Maestro Cucina Napoletana brings Neapolitan fare to Park Avenue

Fans of TerraMia, be it the ristorante in Altamonte Springs or the pizzeria in Lake Mary, will have another option come September’s end.

Maestro Cucina Napoletana, by local restaurateur Rosario Spagnolo, will move into the space most recently occupied by Makis Place at 528 S. Park Ave. in Winter Park. Spagnolo expects the restaurant to have seating for 55-65 people.

Maestro Cucina Napoletana will, naturally, highlight the fare of Naples, Spagnolo’s birthplace. Veteran chef (and fellow Neapolitan) Antonio Martino will serve as executive chef and partner. After three decades of managing and cooking at restaurants from New York to Boston, Martino decided to get out of the cold and into the warm embrace of Spagnolo, his old friend.

Expect many seafood dishes, an antipasti table and signature items like short rib ragu. The star, however, will be a Marra Forni wood-burning oven blistering Neapolitan-style pizzas at 800°F.

Spagnolo says there will be a healthy wine list (with a nice selection by the glass), while birra lovers will appreciate the selection of Italian IPAs on tap.

Look out, Prato and Rome’s Flavours.

This article appears in Aug 3-9, 2016.