New restaurant inspired by coastal Italy opens in Sarasota County

Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Updated ·2 min read

A new Italian restaurant recently opened its doors in Sarasota County master-planned community Wellen Park's downtown, featuring the same owners as several other eateries throughout Sarasota and Charlotte counties.

Acqua Pazza Coastal Italian is now open at 19750 Wellen Park Blvd. Unit D in Downtown Wellen. It is the latest concept by brothers David and Dennis Valentino and partner Mark Costanzo, and D&D Restaurants.

D&D also operates fellow Downtown Wellen eateries The Banyan House, offering modern American cuisine and a lakefront view, and Claw & Co., serving lobster rolls and similar casual seafood fare out of a retrofitted shipping container in The Yard. Its roster also includes Bocca Lupo Coal Fired Pizza, which has a Wellen Park location; Prime Serious Steak in Venice and Port Charlotte; and Donato's Italian Restaurant, in Port Charlotte as well.

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Acqua Pazza Coastal Italian, serving a variety of pasta, seafood and other dishes, recently opened in Sarasota County master-planned community Wellen Park's Downtown Wellen.
Acqua Pazza Coastal Italian, serving a variety of pasta, seafood and other dishes, recently opened in Sarasota County master-planned community Wellen Park's Downtown Wellen.

“Acqua Pazza celebrates the distinct tastes and experiences of coastal Italy,” David Valentino said in a statement. “From its décor to its menu and inviting ambiance, we captured the magic of that special corner of the world.”

Open for lunch and dinner, Acqua Pazza's menu features a variety of pasta, seafood and other dishes, including entrees such as lasagna Bolognese, lobster ravioli and osso buco, as well as antipasti, soups, salads, focaccia panini sandwiches and desserts.

Acqua Pazza's menu features entrees such as osso buco, lobster ravioli and lasagna Bolognese.
Acqua Pazza's menu features entrees such as osso buco, lobster ravioli and lasagna Bolognese.

It also has a full-liquor bar serving cocktails, an extensive Italian wine list as well as wine on tap, and draft and bottled beer. The restaurant offers both indoor and alfresco seating for 150 guests and an ambiance reminiscent of the Amalfi Coast, informed by the blues of the ocean and sun-kissed golden yellows.

Acqua Pazza is currently open 11:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. For more information, call 941-244-5147 or visit acquapazzaitalian.com.

Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Acqua Pazza Coastal Italian restaurant opens in Sarasota Wellen Park