Italian cuisine the focus at Marciano's Wine and Dine

By Shelley Owens

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

JENSEN BEACH — Chef Marciano Ortiz is finally taking the plunge and opening his own restaurant in Jensen Beach this week. Marciano's Wine and Dine will debut before the end of the week at 2230 N.E. Dixie Highway in the former AMVETS building.

"With all of the places closing, I figured it was a good time to open a restaurant of my own," said Ortiz, who operated restaurants in south Florida for 17 years with wife, Tricia.

More recently, Ortiz created prepared foods at Stuart Fine Foods in Stuart and then Palm City. He took a job with Milam's Market in Stuart, followed by a chef job at Sorbara's Market Square in Palm City. All have since closed.

Three times is a charm for Ortiz, who said he decided to make his own job security and peace of mind in his dream job — his own restaurant.

The Bronx native, who specializes in dishes such as Chicken Piccata and Chicken Francaise ($7.95 each at lunch), has prepared an Italian menu priced for the whole family.

Appetizers are $4.99 to $8.99, lunches are $4.99 to $8.95 and dinner is $9.95 to the mid-$20's, he said. Prime rib is $13.95 every night.

Other specialties include shrimp and mussels ($8.95), a caprese burger and pizza prepared with authentic Grande-brand mozzarella cheese.

"And we have a dance floor and will have live bands on weekends," he said.

Last week, Ortiz opened on Thursday for take-out lunches. The boxed lunches are a pre-opening trial run to become acquainted with the processes and to get feedback on the menu. He hopes to open the restaurant to diners sometime this week, possibly as early as Tuesday. The phone is (772) 232-6184.