Published: May 11, 2008 11:49 pm         

BUFFALO BOUND: Taste of Avanti

Medina’s Avanti Pizza will serve up three of their signature dishes at the 25th annual Taste of Buffalo this year.

Co-owners Dan and Maurizio Passalacqua applied for a spot in one of the nation’s largest food festivals a few months ago and hoped for the best. When a panel of judges visited their restaurant in mid-March to critique the ambiance and cuisine, they were hopeful, but still didn’t have an answer.

Word finally came recently that Avanti pizza from Orleans County will join more than 50 of the best restaurants from the Western New York region.

More than 450,000 people turn out for the event in downtown Buffalo for a weekend of great food and continuous entertainment.

“It has become a very big event,” said Maurizio Passalacqua before the restaurant opened Friday. “We will get our name out there. It’s a big thing.”

In line with this year’s “Healthy Choice” theme, Avanti’s will bring some of their more nutritious options. The Very Berry Salad contains a delightful smorgasbord of greens, roasted walnuts, crumbled gorgonzola cheese and fresh berries tossed in a raspberry vinagarette. Their Chicken Portofino is a chicken dish with sundried tomatoes, goat cheese and mushrooms.

The third dish, Ziti de la Nonna, is Italian food at its best: Rice, Chef Rocco Notte’s secret red sauce and spicy Italian sausage.

To quench one’s thirst, they will have plenty of soda and water on hand, Maurizio said.

Avanti Gourmet Pizza & Old Fashioned Subs opened in February 2001. They officially moved to their new location at 500 Main St. in December 2006.

The first floor space is split in two, allowing customers the choice of dining in with full service at Avanti Italian Grill or self-service at Avanti Pizza.

The system has worked out well, providing repeat patrons with a new experience every time they stop by.

Since the move, the restaurant employs 38 full and part-time people at any given time.

“The dining room gets pretty full on weekends,” Maurizio said, adding that Friday evenings are just as satisfyingly busy. “The hammer comes down on Friday,” he joked.

Dan Passalacqua hopes it draws tourists from the Buffalo area back to the historic Village of Medina — and Avanti’s. Next year, they are hopeful they will be able to join vendors at the Taste of Lockport.

Located on Delaware Avenue, the Taste of Buffalo runs from south of McKinley Square by City Hall and heads north towards Chippewa Street. The festival takes place from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 12 and from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 13. Tickets are priced between 50 cents and $4.

More than 150 culinary dishes will be served.

Contact reporter Nicole Colemanat 798-1400, ext. 2227.