September is always such an interesting month. I’m either ringing in my birthday all month long (read: lately lamenting over turning another year older) or dodging nervous Floridians prepping for the Irma apocalypse or whatever other hurricane du jour may or may not be placing our little mecca in its sights. As such, I thought what better way to issue in September than with THE comfort food itself: pasta!
Our pasta journey begins in the cutest little outdoor dining nook in Gulfport at Pia’s Trattoria. Surround yourself with foliage and candelabra for the perfect date night spot to sip on bubbly prosecco and enjoy a heaping dish of Gnocchi Gorgonzola. I love to add mushrooms and drizzle the dish with their sun dried tomato pesto. If you don’t lick the plate clean, you might just have enough for leftovers the next day.Â
The next spot is my early-in-the-week you survived Monday treat. Il Ritorno has a Tuesday deal that is almost too good to be true. On Tuesdays from 5:00pm-7:00pm, their pasta dishes are 50% off. Their Braised Lamb Spaghetti with charred brussels, calabrese chili, and toasted garlic is a modern spin on a classic that I adore. Stay up to date on their Instagram, as their menu changes seasonally!Â
If you’re rounding out your summer with a strict workout plan, then run don’t walk to the next spot on the list! Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana is a mix and match dream. They are very accommodating when it comes to choosing the right pasta for your favorite sauce. Better yet though, they offer gluten free pasta and zucchini noodles. My current fav is their Penne dal Mare with a blue crab, roasted pepper, spicy cream sauce. Head down on a Thursday with your favorite bottle of wine for no corkage fee.Â
You can’t have a pasta list without mentioning at least one brainchild from the geniuses that brought us Mazzaro’s. They debuted their newest edition, Alto Mare to Beach Drive at the beginning of this year and it is the next stop on our pasta journey. I still think about this fra diavolo sauce on their Lobster Bucatini. It is spicy, addictive, and will have you slurping from the bowl!
Delay your pasta coma because we have one last must-eat before the month is through. Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca (from Kelly and Alex Rodriguez of Lolita’s) may have one of the best Carbonaras I have ever had. Pancetta, peas, pecorino romano, egg yolk, and bucatini create a marriage of pasta excellence that pairs perfectly with their refreshing Rosa Spritzer cocktail.Â
If you can’t wait until October or you have a bone to pick because you gained 5 pasta pounds, then check more content out on Instagram or Facebook @baybeswhobrunch or contact me at [email protected]. In the meantime, if you need me you can find me standing on a barstool or holding my food up to a pretty wall with a camera in my hand around the Bay and beyond!
