Atlantic Ave Magazine - January 2019

dining | restaurant review
By diane feen | Photos by melisSa korman
pork chop primavera
IL CONTADINO RISTORANTE
Homemade Food That Delights The Senses
Passion fans the flame of
greatness. When we live our
lives and our occupations with
passion the results are clearly
spectacular.
milk and cookies prepared by Michael and AnnaGabriella’s Key Lime pie
It doesn’t mean that life is perfect all the time. But you can feel the
difference when those around you have a passion for what they do.
Michel Menna is one of those people. The owner-chef of Il Contadino
in Pineapple Grove is driven to perfection behind the scenes
in the kitchen. You can feel it the moment you dive into one of his
specially prepared dishes. It’s apparent that his passion has infused
your plate with greatness.
You might feel like licking the plate (go ahead, we won’t look) because
of the incredible flavor in the nightly specials. Take the fresh
Branzino with caramelized Campari tomatoes in a light wine sauce
with roasted potatoes and a bit of cheese. The dish comes decorated
with tulips and roasted zucchini. It’s easy to make good seafood dishes
with a creative flair, but there is something extra special about a
dish that makes you want to jump for joy.
Cooking has been at the forefront of Menna’s consciousness since
he could reach the table (maybe before that). “This is what I have
done my entire life. I would create special creations and my parents
would come home and ask who catered this meal. I could barely
reach the stove yet I loved cooking as a child. It’s my creative outlet.”
And what an outlet he has. Like spark plugs on a car, Menna ignites
his passion for combining ingredients like a pro. You can tell by the
taste of the dishes set before you. The sauces are light – which we
think is important – and the flavors are artfully combined like a synchronized
symphony.
108 | january 2019 | www.AtlanticAveMagazine.com