Pazzo Italian dining in Destin

Pazzo Italian dining and Sebaste Barolo BYOB in Destin

Sunday evening, our last night at our second home, Destin, FL, we made a last minute decision for Italian dining for dinner. Finding no seating availability until later at usual suspect Italian restaurants, we booked a table at a nearby restaurant that we have overlooked and not tried before.

Pazzo Italiana Ristorante & Bar is located a short six minutes from our vacation rental. in the commercial center at the major intersection of Hwy 98, Emerald Coast parkway and Mid-bay bridge hwy 293, across from the Destin Commons shopping mall.  

Pazzo was awarded “Best in Destin Magazine Reader’s Choice Award” in 2023, 24, 25, and 26.

Despite being a rainy night, and a commercial strip mall setting, we opted for ‘al fresco’ seating, which means "in the fresh air", dining or eating outside, on a patio, terrace, or sidewalk café. With the authentic Italian dishes and ambiance, the setting almost felt like an Italian city piazza, like dining in Turin, Milan or Florence! We also loved the piped in music playlist. 

It turned out to be a wonderful, delightful evening - ambiance, food, service, and even the music. 

For pairing with dinner, I took from our home cellar an Italian Barolo, Nebbiolo varietal wine. 

The extensive menu had all the traditional Italian offerings. We each ordered one of usual favorites - a point of comparison between restaurants. 

Linda ordered the Eggplant parmiagana - marinara, mozzarella, ricotta, Parmagiano, Regianno and Béchamel sauce, (a classic French white sauce made from a butter-and-flour roux whisked with milk and seasoned with salt and nutmeg).

I ordered the Saltimbocca - pan seared veal, prosciutto di Parma, fresh mozzarella, in a Porcini mushroom cream sauce … 

Both entrees were absolutely delicious, as good as any. Pazzo is definitely on our short list and must return for future dining in Destin. 

https://www.pazzodestin.com/

Our BYOB wine from our home cellar … Mauro Sebaste Barolo 2019

Mauro Sebaste Barolo 40° anniversario 2019 

This “ Mauro Sebaste 2019 Barolo Edizione Limitata 40 Vendemmia” is a limited release bottling from the family owned and operated Mauro Sebaste in Alba, founded by Mauro in 1991 after he left the family winery founded by Sylla Dogliani, Mauro's mother and grandmother of Sylla and Angelica, known as "La Dama di Langa," after Sylla's untimely death.

He is joined by his wife Maria Teresa and, since 2018 by their daughters Sylla and Angelica, and more recently the next generation, consisting of Sylla's daughters Costanza, Celeste and Camilla.

The winery is in Alba municipality. Their estate vineyards covering 75 acres of are located in more than 10 different communes, between Langhe, Roero and Monferrato and Astigiano. The primary vineyards, Dolcetto d’Alba, Barbera d’Alba and Nebbiolo d’Alba are located in the area of Santa Rosalia, on the ridge of the hill that lies between Diano d’Alba and Grinzane Cavour.

Mauro Sebaste produce an average of 150,000 bottles a year, divided into different labels and types which also include a range of grappas made from the pomace.

This is a limited release of just 3,300 bottles that celebrates their four-decade anniversary. This Barolo designated label comes mainly from Serralunga d’Alba, one of the main communes in the DOCG area. The area is planted to and produces Nebbiolo grapes where the sunny climate and terroir are optimally suited for wines of strength, elegance and complexity. They also have other estate vineyards of Nebbiolo da Barolo grapes are located in the territory of equally prestigious municipalities such as La Morra, Verduno and Monforte d’Alba.

This is 100% Nebbiolo, specifically sourced from Cerretta (Serralunga D'Alba) 65%,  and 35% from Roncaglie (La Morra). There the soil is Lequio Formation, iron-rich limestone sands for the Serralunga soils; Sant'Agata Fossil marl, marly layers with a higher percentage of clay and silt for the vineyards located in La Morra.

After summer thinning, the grapes are harvested manually in 20 kg perforated boxes with each single vineyard vinified separately in order to optimize extraction and enhance its characteristic profile. After further manual selection on vibrating tables, the grapes are destemmed and transferred to the winemakers where the alcoholic fermentation takes place. After maceration of 15-20 days in steel tanks at a controlled temperature, then malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged in large 15 hl French oak barrels for 30 months. The two fractions are refined separately and are blended just before bottling, then aged in the bottle for another six months before release.

Winemaker’s Notes - “Brilliant ruby ​​red color with slight garnet shades. Intense, rich and complex perfume with small red fruits, cherry, violet and dried rose, sweet spices complete and enrich the bouquet; full and consistent taste, with sweet and enveloping tannins, savory. Long and persistent finish.”

This label was rated 91 points by Wine Advocate.

Somewhat transparent ruby colored with garnet hues, medium bodied, complex yet elegant and refreshing, with bright dried cherry fruits with subtle savoury notes rose petals, spices and cassis, leather and hints of smoke with lively acidity and silky tannins on a long persistent finish.

RM 91 points

https://www.cellartracker.com/w?4986236

https://maurosebaste.it/en/home-english/

PS. In retrospect, this was a week before the Destin hurricane, and I write this we are enroute back to check out the aftermath of the storm!