Saying it offers more than 1 million "delicious combinations' of fresh pasta and homemade sauces, a fast-casual Italian restaurant chain plans to open in Jacksonville's historic Five Points.
Dalmoros Fresh Italian expects to debut this fall at 1018 Park St. in the iconic Five Points Theater Building at the center of the eclectic neighborhood's business district. Dalmoros is taking over the space vacated by Sun-Ray Cinema's Pizza Cave, which closed as a stand-alone, dine-in restaurant on Feb. 2, 2024, after four years.
The restaurant will be the first in Northeast Florida for Dalmoros. The small but expanding chain numbers six restaurants, evenly divided between Florida and Massachusetts, according to its website.
David Caruso Jr., president of
Dalmoros Fresh Italian, in a news release announcing the Five Points restaurant, said Jacksonville is "an exciting next step" as the restaurant chain grows nationwide.
"As we continue expanding nationwide, we’re grateful for the enthusiasm we’ve received and look forward to introducing even more guests to the Dalmoros experience," Caruso said.
Dalmoros Fresh Italian dates back to May 2021 in St. Petersburg, but evolved from an original concept rooted in Venice, Italy. The Caruso family brought the idea home following a trip to Italy.
The chain currently has Florida restaurants in Orlando, St. Petersburg and Tampa, as well as Massachusetts locations in Boston and Cambridge, according to its website.
Additional locations are in the works, with openings scheduled throughout the rest of the year and in 2027, the news release said.
Tyler and Alyssa Gilmore will own and operate the 1,280-square-foot Five Points restaurant.
“To say we are thrilled to open in Jacksonville would be an understatement!” the Gilmores said in the news release. “Jax has an incredibly dynamic and fast-growing food scene, full of residents who truly appreciate high-quality, authentic flavors."
Dalmoros will complement the community, they said.
"Introducing Dalmoros' unique, fast-casual Italian concept to a community that embraces our type of innovation is an incredible milestone, and we cannot wait to become a staple destination for local pasta lovers," they said.
Although the grand opening date hasn't been announced, the Gilmores noted it will feature a "pasta cutting celebration" designed to introduce people to "real Italian dining reimagined."
What's on Dalmoros Fresh Italian menu
Dalmoros invites guests to "explore the pastabilities." Guests choose from a selection of fresh pasta, homemade sauces and toppings, according to the restaurant's website.
Pastas are made fresh from scratch daily in view of the guests. Offerings include fusilli, rigatoni, fettuccine and bigoli. Featured sauces — also made in-house — are bolognese, Amatriciana, "Like Butter," Napoletana and Aglio, Olio and Peperoncino.
Toppings range from Polpettes (meatballs) to seasoned chicken, bacon, mushrooms, green olives, sun-dried tomatoes, chili flakes, stracciatella mozzarella, Parmesan, mozzarella and garlic powder.
Dalmoros also offers a variety of Paninos (sandwiches) such as meatball, chicken pesto, caprese and mortadella. Desserts include homemade tiramisu and lemon sorbetto.
The restaurant serves its meals in convenient to-go style boxes. Customers who want to cook at home can buy fresh pasta bagged in various sizes.
The new restaurant will be directly across Park Street from EZ Eatz by Yaya and Ben & Jerry's. Other neighboring restaurants include Hawkers Asian Street Food, Rodrigo's Craft Pizza, Hoptinger Bier Garden & Sausage House, BREW, Biggies Pizza and 904 Tacos.
Teresa Stepzinski is the dining reporter for the Times-Union. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @TeresaStepz or reach her via email at tstepzinski@jacksonville.com.
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This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Love pasta? Dalmoros is bringing fresh-made Italian to Five Points
