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EATONTOWN -- I’ve been here 25 years, said Joe Scotto, owner of Illiano’s Café, located at One Corbett Way, Eatontown, New Jersey.
What brings people back?
“The whole experience,” said Scotto, adding he’s pleased that Illiano’s is such a unique eatery.
The BYOB, Italian/American restaurant is located in Eatontown Industrial Park, and Scotto said he provides catering for many of the park’s companies. Orders from a large pharma company in the park have increased over the years, while business from smaller companies also continues to grow. (Lunchtime delivery is available to the office park and the whole local area, Monday thru Friday).
Scotto said that he does a great lunch business because of his location near the numerous offices and businesses. Some of those customers even return the same day to pick up dinner take out or to grab a slice of pizza.
Illiano’s Café is also open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, offering a superb menu, including various chef’s specials. Asked about Saturday hours, Scotto cited reservations: “We open at 4:00, often filling up the reservation book – (because) people don’t like to wait for a table.”
Scotto specified that he’s closed to the public on Sundays, except for Mother’s Day. (And, this year, since both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve fall on a Sunday, the restaurant will be open for dinner).
Otherwise Scotto opens on Sundays for private gatherings, so events can be booked such as baby showers, birthdays, christenings and even wedding receptions.
Asked how he learned to cook, Scotto said he started as a dishwasher and worked his way up. “They taught me well,” he said of his extensive on the job training in the USA with various NYC chefs. Moreover, when he visits his hometown of Napoli, in Italy, Scotto is on the lookout for interesting dishes, though he never seeks recipes, preferring his own versions.
“Excellent service is one thing I feel we can pride ourselves on here,” said Lisa Padula, who manages the front of the house staff. The many positives, such as, ‘The service staff is always friendly,’ and ‘We feel like family when we eat here’, are what brings our customers back, (in addition to the excellent food, of course!) she said.
“I started working (at Illiano’s Café) 25 years ago, and stayed several years, and recently returned a few years ago, when I was looking for a second job”, Lisa said. She said some of the same customers from 25 years ago still come weekly for dinner.
“Competition is a good thing… the more restaurants that open the better,” said Scotto, adding that it’s good to see other local establishments pop up, though he said he’s seen a few close after a year.
The facility sports an outdoor patio with seating for more than 16, at four large tables that were recently repainted to create a new energy.
This year more patrons than usual sat outside in the evening since conditions permitted, noted staff.
While Scotto cherishes the classics, he takes pride in reinventing traditional Italian dishes.
Current popular specials include: Pork Osso Buco over risotto with a touch of red sauce, and a seafood dish with lump crab and little neck clams served over Angel Hair pasta. However, new ones are introduced regularly.
Though there is a page of specials on the menu at any given time, on top of these, there are blackboard specials, which are rotated weekly.
“The reason I’m in this business to begin with is for the customers,” Scotto mentions– and that will never change, he told NJNewjersey.com. reporters in an exclusive interview.