One of Palm Beach County’s favorite restaurants since opening in 1986, Marcello’s La Sirena is featured with a recipe in Fred’s book!
Located in the heart of West Palm Beach, La Sirena is a world-class restaurant with exceptional food, service, and an award-winning wine list–in fact, it is one of only 4 restaurants in all of Florida to have been awarded the Wine Spectator Magazine Grand Award, recognizing the best wine lists in the world. As a food and wine connoisseur and sommelier, dining at Marcello’s is a thoroughly enjoyable experience– being served exquisite authentic Italian cuisine, perfectly paired with excellent wines, from an outstanding list, served with Marcello and his staff’s level of knowledge and professionalism makes an evening at La Sirena unparalleled in Florida.
Fred Bollaci with Chef/Owner & Wine Director, Marcello Fiorentino
La Sirena, which translates to “The Siren” or “Mermaid,” referring to Marcello’s family’s Neapolitan heritage, where “sirens” lured ships to crash in the rocky coves and turquoise waters along the spectacular Amalfi Coast and Capri, an area known for outstanding cuisine, featuring the freshest and best products (tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, olive oil, and amazing seafood), often simply prepared to perfection, in addition to stunning scenery. This is the foundation for the cuisine at La Sirena, which Chef/Owner Marcello “kicks up several notches,” elevating Neapolitan and Italian classics from other regions to a gourmet, world-class dining experience.
The restaurant is inviting, classy, elegant, and warm. As you walk in, you are greeted by a long, beautiful granite bar with a glowing stained glass backdrop, depicting the Fiorentino family crest. The bar is a perfect place to begin your evening with a glass of wine or a cocktail and conversation–and you may even want to remain at the bar for a relaxing dinner. The dining room is classically styled with one hundred and fifty year old oak beams from the Shenandoah Valley adorning the ceiling and Murano glass lighting to warm the walls. Artwork from local artists enhance the atmosphere with the focal point drawing your eyes to the two large oil paintings by famous local artist Miroslav Antic, depicting Marcello and Ann Fiorentino, the restaurant’s founders. Tables are set with crisp linens, glowing candles and bone china. The menu features classic, upscale Italian cuisine. Starters include a perfect Bruschetta, with crusty bread, grilled & topped with the freshest, ripest tomatoes, oregano, basil, parsley, and extra virgin olive oil, Lumache e Polenta (escargots sautéed in white wine, garlic, butter and a touch of mustard with parmigiano polenta, Bresaola (air dried beef), with baby arugula, shaved parmigiano reggiano, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon, and Baked Clams (nine little neck clams baked with seasoned bread crumbs, virgin olive oil & white wine).
Freshly made pasta favorites include La Sirena’s famous Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, light potato dumplings, with tomato & basil sauce and melted fresh mozzarella, in the style of Sorrento, Crespelle ai Quattro Formaggi (handmade crepe filled with fontina, ricotta di bufala, parmigiano, and mozzarella in a light tomato sauce), Rigatoni alla Vodka (Rigatoni pasta with a light tomato and cream sauce and spiced up vodka, Penne Aumm Aumm (penne pasta with a sauce of diced eggplant, melted mozzarella & a lightly spicy tomato sauce–another favorite from Southern Italy, served piping hot with perfectly al dente pasta), and freshly made pastas of the day, which on a recent visit were fettuccine with a hearty Bolognese sauce, and outstanding Lobster Ravioli (pictured below).
Salads include: La Capricciosa (lettuces, radicchio, mushrooms, peppers, watercress tossed with house dressing), Classic Caesar, Sirena (chopped mixed lettuces, mushrooms, red peppers, served with diced tomatoes, fresh lemon, and house dressing), Baby Spinach with crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts and vinaigrette dressing, and Rughetta e Parmigiano (baby arugula, shaved parmigiano reggiano, grape tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil & lemon).
Entrees include:
Petti di Pollo Faraglioni, named for the three dramatic boulders off the island of Capri (chicken pounded thin with a sauce of fresh tomatoes, basil, black olives, capers & oregano), Involtini di Pollo Saltrani (chicken breast pounded thin and stuffed with veal, spinach & cheeses, served with a sauce of black truffles & shallots), Braciola di Maiale alla Griglia (16 ounce center cut pork chop, grilled and topped with a sauce of shiitake mushrooms), Piccatina al Limone (veal escalopes sautéed in lemon, white wine and capers), Classic Saltimbocca Romana )veal escalopes with prosciutto di parma & sage sautéed in white wine & veal stock), Cotoletta di Vitello Zingara (lightly breaded veal cutlet, with artichoke hearts, tomatoes, prosciutto di parma and shiitake mushrooms), Classic Veal Chop Milanese (Costoletta La Sirena, a 12 ounce veal rib chop pounded and lightly breaded, topped with baby arugula and tomatoes), Medaglioni di Manzo Capriccio (two 4 ounce center cut filet mignon served with a sauce of shallots, parsley and white wine), Scampi Marcello (jumbo shrimp broiled in the shell and served with a sauce of garlic, mustard, and sherry), Fish of the day “alla Livornese” (poached in a sauce of tomatoes, capers, onions & white wine), among others, and additional daily specials. Enjoy excellent cuisine, cooked to order by caring owners, exceptional service, comfortable atmosphere, and an award-winning wine list with an outstanding number of selections from Italy, as well as worldwide to pair with the wonderful food. La Sirena features a number of great selections by the glass as well, and they have a number of special blends made by top Italian winemakers exclusively for the restaurant, offering their discerning diners exceptional taste and value. The owners and staff are very accommodating, and offer half portions of pastas, as well as gluten free options.
Owners Marcello and Diane Fiorentino are present every evening to ensure that your dining experience is an enjoyable and memorable one, this hands-on touch in addition to the excellent food, service, and atmosphere puts La Sirena at the top. The restaurant also features frequent wine dinners showcasing some of the world’s great wines and wineries, paired with their exceptional cuisine.
It all begins with the absolute freshest ingredients: imported Buffalo Mozzarella, fresh tomatoes, basil, and quality extra-virgin olive oil, and grilled Gamberi with lemon– classic dishes I always enjoy in places like Positano, Amalfi, and Capri.
Fresh Pasta with Bolognese Sauce (above) and Gnocchi alla Sorrentina (below).
All desserts, including Cannoli and Ricotta Cheesecake are made in-house, and don’t miss the Zabaglione (it is worth a little extra time in the gym the next day!)
See you in West Palm Beach, and please tell Marcello and Diane that Fred Bollaci sent you!
Marcello’s La Sirena
6316 S Dixie Hwy.
West Palm Beach, FL 33405
561.585.3128
