The Second
Generation Emerges
Alfano’s Restaurant
By Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron R. Fodiman
Photography by Gram
This bone-in pork chop Braciole is served over polenta at
Alfano’s Restaurant in Clearwater.
Scott Smith and his wife Nicolette Alfano
Smith are sommeliers and restauranteurs,
who are prepared to continue the Alfano
Family’s tradition of fine Italian dining.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016
| TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 171
CUAISRITNE
For several decades, Chefs Linda
and Frank Alfano have operated
Alfano’s Restaurant and Splendido
Lounge in Clearwater, which is
known for its fine classic Italian cuisine.
During that period, they frequently offered
special gourmet meals paired with Italian
or other wines. Often, these special events
featured new culinary ideas that were
inspired by their annual trips to Italy.
We recently attended one of their
special dinners, which featured Rocca delle
Macìe wines. At the event, Lydia Tremble
described the history of the wines that
were being served. One of the highlights
of the evening was that we joined Chef
Linda Alfano at her table, while she left
the kitchen duties to her husband Frank.
The meal began with a salad of grilled
asparagus, mixed greens and Panko
breaded goat cheese medallions with
a pesto olive oil dressing, a sprinkle of
toasted pine nuts and a garnish of red
peppers. It was accompanied by a crisp
Rocca delle Macìe Orvieto with hints of
grapefruit. Next, we were served large
Chef Linda. The perfectly paired Tentuta
Alfonso Chianti Classico made from
Sangiovese grapes was bold and dry.
This was followed by a bone-in pork
chop Braciole served over polenta and
accompanied by a Campomaccione Morellino
di Scansano that had the very qualities for
which a good “Super Tuscan” wine is
known. The evening concluded with a
Mocha Panna Cotta and coffee.
After our meal, Chef Frank came out
from the kitchen to accept accolades for
his superlative meal. It was then revealed
that Linda and Frank’s daughter Nicolette
and her husband Scott had arranged,
organized and produced the entire dinner,
as they evolve into their place as the future
owners/operators of this beloved dining
institution. Thank you, Linda and Frank;
bravo, Nicolette and Scott! 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Alfano’s Restaurant
that features classic Italian cuisine, is at
1702 Clearwater-Largo Road in Clearwater,
(727) 584-2125.
gulf shrimp filled with a blue crab
stuffing and garnished with a pancetta
crisp that was paired with Rocca delle
Macìe Moonlite Blend, a fruity chardonnay
made for the American market. The pasta
course was a braised lamb shoulder Ragù
over pappardelle pasta that was the
result of a five-day process overseen by