Italy with it’s charming coastal appeal is a real favorite for me. When I can’t get to Italy I opt for my favorite italian delights close to home. Pia’s Trattoria in Gulfport, FL is an essential on my short list of Italian treasures. Pia’s restaurant has old world appeal from the exterior and excellent food along with ambience and friendly service inside. Pia’s offers a wonderful outdoor patio that wraps around the side and back of the restaurant. It has old world European charm with flowers hanging from the walls, lush plants creating a relaxed ambience and charming seating areas with small intimate tables to longer, larger family size picnic tables. The patio also includes a covered area for any weather.
Pia’s offers a regular menu as well as local specials that are exquisite. The last two times I visited Pia’s I had the salmon lasagna special and a tomato and basil panini sandwich. Both were incredible and well prepared. The menu is not extensive but each item is well thought out and well executed. When I have dined at Pia’s with friends we have all been pleased with our choices. They have a nice selection of appetizers; including mussels, which were excellent. They also have a wonderful selection of desserts including traditional options like Creme Brule and Tiramasu. I enjoyed the Creme Brule, it was delightful as well I had a taste of the Tiramasu and if you are a fan of Tiramasu theirs is well done.
One real delight for me about Pia’s and Gulfport restaurants in general is that most are dog friendly. Pia’s has a seating area of about six tables in front of the restaurant where pets are welcomed and provided with a water bowl for their visit. I’ve taken my dog there for lunch and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience. If you are looking for a little piece of Italy in the St. Petersburg, FL area try a meal at Pia’s Trattoria, it will be an experience you treasure.