When it comes to classic Italian cuisine, there’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Located at 124 107th Ave in Treasure Island, Caruso’s Italian Kitchen serves comfortable classics that are all about that base—that sauce base. “I’m not afraid to say this is my favorite sauce in Tampa,” says owner and chef Alex Nash. The marinara is made fresh, along with the other sauces, every day, garnering a near cult following of diehard fans.

According to Yelp, Caruso’s Italian Kitchen is voted the best Italian restaurant on Treasure Island. Notable crowd-pleasers include the arancini with vodka sauce, spaghetti, and meatballs, shrimp and scallops flambeed with limoncello liquor, and decadent cioppino, which includes shrimp, scallops, calamari, mussels, and clams served in a tomato broth.

Caruso’s boasts a beachy, Boho vibe

Cioppino is a personal favorite, and Chef Nash recommends pairing the cioppino with a glass (or bottle, if you’re feeling saucy) of Poggio Stella Vino Nobile, Montepulciano, a Sangiovese and Canaiolo blend with aromas of wild berry, violet, and Mediterranean herb.

Pro tip: pair the penne arrabbiata (made with spicy marinara, green onions, olives, and garlic) with a glass of Castelgreve Chianti Classico (a wine noted for its crisp, fresh, and straightforward palate).

Formerly Shrimpys Blues Bistro, Caruso’s has been completely remodeled and overhauled since last October. It has a bright, beachy, Boho vibe, with an extensive 14-seat bar and plenty of Peroni on tap. A true hidden gem on Treasure Island, Caruso’s Italian Kitchen is well worth a visit, then many recurring visits afterward.

Check out Caruso’s menu here.