It’s not like being in Italy… it is Italy! Paradiso Ristorante, an upscale trattoria in downtown Lake Worth, is celebrating its tenth anniversary to the delight of its faithful patrons, who come from all over Palm Beach County to sample the excellent food, ambience and impeccable service.
The Paradiso décor reflects attention to detail with fine china, soft fresh linens and Italian music to set the tone, but the central focus is a beautiful hand-painted mural of ancient Rome.
Only the finest Italian cuisine from antipasto to dessert is served here, and the restaurant features one of the most impressive wine cellars in South Florida with over 300 top-rated wines produced from thousands of regional grape varieties from the north to the southern tip of the Italian boot. We selected Castello di Selvole Chianti Classico, a smooth, fruity, delicate wine made from grapes grown on vines originating in the Middle Ages, and the grapes are still handpicked to assure freshness and quality.
Owner and master chef Angelo Romano brought his years of experience to our area in 1987 when he and his partner Antonio Tasca opened Buonasera in Jupiter. Ten years later they opened Paradiso in Lake Worth. How good are they? Chef Angelo proudly displays the DiRoNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America) Award of Excellence.
We had the pleasure of reviewing this incredible eatery in 2004, and rated it as one of our top 20 restaurants in Palm Beach County. The only thing that has changed is their menu, where they added some new and exciting selections. Paradiso translates from the Italian as “heaven,” and their food is divine!
Antipasto Paradiso ($18) is large enough to share, with grilled and marinated vegetables, mozzarella, Parmesan, prosciutto, salami and olives. On the lighter side, the Caesar and spring mix salads are both excellent as well as buffalo mozzarella and organic tomatoes, prosciutto and melon, grilled octopus, calamari and arugola with shaved artichokes… and for the true gourmet, you must try broiled langoustines with champagne mustard sauce, a most impressive dish.
Pasta selections are, of course, all handmade fresh daily and can be ordered as an appetizer or entrée. The most popular dish throughout Italy is linguine con vongole ($15/$25), linguine with little neck clams in a savory garlic and virgin olive oil sauce, or you might opt for pasta with Florida lobster tossed in a spicy tomato sauce ($18/$36), or beet pasta tortellini filled with veal and porcini mushrooms ($18/$32). We tried our favorite dish, the house special risotto frutti di mare ($18/$36), incredible tastes with lobster, langostino, scallops, shrimp and clams.
Perhaps the most impressive offering at Paradiso is presented and served tableside: dentice al sale ($38), a whole yellowtail snapper, seasoned lightly with rosemary, lemon, garlic and olive oil, and baked in a layer of rock salt to seal in all the flavors and moisture. Other offerings from the sea include grouper fillet ($36) served with prawns and wild mushrooms; snapper fillet with capers, olives, tomatoes and garlic sautéed escarole; organic Scottish salmon; and sea scallops with prosciutto and caramelized leeks, all prepared in a unique way special to Chef Angelo’s creativity.
Steaks and veal entrees are also very popular, especially the filet mignon ($52), highlighted with goose liver and Barolo wine sauce; also a tender 16-oz. grilled veal chop ($45) with a Madeira wine and wild mushroom sauce, or you can have it thinly pounded, breaded and topped with arugola, tomatoes, parmesan and buffalo mozzarella. These are only some of the award-winning treats in store for your culinary pleasures. Other favorites are: lamb chops, Peking duck, pork tenderloins and veal piccata.
Be sure to leave room for sumptuous desserts ($10/$15), all homemade authentic delights like Grand Marnier Soufflé, light and fluffy; our favorite Italian ricotta cheesecake topped with fruit; tiramisu, baked Alaska, crème brulee, panna cotta, chocolate mousse and their special Flambé Pineapple Supreme: baked meringue atop a fresh pineapple.
Finally, the Evolution is an opportunity to taste some of Chef Angelo’s best creations. You can select a four- or seven-course meal ($48/$60) and enjoy your meal with an unforgettable wine pairing ($90/$120).
Paradiso is open for lunch (11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Saturday) and dinner (5:30 to 10 p.m. daily). For reservations, call (561) 547-2500 and please tell them Joe & Kathryn, the Phantom Diners, highly recommended their five-star food and service. For further information, visit www.paradisolakeworth.com, or for another extraordinary meal visit sister restaurant Buonasera at 2145 U.S. Highway 1 in Jupiter.
Joe & Kathryn, the Phantoms, are featured freelance dining, hotel, travel and entertainment writers for the Town-Crier newspapers and yournews.com. Contact them at thephantomdiners@aol.com.
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