Pietro’s Ristorante Italiano and Wine Bar
Pietro’s Ristorante Italiano and Wine Bar is fine dining establishment that boasts delicate tastes from Southern Italy. Pietro Migliaccio, former owner of Cafe Gabbiano and CasAntica Italian Restaurant was born and raised on the Island of Ischia. His love for the restaurant business and his love for serving his friends continues to draw him back into business. Pietro’s restaurant is located in the heart of Sarasota close to the south bridge of Siesta Key. The restaurant decor includes hundreds of pictures of loyal patrons whom over the years have become friends. Both the menu and wine list are extensive, accommodating most diet choices. The Italian/Mediterranean diet has long been held up as a fantastic example of healthy eating. Italian recipes are rich in olive oils instead of other fats. They are made from scratch without artificial ingredients or processed foods. Pietro’s motto is “You are but a stranger just once.” Eat, Drink & Become a friend!”
Previously after immigrating to America at the age of 18, Pietro worked at a number of fine restaurants in New York where he gained his philosophy of viewing restaurant service as a distinguished career marked by highly professional standards. Pietro opened his first restaurant in 1969 with his brother Giorgio. Mama Lucia’s in Brooklyn, which has been in operation for greater than 50 years, played host to celebrities like Luciano Pavarotti and Isabella Rossellini. Mama Lucia’s was Pietro’s first foray into restaurant ownership.
When he and his family moved to Florida, he discovered Siesta Key whose white sands and tropical climate were so like his native island, Ischia, he decided to relocate here. Pietro calls Ischia his home and perhaps will one day return.
His philosophy served him well with his previous Sarasota businesses. Café Gabbiano, located on Siesta Key, was originated by the Migliaccio family in 2003 where his four sons grew in and out of the restaurant business. The second venture in downtown Sarasota was opened and designed by Pietro in 2012 named CasAntica Italian Restaurant – a small old house converted into a quaint, homey restaurant. Both restaurants are still in existence and under new ownership serving the patrons of Sarasota well.
“Now, I need to design a small intimate place where I can have fun serving and meeting new friends,” states Pietro. And he created Pietro’s Ristorante Italiano and Wine Bar, where he continues the tradition.
“In this industry, if you want to have a great restaurant where you touch people, you must show your passion to them. You feel the love and care and attention to detail. I feel strongly that it’s the people who make the difference between just a restaurant and/or a place you really enjoy dining. I wanted to create a place where you only feel like the customer wants. Not just for you but for me also. We have been to births, life events and deaths of many, many friends we have made over the last 15 years in Sarasota. All left lasting impressions on our hearts.
A restaurant is NOT just a business, and it is very competitive, and you have to try your very best each and every hour you are open. You can’t invent the passion. You must have it and must maintain it all the time to provide overall quality. When the business gets too big, you lose touch, friends become just customers and you begin to spiral.
I created Pietro’s Ristorante Italiano and Wine Bar so I could feel alive again. I love this business and I love to share my life with my customers and friends and make a lasting impression on those who I serve.
The dining room is small, intimate and lined with pictures of customers who have become family. My goal in creating this place was for me to be able to meet people, serve my old friends again, and make new friends. This restaurant is an extension of my home.”
Welcome to Pietro’s where you are but a customer only once.
Customer Reviews:
“Excellent Authentic Italian. Incredible selection of vino, authentic Italian food, and the best service from Johanna. 1st class all the way from start to finish.” – todmac
“Top notch meal and service. A delightful night. What a delightful way to celebrate my husband’s birthday. Our waitress Johanna was a pure delight and made the evening extra special. She was very attentive and had the most wonderful personality. I had the flounder franchise and my husband feasted in the veal parm dinner. Both were delicious. May lemon caper sauce and fish were cooked to perfection. The bread and olive oil dip were a perfect treat as well.
We sat in the wine room which quiet and interesting to see all the bottles of wine. Quite the collection. Several staff came over to wish my husband a happy birthday and the surprises us with a complimentary dessert. We cannot wait to return and will recommend to all our friends. Thank you, Johanna, for making the evening so perfect!” – familygirls
“One of the Best Italian meals in Sarasota County! 5 Stars all the way around. Atmosphere, service, food was all top notch. Romantic ambience in the wine room. It felt like we had our own private dining room! The wine list is extensive. Soup of the day, bean and spinach, was outstanding. Eggplant parmesan was excellent. Veal special was tender and superb. Service was fabulous, super attentive. Pietro is a charmer and has a long history in high quality Italian restaurants. Our new favorite spot! Too bad it took us so long to discover it! Don’t make that mistake, book now! See you soon, Pietro and crew!” – HeidiM8686
Address:
6115 S Tamiami Tr
Sarasota, FL 34231
941-554-8395
Website:
Pietro’s Italian Restaurant and Wine Bar Facebook Page
Pietros_ristorante Instagram