Pizza in Punta Gorda

I have to say coming originally from a city in the Northeast where pizza was well..... pizza... crispy, gooey, cheesy.. perfect texture, sauce (or should I say gravy) cheese and toppings, I found it difficult  when I moved to Florida to settle for what was here.  But after living in Florida  for over a decade, I either have acquired a taste for the pizza here or it has gotten a bit better -- more restaurants with the right ovens and ingredients.

There are number of places to enjoy good pizza in Punta Gorda including but not limited to Spazzi's with its crispy thin, brick oven variety, Trattoria Limoncello pretty, pretty good,  some say Monte's (haven't tried this recently) and Manatee's. But I have to say my current pick for excellent pizza in Punta Gorda  with its New York-style somewhere between thick and thin, crisp crust, thick enough not be cardboard-like thin enough to fold if you like, rich tomato sauce and hardy toppings is Bella Luna in Fishermen's Village.  There is a lot more to like about this tiny Italian restaurant  whose aromas tantalize you just as you walk into the Village.  The owner hails from Brooklyn via Sicily and brings authentic tasting Italian dishes including an awesome pasta with sausage and broccoli rabe to our Southwest Florida town.   The place awards a bottle of wine with two entrees ordered (not pizza).  Plus, it's in the Village, a good place to walk off  a heavier meal.

Simone (Sam) and Camille Puccio have operated their restaurant at Fishermen's Village for over 13 years, and for most of them have served pizza here as well.  For a short while to my dismay,  they moved the pizza operation to Port Charlotte and took pizza off the menu at Bella Luna.  But about a year or so ago, it was back in its full glory with a take-out window to boot.

The pizza here, even though the Puccio's are Sicilian, is not the traditional Sicilian variety with the very thick crust, but does have a slight suggestion of that style -- to my taste, it is more like pizza crust found in Brooklyn establishments or on the Boardwalk in New Jersey.   The dough has that just right consistency -- and the sauce and toppings taste very fresh.   In addition to the standard topping found in most places, Bella Luna's pizzas can also be toppped with proscuitto, broccoli rabe, spinach, artichokes and more.   And the cheese tastes like cheese, real mozzarella, it makes a difference. Bella Luna also carries some decent wines at reasonable prices if  like me you are partial to a good glass of red wine with your slices.  

While there the other night I was reminded that Bella Luna is also opened for breakfast -- the menu looks interesting.... they offer among other things bagels and lox... will have to check it out...