talians are known for celebrating life and transforming strangers into friends. Sal is very passionate about holding true to that Italian tradition and strives to see a smile on everyone that crosses his path. Italians naturally excel in the restaurant business, they believe that food made by family and friends help us all get through the good times and the bad.

"Comfort food," is just what Sal has brought to his neighborhood pizzeria. His pizzas and Italian dinners reflect heritage and recipes passed down from generations. Sal believes that Italians truly live a romance with food.Generations of Italians raised Sal, whether it was playing as a child in his cousin’s pizzeria or working in family restaurants. Sal learned the most experience from helping a childhood friend, Jack, open Café Portofino. His friend managed many high profile Italian restaurants in NYC, and asked Sal if he would like to join him.

Sal was up for the challenge and today Café Portofino stands as a four star NY Times restaurant. Sal helped create the unique personality and atmosphere of this New York gem and when he decided to open his version of a Saint Simons café, he wanted to bring the same authentic ambiance of Café Portofino. Sal wanted to make his pizzeria the neighborhood place to be.


al spent many Sundays with family and friends of his neighborhood cooking and competing for love at first slice. His parents were each the youngest of ten children, making weekends at Sal’s more of a gourmet showdown than a family dinner. This Italian household taught Sal that good service and friendship will make any recipe a knockout.

Sal owes much of his success to his friends and of course, his wife. Lisa shares Sal's passion for food. Lisa spent many days in the kitchen working on the family recipes while the kids were at school. At night, Lisa and Sal would invite everyone from his neighborhood over to enjoy dinner and a "taste test." It was not until Sal wanted to return to boxing that Lisa gave the go-ahead for a new pizzeria, and the rest is history!