A restaurant featuring the likes of lasagna, calamari and pizza? That's Italian. Making such traditional favorites with an old-world flair? For Lakeville residents Nina and Mario Pelagalli, that's amore.
Casa Nostra Pizzeria & Ristorante Italiano opened Feb. 1 in the Heritage Commons development in Lakeville. It is the Pelagallis' maiden voyage into the restaurant business, but they are confident their focus on homemade traditional recipes will prove to be a welcome addition to the dining scene south of the river.
For years, the Pelagallis said, dinner guests at their home have urged them to open an Italian restaurant. For Nina, a former flight attendant, and Mario, who comes from the information technology field, the timing finally felt right.
"I went to my 20-year reunion in July" at Richfield High School, Mario said, "and a friend I have known since kindergarten inspired me to do it. He was telling me all about the restaurant he opened about a year ago. He said it's not that hard to do, so I decided to give it a try."
Casa Nostra is Italian for "our house," and the Pelagallis have opened the door to their interpretation of what Italian food is all about. Their menu combines the recipes Nina and Mario enjoyed while growing up in their respective "big Italian" families.
Mario's parents are from Rome and moved to Minnesota in the 1960s. Nina is a native of Venezuela, but her father is Italian. She moved to Minnesota 10 years ago.
When considering names for the restaurant, the Pelagallis at first strongly considered Cosa Nostra, which is Italian for "our business." But it's also a phrase associated with the Mafia.
"My parents didn't like it," Mario said. Thus the change.
