Award-Winning Pasta Shop Opening 2nd Location In Ellington

ELLINGTON, CT — For more than 30 years, financial institutions have dominated the beautiful circa 1827 building at the junction of Route 83 and Route 140 in Ellington under various incarnations: Tolland Bank, New Alliance Bank, Enfield Federal Savings and United Bank.

Vacant since late 2017, the 3,424-square-foot structure is in the final stages of an amazing transformation, which upon completion will have totally different types of deposits being made — those of delicious pastas, sauces and other Italian culinary delights into hungry bellies.

Don DiFiore is expanding his award-winning business, DiFiore Ravioli Shop, with a second location in Ellington. Established in 1982 by his parents on Franklin Avenue in the Little Italy section of Hartford, he opened DiFiore's Restaurant adjacent to the shop and operated it for about 10 years. He then opened the Three Seasons Restaurant at Topstone Golf Course in South Windsor, but got out of the food business and became a contractor for a decade before taking over his parents' shop upon their retirement.

DiFiore and his son, Dan — an aspiring chef — revitalized the business by remodeling and installing a new kitchen. Business boomed to the point where they outgrew the Hartford location and moved the shop to 397 Cromwell Avenue in Rocky Hill, where it continues to thrive.

The establishment is a store first; the restaurant aspect is secondary, DiFiore said. Over 15 varieties of ravioli are offered, made with high-quality durum flour, cheeses, vegetables and meats. Among the unique ravioli combinations are tenderloin and bacon, chunky lobster, eggplant and mozzarella, butternut squash, shrimp and roasted garlic, and spinach and sausage.

Other pastas are readily available, as well as 15 different types of sauces, ranging from hearty bolognese to chunky pomodoro to white clam.

DiFiore's was voted Connecticut's Favorite Small Business of 2014.

The new Ellington site will have a deli case full of prepared foods, grab-and-go dinners and some hot items daily. "We're also trying to perfect a primo Sicilian pizza," DiFiore said.

Customers may eat inside in an informal setting, ordering at the counter and dining in a community seating room. A small bar has been set up, and the owners have applied for a liquor license.

DiFiore is being joined in the Ellington venture by another experienced area restaurateur. Frank Lepri and his wife Debbie have owned Trattoria da Lepri, just a bit down Route 83 at 89 West Road, for 13 years, and live across the street from the new shop.

DiFiore and Lepri have been working on the new site for about a year, but have been slowed by several factors. Namely, they each have their established businesses to operate.

"I go to Trattoria every day, and Don goes to Rocky Hill, so we only have about half a day," Lepri said. "It's been a challenge, but we're seeing the light at the end of the tunnel."

One of the biggest early obstacles was removing the 75,000-pound concrete bank vault. "That is now our kitchen," DiFiore said.

Other hindrances in the renovation process have been exacerbated by the four-month-long coronavirus pandemic. Still, the duo is anticipating the long-awaited opening will take place "soon."

Both longtime Ellington residents, DiFiore and Lepri have been seeing a groundswell of excitement among visitors to the weekly Ellington Farmer's Market in Arbor Park.

"Every person at the farmer's market asks us when the shop is opening," Lepri said. "Anticipation is very high. Even if the person just ahead of them asked, they ask again. We give everyone the exact same answer.

"Soon."

More information about DiFiore Ravioli Shop may be found here.

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