Pahn-ay roos-ti-ka is a wholesale and retail
European style bread bakery located in Tampa. It is surprisingly reminiscent of small cafes found on the streets of San Francisco. Its diminutive stature should by no means dissuade a famished visitor; the food selection may be small, but this
scratch bakery’s creations can entice even the most undeveloped taste buds.
The focaccia bread is my personal favorite; this Italian flatbread is baked with extra virgin olive oil, rosemary, tomato, or onion. Why not try the roasted vegetable and herbed goat cheese Panini? It is a delightful combination that goes well with a double espresso.
If you find yourself stuck in Tampa, dismayed by the endless lines of chain eateries, get off the beaten path and wander down to South MacDill Avenue. When you enter Pane Rustica's doors, you'll get a taste of what's missing from most of Tampa's restaurants: freshness.