Claudio Mamo, Chef Hiram Quintana, Vittorio and Luigi Ottaviano, and Ardian Mamo, 5, are partners in the new Vittorio's Italian Restaurant at 1018 Asbury Avenue in Ocean City, NJ
Vittorio Ottaviano, his brother Luigi, son-in-law Claudio Mamo and chef Hiram Quintana will offer Ocean City Fall Block Party visitors a taste of things to come on Saturday (Oct. 11).
Ottaviano will open Vittorio's Italian Restaurant on Wednesday, Oct. 15, at 1018 Asbury Avenue (between 10th and 11th streets).
But on Saturday, he will offer visitors a chance to take a look at the remodeled space and to taste the restaurant's signature fresh pasta, made on the premises during the block party.
The new venture fills a space occupied by The Shore Thing restaurant until Superstorm Sandy in October 2012. Ottaviano has worked since August to get the new restaurant ready.
He owns and operates Vittorio Trattoria in Pottstown, Pa., and he said he's following his customers to Ocean City, where 60 percent of them own property or at least vacation. Trattoria is familiar with Ocean City from his own family vacations, and in June, he noticed a "For Lease" sign in the window on the 1000 block of Asbury Avenue. He said one phone call later his fate was sealed.
Ottaviano said his Trattoria regulars would expect something that looks familiar to their favorite spot in Pottstown, so the new restaurant includes tablecloths, artwork and even faux wine barrels on the wall.
Chef Hiram Quintana said that in addition to fresh pasta, the restaurant will feature farm-to-table local produce and seasonal seafood dishes.
The restaurant will be open year-round, Ottaviano said, with lunch and dinner served seven days through the fall. Breakfast will be served in season, and brunch may be added on weekends.
For more information, visit
vittoriosrestaurant.com or call 609-398-7800.