Angelena's Celebrates Summer with a Festive Ferragosto Celebration

Angelena’s is bringing the flavor of an Italian summer to the Gulf Coast with a festive Ferragosto celebration on Thursday, August 20 at 5:30 p.m. The celebration will feature Executive Chef Ian Gillette’s menu of seasonal Italian dishes along with refreshing summer wines expertly prepared by beverage manager, Matt Nichols.

The event honors the rich Italian tradition of Ferragosto with an evening of food, wine and community.  Ferragosto, celebrated mid-August, is a centuries-old iconic Italian holiday that dates back to the Roman Empire.  Originally instituted by Emperor Augustus in 18 BCE to mark the end of summer and offer a time of rest and celebration after the hard work of the harvest, Ferragosto has evolved into a summer tradition.

Typical Ferragosto food revolves around fresh vegetables, fruit and pastas, in an effort to combat the heat of a mid-August day. The cuisine of Ferragosto reflects the simplicity of summer cuisine in Italy.  Dishes are generally quite fresh and refreshing.

“We wanted to bring a slice of authentic Italian summer to Pensacola,” said Executive Chef Ian Gillette. “Ferragosto is about indulgence, relaxation, and sharing good food with loved ones—values that speak to the heart of Angelena’s.”

Guests will enjoy a multi-course menu that highlights fresh seasonal ingredients reminiscent of a traditional Italian Ferragosto meal with wine pairings selected to complement each course. The menus is as follows:

Apertitivo

Fiori di Zucca

Stuffed squash blossoms with robiola and ricotta, lemon, basil, Calabrian chili honey, saffron aioli and basil oil paired with Avissi, Prosecco, Veneto NV

Antipasti

Gamberi Marinati

Marinated Gulf shrimp with citrus, cucumber, parsley, chives, Castelvetrano olives, capers, red onion and Jimmy Nardello peppers paired with Nicola, di Sipio, Pecorino Terre di Chieti, Abruzzo 2024

Primi

Caramelle di Zucca Estiva

Summer squash, ricotta and basil filled pasta with Gulf blue crab, white wine-lemon butter, fried baby squash and Parmigiano Reggiano paired with Castel Faglia, Cuvee ‘Monogram,' Blanc de Blancs Brut, Franciacorta DOCG NV

Secondi

Branzino Arrosto

Roasted Branzino fillet with roasted fennel purée, braised Swiss chard, shaved fennel and citrus salad paired with La Marca Di San Michele Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi Classico Superiore 2024

Dolci

Cassatella di Pesche

Warm peach-filled pastry with a coarse sugar crust, Fior di latte gelato, and basil-macerated peaches paired with Florio Marsala superiore riserva semi secco SR1015 2015

Whether you’re an Italophile, a food lover, or simply looking for a unique way to celebrate summer, Angelena’s Ferragosto event promises an unforgettable evening.

Price for the five-course, five wines dinner is $150 per person, plus tax and gratuity. As this is a special menu for the evening, there will be no substitutions. Seating for the Ferragosto dinner is limited, reservations are required and can be made by visiting our website www.angelenaspensacola.com or calling 850-542-8398.

Angelena's Ristorante Italiano, located at 101 East Intendencia Street in historic downtown Pensacola, is inspired by the deep roots of our city's history. At the turn of the century, Giatano Giardina, an Italian immigrant, was in search of the American dream and found it here in Pensacola. Angelena's offers coastal Italian cuisine as well as an extensive list of Italian wines. Bar service begins at 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday with dinner service 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Friday -Saturday, 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. For reservations, please call 850-542-8398. For more information, please visit our website, www. angelenaspensacola.com