Hours & Address: Monday to Saturday, from 5 p.m.
1409 A1A, Vero Beach 32963 | Phone: 772-234-4181
What and Where: For more than a decade, Johnny D’s Bistro on A1a has been the go-to neighborhood Italian joint for residents of the island’s South Beach. Now run by the younger generation of Vero’s Amelio restaurant family, this Tuscan trattora remains a stable of 32963 dining.
Ambiance/Atmosphere: Red-checkered tablecloth sans tablecloth.
Must-Try Dishes: The calamari vesuvio appetizer is a favorite.
Adult Beverages: No bar. Decent inexpensive wines by bottle or glass.
Reservations: By phone only.
Price: $$
Rating: Three stars
Overall Verdict: Night after night, a goodly crowd can be found enjoying a variety of well-prepared veal, chicken, and pasta entrées, most reasonably priced. While Johnny D’s has nightly specials (sometimes fish; porterhouse steak the night we visited), the menu is largely unchanged over the years – and regulars like it that way. The pizza is highly recommended. And don’t leave without trying a slice of the limoncello mascarpone cake – a definite ‘don’t miss.’
Photos by Tina Rondeau
