Before the close of spooky season, Mandola’s Italian Kitchen will open its first Florida location. On Monday, Oct. 26, the restaurant is making its debut at 12926 U.S. Highway 301 in Riverview’s Summerfield Commons Shopping Center.
The 5,500-square-foot fast-casual restaurant, decked out in stylish Italian decor, is set to host indoor seating for approximately 120 guests (depending on COVID-19 regulations), as well as a 1,000-square-foot patio space, a dessert station, and even a wine area.
The fast-casual concept is a collaboration between chef and restaurateur Damian Mandola, co-founder of Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Paul Avery, President and CEO of the World of Beer Bar & Kitchen chain and former President and COO of Outback Steakhouse (OSI), Inc.
If you aren’t keen on the idea of taking the hike to Riverview, the duo plans on launching four additional locations in the Tampa area through 2022—adding approximately 65 jobs to the local economy.
The concept—which already has four location in Texas—prides itself on utilizing authentic recipes that have been in the Mandola family for decades. Made-from-scratch ingredients include a variety of fresh pasta, homemade sauces, mozzarella and pizza dough. There’s also a selection of salads, soups, chicken dishes, and of course, ‘za.
You can make it a family affair, allowing your kids to tag along and choose from plates like fettuccine Alfredo, cheese ravioli, cheese or pepperoni pizza, chicken fingers and trenette with meatballs.
If you’re leaving the kiddos at home, and want to snag an Uber, you can indulge in the resto’s lineup of unique Italian wine and brews.
The dessert station is set to be flooded with gelato, cannoli, cakes, cookies, and specialty coffees.
Upon opening, Mandola’s will be serving up lunch and dinner service from 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. daily. Diners can also opt for takeout and curbside pickup orders. The concept is also set to offer large-party orders and mobile catering.
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