When we heard Manny Sarnelli was opening The Blu Grotto on Fleming Island, we were very excited. You see, we have been dining in his parent's restaurant up in Orange Park for over 20 years. The arrival of The Blu Grotto is the arrival of Italian Fine Dining for Fleming Island Restaurants.
The Blu Grotto is a "Trattoria" and "Pizzeria." "Trattoria" in Italian is a casual restaurant with full service and a large variety menu with prices for all budgets. "Pizzeria" - well, that's an Italian word that every American probably knows!
The Blu Grotto is located in a strip shopping center across from the Fleming Island Movie Theatre.
When you walk in, you feel like you're in, well, a Grotto! The mood is set by the cave-like entrance modeled after the famous blue cave in Italy off the coast of Capri.(It looks much darker than the photograph.) The Grotto leads to a fabulous blue-iced glass bar straight ahead and the restaurant to the right.
Manny Sarnelli's parents immigrated from Italy, wound up in Orange Park and opened Sarnelli's, another Italian Fine Dining experience, over 25 years ago. The quaint little restaurant has been a huge success for years. Growing up in a restaurant family, Manny began cooking at his uncle's restaurant, Giovanni's at Jax Beach, when he was 14 years old.
Everything is made from scratch. Manny's wife, Florinda, is an executive pastry chef. The theme of The Blu Grotto is "legendary Italian made healthy." Only the finest Organic, fresh ingredients are used in their dishes.
One of our favorites is the Sea Bass in a sweet red Chil sauce. The Antipasto is amazing and so is the Shrimp Bada Bing. Really, everything is exceptional. This is not just 'eating out' this is truly fine dining in a casual, upscale atmosphere.
Where can you find The Blu Grotto, home of Fleming Island's Italian Fine Dining restaurant?
1811 Town Center Boulevard
Fleming Island, FL 32003
904-278-7250
Summer Hours
Monday-Thursday 11-2pm, 4:30-10pm
Friday 11-2, 4:30-11pm
Saturday, 4:30-11pm
Sunday 4:30-9:30pm
New Recession Proof Menu is coming this week the recording says! Also, look for Theme Nights!
The Blu Grotto won the prestigious award for Best Italian Restaurant in Orange Park for 2008.
The Blu Grotto has a wonderful private dining room perfect for that special event. My husband surprised me with a family dinner there for my birthday this year. He knows it's my favorite restaurant!
So, please visit The Blu Grotto next time you're thinking of eating out or having a drink after work. If you love excellent food and a beautiful atmosphere, you will definitely want to check out The Blu Grotto. Fleming Island Restaurants have come a long way when we can say we have one of this caliber just down the street.
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