Chef of the Week: Mike Favasuli, Fav’s Italian Cucina

Name: Mike Favasuli.

Title: Co-owner, chef.

Restaurant: , 419 12th St. W.

Contact Info: 941-708-3287, www.favsitaliancucina.com

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Specialty: Italian cooking. Everything is fresh and made daily — the pasta, the bread. We cut our own meats and make our own mozzarella (cheese).

How long have you been cooking? 11 years, since we first opened the restaurant.

Do you cook at home? Yes, all the time. I love Mexican and sushi.

What is your favorite comfort food? Soup and pizza and a glass of wine — what better way to relax?

Other than your restaurant, where else do you like to eat in Bradenton? on Cortez Road and Riverside Café in Palmetto.

A message from Chef Mike: I loved working here with my sister Maria since we first opened. I’ve made a lot of great friends, and I enjoy getting up early every day to come to work. If you can’t do that why do it, especially when you have to spend as many hours here as we do.

Other information: Along with the Tuscan countryside cafe motif dining room, there is outdoor dining along Old Main Street. Mike and Maria offer catering, phone orders and take-out. There are several vegetarian items on the extensive menu.