Giolito explained the different forms of the word tavern.
“If you want to be casual, you can say trattoria. If you want to be even more casual and emphasize good food, you say osteria, derived from ost—a place that’s run by family,” Giolito said.
Specializing in pasta dishes, the layered seafood lasagna is a house favorite.
It consists of ricotta cheese smothered in between layers of lasagna with bits of shrimp, scallops, mussels and calamari, topped with a pink sauce. This signature dish runs at $12 a plate.
If fried calamari is typically your menu-must, you need to jump on Osteria’s calamari appetizer. Instead of the traditional fried cuisine, try the L’Insalata di Calamari. For $8, you’ll receive juicy, grilled calamari steaks on a bed of greens and other vegetables marinated in lemon-garlic oil.
Traditional specials, such as sacatini pasta purses stuffed with four-cheeses and pear, finished with a Gorgonzola cheese sauce are available as an appetizer or main course. Specials typically range anywhere from $10 to $26, depending on the portion.
The Strozzapreti dish is in high demand, combined with a red or white seafood mix including clams, calamari, shrimp and mussels. At the cost of $18.50, this spectacular homemade recipe is worth every penny. Of course, any request not listed on the menu is always an option as well.
Skipping out on dessert would be an unforgivable mistake. Roasted banana gelato, sinful chocolate cake and tiramisu are just the beginning.
If food wasn’t enough to keep customers coming back, the hospitality and ambiance would be.
The personable staff, comprised of the owner, one server and one busboy, ensure that your hunger’s every need will be met.
Dinner by candlelight enhances the gold and red hue of the walls, setting the perfect scene for a romantic first date. At a 42 person maximum capacity, the atmosphere is charming and warm.
The hours of operation make this infatuation bittersweet. You won’t be dining here for lunch; Osteria opens its doors at 5:30 p.m. and says buona notte around midnight. Also, don’t drop in on a Monday; this Italian joint takes pride in long weekends.
Osteria does not take reservations, and no one likes to play the waiting game. The best time to indulge is around opening or after 8 p.m. If you make an appearance during standard dinner hours, you’re dancing in the danger zone of a possible hour-long wait.
The size of the restaurant is a definite setback, leaving no room for hungry customers waiting to be seated. Your best bet is to plant yourself outside the entrance on a white lawn chair and request a glass of house wine.
If life leaves you without time to dine-in, call 813-831-1210 for take out.
If you do that though, you’ll miss out on the authentic experience and, of course, the freshly baked bread and homemade olive tapenade served before your meal.
Melissa Santell can be reached at msantell@spartans.ut.edu.