When not in the kitchen, owner and chef Giuseppe “Joseph” Trama can often be found greeting customers with a smile as they enter Amici Ristorante Italiano in Friendswood.

However, Trama said he prefers not to think of these people as customers but amici, or friends.

“I decided when I came over here I want this place to be homey,” he said. “I want people to come over and feel like it’s their place. I want them to come see me as a friend.”

A native of Sicily, Trama opened Amici in March along with three childhood friends. Trama said he plans on buying their shares by the end of the year to run the restaurant with his cousin.

The seafood fettucini ($16) consists of crab meat, shrimp and scallops in lobster sauce. The seafood fettucini ($16) consists of crab meat, shrimp and scallops in lobster sauce.[/caption]

Trama’s venture into the food service industry began at a Pennsylvania pizzeria only a few years after he moved to the U.S. and finished high school. It was not long before Trama realized it was the right job for him.

“I fell in love with the restaurant business right off the bat,” he said. “The only bad thing is I didn’t like the weather over there.”
After bouncing around as an employee for eateries across four states for more than 35 years, Trama settled in Friendswood to begin his fourth Italian restaurant venture. In addition to chefs he worked under, Trama said he credits his cooking abilities to studying different recipes and practices.

“I was always fascinated with the kitchen, and I wanted to know more,” he said. “Besides the skill that I [gained] working for different chefs, I want to learn more. Books are what the secret is.”

Still, Trama continues to go to a familiar source when trying to perfect traditional Italian favorites: his mother. He said he prefers to keep the same recipes as when the meals were first created.

“Why change [the recipes?] Those are the dishes that made us Italians,” Trama said. “Even though [the dishes] are 100 [to] 150 years old, people still love the way they are. [Old cooks] perfected it, it’s not for me to change.”

Trama said he begins his workday around 8:30 each morning and shuts down Amici whenever the last patron decides to leave. In between, Trama said he likes to visit with those in his restaurant to ensure they feel comfortable.

Dishes at Amici feature homemade pastas and sauces that Trama prepares daily. The restaurant also offers more than 30 types of wine, most from Italy or California. Patrons may customize any item on the menu. For example, a customer can choose a sauce or pasta that is normally not part of the dish.

“I’m here to please,” Trama said. “That’s the bottom line.”

Amici Ristorante Italiano
709 W. Parkwood Drive, Friendswood
832-569-5736
www.amiciristoranteitaliano.com
Hours: Mon.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.