CUAISR ITNE
A TASTE OF SICILY
Da Pollani’s Ristorante Italiano
By Margaret Word Burnside and Aaron R. Fodiman
Photography by Noraa
This grilled salmon at Da Pollani’s in Largo is one example of how great
food can be created from simple but quality ingredients.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2019 | TAMPA BAY MAGAZINE 169
Falino Pollani and his family came
from Sicily, the area of modern
Italy that is often called “God’s
kitchen.” The largest island in the
Mediterranean, Sicily is off the toe of
Italy’s boot and home to the famed active
volcano Mount Etna. Due to the many
civilizations that have lived there, the
Sicilian people have developed a cuisine
that is complex, yet simple. It is this type
of food that Da Pollani serves in Largo.
This new restaurant on Walsingham
Road, just east of Indian Rocks Road,
has a warm, appealing look from the
street that carries through to the dining
room and open kitchen. But it is the
family itself that makes this restaurant
a “must” for people who enjoy Italian
food. Two generations of the Pollani
family oversee and operate every aspect
of the restaurant from the daily making
of fresh sesame bread to their homemade
desserts.
The menu is filled with appetizers
such as fried calamari, mussels, burrata
caprese, breaded clams, a seafood
antipasto platter, a platter of cured cold
cuts and olives, along with other choices
that include grilled baby octopus and
eggplant rollatini. The grilled octopus
is not to be missed, as it is perfectly
prepared and imported from Spain. All
the other appetizers are excellent as well.
Next on their menu are thin crust
pizzas for those craving that Italian
treat. The pastas range from rigatoni to
fresh homemade lasagna with several
linguine and gnocchi options, a fettucine
Alfredo or carbonara, a penne alla
vodka and tortelloni with pink cream
sauce, mushrooms, prosciutto and peas.
Each is a delight, cooked perfectly and
sauced correctly. However, it is their
Poppardelle alla Bolognese meat sauce that
we order every time. This dish is beyond
spectacular.
They also offer three classic oven-based
parmigiana dishes: eggplant, chicken
and veal that are served with spaghetti, a
mixed green salad and homemade bread.
There are other entrées such as chicken
marsala or piccata; veal saltimbocca or
piccata, fresh grilled salmon with lemon
garlic sauce, or broiled salmon cacciatore
with a red wine sauce.
From the select wine list, we
particularly enjoy a bargain-priced
Sicilian Nero d’Avola red wine from the
Noto area. Whatever you do, do not pass
up dessert. They vary daily and are made
fresh in the kitchen based on what Mrs.
Pollani has chosen to create that day. The
comfortable atmosphere, friendly service
and excellent food is making Da Pollani’s
one of the area’s favorite restaurants. 9
EDITOR’S NOTE: Da Pollani’s is located
at 13688 Walsingham Road in Largo,
(727) 239-7855. The restaurant is open
Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to
9 p.m.; Friday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.;
Saturday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; and Sunday
from 11 a.m to 8:30 p.m.