Celebrate National Italian Food Day at Il Posto on February 13
Local Italian restaurant and bar Is rooted in Italian comfort rood and tradition
George Tsiranides and Jimmy Derrico, owners of Il Posto in South Norwalk, CT, an Italian restaurant and bar on Washington Street in historic South Norwalk, recently revamped the entire menu at this popular neighborhood gathering place to reflect more of what Jimmy describes as “the Italian food I grew up with.” Original incarnations from previous owners of this prime restaurant locale took a more modern approach to this beloved cuisine, infusing the menu with American twists and multicultural influencers, which only confused consumers and proved to be unsuccessful.
“The restaurant was trying to be everything to everybody,” says George, “And we didn’t have to be. The beauty of being on this block is the fabulous mix of restaurants and types of cuisine being offered. The only void to fill was our own.”
Last fall, George teamed up with long-time patron and Italian food enthusiast Jimmy Derrico. Jimmy took his love for Italian food and his business background and poured it into Il Posto, taking a fresh approach to the menu and wine program. Jimmy worked closely with the kitchen team, revamping the dishes they wanted to keep and adding new dishes, many of which came from Jimmy’s family recipes. The wine list also got a makeover with the addition of more Italian varietals from exceptional Italian vineyards. The duo introduced the restaurant’s new menu in October of 2023, with a subtle approach to the brand’s re-launch, taking time to refine the dishes and paying attention to customer feedback. Back-of-the-house operations were also given a major rehaul, including a new website and POS system, and the hiring of seasoned restaurant professionals and a social media and marketing team. The response has been phenomenal. Today, Il Posto is excited about its casual Italian comfort food menu, spirited bar, and the hospitality and service it prides itself on.
Tuesday, February 13, is National Italian Food Day. George and Jimmy invite patrons to enjoy the restaurant’s already famous sausage pie with hot oil, a Derrico family recipe. More antipasti favorites include tender calamari steak prepared with anchovy oil and toasted herb breadcrumbs, fried meatballs with tomato sauce on the side, and cheesy arancini balls. Hearty salads run the gamut from “frutti di mare” filled with fresh seafood tossed with EVOO and lemon to a classic Caprese layered with whole milk buffalo mozzarella, vine-ripened tomatoes, fresh basil, with a balsamic drizzle. Comforting pasta dishes include pappardelle with fresh porcini, rigatoni with a slow-simmered Bolognese sauce, and everyone’s favorite orecchiette with homemade sausage, broccoli rabe, and roasted garlic. Neapolitan-style pizza varieties include the bee’s knees, a scrumptious salty-sweet combination of large slice pepperoni laced with hot honey, and a garlicky white clam pie. Old school preparations of eggplant rollatini, parmigiana, scampi, and scarpariello meats and seafood share the stage with a luscious seafood risotto, whole roasted branzino, and fall-of-the-bone veal osso bucco over creamy risotto. Desserts are the real deal – made by local baker A Piece of Cake by Michelle. Over-sized cream puffs, seasonal pies, filled-to-order cannolis, and a decadent tiramisu should not be missed.
The beverage program at Il Posto is a wonderful mix of classic martinis, brown spirit innovations, local craft beer, and SoNo 1420 America’s Maritime Distillery spirits. Creative concoctions include Il Posto’s perfect espresso martini and homemade seasonal “cello” mules.
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