Punta Gorda Continues to Blossom --new buildings, new restaurants

As I crossed the bridge from Port Charlotte yesterday, I could not help but sigh as I caught sight of the waterfront of Punta Gorda.    While I became enchanted with the little town long ago before Hurricane Charlie gave the city a new lease on life,  it is only recently that I have fallen totally in love.  

Fittingly at the commencement of  Hibiscus Festival Weekend finishing touches are being put on the new Parking Lot Complex, adorned with it's soft tropical colors.  And moreover, I've heard through the grapevine that three new renters are ready to move in .  And just this week I  from the owner of another new Punta Gorda business which I am particularly excited about.  

Up The Street Gourmet, opening  this coming Monday at 329 E Virginia Ave in Downtown Punta Gorda, will offer some unique services to the Punta Gorda customer.  "Customers can place their orders on- line for added convenience, pay on- line, and even order ahead, selecting what time they want the order delivered," says Linda Albanese co-owner of the new restaurant.  Delivery now is as far as Rio Villa Drive, but the owners hope to extend their delivery service further south.  

Linda and partner, Ron Cocchi spent a year in Italy learning authentic Italian cooking and have brought a lot of what they learned to the menu of Up the Street Gourmet.  Just listen to some of the dishes that grace their new lunch menu, e.g., rigatoni in brown butter with sage sauce -- yum, Tuscan-style roast pork, and all kinds of scrumptious paninis.  The restaurant plans to offer both lunch and dinner.  

Offering "extraordinary food at ordinary prices," is their motto, Linda noted.  After having moved to Punta Gorda in January they look forward to now "sharing their passion for good food" with their new neighborhood.

Welcome Linda and Ron and the Up the Street Gourmet!