By Jean Totti
Piesano’s opened a year ago in Bradenton and is celebrating its 15th year in business. This original Florida business has 14 locations from Gainesville to Bradenton and on both coasts of the state. It all started as a pizza take-out window near the University of Florida called Italian Gator.
It has expanded and evolved through the years into the restaurant we know today. Their take on Italian food is simple, and everything is made in-house. From making their own pasta to using the “best in its class” Grande brand mozzarella, ricotta & romano cheeses.
Piesano’s has the feel of a family Italian restaurant with caring staff and it's definitely a few steps above a fast-casual concept. There are no paper napkins here. The restaurant has a full bar and a great cocktail list, plus a large selection of craft beers and wines.
Menu Highlights
Dining room service starts with a fresh order of Piesano’s Rolls with garlic vinaigrette. With an extensive menu, appetizers run the gamut from Buffalo Wings, Mozzarella or Ravioli Fritta, and Meatball Italiana to Bruschetta Flatbread.
Continue down the list to choose from a selection of Stone Baked Breads, like the Piesano’s Cheese Bread, Soups, Salads, or Specialty Calzones. These include:
The Captain: made with spicy Italian sausage.
The Greek Veggie: featuring feta and spinach.
Traditional Favorites: They also have a traditional Meatball Sub, Eggplant Parmesan, and Chicken Parmesan.
Some of their entrées include:
Pasta Dishes: Rigatoni and Lasagna Bolognese, Stuffed Shells, and Pasta Arrabiata — similar to a marinara but with crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of spiciness.
Specialty Pastas: Mediterranean Pasta with artichoke hearts, kalamata olives, basil & feta tossed with fettuccine, and Scampi Ravioli with shrimp in a lemon garlic butter sauce.
The Pizza
The huge selection of gourmet pies all come in four sizes and cauliflower crust. The 8” personal size is perfect for a meal and maybe even a bit left over.
Salami Calabrese: loaded with mozzarella, salami, fresh garlic, and spicy Calabrese peppers.
Pizza Antico: their thinnest crust pizza with mini cup char pepperoni.
Pepperoni Explosion: needs no explanation.
The Captain: with spicy Italian sausage, meatballs, and mini cup char pepperoni.
Eggplant Pizza: with ricotta, mozzarella, and parmesan cheeses.
Sriracha Hot Honey: an explosion of flavor.
Specials and Dessert
Lunch Specials are very reasonable and range between $9.00 to $12.00, including your choice of a variety of pizza, soup, salad, and meatball sub. A select menu is also available for lunch between 11:00 am and 4:00 pm. Piesano’s also offers Take-N-Bake Entrée meals, which include Lasagna Bolognese, Baked Cheese Ravioli, and Eggplant Parmesan, among others.
For dessert, choose from Espresso Tiramisu, Salted Caramel Cheesecake, and of course, Cannoli. No matter what you choose, you won't be sorry.
Piesano’s Stone Fired Pizza
14629 SR 70 (Lorraine Road and SR 70) Bradenton, FL 34202
941-216-7980
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