Lunch has stuck at downtown St. Pete’s Il Ritorno.
After a trial period was held for the modern Italian eatery’s lunch service in August, positive diner reception convinced owners Erica and David Benstock to serve their lunchtime offerings permanently on the 400 block.
“We’ve received so many requests over the years to introduce lunch, and we are glad we could finally make it happen last month for our guests,” said executive chef David in a statement.
During its official kickoff, lunch will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 3 through 7. The service will then return the first Monday of every month, lasting a full week. Among the menu items are the Octo Dog, featuring a squid ink bun, tomato relish, diced kalamata olives, roasted garlic and arugula aioli; truffled crab with shaved summer veggie salad; and eggplant caponata with whipped ricotta crostini and smoked olive oil.
There’s also sweet corn agnolotti, which highlights pecorino, jalapeño, lime and Espelette, and a porchetta sandwich with roasted red pepper agrodolce (a sweet and sour Italian sauce), arugula and concentrated tomatoes.
