Good Taste: Where to find the best pasta in SW FL? Readers tell us their favorites
Every few weeks, we'll ask readers to share their favorite place for a food item in Southwest Florida. Last week, we asked for favorite pasta restaurants and here's what they said in our new feature, Good Taste.
Let's begin our latest Good Taste reader recommendations with my favorite Billy Joel song.
The Piano Man (my least favorite song from him) just announced a "one night only" concert early next year with Sting in Tampa. And I'm sure Joel will play and sing what's also his favorite song from his expansive music catalogue:
A bottle of red, a bottle of whiteIt all depends upon your appetiteI'll meet you any time you wantIn our Italian restaurant
Unlike cheesecake, Southwest Florida readers have real and strong opinions about their favorite places for pasta In The 239.
Great pasta across the region
Richard Reichle kept it simple.
"A little Italian restaurant in Bonita Springs Enrico’s has wonder pastas, meatballs, sauce," he emailed, referring to Ristorante Enrico's, 26831 S. Tamiami Trail, Bonita. "Hope you try. Thanks for your column, we enjoy it."
Thank you, Richard! And we appreciate everyone sharing their thoughts with other readers.
Sue Monetta emailed last week that their favorite pasta place in Naples is Mino's.
"His homemade pasta is the best !!!" she said. "We are heading back to Naples next week and cannot wait to go there again!"
Not far away in Collier County, Trattoria Angela on Vanderbilt Beach Road received some love from reader Scott Klabunde.
"It’s small quaint and an authentic Sicilian chef," Klabunde said. "The owners are spectacular. Angela and Enrico strive to make every customer feel like they are in Italy."
And that's what I love about great food, how it can make you feel like you are in another part of the world.
In Cape Coral, Nancy Breedlove recommended Frutti di Mare from the Ceno Grille in Cape Coral, adding: "It's the best!"
'The best Italian food in SWFL bar none'
Gerry Chervinsky of Naples emailed that he knew the best place for pasta.
"The best Italian food in SWFL bar none, whether pasta or parmigiana or veal chop ― can be found at Sophia's Ristorante Italiano on Pine Ridge Road in Naples," Chervinsky said.
"JLB seems not to have ever been there or even know of it but she should review it as season arrives!"
Actually, our dining reviewer has been to Sophia's but it's been a while. She also noted when TripAdvisor include Sophia's on its Hall of Fame list a few years ago.
Meatball heaven found in Fort Myers
Fellow foodie Paula Pala of Miromar Lakes said she visited Terra Nostra Ristorante in Fort Myers and enjoyed it.
"It has quickly become our go to for consistently good Italian food," Pala wrote. "My favorite pasta in SWFL is their Rigatoni Fungi, full of mushrooms, prosciutto and peas with a perfect balance of savory richness from the cognac cream sauce.
"And they also have the Best Meatballs so I’m sure their spaghetti and meatballs are divine too. We get the meatball appetizer every time!"
Staying in Lee County, Marcia Wohlfarth recommended Nino's in south Fort Myers.
"They're a little pricy but the meals are so large that I bring home half for another meal at home," Wohlfarth said. "The food is delish!"
Hot spot: Popular downtown Cape Coral restaurant opens new location in North Fort Myers
Be in the know: Sign up for our free, weekly SWFL Eats newsletter
More reader favorites
"The best pasta in Naples is Mino, dockside boardwalk near Tin City," said Joseph Pagliuca. "Authentic Italian homemade pasta. Weekly pasta specials are fantastic and unique."
"Il Pomodoro, 9681 Gladiolus Drive, Fort Myers," wrote Jerry Laday.
Dave Osborn is the regional features editor of the Naples Daily News and The News-Press. You can email him at [email protected] and follow his social media on Instagram and Threads @lacrossewriter.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Best pasta restaurants in Southwest Florida recommended by readers