When Enzo Rdid and his wife, Lucy Palazzolo, bought Vitello's Italian restaurant in Catalina, they wanted to turn it into a piece of their former home, Sicily.
A major project has fulfilled that dream.
The Catalina restaurant recently completed a renovation, turning a third of its 3,000 square feet into a Tuscany Room meant to evoke European restaurants.
The open section boasts a bar, a booth that can seat as many as 30 people, elegant faux marble columns on a wall, paintings of Tuscany, ceramic tile that resembles rustic wood, soft lighting and warm colors.
The couple will celebrate the renovation with a special event from 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20.
Festivities will include wine tasting, music, door prizes and a raffle for a $50 Vitello's gift card.
People are also reading…
The renovation, which started in November and involved the demolition of a wall, is the realization of Palazzolo's vision. The room's homey look falls in line with the restaurant's food philosophy - all homemade, with fresh-baked bread made from scratch every day. Many entrees are in the $10 range.
"We've been thinking about it for a while," Palazzolo said. "Finally we said, 'Let's just do it.' This is what we always wanted it to look like … a lot of our customers have been to Europe, and we want them to feel that nice, cozy warmth."
The couple bought the restaurant, which specializes in Northern Italian food, in 2005. Rdid previously worked at the restaurant, which opened in 2003, as a sous chef. Both have spent significant time in Sicily - although Palazzolo designed the Tuscany room because she appreciates that region's style - and have vast experience with authentic cuisine, they said.
Self-described crooner Roy Roland will provide the entertainment at the Dec. 20 event, singing standards and Christmas songs from the likes of Dean Martin, Elvis Presley and Bing Crosby.
Roland, who has sung at the restaurant several times, said he likes to play to the crowd.
"It's going to be a festive time of the season," he said. "I want to get them feeling in a good mood. That crowd is probably going to be a little bit of an older crowd … they want to hear Elvis and Dean Martin - that particular era of music, from the '40s and '50s."
Roland lives in the Foothills but said Vitello's is worth a long drive.
"It's a really good place to eat, and a reasonable price, too," he said. "I know it sounds like an advertisement, but it really is a good place."
IF YOU GO
• What: Vitello's Tuscany Room celebration
• When: 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 20.
• Where: 15930 N. Oracle Road, Catalina.
• Reservations: 825-0140
• Regular restaurant hours: 4-8 p.m. Monday; 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sunday.
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
