Turci Pasta in College Park is known for its house-made pastas and unique take on Italian cuisine. Next door, sister restaurant Turci Panino features Italian-style sandwiches. Owner Vinicius Turci spoke with us about their upcoming plans, new dishes on the menu, and his favorite restaurants near and far. Read on!
Tell us about your restaurant industry background before opening Turci Pasta?
I come from a family of Italian immigrants, and food has always been in my blood and in my family’s. Before opening my first restaurant in Orlando, I worked in maritime food export, but I always traveled extensively, searching for the best food and observing how different restaurants operated. I had always dreamed of having my own restaurant, and I was able to make that dream come true here in Orlando.
What makes College Park a special neighborhood for your business location?
College Park is a charming, residential neighborhood near downtown Orlando, known for its welcoming atmosphere, tree-lined streets and vibrant community. The area’s unique blend of Italian restaurants, cafes and local businesses creates an inviting environment for both residents and visitors, while community events and green spaces enhance its appeal. It’s an ideal spot for a business seeking a neighborhood with character and a loyal local customer base.
How would you describe Turci Pasta to those who have not visited yet?
As the name suggests, our main highlight is our pasta, which is made fresh right here on-site. We even have a kitchen window where you can watch the pasta being made every day. Additionally, I wanted to bring a homestyle touch to our restaurant — all our sauces are made from scratch here. We’re a family-owned restaurant, with just my wife and me as the owners. Being a passionate diner who appreciates restaurants around the world, I always observe the best and strive to bring that experience to our customers.
Another unique aspect is our signature dishes — Italian-inspired plates with my own creative touch — which have become quite popular.
What are the most popular dishes at Turci?
I believe my signature dishes are the most popular because, in many restaurants, dishes tend to repeat, but here I’ve created exclusive options to provide a superior experience.
The pear ravioli with pear in wine is a top favorite, along with my reinterpretation of beef Wellington, where instead of the traditional puree and vegetables, I pair it with potato gnocchi in a three-cheese sauce. Another beloved dish is our black truffle ravioli, served as an appetizer, and our green pasta tortellacci stuffed with prosciutto.
However, I believe the standout today is the purple sweet potato gnocchi, both for its flavor and the unique visual appeal it brings.
What fall dishes do you recommend?
For this season, we’ll be offering pumpkin ravioli with a three-cheese sauce, walnuts and a finishing touch of aged balsamic reduction — a sweet and savory blend that perfectly captures the essence of autumn. This dish is a seasonal item, not on the current menu, and will be available in limited quantities each day.
We hear you are a foodie. What are some of your favorite dishes — around town here in Orlando and around the world from your travels?
Yes, I love dining out — I do it every day! Here are my favorites in the city:
- Asian: Tori Tori and Zaru.
- Italian: A lot of people ask me about Italian in the area, and I really like Enzo’s on the Lake.
- Steakhouse: Adega Gaucha — the experience is unique, with a level of service I haven’t seen elsewhere in the region.
- Pizza: The team at Antica [Wood Fired Pizzeria and Market] does an excellent job here as well.
- Latin Food: Mrs. Potato [Restaurant] and Hocca Bar.
Now, around the world, there are many options, but I’ll keep the list short:
- New York City: Sant Ambroeus.
- Las Vegas: Wing Lei.
- Paris: Chez Janou.
- Rome: Luciano Cucina Italiana, the “king of carbonara.”
- Florence, Italy: Regina Bistecca.
- São Paulo, Brazil: Da Marino.
- Naples: L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele.
- Madrid, Spain: Amazónico.
Tell us about Turci Panino next door. What should people order there?
The Panino we opened last year next to Turci Pasta was inspired by the top-rated restaurant on Tripadvisor, All’Antico Vinaio in Florence, which now has several locations worldwide, including recently in the U.S. We use only imported ingredients, and the bread is locally made. Our paninos are large, enough to serve up to two people, and we make all our own spreads in-house, like pesto, truffle, pecorino cream, black olive, and pistachio cream, among others. We also work with prosciutto, Italian salami, mortadella with pistachios and more. It’s well worth a visit!
What are some upcoming plans for you and your family?
There’s so much more to come! I love what I do, and I’m passionate about creating and entrepreneurship. We started with Turci Pasta then opened Turci Panino in Orlando. Now, we’re building Turci Osteria in Maitland, which should be ready by mid-next year. It will be an Italian wine bar with an exciting, completely new menu. We also recently acquired a restaurant in Winter Park, where we’re still settling in, and more details will be coming soon. I have other projects in mind, but I’ll focus on completing these first before sharing more about what’s next.
