| |
|
|
Nightlife Shots by John Carta |
|
|
|
|
New York Style in Bethel |
|
|
|
Per Tutti Family Restaurant and Pizza:
by Maggie Lyon
In a southern Connecticut market, so saturated with Italian restaurants, some may wonder “what makes the next one so different?” This skepticism can often get the best of you. Most of these pop-up Italian joints aren’t worth their salt. Relatively inexpensive to open and operate, pizza places are especially easy to come by because, hey, who doesn’t like pizza? And while they’re correct in some regard, the number of pizza lovers does not equate itself with pizza makers. But there are diamonds in the rough. People who know the deal, who know what a New York slice is like, and who, once settled, will be blowing the competition away with a feather.
And this is what brings us to a new little restaurant in Bethel called Per Tutti. Opened in late April by the three Dakaj brothers and their father, they’ve already seen a boom in customers and know their regulars by name. Having all been in the restaurant business long before opening, the Dakaj family had a very good plan of action when deciding on a location and a look. “Most places weren’t family style. They didn’t have real Italian food” Mike, father to the Dakaj brothers, said while shaking his head. They saw a niche waiting to be filled in Bethel. Mike had known business owners in the surrounding area and didn’t want direct competition. He had previously operated an Italian restaurant in Manhattan and once again in Southington, Connecticut. Tony Dakaj had worked at Bruno’s Pizzeria in New Fairfield and Arton still works in Little Italy. These guys had experience. They’d pooled their best tips and trade secrets to create what an area lacked. Lucky for us, it’s close.
Tucked next to Dunkin’ Donuts on Grassy Plain Street, which has given them more business incidentally, Per Tutti has a very smart design. Walking in, customers can choose between the Brooklyn-pizzeria style cafe and a more ambient dinner experience. Mike created the pizza counter with the front dynamic geared toward “kids who want to sit down and have a slice or a sandwich”. The window display is pure eye candy, at any given point the Dakaj’s having close to twelve pies in the window along with several calzones. The innumerable toppings may amaze you. Choose between the old standbys like cheese, pepperoni, and Sicilian style. Or you can go gourmet: Buffalo chicken, eggplant rollentini, chicken bacon ranch, white pizzas topped with ricotta and broccoli, and clams casino pizza to name a few. I had to ask about salad pizza, though, the menu detailing it with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, olives, cucumbers, and Italian dressing. “It’s good!” Tony defended. When you sit down to eat your slice or sandwich feel free to doll them up with the condiment array placed on your specific table. None of this going and retrieving the only cheese shaker. At Per Tutti you have the right to your own grated cheese, granulated garlic, chili pepper flakes, salt and pepper. What is perhaps the most interesting and enjoyable fact about Per Tutti is how each week they bring up a couple hundred gallons of mineral rich water from New York City to produce their authentic New York style pies. The Dakaj family knows what they’re doing.
The dining room is where families, friends, couples, and coworkers come to enjoy the restaurants many specialties. Each table is equipped with aged balsamic and olive oil for dipping bread and accentuating entrées. Per Tutti has a thought out domestic and imported wine and beer list to dovetail their meals. The menu offers a range of friendly appetizers salads, gourmet pasta dishes, chicken, veal, and seafood entrées, and baked specialties.
Per Tutti is truly for everyone. It’s created an environment for all occasions and an atmosphere inviting you to dine in their family room. I highly recommend Per Tutti for those who haven’t yet been, and as for the regulars, they need little motivation to continue going full speed. In a land of so much mediocrity, this place is sure to raise the bar.
Visit Per Tutti on 25 Grassy Plain Street, in Bethel, Connecticut. Open 7 days a week 11am–10pm. A great meal for all budgets.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
