Every once and a while the stars align and I'll find myself chowing down on a restaurant meal so scrumptious, so enjoyable, so well-executed that I feel bad for all the years I've lived completely unaware of it.
That's the crispy duck at Bernini, a longstanding Italian restaurant in Ybor City.
Now, Bernini is somewhat off the beaten path when it comes to the typical Taste Tour restaurant. It's casual, but definitely a step up from most restaurants that fit within that description. Most entrees hover in the $15-$30 price range and the historically rich interior kind of lets you know this isn't just the place to plop down for a quick basket of chicken tenders or something.
That being said, their daily specials are a great equalizer and damn-near highway robbery that will allow even the most cash-strapped to enjoy a decent meal.
Every day from open until 7 p.m., Bernini offers $2 Finlandia martinis (and there's a lot of 'em) and half-off all entrees and pastas.
I'll let that soak in for a second.
That means the crispy duck, a typically $20 meal rings in at just $10. Add a martini and you've got a nice spread for the cost of a movie ticket nowadays.
So, this duck. It sits proudly in the middle of the entree menu framed by red so you know there's something notable about it. Once it comes out, it's piping hot and just as much of a visual feast as it is for the tastebuds; golden, glistening fried duck sitting atop lightly sauteed brocolli raab, and pure white goat cheese mashed potatoes - all topped by a dried cherry and vanilla chianti sauce.
Slicing into the duck, the meat glistens with melted fat sitting right under the crispy layer of skin giving the whole thing great textural contrast. The potatoes, not nearly enough, are fluffy and creamy, but not overdone, and the perfect fork companion for a bite of duck.
The mark of originality, though, is the cherry and vanilla chianti sauce. Poured on just enough to be called a "hint" it works wonders transforming the savory, crispy duck into a sweet, succulent combination akin to cranberry sauce and turkey on thanksgiving.
Overall, Bernini might just have the best thing going when it comes to dining and drinking deals in Tampa right now. A damn fine meal for a criminally low price? Nothing beats that.
