Authentic Italian Fine Dining: Daniel’s Pastability
A. Spears
“If you haven’t tried Italian cuisine, you haven’t really lived.” – Anonymous. While there are new restaurants in Jaltemba Bay, don’t overlook the established eateries: their culinary excellence is what keeps customers returning year after year. One five-star area restaurant, Daniel’s Pastability Italian Restaurant, in downtown Guayabitos, has outstanding authentic Italian dishes.
Open 5:30-10 pm every day but Tuesday, you can make reservations on their Facebook page or phone 322 220 8246. Besides a tasty menu there is a full range bar with beer, cocktails and great wine. One visit and you will realize why this family operated restaurant has been popular for over 20 years.
Growing up in several countries has honed owner and chef Daniel Calluso’s love of Italian culinary arts and all things food. After WWII, Italy was in shambles. Struggling to survive, Daniel’s family fled Italy to Germany but by the time Daniel was 6 years old, the family immigrated to Argentina. When he was 12, Daniel began working in his father’s small restaurant. “My neighborhood consisted of people from all over Europe, speaking different languages, yes, but all were looking for a new life after the war.”
As an adult, Daniel immigrated to southwest USA having a restaurant in Reno, Nevada. There he met and married his wife of 27 years, Miriam. They decided to leave the desert and live near the ocean ending up in Jaltemba Bay where their two daughters grew up in La Penita, attending local schools. As adults both daughters-Jessy and Marina- work at Pastability full time.
Let’s look at some of the unique features that make this restaurant stand out. There’s nothing more romantic than Italian food. “At Daniel’s Pastability, every bite is an experience that brings hearts together and celebrates the importance of sharing time with those you love,” said Daniel. Although the physical restaurant is a palapa building, meaning without outer walls or windows, the décor is charming and romantic. In a tropical climate, this setting works well for evening breezes. Flowing drapes and flickering candles on tablecloths create a romantic background for the savory aromas of the sauces. Each entre is preceded by a flavorful salad followed by a serving of gelato to cleanse the palate. The warm, fresh baked Italian garlic bread is heavenly! The author could make a meal of the bread alone.
The Italian tradition of bread making is older than pasta making and just like pasta, each region treasures its own bread specialty, developed over centuries by their ancestors. Typically, Italian bread tends to include olive oil, herbs, and milk that add to its distinctive taste and texture. Italian bread loaves tend to be shorter and plumper. Pastability bakes their own bread daily.
Pastability offers several very good wine selections to compliment the delectable food. Montepulciano is a dark red wine made from the wine grape of the same name. Hailing from the Tuscan hilltop town of Montepulciano, this thick-skinned red grape is a cousin of the Sangiovese grape, and is mostly grown in central Italy, particularly the Abruzzo region. This popular and easy-drinking red Italian wine is very similar to its crimson counterpart, Merlot or its cousin, Sangiovese. Montepulciano is almost always produced as a dry wine, and the alcohol content hovers in the low to moderate range — usually 11.5-13.5% alcohol by volume (ABV).
According to Decantur magazine, the difference between the two ‘Monty’ is that the reds from Montalcino are pure Sangiovese grapes, whereas in Montepulciano a minimum 70% Sangiovese is stipulated for both the Vino Nobile and the Rosso. Besides the great Italian wines, there is a nice selection of wines from Chile, Spain, and Argentina.
An Italian proverb sums up the attraction of Italian food: A tavola non si invecchia/at the table with good friends and family you do not become old. “Daniel’s Pastability is truly honored when you chose us as your go-to restaurant to mark special occasions.” said Daniel. “It’s always a pleasure to welcome you and share our family passion for good food. Thanks to everyone for making each visit special and memorable!
No visit to Jaltemba Bay is complete without an authentic Italian dinner at Daniel’s Pastability in downtown Guayabitos. Top off a day at the beach with a quiet, savory Italian dinner.
