Michael Gucciardo is Back!
~ The following was published in The Floyd Press on January 28, 2010.
Those familiar with the culinary talents of Michael Gucciardo have waited five years for him to come back home to Floyd. A native New Yorker, Michael learned how to cook authentic Italian food from his father and other family members born in Italy. Although he has cooked in Virginia restaurants throughout the region, his Floyd following of fans was formed during his many years as chef (and sometime co-owner) of The Pine Tavern Restaurant.
Gucciardo’s new place, called Mickey G’s Italian Bistro and Pizzeria, was packed on Saturday night, just two nights after the restaurant’s opening. One table of twelve was there to celebrate Gucciardo’s return. A Frank Sinatra recording played in the background. Neighbors greeted each other, as waiters (mostly Gucciardo family members) hustled by carrying dishes that showed off Gucciardo’s knack with capers, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, olive oil, garlic, and roasted red peppers. 
Some diners couldn’t resist craning their necks to see menu offerings at other tables. There were mussels, fried squid, swordfish, antipasto salad, meatballs, pizza, focaccia bread, and dishes with names that were hard to pronounce, such as rapini salsiccia (pasta with broccoli raab and Italian sausage).
The portions were hearty and affordable, and the ambiance in the bistro was lively. At one point Gucciardo came into the dining room area and customers toasted and applauded him. It was obvious by the turnout and the warm reception he received that Floyd is glad to have Gucciardo back in town.
Post Notes: Mickey G’s is located next to the Floyd Fitness Center on Parkview Road. Menu listing and other information can be found at the Mickey G’s website. A short video clip of Gucciardo interacting with diners on Saturday night can be found HERE.
January 26th, 2010 10:00 am
Can’t wait to get up there for it!
January 26th, 2010 10:36 am
This post is making me hungry!! I think Joe looks great in that picture. He looks like he belongs in Ireland. xoxo
January 26th, 2010 11:36 am
How appropriate that this would be located next to the fitness center!!!
January 26th, 2010 11:57 am
Ha ha … Good eye, Tabor!
Sherry, we’ll eat there when you come for Floydfest this summer! Oh, Michael was the one who cooked for my pre-wedding dinner at the Pine. Do you remember that?
January 27th, 2010 7:07 am
I remember it and can’t get over it!!?
All of Joe’s family were there too….am I right. xo
January 27th, 2010 7:57 am
That looks like a wonderful place to eat, especially surrounded by your neighbors and friends. I clicked through to their website and was so impressed by the prices. It’s rare to find a place with gourmet offerings at such reasonable prices. Around here, you’d probably pay twice as much. Which is why we almost never go out to eat.
January 27th, 2010 11:28 pm
That looks like a “Happening” Place, Colleen…I bet the food is GREAT! And it is perfect that it is right next to The Fitness Center! Eat Heartily and then Go Work Out! (lol)
January 28th, 2010 9:19 pm
I enjoyed reading your list. Happy Thursday!
June 21st, 2010 10:30 pm
[…] everyone in Floyd was flat footing at the Jamboree, eating Italian at Mickey G’s, or something Asian at Natasha’s, I was sipping the creamy head off my brother-in-laws Guinness […]
August 26th, 2010 12:13 am
[…] waitress last night but that’s what happened when I talked to my friend Mara and after eating at Mickey G’s Friday […]
August 31st, 2010 11:02 pm
[…] I met his girlfriend for the first time and we got the whole family together for a meal at Mickey G’s, one of the summer’s brightest […]
May 18th, 2012 11:38 am
[…] with the ringing of a Tibetan Bowl and ended with a birthday dinner with my eldest son, Josh, at Mickey G’s Bistro. I learned that a Fat Tire is a lot better than a Flat Tire, especially if cold and Belgium […]
September 19th, 2013 10:08 am
[…] search that landed someone on my blog: “gucciardo tomato sauce.” Sorry folks I don’t have Mickey G’s secret […]