pasta e vino (and cappy’s)
mattThanks to Cappy’s Pizzeria on Bay to Bay in Palma Ceia for being rude to us this past Friday evening. If it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t have stumbled upon little Vino E Pasta on Gandy instead.
Our original plan for dinner on Friday had been to try out Cappy’s again. This time we planned to order Cappy’s New York style pizza. The place was crowded when we got there with folks standing around for tables, which was fine and what we expected. We put our name on the list at the front door and helped ourselves to beers from the cooler. After waiting a few minutes, we noticed that one of the tables on the small deck outside had opened up. We were pretty sure we had been told on a previous visit that outside was “open seating.” Just to make sure, Traci asked one of the guys behind the counter if outside was open seating. He said it was indeed seat yourself so outside we went to the table.
Within a minute of us sitting down, the server told us that, sorry, we had to leave. I asked why and she said she had promised the table to another group. I explained that we had asked at the counter before taking this table (i.e. we didn’t just “steal it”) and she told me the guy “didn’t know what he was talking about.” Next, a guy who I assume was the manager, walked up after we had already exited the table and were walking out. Instead of being apologetic or offering us another table or letting me explain things, he tell us “just leave” and walks off. Wonderful. The service was mediocre previously, and I didn’t like their Chicago style pizza, so shame on me for giving the place a second chance. Never again.
My experience at Cappy’s left me in a pretty crummy mood and I wasn’t really up for waiting in another line. As we turned onto Gandy we thought of Vino E Pasta, a little Italian restaurant near the corner of Gandy and Himes that we had passed many times before but hadn’t tried. Now seemed like as good a time as any. Vino E Pasta doesn’t look like much from the outside, but inside, with its dim lighting, the restaurant was nicer than we expected. It didn’t take long to notice that this place provides a level of service and attention that is much higher than you typically get at mid-priced restaurants around town.
As the name Vino E Pasta implies, the restaurant’s fairly simple menu is built around wine and pasta. An interesting twist is that the restaurant has a fixed price wine list (all wines are around $5 per glass and $24 per bottle if I recall). We’re not big wine drinkers, but after the Cappy’s fiasco we figured why not and ordered a bottle of white. We also received a complimentary bruschetta sampler. For my entree, I went with one of the specials, a salmon stuffed with crab meat and pasta on the side. Traci decided upon a penne pasta with a marinara sauce with sausage. Each dinner came with a nice side salad.
My salmon with crab meat was excellent as was my pasta. Traci’s pasta was good too. Going all out, we split an order of tiramisu for dessert. This ended up being a pricey meal with the wine and dessert, but still a good deal. I think you could do dinner for around twenty bucks per person. This may not be the best Italian in town, but if you’re looking for a neighborhood spot where not only is the food good, but they’re likely to treat you like a regular even on your first visit, then this place fits the bill.
Bottom-line: Thanks to a rotten attitude from Cappy’s, we had the chance to try Pasta E Vino. Good food and friendly service was a pleasant surprise at this nice little neighborhood Italian restaurant.
Loading ...
April 2nd, 2007 at 6:55 pm
You didn’t miss anything at Cappy’s, their NY “style” pizza has no style and is clearly from Tampa.
April 2nd, 2007 at 8:33 pm
yeah ive passed vino y pasta a million times too and never went in, though i often pondered it. those vino prices are sweet, though im not sure exactly what plonk youre getting.
still, sounds like a decent place. for eye-tie nearby, i recommend cellini at interbay and bayshore. good pizza. and of course bellas on soho.
April 2nd, 2007 at 11:17 pm
I live in Utah,recently,6 weeks ago,my wife and I took a Jeep trip to my old stomping grounds,Tampa.
We heard about Crappy New York Pizza,so we wanted to try it,it was just that,Crappy New York pizza Tampa style,and it was just like New York pizza,cardboard with ketchup and some cheese on it.
The best place in Tampa for pizza is CDB’s,if they are still around,I used to always go to CDB’s or Capones Chicago style deep dish,they closed and are a fond memory.
