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Campanella's Brings Italian

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By RAY REYES, The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 12, 2007

Updated: 09/10/2007 07:11 pm

PLANT CITY - The adage printed on Antonio Schiano's shirt sums up not only his personal philosophy but what he believes he was put on this earth to do.

'Life without pizza,' the inscription declares, 'is no life at all.'

The proof of that philosophy will be in the pasta - and, of course, the pizza - as Schiano, his brother Aldo and other family members celebrate the opening of their Italian restaurant this week in the historical downtown district.

Campanella's Restaurant & Pizzeria opened its doors Monday at 110 E. Reynolds St., and Schiano, who was born and raised in Naples, Italy, said he is reaching deep into his recipe file to create dishes his family has enjoyed for generations.

'We have a lot of dishes,' Schiano said in a thick Italian accent. 'Veal, chicken, pizza, meatballs, seafood. We have a lot of things.'

Campanella's features a lunch menu with hot and cold subs starting at about $6. The dinner menu boasts spaghetti, linguine or angel hair pasta dishes starting at about $9, with a seafood Capri dish - mussels, calamari, clams and shrimp piled onto pasta - priced at $16.95.

Pizzas include supreme, Hawaiian, stuffed and Sicilian. They come in three sizes, from medium to extra-large, and are also served by the slice during lunch.
Schiano has been in the restaurant business for about 15 years and owns the original Campanella's restaurant in Pinellas Park. Schiano said he chose Plant City as the second location because he wanted to give eastern Hillsborough residents a taste of authentic Italian food.

'I've come here so many times,' Schiano said about his scouting trips to Plant City. 'And no pizza' downtown.

That changed when Chicano's restaurant recently closed its doors and Schiano jumped at the opportunity to fill the vacant Suite 100 of the Lee Building with his brand of cooking.

'It's a beautiful building,' Schiano said.

Suite 100 has also seen its share of owners close shop over 10 years. About a half-dozen restaurants - from American cuisine to Tex-Mex - never gained a foothold. The failed establishments include a pizzeria.
Schiano shrugged it off and said Campanella's will be a success. He credits the family atmosphere he instills in his restaurants, the dishes he creates and his employees for that confidence.

'No one complained about my food and service,' Schiano said. 'And it's the people. I like the people I hired. These look like good people.'

Erkan Nar, who owns the SubClub restaurant next door, said Campanella's opening strengthens the offerings and diversity of downtown businesses.

'It'll help downtown,' Nar said. 'It'll help everybody. It's a chain reaction all across.'
Schiano said he cannot wait until Campanella's really gets cooking.

'I like Plant City,' he said. 'I want to give good food to Plant City.'

AT A GLANCE

WHAT: Campanella's Restaurant & Pizzeria

WHERE: 110 E. Reynolds St., Suite 100

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; the restaurant will be open seven days a week until the owner settles on a schedule

PHONE: (813) 707-5555

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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