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Main Street Kitchen Italian Cuisine

A brisk breeze out of the east was refreshing on the 72 degree evening. The moon was in full glow against a clear Wauchula sky as a constant sound of the water from the fountain at Main Street Park and lights lit provided a peaceful ambiance. It’s a scene for which I am increasingly familiar, having the fortune of living walking distance away.

Of course those from the old school remember fondly and with great affection how this place has changed it was a bakery and a couple of times restaurants that never caught on – a simpler time in Wauchula.

Yet rather than being replaced with something that had no association to the past, the new successor rivals the former landmark with tradition and ambiance. Giovanni’s, a Main Street Kitchen Italian Cuisine with a brick wood burning oven and 35 years of tradition stepped into the space; and thanks to Friday Night Live creator Jessica it has created a social setting downtown Wauchula is alive once again.

Opened on May 11, 2008 Giovanni’s is family owned and operated, owners Giovanni & Blanca Molinaro, and with family members Jose, Giovanni Jr., and Filomena Atchley, runs the business. Giovanni Sr. born in South Italy in a place called Naples brought the recipes that make up the sauce for their pizza and other dishes with a Napolitan flavor. The bread are baked daily as well as the soups chickpea and minestrone.

Giovanni's

And on this early April twilight, social was exactly the scene. It was Friday Night Live seated in the piazza were an array of personalities and languages: a couple speaking French; and varied Spanish dialects.

Several people were out and about. A family with 3 kids walked through the Park and took a seat at an empty table.

Dinner for me and my co-workers came from the hot brick wood oven, pizza with Italian sausage, some of my co-workers had fresh salads I elected not have any this time around. The tables were full of people eating what they had just purchased.

We all enjoyed our pizza and left full and so we mingled in the crowed at this Friday Night Live event Art’s in the Park it was they even had one of the now famous Highway men with paintings for sale. (See photo galleries page)

This was my fourth go around – I was there earlier in the day. I sat at one of the tables ordered a chicken parmesan sub with soup. The music was in the background was soothing they were playing Italian music it sound so good.

Several people came in to eat one of the servers refilled my Ice Sweet Tea and Blanca came out to say hello to me.

I didn’t know that she’s an avid painter her art work are on the walls and some are for sale, really nice art work, Jose just finished baking fresh bread – heaven.

Living walking distance from the Giovanni’s has created a culture of dependency - and it’s reasonable. Meal after meal, day after day. In the end, I’m a creature of habit. But is too much of a good thing wasted? Maybe not.

Great place for business meetings. Not bad for a date – gourmet food, peaceful setting. All they lack is a beer & wine license, some fine wine would go great with their Italian cuisine. I start with coffee in the morning, Caprese Salad for lunch, or perhaps some Lasagna al Forno or Spaghetti Carbonara in the evening. The mozzarella sticks aren’t bad either.

On this splendid evening, my dining choice was simple. I was alone and a quick bite at Giovanni’s was certainly a better choice than fast food. And for someone who enjoys watching people, the international mix of “wauchulians” mingling in the re-purposed environment was infinitely better than sitting in front of the television.

It’s difficult to imagine that a restaurant can be this cool, but indeed it is. The gourmet establishment is the centerpiece of a growing Wauchula Main Street, an area that has been branded Florida’s Place to Be. Perhaps the continued success of high quality businesses like Giovanni’s will make this the Place to Be vision a reality – and I’ll do my part.

By: Jose Canales

Photos by: Yesenia Molina

Featured in Photo: Jose

In Photo:Giovanni, Jose, Blanca, Giovanni jr, Filomena, and Terry

In Photo:Terry, Blanca & Giovanni

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