By: Emalee Jansen

Edited by Linda Ruble

Located at 6062 Van Dyke Road, Nabruzzi Trattoria is a small restaurant serving some of the best Italian food in the city of Lutz.  This authentic Italian restaurant is open from 4:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.  Nabruzzi is the perfect date-night locale.  Nabruzzi Trattoria employees excel at making guests feel a part of their family.  They actually want to talk to the customers, not because they are forced to do so, but because they care.  They are efficient in keeping drinks filled, taking orders, and serving the tasty dishes.

The menu consists of various Italian favorites.  Among the most popular are:  Ossobucco Maiale Caterina (24 oz. bone-in pork shank, braised until tender, simmered in garlic, shallot, smothered in cabernet wine demi glazed sauce), Pollo Toscano (chicken breast lightly egg battered and sautéed with onions, garlic, bacon, basilica, cherry tomatoes, simmered in white wine, topped with basil and mozzarella), Gamberi Sofia (jumbo shrimp pan seared and sautéed with garlic, sun dried tomatoes, basilica, Kalamata olives, simmered in white wine sauce, topped with feta cheese and served over pasta), and various oven-fired pizzas.  Nabruzzi customer Kim Jansen says, “The Cozze Fiorenza (black mussels sautéed with shallots, garlic, basilica, bacon, cherry tomatoes, simmered in white wine lemon sauce) are by far the best mussels I have ever had.”  After her first time eating at Nabruzzi, Marissa Gambino said, “I ordered the Orecchiette Genovese (caramelized onions sliced thin and cooked golden brown, ground sausage simmered in white wine sauce, tossed with orecchiette pasta and parmesan cheese) and it definitely was an authentic dish.  I visited Italy last year and the meal brought back so many memories of my vacation.”

The pricing is surprisingly low for such an upscale restaurant, ranging from $8 – $15 for appetizers, to $14 – $30 for meals.  It is worth every penny!  Reservations are highly recommended, as everyone wants to enjoy a meal at Nabruzzi Trattoria.

Complementing the delicious food, the atmosphere of Nabruzzi Trattoria makes customers feel like they are in Italy.  Decorated with various landscape paintings of Italy, the interior is painted in hues of maroon and tan, giving a warm and comforting feel.  There are two separate rooms, one for families, the other for couples.  Booths line the walls, while tables and chairs fill the middle of the space.  The kitchen is in plain view as diners arrive.  There, pizzas are made from scratch and baked in the large stone pizza oven, which is the highlight of the kitchen.  There is also a large window where guests can watch the chefs prepare their masterpieces.

Nabruzzi Trattoria Italian Restaurant is by far one of the best places to eat in Lutz.  I encourage Italian cuisine lovers to make a reservation as quick as possible, so everyone can enjoy their Italian experience.

Images from Nabruzzi Tattoria Facebook page.