Keep the Vampires Away this National Garlic Day

I don’t have an Italian bone in my body. As a Scot, my experiences with “Italian cuisine” have been reduced to late night take-out food and a family holiday in Italy for the 1990 World Cup. My only food memory from that trip was the daily scoops of strachiatella (chocolate chip) ice cream I used to binge on. But one step inside Café Prima Pasta’s cozy red-lit Miami Beach location makes anyone feel like an insider to Italy’s proud culinary heritage. As award-winning chef and television personality Mario Batali says, “There are two types of people: Italians and those who want to be Italian.”

Café Prima Pasta is one of my favorite restaurants due to its hearty portions, warm ambiance and great customer service. Celebrities have been spotted here as well, including Michael Jordan, Matt Damon and Lenny Kravitz.

Baby Prima Martini

With all of that in mind, Café Prima Pasta is honoring National Garlic Day (Thursday April 19^th) by reducing some of its favorite garlic-infused appetizer prices to just $4.19. The specials include Brushcetta; Calamaretti Frtti; and Sauteed Spinach with Cannellini Beans. Between each garlic-filled bite, sip on Baby Prima Martini, a Dracula Red Bloody Mary, a Vampire Vodka Surprise and Pinot Noir, also just $4.19 each.

Bruschetta

If you’re willing to splurge, I recommend the Salmon Tokyo for $14.95--one of my favorite dishes ever! The Asian/Italian-fused dish features thinly sliced medallions of blackened salmon with a lemon soy sauce, served with an arugula salad with green apples and Parmesan. The dish is just perfectly divine: The seared slices of salmon blend perfectly with the peppery arugula and sweet apples. You could also try the Branzino Livornese for $23.95, a Mediterranean sea bass baked with tomatoes, capers, onions and kalamata olives, served with roasted rosemary potatoes and Parmesan asparagus.

Salut!

Salmon Tokyo

The Deal: $4.19 appetizers and drinks
Thursday, April 19, 2012 (National Garlic Day)
 5 p.m.-close
Café Prima Pasta
414 71st Street, Miami Beach
305-867-0106

http://www.cafeprimapasta.com/