Trattoria Luna is celebrating its Tenth Anniversary April 29 and 30 with special treats for regular customers who make reservations. Owner/Manager Daniel Mastagni wants to show his appreciation for the loyalty his customers have shown over the years, especially during the economic turndown.
The restaurant, 9477 S. Dixie Highway in the Dadeland Plaza, is well known for its fine Italian cuisine. The menu features daily specials and innovative dishes. Seafood dishes include salmon “alla Genovese” which is grilled salmon served over fresh homemade pesto sauce or the lunch choice of Mahi Mahi “Piccata,” made with Mahi Mahi filets sautéed with roasted peppers, capers white wine and lemon. Chicken parmigiana, lasagna, and a large variety of pastas, including delicious pumpkin, spinach and Portobello ravioli are also on the menu.
One of the reasons eating at Trattoria Luna is a good experience is the expert staff. They have worked with Mastagni for nine and ten years. And, because of their longevity, they recognize their customers and know their food likes and dislikes.
“We know people by their names,” Mastagni says
The restaurant has 60 seats indoors and another 10-12 outdoors. The Italian cuisine is consistently good and the restaurant has daily specials. Customers will often request a dish that was once a special and if they have the ingredients on hand, Mastagni says the kitchen will gladly make it.
“For special requests and needs, I go out of my way, I like to accommodate them,” he says.
In fact, a customer came back years later and vaguely remembers the special that he had and wants it again but doesn’t quite know what it was, Mastagni will look it up. He keeps records of every daily special and the dates they were made.
It’s that willingness of the staff to go out of their way to help that keeps longtime customer Steven Marks coming in. Marks dines at Trattoria Luna twice a month and is appreciative of not only the food, but the interest Mastagni takes in his customers.
“He is the most interesting and interested person I know,” Marks says. “This is a quality individual.”
This year, health concerns have caused Marks to have to change his diet. He loves his pasta and Trattoria Luna accommodates his needs.
“He makes me all the sauce salt free,” Marks says.
Marks ate at Trattoria Luna with his daughter Danielle, who was visiting from New York to celebrate Passover and her birthday with her family. Whenever she is in town, they go to eat at Trattoria Luna.
“They make you feel extra special,” Marks says.
When Mastagni opened Trattoria Luna, he already had extensive experience in both hotel management and restaurant management. From the time he was young, he knew he wanted to have his own restaurant. When he decided to open Trattoria Luna, he brought with him Uriel Moreno as the chef and made him a partner. Although Moreno is from El Salvador, Mastagni says he had extensive training in Italian cooking. When they worked together at Caffé Abrracci, whenever Mastagni wanted Italian food, he’d go to Moreno.
“He cooked with flavor and consistency,” Mastagni says.
That’s the promise of eating at Trattoria Luna. Wonderful food, consistent quality and a friendly atmosphere. That’s why customers have returned time and time again for ten years.
