DIXIE COUNTY ADVOCATE, CROSS CITY, FLORIDA THURSDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2006 / se 3rfee kQfII 4. specialties). Flach dish is prepared with the freshest of ingredients, from scratch and their portions promini se to fill the appetite of even the big buffeter. Appetiz/er include roasted garlic and bread. mozzarella bruchetta, fried zucchini, Portabella PeCrelo. Scungill -la Monica (friend conch fritters) and the soup of the day. Salads include the traditional Caesar Salad. chilled shrimp salad, Mozzarella Caprese, and Italian Chef Salad, to name a few. Their sandwich section included the classic meatball Parmesan, sizzling steak and cheese to The Four Seasons and Caprese Sandwich. Some of the entrees are the familiar baked lasagna, eggplant Parmesan and chicken and broccoli Alfredo. Some of the not so familiar entrees are Rotini Petrelo. Sausage Capreses, Shrimp Fra' Diabolo. and Scallops Organatta. For those meat and potato lovers. Petrellos' steaks are hand carved and pan seared to perfection. Children can order off the same menu. but are served 1/2 the portion, for /V2 the price! k w~i~ .4 From a.favorite Meatball Parmesan sandwich (left) and Antipasto (right), to a house specialty Rotini Petrello (back), Petrello's menu has somnething.for everyone. By Terri Langford Staff Writer Nestled in downtown neighboring Trenton, Florida, is a restaurant that brings a taste of Italy to the country. Located in the former Old Boarding House off Is Street, Petrello's has kept with the country charm of the area, serving upscale Italian food in a family atmosphere. Petrello's menu is filled with authentic Italian cuisine. From comfort foods such as spaghetti and meatballs, to the more complex flavors of Ravioli Pomodoro, your experience at Petrello's will be one of satisfaction. When you first enter the "- restaurant all your senses come . alive as the aroma coming ra from the kitchen fills the air. ili One of Petrello's staff will be c 7 there to welcome you; instantly making you feel important and at home. You will be seated in one of several cozy dining rooms, decorated in the warm rich colors of an Italian countryside. The tables Chef Teddy Vega (left) and Executive Chef Paulie Petrello's are covered with crisp white combined talents are putting Petrello's on the map of places to eat. tablecloths. But don't let that put you off, as they are also topped with white paper so the children can color or play with pizza dough while waiting for their dinner and to continue to entertain them while mom and dad have one more cup of coffee or one of Petrello's signature desserts. Family is very important to the staff at Petrello's. Two brothers, Paulie and Mikee Petrello, own the restaurant. They are two of eight sons born to Richard and Ann Petrello. Second generation Italian-Americans, and fourth generation cooks. Paulie noted that his grandmother, Grace taught her five daughters and daughter-in-law how to cook. It was nothing for her to cook for 25-30 people at a time. She, Grandmother Petrello, also was the one who inspired Paulie's father to cook. Richard Petrello moved his family from Brooklyn, New York 30 years ago. He is a graduate of the Johnson & Whales Culinary Institute in Rhode Island and now is one of the top instructors at the Orlando Technical Center. Five of Richard's sons have followed him into the restaurant business. The Petrello brothers have a true love of food and feel it is an extension of the family unit. "Dinner time has always meant family time to us," stated Paulie. "My best memories of my family are while we are at the table." Paulie noted that it is also important that their customers have a relaxed dining experience, whether they are a party of two, a family or group of friends. a Why Trenton? It is a simple explanation Mikee married a girl from Trenton, Michelle Myers and it was while they were "home" for a visit Mikee discovered the Olde Boarding House was for sale. Paulie, who was living in the Tampa Bay area, was thrilled when Mikee asked him if he wanted to move to the country and open a restaurant. "I couldn't believe how lucky we were to find this place," stated Paulie. "We love the area, we love the restaurant and we love the people here." Mikee and Michelle are still living in St. Augustine; however, they make it "home" almost every weekend. Recently