Business Profile: Prato Trattoria, Carmel
DAVID PROPPER PHOTO
From the moment a customer opens the door, they can expect to be treated to a family affair at Prato Trattoria.
“It’s a completely family run business from the front to the back of the house in everyway,” John Spaccarelli Jr. said.
And the result is a delicious meal and relaxing atmosphere for folks to sit down and enjoy a fine Italian meal or grab a slice of top-notch pizza. With the entire family pitching in, Prato Trattoria has established itself as a dining destination in the area.
John Spaccarelli Sr. and his family are very familiar with the restaurant business, owning an Italian restaurant in Millwood in Westchester County for several years. Called Spaccarelli after his last name, John eventually sold it to a friend who still runs it to this day.
For several years, John pursued other opportunities and interests including working at Fordham University as the special projects and facilities director. But there was always a lingering part of him that missed the food and service business. John missed mingling and meeting with customers and making new friends. Seeing customer satisfaction first hand is rewarding, John Sr. said.
His family, including his two sons, John Jr. and Victor and wife, Angel, convinced him to get back into the food business.
“We decided if we’re going to do it, we’re going to do it in our town,” he said. “Provide our community the good food and service that we did in Millwood.”
John Sr. decided on the name Prato Trattoria because Prato is a city in Italy where he has family roots. The Spaccarelli family bought the restaurant from the former owners of the location last year.
Although John Sr.’s full-time job is at Fordham University, the rest of the family is here throughout the day. The entire family works as a team. The two sons make pizza and assist in the kitchen, Angel focused on pasta and desserts, and John Jr.’s wife Danielle is the hostess.
When the family bought the restaurant from the former owners, they overhauled the entire inside. In the dining room the walls were designed and painted to give it an old world look and the furniture and ceiling color were changed for a cozier atmosphere. A full service bar was also put together in the back of the dining area. The front of the restaurant received a facelift and new equipment was put in the kitchen.
All of the renovations took just two weeks or as John Jr. said, “Twenty-four hours for 14 days.” When customers from the old restaurant walk in for the first time, they’re pleasantly surprised.
“It has a new identity now,” John Sr. said. “And the food is equal to the identity as far as quality.”
Specialty pizzas are offered and if the customer wants something off the menu, John Jr. said they’re happy to make it if they have the ingredients. There are traditional Italian meals, steaks, and seafood, and specials that “the Carmel area has never seen before,” John Sr. said. The restaurant has a culinary chef in the kitchen to lead the way. The family also owns Benmarl Winery that is served at the restaurant.
In the near future, the family intends to sell all its pasta by the pound and sauce by the quart so customers can prepare their own meals at home.
“All the ingredients you find here are top quality,” John Sr. said.
Prato Trattoria is located in Putnam Plaza at 1892 Route 6 in Carmel. Its phone number is 845-225-6914. Catering and parties are available. Delivery is also offered.
