Saratoga News
News
New ristorante gets planning's approval to move into the village
By Shannon Burkey
Saratoga's newest addition to the Village--an Italian restaurant specializing in food from the southern region--is expected to open in mid-April, bringing with it a chef and owner who has been winning awards for years at his Santa Cruz Italian restaurant.
At a March 28 planning commission meeting, commissioners unanimously approved a conditional-use permit for Ristorante Da Mario to open in the spot that formerly housed Tapioca Express.
Although there are a couple of other Italian restaurants in the downtown area, owner Sandro Costanza said he is confident his restaurant will bring something new to the Village.
"The difference is most likely when you actually taste the food. It's authentic and we know how to make a difference in our service and our product," Costanza said.
Costanza, who was born and raised in the Calabria region of southern Italy, owned Star Bene in Santa Cruz before selling last year. Under his ownership, the restaurant flourished and won awards as best restaurant in Santa Cruz four years in a row.
After being out of the food business for the past year, Costanza said he is eager to start cooking again and believes his reputation will help draw people to the Village.
"I already have a large customer base in Santa Cruz with over 5,000 customers," Costanza said, "and we are going to try and reach out to everybody, not just the Italian community, and let them know we are here."
In addition to serving all fresh, organic ingredients and homemade pastas, Costanza plans to offer live music in the evenings ranging from Italian to jazz.
Robert Cancellieri, owner of the building that will house the restaurant, said he was happy to speak on behalf of Costanza's new venture and thinks it will be a good thing for the town.
"This man has the batting average. He's been in the business before. It's not like some novice coming along and tackling something that he's never touched before," Cancellieri said to the commission. "I think people will like to come to a No. 1 Italian restaurant."
Commissioner Susie Nagpal agreed, adding that she would like to see a vibrant Village and the restaurant could help with that.
"I think it will enhance the Village and enhance the pedestrian character of the Village," Nagpal said. "We should encourage that."
In addition to the authentic food, commission chairwoman Linda Rodgers said she sees a unique niche for the restaurant.
"I've always thought that Saratoga might have a market for people who wanted to have coffee and desert and maybe listen to a little music after the other restaurants close. It gets pretty quiet in Saratoga after 10 p.m.," Rodgers said.