As for Crappys,the name is self explanatory,the Jeep trip was fun,we went Jeepen in Citrus,and visited some friends in New Port Richey,wich has a good pizza joint,Leaning Tower,Carl is great and I highly recomend Leaning Tower for genuine New York Pizza.
April 3rd, 2007 at 6:44 am
I was very impressed with both the food and the service at Vino e Pasta. The food is traditional working class Italian. Don’t be fooled by the label, the attention to detail in the food makes all the difference.
The service that I received was impeccable. Another old world vestige where being a waiter is a learned trade. I can’t remember the last time that I had my plate cleared between courses and been brought a clean fork. It’s the little things that make a big difference.
April 3rd, 2007 at 10:18 am
Matt,
You are on the money with this one! Good food and good service is what we want. We don’t want to pay for attitudes from places were the food is so so. Why these places can’t figure out good service cost them nothing and word of mouth is everything baffles me.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:11 am
wow. interesting. I had heard just the opposite but when you go by there are some very awesome scents emanating …
Good to know. Thanks
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 am
Vino is great, unlike Cappy’s which has never lived up to its own hype. (Heehee, Crappy’s is correct!)
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 am
Vino is great, unlike Cappy’s which has never lived up to its own hype. (Heehee, Crappy’s is correct!)
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:39 am
What, no Turkey or Chicken for Traci?
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:53 am
Ah! What took you so long? My girlfriend who lives near by, and I ove Vino N’ Pasta. It is a great little neighborhood place. Nothing fancy but I have never had a bad meal or service. Good food at a fair price.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:54 am
Ah! What took you so long? My girlfriend who lives near by, and I ove Vino N’ Pasta. It is a great little neighborhood place. Nothing fancy but I have never had a bad meal or service. Good food at a fair price.
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:01 pm
Well, I never knew little Vino E Pasta had so many fans
It was a pleasant surprise. We plan to go back and hope it will be as good as our first visit.
Any other niehgborhood Italian joints we should know about? I think Spartaco on MacDill (haven’t been before) shares the same owners as Pasta Y Vino.
As for Cappy’s, you sort of expect indifferent service at a pizza joint, but this took the cake. Maybe if we had a pack of little kids with us we would have been treated better
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Dave- her non-chicken eating does appear to be on the upswing
April 3rd, 2007 at 4:47 pm
Cappy’s is all hype, AMAZING considering 1) their inconvenient hours, 2) poor customer service, 3) cash only policy, 4) small dining area, and 5) nothing special pizza. Just who are the Cappy’s diehards that keep the myth of excellence alive?
April 3rd, 2007 at 5:01 pm
People who don’t have any food standards like Cappy’s that’s why this joint is always packed… Let’s keep our good places a secret - better for us anyway - Thanks Matt - I value all of your reviews…
April 3rd, 2007 at 5:58 pm
We can change Cappy’s to Crappy’s!!!! There are too many good places to eat to have put up with rudeness! I appreciate the head’s up and will definitely cross cappy’s off the list!
Jerry in Tampa
http://www.jerrymoores.com
http://www.mooresphoto.com
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:40 pm
We had an excellent experience at Vino as well. The food was wonderful, there were nice touches and the staff was attentive.
April 4th, 2007 at 9:57 am
I love vino e pasta! The owner is wonderful and the food excellent. Just don’t tell too many people ’cause it’s tiny!
April 4th, 2007 at 2:47 pm
Any other little gems like Vino that Sticks readers should know about?
Thanks to all for sharing-
April 28th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Folks let’s all be realistic!!!!
We all live here in Tampa and it is VERY safe to say there really isn’t good Pizza anywhere. Many of the better places have great recipes however you can’t make a good dough with the sulfurous water here in the South. This is a fact and coming from the Northeast growing up in a family owned Pizzeria, bakery and fine dinning family Restaurant I think I know a little about what I am talking about. So don’t expect too much when you go out for a slice anywhere in town.