Chef Luigi Raso
About Us
Chef Luigi was born in Napoli, Italy from a very humble family.
Summertime was his favorite because he got to spend time with his grandma. Luigi loved going to the fresh seafood market at the port of Pozzuoli, where he could see all the fishermen unloading the big boats full of fresh fishes and shop at the farmer’s market in the city.
But his favorite part of the day was when his grandma would take a little stool, set it next to her at the kitchen counter and ask for Luigi’s help to make the fresh pasta and bake the fresh bread.
Every day the house was always filled with the smell of the fabulous fresh bread and cakes that grandma was baking, he was looking forward to it every day. He soon understood that it was not only about having fun and spending time with grandma, but he loved to cook, that was the number one thing that was making him happy.
So, the summer after he turned twelve years old, he decided to apply to a local restaurant in Napoli for a kitchen position. The chef saw the excitement Luigi had and decided to give him a chance. He started out in that restaurant as a prep cook, observing every move the senior line cooks were making and learning silently with his eyes.
Soon the Head chef understood that Luigi wasn’t a kid like everyone else, and that he was very talented, so he took him under his wings and taught him everything he needed to know.
By the time Luigi was eighteen got offered a sous chef position, making him one of the youngest sous chefs in the whole area.
In the subsequent years he worked side by side with many great chefs and in 2012 he departed for the US looking for new opportunities.
Little did he knew that he would meet the love of his life and move permanently to the US
In 2013, Luigi was working as a chef, here in Sarasota, where Eleonora’s mom was working, and one night she came to see her mom and started to talk with Luigi.
After that day she started to go to his work place every day. She fell in love with his eyes and his smile, and since he was taking too long to make the first move, she asked him on a date. He was so excited that he gave her the wrong number and the next day scolded her for not texting him the night before.
They fell in love and in 2014 Luigi packed all his courage and asked Eleonora’s mom for her hand.
They got married in Sarasota in 2015 and in 2017 their first daughter Victoria was born.
Eleonora, who is also born and raised in Tuscany (Italy), shares Luigi’s passion for the restaurant business, she attended the Hospitality and business management institute in Italy, she takes care of the back-end operation of the business, and she also is the Event and Wedding planner and designer for their businesses.
They created their first restaurant “Breakfast at Victoria’s Ami” that serves the most delicious breakfast and lunch on Anna Maria Island Fl, named after their first daughter, Victoria
Now, they are taking the next step, opening “Sophia’s Fine Italian Cuisine” which shares the space with Breakfast at Victoria’s AMI, taking the name after their second born daughter, who made her entrance in this world in December 2020, completing the happy family.
The restaurant offers a unique experience, something that has never been seen before.
A laid-back atmosphere, coastal and modern ambiance, and a selection of unique wines from Italy that won important awards and recognitions.
But the real star of the show here is the food. An explosion of fine delicate flavors meticulously combined together to delight and surprise every palate.
Chef Luigi welcomes you to Sophia’s Fine Italian cuisine, take a seat at the table and let him guide you through the authentic flavors of Italy.
MENU
Primi Piatti
APPETIZERS
ENTREES
Melanzane alla Parmigiana $16
Fried eggplant with tomato sauce, basil ,mozzarella and parmigiano
Cesare alla Griglia $14
Grilled romaine, croutons, shaved parmesan, anchovies, dressing
Burrata Sophia $16
Burrata with crispy prosciutto ,red bell peppers, eggplant, arugula
Polipo alla griglia $22
Grilled Octopus with potatoes and sauteed broccoli rabe
Cozze alla Tarantina $16
Mussels with fresh tomato sauce ,red onions, parsley and grilled ciabatta
Fritto Misto $22
Deep fried Calamari, shrimps and veggies
Gnocchi Gamberi, Pesto, pomodorini e scaglie di parmigiano $29
Potato Gnocchi with shrimps ,basil pesto, shaved parmesan and cherry tomatoes
LINGUINE ALLE VONGOLE E POMODORINI $27
Fresh Linguine with clams and cherry tomatoes
AGNOLOTTI AL BRASATO DI MANZO BURRO E SALVIA $26
Braised beef short ribs ravioli tossed in brown butter and sage
LASAGNA NONNA GRAZIELLA $26
Eleonora’s grandmother signature Meatsauce recipe, fresh pasta,, bechamel and grated parmesan
RISOTTO BURRATA,FUNGHI E TARTUFO MP
(SERVED IN OUR CHEESE WHEEL TABLESIDE)
Imported arborio rice, with shiitake mushrooms, burrata and fresh black truffle.
Finished in a Parmigiano Reggiano wheel
GUAZZETTO ALLO ZAFFERANO $42
Mixed seafood Saffron stew, featuring Lobster, Calamari, clams, mussels, shrimps, scallops and grilled ciabatta
Branzino Olive, Pomodorini e Timo $44
Whole Branzino with olives, cherry tomatoes and thyme. Fileted Tableside
Tagliata di Manzo $40
Grilled ribeye sliced and tossed in a herb pesto
Vitello ai Porcini MP
Pan roasted veal chop topped with a Porcini mushroom cream sauce
Discovering Tuscany Wine Dinner
Glass of Prosecco
First course
Crostini Toscani
Tuscan pate crostini,homemade bread
Paired with Casa di Monte,Chianti Classico
January 23rd 2024
6pm
reservations required
Second Course
Agnolotti di Manzo Tartufo e Porcini
Braised beef stuffed pasta,fresh shaved black truffle, porcini mushroom
Paired with Casa di Monte, Chianti Riserva
Third Course
Pappardelle al Cinghiale
Fresh homemade pappardelle, wildboar ragu
Paired with Tenute Artimino, Poggilarca
Fourth Course
Tagliata al Rosmarino
Tagliata style Ribeye,rosemary
Paired with Tenute Artimino, Grumarello
Dessert
Semifreddo al mascarpone
Paired with Feudo Disisa ,Krysos Dessert wine
$140 per person plus tax and tips
Reservation required
Sophia’s Fine Italian Cuisine
5315 Gulf Dr Holmes Beach FL 34217
(941)780-2848
CONTACT US
sophiasfineitaliancuisine
sophiasfineitaliancuisine
sophiasfineitaliancuisineami.com
sophiasfineitaliancuisine@gmail.com
(941) 780-2848
5315 Gulf drive Holmes beach ,Florida
SAME BUILDING AS BREAKFAST AT VICTORIA’S AMI
Hours of operation
Tuesday to Saturday
5PM-9PM closed sunday night and monday
WINE CLUB
email us at sophiasfineitaliancuisine@gmail.com with the word WINECLUB
to receive our monthly newsletter with wines specials
and book in advance before we go public with special events
OUR BRANDS
Breakfast at Victoria’s AMI
Sophia’s fine italian cuisine
COMING SOON
Wedding and events planning and design
Full service catering
wedding and events
all your catering needs