Foodie? Not usually how I describe myself. In this case I will make an exception. Just returned from Puerto Penasco, Mexico (3.5 hours south of Phoenix, easy safe border crossing) and not only was the weather fantastic, the sand incredibly warm and the sea so pretty to look at, but so was the food.
Pane e Vino is a newly opened Italian restaurant located in this charming beach fishing village known as Rocky Point. Located off the main road going into town, Benito Juarez (just after Calle 13 turn right after the railroad tracks) this culinary delight is located on the bottom floor of a strip center. Pane e Vino new to the area in the last few months, delivered a wonderful evening meal.
Once inside the eatery, the smell of fresh baked savory bread and herbs take you away. The homemade bread is delicious. Starting out with a wonderful white chardonnay ($20 a bottle) from Baja, it was infectious and more than one bottle was tasted. Next, three wonderful appetizers started us off on our culinary adventure: out of this world bruschetta, lightly pan fried calamari fritta and tasty succulent scallops. Perhaps we should have stopped there, but oh no…on to the aromatic main courses consisting of dishes such as fillet gorgonzola, fish pescador, linguine with clams and chicken alfredo with linguine.
Neither a cook nor a critic, what I know is the meal was delivered fresh, flavorful cuisine with excellent service and italiano style… and every bite was enjoyed. Ok, we took a little to go box with some bread and yummy pasta which was eaten the next day. Yes, this is a place where you will crave the leftovers.
So, if you find yourself in Phoenix with some time off around the holidays, take a short drive to Puerto Penasco, spend the night at the sea, walk along the not so crowded beach and have some wonderful Italian food at Pane e Vino Ristorantein Mexico by Italian Chef Luca.
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