Locals who complain that Jacksonville has nothing but chain restaurants should visit places like Paesano's on Beach Blvd. This is a very nice, old-fashioned, authentic Italian restaurant,... More

Locals who complain that Jacksonville has nothing but chain restaurants should visit places like Paesano's on Beach Blvd. This is a very nice, old-fashioned, authentic Italian restaurant, obviously family-run. They have excellent, enthusiastic service and very reasonable prices and serve their classic italian dishes in a cozy and warm atmosphere. My partner and I so far have only tried the pasta dishes ziti with marinara and sausage and fettucine with meat sauce and meatballs. Although the accompanying salads were somewhat uninspired, the meatballs were probably the best I've ever had in the United States, and every table gets a basket of delicious warm rosemary focaccia drizzled with olive oil. This is a place you could go at least once a week -- and before 7:00pm their 'Early Bird' specials are an incredible deal.
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