Before you even make it to the door of this Italian Restaurant in Southport, North Carolina, you know you're in for a treat. The savory scent emanating from the kitchen gives promise of what's to come from Castucci's Italian Restaurant. The authentic recipes make you feel as though you are in Naples, Italy when you're only minutes away from your destination of the beautiful Oak Island beach. What better way to start a vacation than with a celebratory dinner of tempting cuisine served in this casual "Italian Joint."
This tiny restaurant is a jewel with only about 10 tables and a real Italian chef.
Begin with something unusual, such as this special appetizer of New Zealand green shell mussels in a garlic cream sauce.
The little bits of bacon add the perfect amount of crunch.
And in keeping with the seafood theme, order the Frutti di Mare with generous portions of lobster and shrimp in a divine red sauce sprinkled with just enough basil to look like a Christmas card.
You get to choose your favorite pasta.
We love the old-fashioned stuffed peppers filled to the rim with creamy melted mozzarella and spaghetti on the side.
And of course, pizza is hard to pass up, especially when the cooks know what they are doing.
You must try one of the desserts as they are just as delicious as the entrees.
And the next stop - the relaxing beachfront on the 12-mile Oak Island is open for adventures, seashell hunting, and yoga.
After dinner you'll pull in just in time for this free, magical exhibit before you check in for the night.
Call ahead for reservations at this Italian restaurant in Southport, North Carolina. Find out more on Castucci's Facebook page.
For more fun, check out some of the most overlooked beaches in North Carolina for a quiet vacation on the coast.
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