“Italian soul food” has come to downtown Delray with the debut of Mastino (25 N.E. Second Ave., 561/922-0900), a casually hip modern osteria from the folks behind next door SoLita Italian restaurant.
On the menu are a roster of pizzas, blasted in an 800-degree wood-fired oven in the strict Neapolitan manner, along with several varieties of mozzarella and garnishes from the mozzarella bar and brick-oven panini, rotisserie chicken, and small plates ranging from baby octopus in spicy tomato sauce to french fries tossed with pesto. The bar menu features a selection of craft beers, artisan cocktails and boutique wines.
Design-wise, Mastino boasts red brick walls hung with black and white photos of Italian street food, seven TV screens for game-day viewing and al fresco courtyard seating.
One unique feature is Mastino’s Artisan Pizza Academy, which offers classes in mozzarella making, basic pizza technique and the much advance five-day Neapolitan Pizza certification course. Classes cost $59 per person; go here for dates, times and details.
For more on Mastino, click here.
