Pastavino's MMM MMM Good!

So we were supposed to meet my parents and brother tonight for dinner but my mom was ill and my dad was checking to see if my brother wanted to head to his place for the evening. So we took Autumn to her sleepover and decided to go out to eat at little place called Pastavinos.

I am no restaurant critic but let me tell you it was delicious. We had calamari to begin with and it was so tender it practically melted in your mouth. Usually calamari needs marinara but this time it had a great flavor that just a touch of marinara did the trick. It was fried to a beautiful golden brown and was crisp but not greasy.

For our main course, Jeff and Alex both ordered Stromboli and Paige and I split a steak and cheese white pizza. WOW was it delicious. What made it so good? The fresh bread. The crust was so tasty and crisp. The steak was not dried out and the sauce on the pizza... YUM- MEE! Again, not greasy at all. What a great meal.

On our way out, we were given a breakfast menu as they trying a new market and are promoting their new menu. The owner, Don, was at his computer in the lobby area (cleverly hidden behind a painting) and he was researching donuts and how much to charge for fresh, handmade donuts in this area. He also asked us whether we thought there should be a bakery up near Park Ave. or back toward Rock Springs. We got to talking about his other restaurant Nicky D's up closer to where we live. He asked for our names and even gave us a container of handmade cinnamon rolls to try tomorrow morning.

THAT my friends, is how you run a business. I was impressed with his friendly manner and his accessibility. Maybe they don't have the space for an office area in the back but having him up front is GENIUS. I was also impressed that he cares enough to find out how his customers like his food and their opinions on things like, where to put a bakery.

Finally, I was impressed by his entrepreneurial spirit. He had a bakery in Eustis and it didn't fly. So instead of packing it in, he opened a restaurant here in Apopka. Pastavinos has been in business since 1994. Pretty good in a time when chain restaurants are driving out the mom and pop establishments.

What a great experience we had tonight. I highly recommend you check them out if you haven't been. If you haven't been in a while, go back. I know we will be headed here more often. Thanks Don and staff for making our dinner a real pleasure!

Pastavinos. On the corner of Rock Springs Road and Kelly Park Road. Rock Springs is no longer under construction and it is now a nice four lane road! Hope you visit real soon!