subscribesubscriber servicescontact usabout ussite mapBuy a Classified
Tue, Nov 10 2009 

Published: January 25, 2006 11:16 pm    print this story  

The return of the Sicilians

By Kevin Purdy
Niagara Gazette

The last plate of authentic Italian cuisine was served up at Villa Fortunata’s on New Year’s Eve.

But just after most people have abandoned their resolutions, the family of one of Fortunata’s owners will open a new operation at the Center Street fixture. One month earlier, the other will set out his plates in North Buffalo.

Filippo Inglima plans to give Filippo’s Italian Ristorante, 1264 Hertel Ave., a “soft opening” in early February, with a grand opening after Valentine’s Day.

Jack Soldano’s daughter, Angela Soldano, will launch Casa Antica in early spring at Villa’s former location at 490 Center St., with her father and brother Charlie helping out in the kitchen.

“Our phone’s been ringing, people wanted to know if they were ever re-opening at that location,” said Sandra Hays Mies, president of the Lower Niagara River Chamber of Commerce. “It’s a key spot on Center Street, it’s become a tradition for many people, and we’re glad they’re back.”

Both Filippo Inglima and Soldano — natives of Agrigento, Sicily, who moved to Lewiston from Queens in 2000 to open their Villa venture — said it wasn’t arguments that led to Villa’s closing, and they remain in touch. The two had occasionally discussed separate ventures in recent years, but slow winter seasons brought the issue to the front.

“We had a great location, good recognition, and I love what Lewiston has to offer,” Inglima said. “But three months isn’t enough to carry you through the winter.”

Jack Soldano said Casa Antica will still focus on authentic northern and southern Italian dishes, but with more of a family-dining focus.

“It’ll still be classy, but we’re catering it to our year-round customers, their families,” Soldano said.

While his daughter Angela is only 24, she’s worked at restaurants all her life, and said she’s ready to take on running her own place. She can’t imagine living any other way.

“I’m not the type of person that can work in an office, because it’s just too quiet,” she said. “My family’s been in this business for so long, I couldn’t get out of it ... it’s a great opportunity.”

Inglima, working with chef Antonio Tafarella from Giuseppe’s in Queens, said he wants to attract a wider variety of clientele, with dishes starting at $9 and ranging up to $28.

“The response I’ve gotten from people in Lewiston is beautiful, they all say they’ll come and see me here,” Inglima said. “I’ve also gotten a lot of response from the area here in Buffalo ... Tony and me are very excited.”

Fillippo’s will also feature a patio bar during the summer months, and he plans to continue the dinner theater traditions he started at Villa Fortunata’s.

print this story  



autoconx
Premier Guide
Find a business

Walking Fingers
Maps, Menus, Store hours, Coupons, and more...
Premier Guide
Premier Guide

Find a job! Find a Home! Find a car!

Featured Jobs

Certified Pharmacy Tech's & Certified Medication Tech's
Certified Pharmacy Tech’s & Certified
Medication Tech’s Competitive wages. Call Lisa McKensie Ransomville Manor 79
...>MORE

FLOOR ASSISTANT
Floor asst. needed for approx. 30-35 hrs/wk in a podiatry office, no exp. nec., will train, call between 12-2:30 pm for ...>MORE

Assistant Director
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
Alumni Relations (ft) sought by the Alumni Relations Department of Niagara University, a private
...>MORE

Customer Service
Customer
Service
Immed. F/T position.
Includes weekends. Must be customer
oriented, computer
...>MORE

Customer Service
Customer Service
CARPET CLEANING
$400-$600/week
Our customers have cleaning fever. Openings for men & wom
...>MORE

Driver
Drivers CDLA. Must be able to go to Canada
Good pay, great benefits.
Call 278-2000 Ext. 106
...>MORE

Service greeter
Service greeter wanted, PT entry level. Looking for someone with strong customer service skills to work in our fast grow...>MORE

Nursing
NURSING. ElderWood Senior Care, "Care Without Compromise". We invite you to stop by and learn how you can become part of...>MORE

Echo Tech
ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY TECHNICIAN, Full-time. Certification by ARDMS or registry eligible. Up to $7500 Sign On Bonus!; MEDICAL...>MORE

Cook Manager
COOK /Manager full time exp. req. Call for appt. 297-2500 ask for general manager. ...>MORE

See all ads

Feature Autos

2000 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 2000 Caravan, V6, power everything, excellent body, runs great, $2195. Call 754-4608....>MORE

1996 Mazda L3000
MAZDA L3000 pick-up 1996, 6 cyl, runs good, new tires & battery, just inspect., $1500. 284-7529....>MORE

1991 Dodge Caravan
DODGE 1991 Caravan, exc body, runs great, full power, needs TLC. $1200 or BO. Call 754-4608....>MORE

Ford 1999 Ranger
FORD 1999 Ranger, 5 speed, 130K, fair condition, $2000 or best offer, 716-310-0531...>MORE

VW 2001 Beetle
VW 2001 Beetle, loaded, GLX turbo, exc. cond, all service records, fun to drive, blue bk $5600, take best offer, 990-06...>MORE

Chevy 2007 Impala LT
CHEVY 2007 Impala LT
25,800 mi, ext. warranty
Exc. Cond, $16,500
297-2199
...>MORE

Mazda 1995 Millenia
Mazda 1995 Millenia loaded, leather, only 26k mi. exc. cond. $2995. Best Offer
531-3548 or 297-1526
...>MORE

Ford 1995 Crown Victoria
Ford 1995 Crown Victoria 4 dr, loaded, new tires must see & drive $3500. red. 860-2854...>MORE

Ford Windstar 1998
FORD 1998 Windstar $1000 or best offer.
298-5220
...>MORE

Buick 2005 LeSabre
BUICK 2005 Lesabre Custom, excellent condition, fully loaded, $6700 or best offer, 754-4540...>MORE

See all ads





 

Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.CNHI Classified Advertising NetworkCNHI News Service
Associated Press content © 2009. All rights reserved. AP content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Our site is powered by Zope and our Internet Yellow Pages site is powered by PremierGuide.
Some parts of our site may require you to download the Flash Player Plugin.
View our Privacy Policy
Advertiser index