Whether you live in the Golden Isles permanently or you're visiting, an authentic Italian Restaurant will probably one that you'll keep your eye out for. On St. Simons Island, Georgia, you needn't look any further than Nazzaro's Italian Restaurant located in Retreat Village across the street from the airport or what we locals call - the Winn Dixie Shopping center.
Nazzaro's was easy to make a reservation at, which again are highly recommended, and out table was ready when we showed up just after 6pm on a Saturday night. There were already a few tables full of patrons when Mindy and I arrived and the empty ones quickly filled up as the time got closer to 7pm. By the time we left around 7:30, most of the tables were full.
I was pleasantly surprised to bump into a friend on hostess duty for the evening. Lynn Nazzaro was handling the front of the house. Lynn is another local Realtor who I see from time to time at Golden Isles Association of Realtors events. Nazzaro's is a family owned and operated restaurant so you can rest assured that time and effort is part of the well thought out menu and wine list. Nazzaro's is beautifully decorated and well proportioned although it is intimate it its size. There are about 15 maybe 16 tables.
Cracking open the menu you'll find most of the usual Italian fare of pastas, raviolis, chicken dishes, veal, seafood dishes such as clams and several including shrimp and a couple of steak entrees. There are several typical desserts including one that caught my eye called Banana Caramel Zango which is a dish of banana caramel cheesecake wrapped in a flour tortilla and lightly fried. Served with vanilla ice cream. I was however a bit surprised that manicotti was not on the menu although our server advised that they can special order it to the kitchen. One of my favorite dishes is manicotti with fresh Italian sausage cooked into the marinara. I eventually decided against a special order.
Mindy and I did begin our meal with the Antipasto Plate which included salami, prosciutto, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese, green and red olives, pepperchini and roasted red peppers. ($10.95). There are generous portions of each and a plate is perfect for two. I particularly enjoy olives and Nazzaro's were very good. The mozzarella was Mindy's favorite and I really enjoyed the artichoke hearts.
WINE: We complimented our meal with a white wine from Italy. Antinori Santa Cristina Orvieto Classico Campogrande 2010 from Antinori Santa Cristina Orvieto. However, I did make a mistake when I selected our wine. The wine was tucked into the Pino Grigio section and I assumed it was one. Our server caught my mistake and returned to the table to advise me that my selection was not a Pinot Grigio but that the Campogrande was an Italian white wine. Darrell then produced a wine glass with a sample for me to give it a go. Mindy and I decided the wine was really good and ordered a bottle. It is a blend of Procanico 40% Grechetto 27% Verdello 15% Drupeggio & Malvasia 3% Chardonnay 15% . I checked the winery out and they are fairly new with their first wines being produced in 1990. The winery harvests their grapes at advanced maturation and wines are released only after March 1st. The Castello della Sala estate is located 11 miles from the town of Orvieto . The castle is an outstanding example of medieval military architecture, and its extensive vineyards enjoy an ideal micro-climate for the production of cooler weather wines such as whites and Pinot Noir. Regardless, I enjoy blends and I can highly recommend this wine so add it to your list. ($25)
Mindy and I really chose Nazzaro's for one reason, we both had been talking about lasagna and where could we find it. Nazzaro's, on their menu, says their Lasagna is a family recipe - layers of pasta topped with their house sauce, ground beef, sweet sausage, onion, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, baked to perfection - which it was.
Our lasagna came to the table piping hot and over the time it took to eat the whole thing it stayed nice and warm. Lots of cheese and lots of sauce - the perfect combination. There really is not a lot to say when talking about lasagna at a family owned restaurant except to say they are doing their family recipe proud. It was very flavorful and filling. Lasagna is not something I usually order at a restaurant but I can say Nazzaro's is about as good as it gets.
Mindy and I very much enjoyed our dinner which with an appetizer, salad, entree and a bottle of wine, came to $75.10 not including gratuity. Sadly, we were much too full to take advantage of the dessert menu. But that is really the true test of any lasagna - it's so good you don't have room for anything else!
Tucked away in a corner of the Winn Dixie shopping center, next to Bonefish - Nazzaro's is easy to get to and once there, you'll find a family owned restaurant offering traditional Italian food at a great price and happy to have your business. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed.
