The Fried Mozzarella Cheese ($13.49) is breaded with Italian breadcrumbs paired with tomato and pavia sauce and is served with garlic bread. (Courtesy Pallotta's Italian Grill)
Founded by George Pallotta in 1994, today Pallotta's Italian Grill is known for its fresh Italian cuisine and family-oriented environment. Along with several staple dishes offered, owner Phil Nicosia said the eatery offers monthly special featured items.
The history
Over 30 years ago, George Pallotta, founder of Black Walnut Café, established Pallotta's Italian Grill as a family eatery under the name Sghetties. Pallotta owned the restaurant for 15 years before offering to sell it to his long time employee, Nicosia.
Although Nicosia said it was never in his plan to become a restaurant owner, the industry came naturally to him from the time he started working at a local mom and pop pizza joint at the age of 18.
After years of being in the industry as a pizza maker, line cook, server and eventually manager, Nicosia took ownership of Pallotta's Italian Grill in 2009.
While Nicosia preserved the eatery's name, he converted the environment to be more family friendly and added a happy hour program, a kids-eat-free program, a new cocktail menu and revamped the menu to include some of his own dishes.
Pallotta's Italian Restaurant is family-owned and operated by Phil Nicosia, along with his two daughters, Emilia and Isabella. (Courtesy Pallotta’s Italian Grill)
What's special about it?
As a local staple in the Oak Ridge North area, Pallotta’s Italian Grill collaborates with neighboring businesses to create monthly specials. Notable collaborations include CorkScrew BBQ, for which Nicosia developed brisket ravioli, and Hotline Pepper Products, which inspired the restaurant’s Garlicky Greengo Pasta.
Throughout the years, Pallotta's Italian Grill has named several of its dishes after its longtime guests such as The Benjamin, a cajun spicy shrimp pasta, and The Alexa, named after the original owner’s daughter.
In addition to its Italian offerings, Nicosia said Pallotta’s Italian Grill added a magic show to its services over four years ago. Held once a month, customers can enjoy an Italian dinner and a magic show hosted by local magician Harry Maurer for $60. Each ticket includes a magic show along with a $20 food credit.
La Chac La Bread ($9.99) features an Italian flat bread, is made with honey sweet dough, basil pesto, garlic, cheese, mozzarella and spicy Italian sausage crumbles. (Courtesy Pallotta's Italian Grill)
Craving Italian cuisine?
With a 97% scratch-made cuisine, Nicosia said Pallotta's Italian Grill offers house-made sauces, pizza dough, artisan garlic bread and pasta imported from Italy.
Must have menu items offered include:
La Chac La Bread, an Italian flat bread, is made with honey sweet dough, basil pesto, garlic, cheese, mozzarella and spicy Italian sausage crumbles.
Creamy Tomato Basil Soup is made with cream, tomato, basil pesto, chicken broth and topped with croutons.
Lasagna is made with thin sheets of pasta, layered with bolognese meat sauce, spices, mozzarella, ricotta, tomato sauce and Pavia sauce
Number Eighty Four, made with steamed vegetables, sun-dried tomatoes, peppered bacon, olive oil, garlic, basil pesto, Pavia sauce, cheese and rigatoni pasta.
Pallotta's Italian Grill also offers a separate healthy menu, designed for health-conscious individuals who want to enjoy Italian cuisine as well as gluten-free and vegetarian options.
“It's more of a healthy option ... I feel that we've made that possible with quality ingredients and a nice size portion that's not overly large and a price point that's not absurd,” Nicosia said.
This fall customers can look forward to its pumpkin cheesecake and its staple Italian style meatloaf in December.
