| Since the time I was a small child, I have always loved | | | | then washed it down with a perfectly smooth sip of |
| Italian food. My fondest memories involve walking to | | | | Montepulciano. If bread and wine could succeed in |
| the local pizza shop with my grandfather where mouth | | | | rousing my horribly deprived taste buds, then perhaps |
| watering aromas sent my stomach into a fit of hungry | | | | there is hope after all, I thought. I slowly perused the |
| growls. I could barely wait to sink my teeth into the | | | | menu, pausing at the Spaghetti alla Carbonara and |
| greasy slice of hot baked dough with thick layers of | | | | Vitello alla Marsala. We ordered both, in addition to the |
| creamy mozzarella cheese dripping and bubbling over | | | | Pollo alla Parmigiana for my husband's more |
| sweet tangy sauce. | | | | conventional taste buds. |
| In my early twenties I was spoiled by Boston's North | | | | By the time I took my second bite of the Carbonara I |
| End where Hanover Street and the surrounding | | | | knew I would return to this place, and when the Veal |
| neighborhoods overflowed with authentic Italian | | | | Marsala literally melted in my mouth, I wanted to run |
| restaurants. The tantalizing aroma of fresh baked | | | | into the kitchen and hug both chefs. We invited Carlos |
| breads, pizza and pastries floated around every | | | | back to our table to express our appreciation, then bid |
| corner. In later years I relocated to New York City and | | | | farewell with two generous scoops of homemade |
| became a pasta addict. I saved my hard earned | | | | Strawberry and Raspberry Gelato accompanied by |
| pennies and took up running in Central Park so I could | | | | two festive shots of Limoncello. I could not wait to |
| afford to indulge in the fine eateries of Manhattan's | | | | return, and so I did, this time in search of the inside |
| Upper East Side, where heaping plates of hearty | | | | story. |
| Bolognese, spicy Puttanesca and rich Penne alla | | | | How did two guys from Naples and one man from |
| Vodka topped with fresh grated parmesan were | | | | downtown Boston cross paths in Charleston and |
| accompanied by thick loaves of crusty warm bread | | | | arrive at the same point in time to create a joint vision? |
| and washed down with velvety mouthfuls of Pinot | | | | On a recent Tuesday morning I found myself sitting |
| Noir. | | | | across from Jo Meli, financier and silent partner behind |
| When I moved to Charleston nine years ago, my well | | | | the scenes, who left a long career as a nightclub |
| honed taste buds entered into a shocking state of | | | | owner to open Cuoco Pazzo. Jo's wife Dawn |
| withdrawal. I missed my late night walks down Second | | | | manages the books and the inventory, while Caro and |
| Avenue munching on a thin slice of greasy pizza, as I | | | | Davide bring us a taste of their homeland through |
| headed for my tiny studio where I could spot at least | | | | fresh ingredients, intense passion and a focus on |
| five Italian restaurants from my bedroom window. No | | | | simplicity. |
| longer could I step outside my front door on a warm | | | | They grow their own basil at the restaurant, and the |
| spring evening, grab a table on the street and feast on | | | | veal is so tender, it can be cut with a spoon. By |
| crusty warm bread soaked in olive oil, ridiculously | | | | midmorning Carlo and Davide were already hard at |
| tender Veal Marsala, savory bowls of Rigatoni | | | | work in the kitchen. The enormous vat of tomato ragu |
| Amatriciana, rich, creamy layers of homemade tiramisu | | | | simmering on the burner smelled so delicious I wanted |
| and hot frothy cappuccino sprinkled with cocoa. I | | | | to dive head first into the pot. Despite my pleading I |
| nearly gave up hope, until two guys from Naples, Carlo | | | | was unsuccessful in learning the recipe. Davide told me |
| Colella and Davide Davino, opened Cuoco Pazzo (a.k.a. | | | | there is no magic to a good sauce, aside from a nice |
| Crazy Chef) on Johnnie Dodds Blvd. in Mount Pleasant. | | | | slow simmer and fresh wholesome ingredients. |
| When my mother first told me that she found an | | | | Lunch was fast approaching and I could feel my |
| authentic family style Italian restaurant right here in | | | | stomach beginning to rumble. At that moment Davide |
| Mount Pleasant, I was highly skeptical. Even so, I could | | | | jumped up and asked what I might like for lunch. I |
| hardly resist checking the place out. | | | | suggested it be the chef's choice, and shortly |
| My husband and I dined at Cuoco Pazzo on a recent | | | | thereafter Davide returned from the kitchen with |
| Saturday evening. As we entered the place and I | | | | steaming plates of thinly sliced, tender chicken breast in |
| noticed several groups of satisfied looking customers | | | | a lemon wine sauce with fresh artichokes. The five us |
| lingering over coffee and dessert, I began to feel mildly | | | | (Davide, Carlos, Jo, Dawn and myself) enjoyed a |
| encouraged. With two waitresses managing a small | | | | casual midday meal filled with laughter and |
| handful of tables, the service was prompt, friendly and | | | | camaraderie as I continued my quest for the inside |
| attentive. I took a bite of warm crusty Italian bread | | | | story. |
| soaked in herb infused olive oil and grated parmesan, | | | | |