Nazzaro's was easy to make a reservation at, which again are highly recommended, and out table was ready when we showed up just after 6pm on a Saturday night. There were already a few tables full of patrons when Mindy and I arrived and the empty ones quickly filled up as the time got closer to 7pm. By the time we left around 7:30, most of the tables were full.
I was pleasantly surprised to bump into a friend on hostess duty for the evening. Lynn Nazzaro was handling the front of the house. Lynn is another local Realtor who I see from time to time at Golden Isles Association of Realtors events. Nazzaro's is a family owned and operated restaurant so you can rest assured that time and effort is part of the well thought out menu and wine list. Nazzaro's is beautifully decorated and well proportioned although it is intimate it its size. There are about 15 maybe 16 tables.
Cracking open the menu you'll find most of the usual Italian fare of pastas, raviolis, chicken dishes, veal, seafood dishes such as clams and several including shrimp and a couple of steak entrees. There are several typical desserts including one that caught my eye called Banana Caramel Zango which is a dish of banana caramel cheesecake wrapped in a flour tortilla and lightly fried. Served with vanilla ice cream. I was however a bit surprised that manicotti was not on the menu although our server advised that they can special order it to the kitchen. One of my favorite dishes is manicotti with fresh Italian sausage cooked into the marinara. I eventually decided against a special order.
Mindy and I did begin our meal with the Antipasto Plate which included salami, prosciutto, artichoke hearts, mozzarella cheese, green and red olives, pepperchini and roasted red peppers. ($10.95). There are generous portions of each and a plate is perfect for two. I particularly enjoy olives and Nazzaro's were very good. The mozzarella was Mindy's favorite and I really enjoyed the artichoke hearts.
WINE: We complimented our meal with a white wine from Italy. Antinori Santa Cristina Orvieto Classico Campogrande 2010 from Antinori Santa Cristina Orvieto. However, I did make a mistake when I selected our wine. The wine was tucked into the Pino Grigio section and I assumed it was one. Our server caught my mistake and returned to the table to advise me that my selection was not a Pinot Grigio but that the Campogrande was an Italian white wine. Darrell then produced a wine glass with a sample for me to give it a go. Mindy and I decided the wine was really good and ordered a bottle. It is a blend of Procanico 40% Grechetto 27% Verdello 15% Drupeggio & Malvasia 3% Chardonnay 15% . I checked the winery out and they are fairly new with their first wines being produced in 1990. The winery harvests their grapes at advanced maturation and wines are released only after March 1st. The Castello della Sala estate is located 11 miles from the town of Orvieto . The castle is an outstanding example of medieval military architecture, and its extensive vineyards enjoy an ideal micro-climate for the production of cooler weather wines such as whites and Pinot Noir. Regardless, I enjoy blends and I can highly recommend this wine so add it to your list. ($25)
Mindy and I really chose Nazzaro's for one reason, we both had been talking about lasagna and where could we find it. Nazzaro's, on their menu, says their Lasagna is a family recipe - layers of pasta topped with their house sauce, ground beef, sweet sausage, onion, ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese, baked to perfection - which it was.
Nazzaro's Lasagna - $15.95
Our lasagna came to the table piping hot and over the time it took to eat the whole thing it stayed nice and warm. Lots of cheese and lots of sauce - the perfect combination. There really is not a lot to say when talking about lasagna at a family owned restaurant except to say they are doing their family recipe proud. It was very flavorful and filling. Lasagna is not something I usually order at a restaurant but I can say Nazzaro's is about as good as it gets.
Mindy and I very much enjoyed our dinner which with an appetizer, salad, entree and a bottle of wine, came to $75.10 not including gratuity. Sadly, we were much too full to take advantage of the dessert menu. But that is really the true test of any lasagna - it's so good you don't have room for anything else!
Tucked away in a corner of the Winn Dixie shopping center, next to Bonefish - Nazzaro's is easy to get to and once there, you'll find a family owned restaurant offering traditional Italian food at a great price and happy to have your business. Give them a try, you won't be disappointed.
912-634-6161
196 Retreat Village
St. Simons Island, Georgia 31522
Jeff Williams Realtor, RSPS
Resort & Second Home Markets Specialist
Coastal Georgia Real Estate Associates
405 Magnolia Street, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
Ofc: 912-638-0006 Fax: 912-580-4130
Direct: 912-270-0032
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