Destin Hot Spot: Fat Clemenza's

If you haven't had the chance to visit Destin's new favorite Italian "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant, Fat Clemenza's, stop everything you're doing and go right now!

The first time I ate was by recommendation of my parents, who said the food was as good or better than our favorite little spot back in Miami. Although I didn't believe them at first, my wife and I ate their two nights later.

Since our first time eating at Fat Clemenza's, we have come back nearly twice a week to enjoy what is by far the best "real" Italian food along the Emerald Coast. There's a lot of "plastic Italian" restaurants in the area, but if you're looking for a real New York or Chicago-style Italian spot, this is the place for you.

To start, their brick-oven pizza is as good as any I've had in Brooklyn or Little Italy. The quality of the mozzerella and pepperoni is fabulous. Their daily dinner specials are some of our favorite dishes now and their everyday entrees are fantastic.

For dinner, you can expect to pay between $12-20 for your entree. Also a great place for lunch, featuring many great sandwiches for $6-8 and rarely busy during lunch time.

So if you haven't already, go down to Fat Clemenza's for dinner. But get there early! It's packed every night (which means it's good). Enjoy the fabulous Italian couisine and the friendly owner, Dominique, who'll most likely visit your table.

Published on Monday, April 21, 2008