Venice’s Allegro Bistro is back to doing what it does best—serving great Italian food in a friendly, family-style atmosphere—and owner Nella Valenti could not be happier.
“We are back, Venice!” says the always-welcoming Nella, matron of the extended Valenti family. “It was so difficult to be closed during the pandemic. Cooking for people and serving them is what we do. It is our life’s passion. And suddenly we could not do that. But we put our time to good use, the restaurant and patio are prepared for health and safety, and we are ready to welcome everyone back in a safe manner.”
Allegro Bistro’s food is so very good that one of its specialty dishes, the Zuppa Di Pesche featuring fine clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops and calamari over a bed of perfectly made spaghetti, graces this month’s cover of Venice Lifestyle. Nella and her family have been cooking traditional Italian fare and pizzas for Venice diners for more than three decades, based on techniques and recipes handed down to Nella from her family in Sicily. With a focus on always fresh, always premium ingredients, her entrees are served hot and made-from-scratch by her friendly, excellent staff.
Executive Chef Frank Rossitto—Nella’s brother-in-law—leads in the kitchen and while Nella’s son Gianni Valenti helps manage operations and makes sure guests are perfectly cared for. A true family business, Allegro Bistro is not just known for its food and great drinks, but also for the wonderful neighborhood feel the Valentis have created. Featuring whimsical, warm European décor inside and a spacious, well-appointed patio for open air dining outside, Allegro Bistro is a place anyone lucky enough to dine there will think of as ‘home.’
“For thirty years we have been serving our customers in Venice,” Nella says. “This was the first time that we had to close. We missed our customers so much, and now that they are back, they are telling us the same. We really do think of our customers as family.”
To help everyone stay safe, the restaurant observes social distancing. Come in for favorites like Chicken Allegro, Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan, and handmade gnocchi. Enjoy karaoke on Wednesday evenings, and dancing to the music of The Allegros on weekends. Welcome back to your favorite Italian cuisine, Venice!
1740 E. Venice Ave., Venice. 941.484.1889. Allegro-Bistro.com
