Texas-based Mandola’s Italian Kitchen, the fast-casual chain owned by one of the founders of Carrabba’s, says it will open its first Jacksonville location July 12 in Mandarin.
The 6,452-square-foot restaurant is at 11112 San Jose Blvd. in Claire Lane Center.
Damian and Trina Mandola, the founders and owners Mandola’s, announced the opening in a June 22 news release.
Damian Mandola, who founded the Carrabba’s restaurant brand, also co-hosted the PBS cooking series, “Cucina Italia.”
“These are the recipes I grew up on, the recipes I made for my kids, and the same recipes we still make at home for our friends and family,” Mandola said in the release.
“I’ve been making this food since I opened my first restaurant 47 years ago and it still brings me such joy to share this food with our customers.”
It’s the fourth Florida restaurant for Mandola’s. The chain operates three in the Tampa area and four in the Austin, Texas, area.
The restaurant was founded in 2006.
The expansive Italian menu features pasta dishes, antipasti, chicken, soups, salads, pizza, sides and a children’s menu.
The pizza features housemade dough made in a wood-fired oven.
Prices include spaghetti and meatballs or Italian sausage, $13.50; chicken parmesan, $17.50; pizza margherita, $13.50; and the Mandola’s hero panini, $14.75.
Kids meals are $5.50 to $8.
A full-service coffee bar serves espresso, cappuccino and coffee. Also sold are beer, wine, specialty drinks and select liqueurs. Beer and wine prices start at $5.50 a glass.
A happy hour is 3-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Starting this summer, the restaurant says it will offer daily features. They include: Monday’s Chicken Capriciossa; Tuesday’s Lobster Ravioli; Wednesday’s Spaghetti Carbonara; Thursday’s Cannelloni Fiorentina; Friday’s Shrimp Scampi; Saturday’s Brasato; and Sunday’s Baked Ziti.
The restaurant also will have an on-site bakery and gelateria.
It will offer traditional Italian cookies, pastries, cannoli and specialty cakes including tiramisu, lemon mascarpone cheesecake and Italian cream cake. They will be sold by the slice or whole.
The gelateria will prepare regular and seasonal gelati and sorbet available in individual sizes and by the pint and quart.
Restaurant hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p,m, Friday-Saturday.
