THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Pontevecchio

THIS RESTAURANT IS CLOSED Pontevecchio Restaurant Review:

Dining at this classic Italian café is like taking a quick trip to Florence. Owner and raconteur Michele Zacco has parlayed a handful of his mother’s Sicilian recipes and his own talent for showmanship into a quirky little spot across from the Fremont Bridge. Lunch is a low-key affair, but come evening, expect the unexpected: entertainment runs from poetry to Puccini, from chamber music to the samba. The menu is familiar, from antipasti, panini and pasta to chicken and meats. Carnevale di Venezia (assorted antipasti) is a good starter to share. For entrées, choose fork-tender ravioli swathed in Zacco’s long-simmered tomato sauce, lemony grilled chicken paillard, or bracioline al prosciutto (rolled pork scaloppine stuffed with a mixture of prosciutto, mozzarella and bread crumbs). A sprightly green salad and pungent olive bread are included with main dishes---some of which seem skimpy for their price. For dessert, indulge in the house-made gelato. The short list of southern Italian wines---some sturdy, some elegant---are all modestly priced.