From Amore Pizza to Pasta Amore
Pasta Amore first opened in 1968 as Amore Pizza. The old Dean Martin classic song, “That’s Amore” was the thought behind the name. The lyrics, “When the moon hits the sky like a big pizza pie, that’s amore” kind of said it all for the new pizza shop. The original owners, Vito and Carmela Andolini were immigrants from Sicily. They wanted to have a taste of home that they could bring to their local community.
They started out small just serving pizza and breadsticks. Carmela and their daughter did all the food prep and cooking. As the community grew, their business grew along with it. They expanded the ‘pizza joint’ as they called it, and added a larger kitchen allowing them to add additional food items and change the name to Pasta Amore.
In 1982, additional real estate became available next to the exisitng building. They seized the opportunity and purchased the additional land and began a major overhaul of the restaurant. The expansion included a new larger kitchen and food prep area, expanded dining room to seat 200 patrons and a new room with seating for 150. This room is used for special events, business meetings and over-flow seating during holidays and special days such as Mother’s Day. Pasta Amore also added catering services. This too started out small, having only inhouse catering utilizing their newly built meeting room. They eventually began outside catering so customers can take adavantage of their catering services in their homes or other venues. Their menu began to expand as well. As the community grew they wanted to expand the customer base. They added new items to the menu and began a new dining experience. They added “Fine Dining”. This included premium food items such as Lobster and Prime Rib mixed with pasta dishes and includes a bottle of wine with the meal. Their customer base has expanded with this product and is a very successful venture.
Daughter Connie took over the restaurant after Vito and Carmela both passed away in 2005. She and her husband Ray have carried on the legacy her parents started with Amore Pizza in 1968. Today Pasta Amore is a thriving establishment, serving high quality food and catering services to their loyal customers. The motto is true today as it was in 1968, CIBO DELIZIOSO MANGA BENE Delicious Food-Eat Well