Mikee and Michelle welcomed their first child into the world. Paulie and wife Carrie, have settled in Trenton and have a slight lead in the children department with three adorable girls. While Paulie manages the restaurant, Carrie teaches first grade at Trenton Elementary. Paulie said they both stay busy with their work and the raising of their girls, and gives credit to his great staff at Petrello's that enables him to balance it all. In addition to helping with the management of the restaurant, Paulie is Petrello's Executive Chef. But, it is the combined talents of Paulie and Chef Teddy Vega, who are putting Petrello's on the map. Teddy is not only Paulie's right-hand-man, but also a life-long friend. In fact they worked together in Inglis, before making the move north. Petrello's menu has something for everyone, from those with refined pallets to those spaghetti and meatball diehards (With the hope they will get adventuresome and try some of their Italian Even if you have to get a "doggie bag", you need to save room to experience one of Petrello's desserts. You can cleanse your pallet with a Lemon Sorbet or dive into a Spumoni ice cream. Children who eat their dinner are treated to a free ice cream. Of course what Italian Restaurant wouldn't serve Cannolis or a big slice of New York Cheesecake. For the chocolate lovers there is the Chocolate Della Nona and for the country folk blackberry cobbler alamode. There are daily specials for both the lunch and dinner crowds. You can dine in, or place your order to go. While no reservations are required, they recommend doing so if you have a party of eight or more coming. That way they can prepare the table ahead of time, keeping your wait to a minimum. Private rooms are also available as well as party trays and catering service. Paulie noted they have plans to dedicate rooms so they can accommodate the sports enthusiasts. Lunch is served Monday-Saturday from I I am 2:30 pm with dinner served Monday - Thursday 5pm to 9pm and Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 10pm. To reserve seating, order take out, or find out about the catering service, you may call 352-463-8494. So on your way to Gainesville, take a detour and stop in at Paulie and Mikee's and experience Petrellos'.... where you will find A taste of Italy in the Country. M Check us Out On The Web.... www.dcadvocate.net ....and get the latest news, classified, obituaries & legals Happy Birthday Colton & Gage! We love you, Mom & Dad 0I Drop in any old time to place your ad or subscribe or just to say, "HELLO!" at the Dixie County Advocate. How much coverage do you get for $74? More than you think. BlueOptions lower-cost health insurance 'policies for Individuals Under 65. It's the same high-quality coverage you expect at a lower price you can afford. Call 352-373-0775 to learn more about this affordable coverage. Chip Williams. & Associates, Inc. 3669 S.W. 2nd Avenue -Gainesville, IL 32607 A Contracted General Agency for r-1 { BlueCross BlueShield of Florida *4 ------r -- M-- low", ., IM DIXIE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT SERVING YOU AT FIVE LOCATIONS CROSS CITY/HWY 19 * OLD TOWN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL RUTH RAINS MIDDLE SCHOOL * ANDERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL DIXIE COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL Acute & Chronic Disease Care Minor Surgical Procedures Laceration Repair Employment Physicals Well Child & Newborn Care Family Planning/OB Care School & Sports Physicals School Health Services Treatment for Asthma Preventative Health Care WIC Coupons Dental Services Laboratory & X-Ray HIV Anonymous & Confidential Testing Child and Adult Immunizations Attention Deficit Disorder Evaluation & Treatment Kiddy Corner Play Area for Children FREE PREGNANCY TESTING 8:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m. Board Certified Pediatrician To Care For Your Children Board Certified Internist to Care For Adults Medical Providers To See Your Children At School TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT CALL: (352) 498-1360 MOST MAJOR INSURANCES ACCEPTED HAPPY 1 5TH BIRTHDAY TIFFANY! WE ALL LOVE YOU VERY MUCH. HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT BIRTHDAY! ,- LOVE, MOM, TAMMY, MAX. TYLER. KELLY. JOSEPH, AUNT DORSI, AMANDA, NANA & POPPOP ,== _ * - ~e~tpg,: