New Restaurant With Impressive Pedigree Set To Open In Somers

SOMERS, CT — A new Italian eatery featuring family recipes dating back several generations and co-owners with a wealth of experience in all facets of restaurant operation will soon make its debut in the Southfield Corners Shops in Somers.

Mario's Pizzeria & Ristorante will have its grand opening March 16 in the site last occupied by 3 Aces Pizza. However, the location is about the only thing the new spot will have in common with the old.

"Everything is brand new in the kitchen and dining room," co-owner Mario Ferrentino said during a recent tour and interview with Patch. "We will have true Italian food, with family recipes which came over from the old country."

Victoria Clark, a neighbor in the plaza who owns Connecticut Commercial Realty & Select Homes, said, "We’ve been impressed with the awesome job he’s done."

Ferrentino's family has an impressive history in the food industry since coming over from Italy in 1970s. His family owns Teresa's Restaurant, an icon in Ware, Mass. since 1980. Family members also own Francesco's Restaurants in Suffield and Brimfield, Mass., and Ferrentino himself was most recently a partner in Casa Bella Italian Kitchen in nearby Hampden, Mass.

"I started making pizza boxes in my dad's basement, to dishwashing, to making pizza to saute chef," he said. "It's in my family's blood."

His partner, Nikko Plescia, has worked for years at Teresa's.

A resident of Wilbraham, Mass., Ferrentino said he has always liked the proximity to Somers.

"I saw possibilities when this spot came up for lease," he said. "It's a family-oriented town of good people, and it's close to home for me."

Since signing a lease in October, Ferrentino and Plescia have worked tirelessly to gut the old place to create an outstanding dining environment. Their efforts were hampered somewhat, however, by the coronavirus pandemic.

"While it took a little longer than we anticipated trying to open a new business during COVID, we are so excited to finally announce the wait is almost over," Ferrentino said. "'Not just another pizza shop' is a phrase you will hear a lot from us and our staff. While our true Italian hand-tossed pizza cooked directly on the stone is a major part of our menu, we offer so much more, including appetizers, salads, soups, wings, calzones, pasta, and many homemade authentic Italian entrees."

Mario's will offer one of the few, if not the only, delivery services in town, and with the recent easing of restaurant restrictions by Gov. Ned Lamont, will be open for both dine-in and take-out. The owners are also applying for a beer and wine license, according to Ferrentino.

More information about the restaurant, including menus and online ordering, may be found here.

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