The city of Ocala lies about an hour from Orlando and is home to nearly 55,000 residents. For visitors the city offers golfing, parks and some extensive horse farms and riding stables. Enjoy close proximity to the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic ocean, both within an hour's drive, and the Ocala National Forest is even closer. You will need some fuel to keep you going during your visit to Ocala, and if you are in the mood for some Italian cuisine, the city has plenty to offer.
In business for over 40 years, Lorito's Italian Kitchen's dinner menu reflects the chef's traditional Italian training with items like veal scallopini, shrimp fra diavolo and baked macaroni “Siciliano.” For the best deals, stop at Lorito's for lunch and get hot or cold sub sandwiches starting at $8 or pasta dishes starting at $9. What would an Italian restaurant be without pizza? Lorito's pizzas, calzones and stromboli are oven baked; choose from a long list of your favorite toppings and order the Lorito's Special for a deal on five-topping pizzas. The atmosphere of this establishment is casual, with booths and small tables for seating, and while some of the menu items like pizza will appeal to kids, there is no children's menu.
Carrabba's Italian Grill is owned and managed by two men of Italian descent who, as they put it, aren't real chefs, but are real eaters. Their restaurant menu revolves around classic Italian foods they learned to cook from their grandmothers, such as mussels steamed in white wine, grilled eggplant and artichoke salad, and anything from stuffed pastas to trout grilled with hazelnuts. Top off the meal with tiramisu or their chocolate dream brownie with Kahlua, mousse and chocolate sauce. A children's (bambini) menu with several options that appeal to young palates, such as chicken fingers, pizza and spaghetti with meatballs; all kids' meals include beverages, too. This casual dining venue in southwest Ocala is open from 4:00 pm to 10:00 pm Monday through Thursday, Fridays from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Saturdays from 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm and Sundays from 12:00 pm until 9:00 pm.
Carmine's Cafe, a casual, small venue Italian bistro on highway 200, has a menu full of foods the proprietor, Angelo Salamanca, learned to love in his home country of Italy, where he learned to cook and operate a restaurant. Homemade dressing, locally grown vegetables and fresh-baked garlic bread are just a few of the offerings at Carmine's. Lunch items include sandwiches, soups, salads and several Italian entrees starting at just $6. Stay for dinner and the menu expands to include even more pastas, chicken, veal and fish ranging from $8 to $15. Check this family-run restaurant's website to look for coupons and specials before stopping in to sample the cuisine. Stop in Monday through Friday from 10:30 am until 9:00 pm, Saturday from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm or Sunday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
