The sudden onset of hunger pains is the leading cause of unfinished novels, canceled duels, and tied soccer matches. Today's deal employs fine Italian cuisine to cut down on unfinished business: for $7, you get $15 worth of Italian cuisine and drinks at Talia's Tuscan Table in Boca Raton.
Voted Best Restaurant in Palm Beach County in 2010 by the New Times, Talia's Tuscan Table treats tongues to a taste of the old country with an Italian café, market, and deli. In accordance with his own great-grandfather's traditions, Chef Andrew Bennardo encourages guests to sample his fresh, homemade mozzarella, four-cheese ravioli, and fennel sausage before they make a selection from the menu. A starter of cornmeal-coated calamari ($8) or antipasto salad for two ($10) paves the way for an invasion of classic pastas ($11.99+) such as penne alla vodka and homemade meat lasagna. Heartier entrees of veal ($13.00), chicken ($11.99+), and fish ($13.00+) can be prepared in a variety of authentic Italian methods such as piccata, paillard, or a la Mario (which involves hiring a plumber to jump on it). For something lunchier, feed the soul by munching on a meaty mandala of Talia's acclaimed Sicilian pizza ($12+, 16 in.). Damsels in distress, meanwhile, can protect themselves against the body's intestinal dragon by swallowing a true-hero sandwich ($9.99) named after one of Italy's most illustrious all-stars. The Pavarotti, for example, loads its crispy, homemade ciabatta bread with an overweight operatic opus of prosciutto, mozzarella, arugula, sun-dried tomato, and basil pesto. Be sure to keep a spare stomach empty for a dessert of tiramisu ($5) and chocolate cannoli ($2.50).
Talia's convivial atmosphere and kitschy décor match the food's culinary influence with Italian paraphernalia such as flags, Yankees memorabilia, and Sophia Loren frozen in a slab of carbonite. The restaurant also conducts hands-on cooking classes on the last Sunday of every month.
Reviews
Broward-Palm Beach New Times readers named Talia’s Tuscan Table Best Restaurant in Palm Beach County in 2010. Yelpers give it an average of 4.5 stars, and Facebookers give it an enthusiastic average of five stars.
- Talia's Italian Restaurant/Deli in Boca is by far the most satisfying Italian dining experience in South Florida. – Mike Fattizzi, Broward-Palm Beach New Times
- This place is awesome. It's closed on Sundays, so be warned. Everythings [sic] fresh and huge and cheap. You'll be quite happy if you make the trip here. It's phenominal. [sic] – Bryan O., Yelp
Talia’s Tuscan Table
Chef Andrew Bennardo—affectionately known as chef Baba around the kitchen—supervises his house-made mozzarella as it completes its majestic metamorphosis from curd to brick, eventually melting the fully formed cheese atop pastas, pizzas, and other Italian dishes. He and his staff also nestle cured meats, gourmet cheeses, and crisp vegetables into an array of hero sandwiches named for Italian luminaries, such as Verdi, da Vinci, and Galileo. The eatery regales guests with eye-grabbing dinning environs, boasting a ceiling-mounted faux grape arbor and festive red, white, and green walls.
In addition to a robust Italian menu, chef Andrew has recently become well-versed in the ways of organic, whole-food, plant-based diets. After his daughter was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure and needed a double transplant, Andrew witnessed the power of a vegan, plant-based diet during his daughter's recovery. This inspired him to return to school to become certified in raw and vegan cuisine, as well as help open a juicing cafe, Juiceateria. Every Sunday afternoon, chef Andrew reveals his expert techniques in cooking classes, including juicing and organic vegetable and fruit with raw-cooking demonstrations. Assorted juice and smoothie samples are available throughout the class. Juice classes teach their benefits like boosting energy and the immune system, while giving the body a break from hard-to-digest fibers.