Two Twisted Italians, a new Italian restaurant serving the area, opened its doors on Saturday, Sept. 21 with a full menu designed to bring genuine flavors from the Old Country.
Owner Tommy Caraccia’s vision for a family-friendly bistro was inspired by his own upbringing in New York.
“I’m from The Bronx, born in Little Italy. My family came over from Italy, and we have old Italian values,” Caraccia said. “Pasta on Sunday and Thursday. My mother used to make meatballs and fagioli and things like that. My goal here was to not just make an Italian restaurant, but to make a multi-faceted restaurant with takeout and market foods to take home, too.”
Two Twisted Italians is all about variety of choice mixed with quality ingredients. Most dishes served at the bistro are less than $15, meaning guests can bring the whole family and still enjoy hearty comfort food without breaking the bank.
“I wanted it to be more a bistro-type of feel, and I tried to do a lot of dishes I grew up on. My mother used to make ziti on holidays, and my goal is to eventually do a Family Pasta Sunday,” Caraccia said. “We also have a pastry chef and make the cannoli filling right here.”
To run the kitchen, Caraccia brought in an executive chef with years of experience working in the sports service industry. Chef Robert Trevisanutto has worked with the Cleveland Indians, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, New York Jets and New York Giants before coming down to Florida.
“Everything we make here is from scratch — it’s all homemade. That’s what I think sets us apart from everybody else. The marinara and Bolognese sauces are made fresh,” Trevisanutto said. “There are pizza joints up and down the street, so what makes us different? We are old school Italian cuisine with a modern twist.”
Traditional Italian favorites are available, but it is important to both Caraccia and his crew that guests have unique options.
“We try to put our flair on everything. We don’t want you to get the exact same thing you could get anywhere,” Caraccia said. “The twisted fries are a great example.”
To make twisted fries, Trevisanutto mixes regular and sweet potato cuts together and tosses them with parsley, thyme and salt — giving a unique flavor profile to a classic side.
Two Twisted Italians offers lunch and dinner, but also has large trays and catering options for both corporate and private events.
“For large catering events, you can meet with us, and we’ll go over the catering menu together. We can do anything from a wedding to a backyard party,” Caraccia said, adding that all catering packages are tailored to order.
Caraccia understands that people don’t always feel like sitting down to dinner and wants to help his customers there, too.
“I, myself, don’t like to cook when I get home, so we are putting together grab-and-go boxes with some healthier options. It is available all day, but are perfect for lunch for one,” he said. “We also have a prepared food case that will have market items by the pound and meals that will take care of dinner for two.”
Keeping with traditional flavors, the bistro uses personal recipes like the one Caraccia’s mother gave him for meatballs. Trevisanutto, meanwhile, was taught to cook by his grandfather.
“I learned from the strings of my grandfather — he was from the Old Country,” Trevisanutto said. “I enjoy the love of cooking, and it’s all about love. I have an old school, old world pizza sauce. And Reno, our pizza guy, has been making really good pies for 30-something years. We take old school Italian, and we throw dynamite in it.”
Trevisanutto stresses the integrity of his ingredients. Take his bruschetta, for instance.
“Most people use chopped tomatoes, but I use grape tomatoes. It’s a cleaner presentation and looks nicer. I whip the ricotta, and we use a beautiful balsamic glaze,” he said.
Keeping a connection to the Old Country, even the bottled water is imported from Italy.
Two Twisted Italians currently offers delivery up to three miles away from the restaurant, with plans to expand the range in the future.
Two Twisted Italians is located at 100 Sansburys Way, Suite 108, in the Shoppes at Southern Palms off Southern Blvd. just east of the South Florida Fairgrounds. The bistro is open Monday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday noon to 6 p.m. For more info., or to place an order, call (561) 333-2333 or visit www.twotwisteditalians.com.
