Erik Pettersen / Owner of Evo Italian, Host of What’s For Dinner With Chef Erik?
After his mother’s passing, Erik lived out both his mother’s dreams and his own with the opening of Evo Italian on Saint Patrick’s Day, March 17, 2007, in Tequesta. While adding the title “restaurant owner” to his credentials, his one-room small restaurant had only eight tables and 35 seats. Erik served his first customer, legendary ice hockey player Bobby Orr. Evo soon was the talk of the town, and Erik was once again building his reputation like he did back in New York. After two years, he added a bar area and expanded into a second room, and by the fifth anniversary, Evo moved into its current location with 150 seats, a full bar, lounge and outdoor patio area. Evo Italian, now 14 years in business, offers a contemporary interpretation of authentic Italian recipes. Evo, short for evolution, brings time-honored, old world traditions evolving full circle into fresh new beginnings with the freshest and highest quality ingredients. And Erik’s chef jacket has the name Nancy scripted on the back, as he knows, his mother Nancy always has his back! Years ago, in the Italian village where his grandparents lived, there were no supermarkets to shop for food, so dinner came fresh from the farm to the table. Today, this is the philosophy Erik continues to practice, and he does not simply wish to just feed his guests but nourish the body and mind with culinary experiences that set a new standard in dining. At Evo Italian, Erik embraces this area’s rich farming and fishing heritage and celebrates the remarkable seasonable bounty. The climate supplies him with a year-round steady stream of stunning ingredients from which he crafts the menu. He sources and handpicks the finest products to incorporate into contemporary variations of his family’s secret recipes, and traditional treasures with a new twist and the warmth of the Italian way of living. Evo’s beef, chicken, veal and pork are prime grade, all-natural and hormone-free, and fish is delivered every day from local fish purveyors. Imported Italian products play a major role in Erik’s unique approach to cooking. In partnership with his family in Italy, Erik has the ability to import only the finest D.O.P certified products, from San Marzano tomatoes to Sicilian and Tuscan first cold pressed extra virgin olive oils, bufala mozzarella a pugliese, “rocca” Reggiano parmigiana, aged balsamic from Modena and the finest fresh and handmade dried pasta Italy has to offer. Evo Italian, Erik’s dream come true, is Palm Beach North’s most elegant and upscale Italian cuisine dining experience and welcomes guests from all over the country, snowbirds, and regularly serves the Tequesta, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Juno Beach areas.
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