Onano Neighborhood Cafe - review

[kurt]

Onano Neighborhood Cafe in Rosemary Beach is on the ground floor of The Pensione, a block from the beach and the beautiful azure water of the Gulf of Mexico. Owned and operated by Penny and Mark Dragonette, specializing in Northern Italian cuisine and featuring fresh local seafood, choice beef and exciting foods from the Tuscany region of Italy. Tel. 850.231.2436

Reservations are recommended, specify your choice of indoor table, or outdoor table on the sidewalk. If you arrive early, enjoy a glass of wine at the gently curved bar which dominates the room.

We ordered a bottle of 2004 Da Vinci Chianti at $31 from the ample wine list. It was served with a tasty, coarse sliced bread typical of Tuscany - Onano Cafe is named after Mark's parents' hometown of Onano, north of Rome.

For our appetizer, we chose the Spinach & Mascarpone Raviolis ($16), which was presented nicely with a bit of roasted corn, chantrelle mushrooms, brown butter, thyme, and parmagiano-reggiano. The raviolis were firm and tasty, although we wished we had ordered another appetizer, as there were only a few. Other choices are Prosciutto di parma ($9), soup of the day ($8), fried calamari ($9), and fennel & crushed red pepper crusted sashimi-grade tuna ($16).

Several salads were offered ($9) but we went right to the entrees of Tagliatelle ($27) with firm gulf shrimp cooked perfectly along with ripe roasted tomatoes, spinach, parmagiano-reggiano, olive oil and preserved lemon. The lemon is preserved by steeping and turning for 14 days in a salt brine.

Our other entree was the Veal Scallopini ($29). I was assured it was tasty (but not as good as Borago's). I did try the accompanying whipped potato puree with mushrooms, baby spinach, marjoram au jus, and garlic - it was excellent with perfect texture.

In addition to a couple of daily specials, other entree selections include Spaghetti & Meatballs with feta and basil ($21); Tuscan Sea Scallops with ginger & lemon grass over orzo with tomatoes and fresh basil ($28); a braised fresh fish with potato gnochi ($30); and an oven roasted beef tenderloin with pesto polenta cake, gorgonzola, pancetta, and wild mushroom ragu' demi glace.($36).

Overall it was a very enjoyable dining experience on Scenic 30-A with excellent service and a wonderful atmosphere, made all the better with pre and post dinner walks through the fascinating town of Rosemary Beach and barefoot in the gentle, moonlit surf.

I also recommend arriving early and having a glass of wine in the courtyard next door - featuring 50 wines by the glass and a wide variety of upscale wines from around the world. They also offer gourmet cheeses from Europe and America priced by the pound or served by the plate. Enjoy your wine and cheese in a beautiful and unique open-air courtyard. Wireless high speed internet available. Open daily from 11 am - 11 pm. Cheers! Tel. 850.231.1219

[MKH]

Bravo! Sounds like a very well-written restaurant review. You made me hungry just reading it. And even though it's only 10 AM, I'm ready for a glass of wine in the courtyard! But they don't open until 11...

[kathydwells]

WOW...what a great review....did you write this all by yourself Kurt? I am very impressed. The food sounds wonderful!!!!! OH, and the wine of course.

[Oldtimer]

WOW...what a great review....did you write this all by yourself Kurt? I am very impressed. The food sounds wonderful!!!!! OH, and the wine of course.

Better question: Was the experience comped or did you pay retail? Sounds wonderful, but also sounds pricey. Thanks for the review. With Borago so close to our place, I rather doubt we'll make the drive, unless it's for wine in the sun!

[pgurney]

I went to Onano for the first time a few weeks ago. Food, atmosphere and service were all fantastic. I'll definitely be going back whenever I'm down there. It's making me hungry just thinking about it!

[kurt]

Thanks :oops: I did write it. I don't know much about food but I know what I like.

[Beach Runner]

Thanks :oops: I did write it. I don't know much about food but I know what I like.

So, Kurt, do you take notes when you do these reviews? I used to be able to remember everything on the menu and the prices, but my memory is fried due to stress, etc., and I can't remember anything other than what my husband and I ate when we walk out. And when I'm trying to look more glamorous (without glasses), I can't even see the damned menu! Do you take notes, ask for a menu, or just still have your memory intact? I've decided that to improve my reviews, I'll have to start taking notes if they won't give me a menu.

