Pellegrino's, Deerfield Beach, FL. (Italian) [Pics]

LTH,

Between Bagel Joints, Boca Bagel West remains my parents favorite, Seafood World and Thanksgiving Turkey we managed to squeeze in a few other restaurants during our T-Day visit to my parents in Boca Raton, one of the best being Pellegrino's, recommended by Jazzfood.

Bobby Pellegrino, the owner, is a 1st cousin to the owner of Rao's in NY and worked there for a decade or three and, from what I understand, the food is similar to Rao's. Though the closest I've been, and am likely to ever get to the original, is reading GAF's wonderfully descriptive Rao's post.

Pellegrino's exuded NY charm/attitude, from Nicky the waiter who told us stories of $300 tips from Frank Sinatra, to the tough-guy with a big heart demeanor of Bobby Pellegrino, Andrea Bocelli in concert on the wall mounted flat screen, followed by a Frank Sinatra retrospective that was surprisingly interesting, to walls festooned with autographed pictures.

Atmosphere, cool as it was, was eclipsed by the terrific food, starting with good bread, olive oil and freshly grated Parmesan. Jazzfood highly recommended seafood salad, which was spot-on. Nice mix of fresh as a daisy seafood with razor thin slices of garlic providing accent.

Seafood Salad


We also had an order of fried calamari, my mom's favorite, which she declared best she's had in years.

Fried Calamari


I lobbied for a specials board half order of tripe, but met with resistance from both my parents and Ellen, I compromised with chicken livers, also from the specials board. I love chicken livers and these were a fine example.

Chicken Livers Appetizer


So far Pellegrino's was hitting on all cylinders, even the house salad was tasty, enlivened by black olives.

House Salad


My rigatoni bolognese was easily the best example I've had, with the exception of Trixie-Pea's home made version, a scoop of mascarpone cheese taking it over the top.

Rigatoni Bolognese


Ellen, being a caper fan, had Grouper Alla Livornese, she loved the subtle hint of anchovy and abundant capers.

Grouper Alla Livornese


My mother had a terrific version of Suppa di Pesce, loaded with mussels, clams and calamari, she was particularly enamored with the mussels.

Suppa di Pesce


My dad had Pork Chop Pellegrino, two nice size pork chops with roasted red pepper, hot vinegar cherry peppers and a fried egg. Might have been the best dish of the night if not for the fact my father ordered the pork med-well.

Pork Chop Pellegrino


We had a side of escarole as well, have to have a veggie in the mix somewhere when one is eating with their mother.

Escarole


We drank Amarone with dinner, which Pellegrinos had for a surprisingly reasonable price.

Dessert was canolli, one for the table, and, good as it was, we were hard pressed to finish one between four of us.

Canolli


With coffee service they bring you the traditional sugar, cream with the addition of a shaker bottle of anisette. That's not vinegar in the shaker bottle.


Nicky the waiter with Ellen.


Frank Sinatra on the flat screen.


What I particularly liked, aside from the terrific food, was how welcome, as first timers in a place that quite obviously has a high proportion of regulars, we were made to feel. There is no doubt Pellegrino's has a bit of NY vibe, though there was absolutely no affectation. Excellent recommendation, thanks Jazzfood.

Enjoy,
Gary

Pellegrino's
847 S. E. 8th Ave.
Deerfield Beach, FL
954-418-0611
(Palm Plaza)
http://www.pellegrinosrestaurant.com/

That post makes me want to hop a flight to Boca. BTW, isn't that Judy Garland on the TV next to Old Blue Eyes?

i just stole the porkchop for a project i'm doing in portland. they wanted to add some entrees to the small plates we've been doing. only difference is that i'm breading a double chop w/some parm, garlic and ital spices and a bit of red sauce on the bottom. same peppers and fried egg though. very much inspired by them.

my other favorites there are the escarole, the frutta di mare and the chix liver and onions w/a splash of marsala.

it's hard to find really good food down there but during my exile, i managed a few winners.

MsRev and I were on the east coast of Florida yesterday and decided to take the suggestion of the doctor of Italian Gary Wiv and try Pellegrino's for dinner. Oh my, what a great place! You'd think living in an area called Naples would have a plethora of terrific Italian food, but unfortunately when a place like Carabbas is in the top 10, it's pretty sad. Pellegrino's reminded me of the great neighborhood Italian family restaurants I left behind in Chicago like Bruna's, etc.

We followed GWiv's lead in the food we ordered starting with the seafood salad and the sauteed chicken livers. The salad I believe would be right at home in any Italian coastal town, as it was simply prepared with a light sauce of lemon and olive oil with the most exquisitely pristine mixed shellfish including calamari, shrimp, crab, and I believe thin slices of ocean clam. Although the chicken livers were quite tasty, I wouldn't say they were ethereal.

On the other hand, the pork chop was to die for. I didn't make the same mistake as FatherWiv and ordered it medium rare and it came out juicy, succulent, and full of delicious porky flavor. The sauce and vinegared peppers were a wonderful accompaniment. MsRev ordered a half portion of rigatoni bolognese and I found it to be the best I've ever sampled. Sauteed escarole was quite flavorful.

Somehow we found room for canolli, and again, it was at the top of the list for best ever. I'm not usually a fan of canolli and I rarely order it.

The restaurant is quite expensive but after dining here once you realize that many of the dishes are very large and can be ordered for 2. For example the pork chops were $36, which I thought was outrageous, but was served with 2 very large chops which I believe is meant to be shared. It's a tiny restaurant so be sure to call ahead. Thanks, Doctor.