Miami - January 23, 2008

Parm for the Course

Bambino Grande Opens

It’s important to have goals in life. Write a memoir. Learn how to blow glass. Touch a penguin.

Johnny Pascucci’s is to make South Beach fat (without a p-h) — one plate of pasta at a time. He moved to South Beach to write, but instead of cooking up stories, the former actor (Tony and Tina’s Wedding) is whipping up something that would make Ma proud: tasty, authentic Italian dishes befitting his Bronx heritage.

At Bambino Grande (next door to local fave South Beach Hostel bar), Frank Sinatra serenades skyscraper portions of eggplant parm with sides of homemade tomato cream soup. As for the meatballs, Pascucci claims they’re Miami’s best.

Everything is under $12, and, true to his goal, portions are way generous, so licking the plate clean might take awhile.

Just remember: Baby Grande steps.

Bambino Grande, 235 Washington Avenue, Miami Beach (305-674-1155).