[Donna]

BeachRunner, one of my girlfriends hated wearing her glasses, yet was confounded by menus in dimly-lit restaurants. She purchased a very elegant little bejeweled magnifying glass that goes everywhere with her now. You should see her whip that baby out---Drama Queen! I saw a great one studded with Suvarski crystals at Savengers in Panty Maw just a couple of weeks ago. You'd wear it well!

[kathydwells]

Thanks :oops: I did write it. I don't know much about food but I know what I like.

Is there anything you can't do Kurtifunn? I mean, you take gorgeous photos, write excellent restaurant reviews, run this ever popular board, geez, you got it going on DAWG!!!

[Beach Runner]

... a very elegant little bejeweled magnifying glass ..

That's a good idea. You know, the night we ate at Great Southern together, I really couldn't see the menu at all. I just asked the waitress what was popular and ordered that. Maybe I'll try your suggestion.

What I had on were bifocal contacts - not real pleased with them - second type I've tried.

[kathydwells]

That's a good idea. You know, the night we ate at Great Southern together, I really couldn't see the menu at all. I just asked the waitress what was popular and ordered that. Maybe I'll try your suggestion.

What I had on were bifocal contacts - not real pleased with them - second type I've tried.

UMMM....I would just put on those glasses of yours and read that menu girlfriend. You can look glamorous after you have read the menue and ordered!!!!!

[kurt]

Is there anything you can't do Kurtifunn? I mean, you take gorgeous photos, write excellent restaurant reviews, run this ever popular board, geez, you got it going on DAWG!!!

Woof, woof.

I leave electricity, plumbing, surgery, and car repair to professionals.

[Beach Runner]

Woof, woof.

I can't believe a Gator would even let "Woof, woof." emit from his/her mouth.
I prefer "Chomp, chomp."

[kathydwells]

Woof, woof.

I leave electricity, plumbing, surgery, and car repair to professionals.

As well you should I am sure!!!!!

[SoWalSally]

Onano Neighborhood Café is an out-of-the-way treasure
By Deborah Wheeler

Nestled at the southern end of Rosemary Beach’s meandering Main Street, just before the town green meets the sea, is a tall, stately,red-brick building that houses The Pensione European bed and breakfast.
Occupying the fi rst floor of the building is Onano Neighborhood Café. On Sunday mornings the café doors are opened and the aroma of freshly-baked goods waft out into the street, luring passersby to stop. The quality of food, service and ambiance passersbys discover might be a pleasant surprise from a small eatery.
Inside, the long bar has been transformed into a smorgasbord buffet feast that features something for all tastes. Pancakes, Southern-style biscuits and gravy, ham, pork chops, beef tenderloin, seafood curry, shrimp and scallops anchor more exotic offerings of smoked salmon with creamed cheese, tabboleah, chorizo and cheese, polish sausage, arrancini (Italian orange spiced rice balls), strada, eggs benedict by order and the dessert table.
Dining is available inside or out. Most choose the latter. Outside dining in the mild December weather offers an idyllic scene with children playing in the park and an occasional shorebird swooping in for a closer look. Proprietors Penny, Mark and 5-monthold Johnny Dragonette pass among the guests, making themselves available for small talk. The restaurant’s name came from the small mountain town in Italy where Mark’s grandparents lived. Open for brunch since October, the response has been good, said Penny. “People kept asking for it and we had the kitchen and staff to do it,” she said. The food on the buffet changes weekly, under the hand of Chef Steve Carpenter. One constant is the fruit tray. “One week he prepared Southern traditional foods, we have tenderloin frequently and always an array of baked goods,” said Penny.
Carpenter joined the team of chefs at Onano in June. The Dragonettes employ a team of six chefs, all with a different specialty.
Onano is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. About once a month during shoulder season, they also host a Monday night wine dinner with a four-course special menu paired with three different Italian wines.
On New Year’s Eve, Onano is offering a special five-course meal. The café will then be closed for almost four weeks, reopening Jan. 25.

[Teresa]

Sunday brunch at Onano! sounds divine...