New Savia Bringing Authentic Sicilian Cuisine to South Florida

Introduction to Savia

David “Vito” Quaderno had to make a choice: continue as an airline pilot, flying all over the world … or become a chef with his own restaurant. And the winner is Savia in Boca Raton, his new culinary home that serves authentic Sicilian fare. The cozy space, which formerly housed Boca Skewers, seats 38 people in the dining room and six in the patio. It opened in late December and had a ribbon-cutting ceremony in March.

Pilot or chef.

The Man Behind Savia

Quaderno, who lives in Deerfield Beach, brings quite the experience to this new endeavor. In the years between his two career options, he also cooked for Pope Francis while working for an Italian Embassy, he says, and advised Uberto Gucci, scion of the Gucci family, with the launch of his Régal cognac brand. He also served as a consultant in Europe for his family’s food-and-beverage company, Sicilia Restaurant LLC (in the U.S., it’s 4D Partners). But throughout, he always heard the calling of the kitchen, of having his own kitchen, where he could do things his way — the Sicilian way.

Early Beginnings

“I started when I was very, very small, like an 8, 9 years old, because my mother, she was not a good cook,” Quaderno recalls. “I always keep my eyes, my interest, on the kitchen, on the restaurant business, because [this was] the family business already, for 130 years”

The Menu

Quaderno says the family’s business has evolved from being a restaurant supplier — carrying olive oil, bread, fruit, vegetables, cheese wine and more — to managing dining establishments throughout Italy and some parts of Europe. His new restaurant in Boca Raton uses those connections to build a menu built on ingredients uniquely from Sicily. “The cheese, the Ricotta Salata cheese, for example, that is a typical cheese from Sicily that you can’t find here,” Quaderno says. “So the cheese, the oregano, is coming from the Nebrodi Mountains. The capers, they came from Pantelleria, that is a very small island in the south of Sicily, as well as the anchovies … from Sciacca. “Everything gives the true flavor of my land to the dishes I cook,” he adds. “In this way, we can be unique and guarantee the authenticity of our flavors. The pistachio I bring from Sicily, because the pistachio we have in Bronte is a special kind of pistachio with a special flavor. The black ink squid I bring from Sicily.”
The menu includes:

• Antipasto dishes such as Fritto Misto (fried calamari, shrimp, scallops, zucchini, carrots) and Eggplant Involtini (rolled sliced eggplant, tomato pasta sauce, mozzarella).
• Primi Piatti options include, among others, Lasagna Neve dell’Etna (vegetable béchamel, carrots, spinach, zucchini, peppers, parmigiano reggiano) and Spaghetti allo Spada (tomato, anchovies fillet, black olives, swordfish, red onion, capers, Linera oregano).
• Secondi Piatti choices include Ossobuco di Salemi (veal shank, garlic, parsley, carrots, onions, Linera oregano, celery) and Pollo alla Parmigiana (fried chicken breast, tomato sauce, parmigiano reggiano, mozzarella) and other selections.
• There are also salads and desserts such as Cannolini, Cassata and Tiramisu.
  “Every dish tells a story, and every visit is an invitation to experience the true spirit of Sicilian culture,” Quaderno says.

Piloting and Pope Francis

In 1996, Quaderno arrived in the United States to attend flight school, but even while flying commercial jets, he still had an interest in the culinary arts. “I was always attending some [cooking] master class, in Cambodia or in Thailand or in South Africa, all over Europe, many places around the world … just to get much more knowledge about the kitchen,” he explains. “Then one day … I quit my job as a pilot.” That’s when, in 2010, he started working at Italian embassies, he says. Quaderno headed up high-profile culinary events, including lunches, dinners and cultural showcases of Italy’s rich gastronomic traditions in both Russia and Armenia.
Grouper in orange sauce: Grouper fillet cooked in garlic butter with orange juice, Mt. Etna herbs, white wine, heavy cream, and red pepper at Savia Restaurant in Boca Raton at Mizner Plaza.
That led to cooking for Pope Francis during a visit to Armenia. “Honorary Consul Antonio Montalto commissioned me to organize a brunch that included typical Sicilian dishes,” he says. The meal included arancini and Pasta alla Norma, as well as a vegetable soup and other traditional dishes from East-Central Sicily, where Quarderno is from. His favorite memory from that event. “The moment when [the Pope] — looking in my eyes — he said something like, ‘It was very light, very simple, but it was also nice having the taste of something I never [had before],’ ” Quarderno recalls. “It was like the best compliment I ever heard. It was a good validation, the best validation of my life. It was something very, very simple, but it was made with love, really, it was made with love. So I think this was excellent for me. Very good memory.”

Why South Florida?

Another good memory was the first time he visited South Florida: “The colors, the green from the palms, the blue of the ocean, the white of the sand, and the birds flying around — the nature.” That was in 1996, during his training to become a professional pilot. “It had been love at first sight. I came back a year ago because a good friend of mine proposed that I open a restaurant here in Boca Raton, and I accepted the proposal,” he says. The plan is for Savia to host regular culinary masterclasses, special tasting events and themed evenings that showcase the art and tradition of Italian dining. “Through our Facebook and Instagram page, we constantly inform our customers about the events we organize in our restaurant,” he says. Savia’s location in Mizner Plaza, a shopping dining center facing Mizner Park on the southern end is an “excellent location in the city center, with an excellent sociocultural level of residents living nearby,” he says. Savia is located in Mizner Plaza, at 130 NE Second St., Boca Raton. Visit savia.us or call 561-617-5424.

Conclusion

Savia Restaurant in Boca Raton is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience authentic Sicilian cuisine in South Florida. With its unique menu built on ingredients from Sicily and its cozy atmosphere, Savia is sure to delight both locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re a foodie or just looking for a new dining experience, Savia is the perfect choice.

FAQs

• What type of cuisine does Savia Restaurant serve?
  Savia Restaurant serves authentic Sicilian cuisine.
• Where is Savia Restaurant located?
  Savia Restaurant is located in Mizner Plaza, at 130 NE Second St., Boca Raton.
• What are the restaurant’s hours of operation?
  Please visit savia.us or call 561-617-5424 for hours of operation.
• Can I make a reservation at Savia Restaurant?
  Yes, reservations can be made by calling 561-617-5424 or visiting savia.us.
• Does Savia Restaurant offer any special events or promotions?
  Yes, Savia Restaurant hosts regular culinary masterclasses, special tasting events, and themed evenings. Follow their Facebook and Instagram page for updates on upcoming events.