At Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant, we are Riccardo and Carmela — two lifelong food lovers who turned our childhood passion into a culinary experience for the Riverview community in Tampa. We don’t just cook; we create, we experiment, and we pour our hearts into every dish that leaves our kitchen.
Our journey started long before the opening of our restaurant. As children in Italy, we were drawn to the warmth of the kitchen — the aromas of freshly baked bread, the sizzle of sauce simmering on the stove, and the joy of mixing ingredients just to see what would happen. That early curiosity blossomed into a lifelong passion for cooking, experimenting, and sharing.
From those first playful moments of “pasticciare” — messing around in the kitchen — we developed a deep love for lievitati (leavened baked goods) and paste fresche (fresh pasta). Over time, what was once a hobby became a discipline. We’ve spent years refining our techniques, reading, researching, and practicing the craft of Italian cooking so that we could bring an authentic yet approachable menu to life — one rooted in tradition, but shaped by the creativity we hold dear.
To us, food is far more than nourishment. It’s an extension of the soul — a language through which we express emotions, tell stories, and connect with others. Every plate we serve at Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant is crafted with that in mind: not just to fill the stomach, but to touch the heart.
Whether it’s a pillowy focaccia, delicate ravioli made from scratch, or a slow-proofed pizza dough that’s been treated with the utmost patience, we believe that great food carries energy — an intention, a feeling — that diners can taste and appreciate.
We believe that incredible food starts with exceptional ingredients. At Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant, we are uncompromising when it comes to quality. From our imported Italian flours and tomatoes to locally sourced vegetables and herbs, everything we use is selected with care. We take pride in understanding not just how an ingredient tastes, but how it behaves — how it interacts with time, heat, and touch.
Technique matters too. We love studying — learning classic Italian methods and then testing, adapting, and perfecting them in our kitchen. Whether it’s stretching dough by hand or balancing a sauce to perfection, we aim to create food that honors Italian tradition while embracing a bit of modern flair.
As we often say: “La perfezione” is subjective, but the pursuit of it brings out the best in us.
Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant isn’t just a restaurant — it’s a place where you can gather, celebrate, and relax. We’ve designed our space to reflect the warmth of an Italian home, with a welcoming atmosphere that invites you to stay a while. Whether you’re stopping in for a morning espresso and pastry, enjoying a long lunch, or celebrating a special evening with family and friends, we want you to feel like part of our extended famiglia.
“Food always finds those who love to cook. Your only limit should be your heart.”
— Ratatouille (Disney)
This quote speaks to the very core of our journey. We believe that with passion, heart, and dedication, anything is possible — even opening a restaurant thousands of miles away from where we first discovered our love for food.
We opened Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant in Riverview, Tampa, because we believe this community deserves something special — a place where food is crafted with integrity, love, and a bit of Italian soul. We wanted to create a spot that felt like home, a place where every dish was a labor of love and every guest was welcomed like family.
We also believe that everyone has the right to chase happiness — to evolve, grow, and pursue what makes them feel fulfilled. Starting this restaurant was our way of living that belief, and we hope Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant inspires others to follow their passion too.
Ciao from Riccardo!
I’ve always used the kitchen as a space to inspire curiosity, creativity, and a love for flavor. My home has become a place of celebration — a welcoming space for my children and friends to come together and enjoy food, laughter, and learning. It’s this spirit of warmth and discovery that I now bring to Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant.
In Italy, we regularly host hands-on cooking courses and masterclasses for tourists, where guests cook traditional recipes alongside us — and then sit down together to enjoy the meal they’ve created. We’re excited to recreate this experience here in Riverview — both at the restaurant and in more intimate gatherings at home.
Join us for a culinary journey where you’ll learn how to craft classic dishes many options of typical Italian dishes.
These are more than just classes — they’re shared experiences meant to connect people through the joy of Italian cooking.
Come cook, learn, and eat with us — just like we do in Italy.
Stay tuned for upcoming course dates and booking details.
Whether you’re craving an authentic pasta dish, a beautifully baked pastry, or simply a great cup of coffee, we invite you to join us. Come and taste the flavors that shaped our childhoods, the techniques we’ve honed through years of dedication, and the love we’ve poured into every detail.
At Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant, we’re not just serving food — we’re sharing a story, a heritage, and an experience that we hope will bring you as much joy as it brings us.
Benvenuti alla nostra tavola. Welcome to our table.
With heart,
Riccardo & Carmela
Founders, Ricky & Mela Real Italian Restaurant
