A little taste of Rome: Piccolo Buco brings Roman-inspired pizza to Estero

ESTERO, Fla. (WINK) — A little piece of Rome is making its home in Estero.

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Piccolo Buco by Cooper's Hawk brings Italian-inspired dishes, wine and its signature pizzas to 22800 Via Villagio, giving Southwest Florida diners a new spot to grab a slice, sip some wine and settle in for a meal.

The restaurant is inspired by the original Piccolo Buco near Rome’s famous Trevi Fountain. Cooper’s Hawk founder Tim McEnery discovered the tiny Roman restaurant and its chef, Luca Issa, while visiting Italy. The experience inspired a collaboration to bring Issa’s pizza and restaurant concept to the United States.

Chef Chris Evangelides trained in Rome for 3 weeks, learning the Roman technique. " The most important thing I learned was using quality ingredients. It can totally change how a dish taste when the ingredients are high quality."

The name Piccolo Buco translates to “little hole,” a nod to the original restaurant’s intimate size in Rome.

One of the biggest draws is the pizza. The dough is made with Italian-imported flour, sea salt and extra-virgin olive oil, creating a crust that is crisp on the outside while staying light and airy in the center.

The menu goes beyond pizza, with Italian favorites including cacio e pepe, spaghetti carbonara and pappardelle with short rib Bolognese. Guests can also find appetizers such as four-cheese arancini, stuffed squash blossoms, meatballs and crispy calamari.

For dessert, options include tiramisu, gelato and chocolate hazelnut cake.

And because the restaurant is part of the Cooper’s Hawk family, wine is a major part of the experience. Guests can pair their meal with Italian wines, flights and tasting options.

For Southwest Florida foodies looking for something a little different, Piccolo Buco offers a chance to experience the flavors and spirit of a Roman pizzeria without leaving Estero.

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