The Story
By now, everyone locally knows the story.
Macaroni Grill closed. It was popular and tried different menus to stay open, but the Italian eatery ultimately shuttered two years ago, leaving prime real estate at the corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Ehrlich Road. Cooper’s Hawk, already building its presence and brand in Tampa, decided it was time for its first Florida location of its Italian concept.
Enter Piccolo Buco — just its second location in the country, following the inaugural site in Oak Brook, Illinois.
It’s a collaboration between Cooper's Hawk founder Tim McEnery and Chef Luca Issa of the original Piccolo Buco in Rome. The restaurant specializes in handcrafted Neapolitan-style pizza featuring Luca's signature tall, crownlike crust. Each dish follows Italian tradition and pairs smartly with wine.
And Cooper’s Hawk — known for its wine — knows its wine. At Piccolo Buco, which completely gutted and renovated the former Macaroni Grill site, there’s a bar dedicated for wine tasting. It’s part of the appeal, along with a large dining room with bar and outdoor seating and a large cast oak barrel that holds the wine of the month, usually a house blend that pairs well with everything.
When the moon hits your eye …
Piccolo Buco wants you to have the pizza. It’s not hiding it — pizza is the biggest and most featured section of the menu. The restaurant offers four different types of red, yellow and white pizzas, and you can build your own. The red is the traditional option, followed by white for those who don’t want something so zesty. Then there are the yellow pizzas — a classic margherita, a vegan option, Tre Carne (lots of meat) and the Spicy Pepperoni. The yellow sauce comes from sweet tomatoes and waiters will recommend it, rightfully so.
If you go with an appetizer, make it the Crispy Stuffed Squash Blossoms. Yes, they look like edible flowers, stuffed with four cheeses, preserved lemon aioli and tomato fondue and presented so well you’ll want to post them on Instagram. Don’t worry, there are plenty of traditional Italian apps like calamari, meatballs and pasta fagioli. But speaking of traditional …
Italiano Tradizionale
Don’t worry — as nonna would say, there’s plenty of pasta for you, bambino. Sure, there’s eggplant and chicken Parmesan, even braised short ribs. But for pasta dishes that step out of the comfort zone, try the Truffle Fondue Cappellacci, Hand-Rolled Three Finger Cavatelli or Mezzi Rigatoni Alla Vodka. All very savory.
And don’t stop there. Grab a “slice” of Mama Luca’s Tiramisu. It can feed the whole table.
Pro Tip
Definitely go for the Gusti Bar, whether before or after (or both) your mea. It’s a low-key, casual way to experience the Italian tradition of small wine tastings called Gusti Di Vini. Piccolo Buco offers rotating Gusti, each featuring four sips of wine on theme. The staff is knowledgeable, leaning into their sommelier training — though not certified sommeliers — and can offer samplings that please any palate. Plus, if you join the Wine Club, there are perks like complimentary tastings and wine bottles.
Final Verdict
Piccolo Buco by Cooper's Hawk may model itself after the original in Rome, modified for the Americana take. But it stands alone because it feels like you’ve stepped into Little Italy, even without any New York accents. It’s classy and casual at the same time. It offers table wine right next to Napa Valley standouts, and the kitchen is right there across the dining room, in full view, making its signature dishes while also bringing out specials and innovative dishes that push the Italian experience. This is your nonna’s cooking cranked to the umpteenth degree, and you’ll leave with a full belly. Mangia e divertiti!
