Chef Camillo Tortola has returned to the area dining scene.
Two years ago, he closed his popular Camillo’s Café in the Princeton Shopping Center when the center’s new management raised rents significantly. While mindful of the following he had at his Café, he determined it was time for a change.
Rather than rush into another venue, Tortola considered his options. After exploring several locations, he has moved to Pennington to renovate and revitalize the former Avanti restaurant in the heart of downtown. Opened in November 2015, Camillo’s Ristorante Italiano features his signature style of traditional cooking.
“I am an old school chef. I cook food that is meant to be savored, not merely admired,” Tortola says. “Ninety-eight percent of what I serve is homemade. I select my produce, meats and fish myself. I pick my own fish from the Fulton Fish Market to ensure that it is a fresh as possible. Any ingredient that I cannot get directly, I import straight from Italy.”
Tortola and his new team state that they are dedicated to bringing the venue back to the high level of cuisine for which it was originally known. With a new, lower priced menu, Camillo’s Ristorante Italiano is positioning itself to be the destination of choice for diners seeking a distinctive meal at a reasonable price, any day of the week.
When discussing his style of cooking, Tortola emphasized his dedication to the contribution each distinct ingredient brings to a dish.
“The symmetry of the presentation focuses the eye on the food. You dine for the taste, the feel, the aroma, not for some architectural construction on a plate. The best food speaks for itself. It does not need a server to give you a lecture on why you should like a dish,” he says.
Tortola’s style focuses on the entire dining experience.
“The pasta is hand-made every day. I want to create the old-world atmosphere of the local trattoria, a destination that lends itself to the pure enjoyment of good friends and great food. Bring your own wine and linger over dishes, served family style,” he says.
Camillo intends to offer premium meats and fish specials routinely on the menu.
The renovated space on West Delaware Avenue has been opened up with bright, butter yellow walls, rich wood floors and exposed beams. Open seven days, except Sunday mornings, for lunch and dinner, the space has been designed to accommodate wedding receptions and other private events for up to 100. The catering menu is custom designed to individual preferences.
Classically trained in Italy, Tortola has spent years refining his personal approach to food by traveling and cooking all over the word. Known for his distinctive recipes, he supplies a number of local area restaurants with his hand-made pasta.
Camillo’s Ristorante Italiano also offers catering for events both on and off site. They have already catered meetings for local companies like Merrill Lynch and Bristol-Meyers Squibb, among others.
The grand opening is scheduled for April 8. The public is invited to BYOB and enjoy complimentary canapes. Reservations are preferred.
Camillo’s Ristorante, 23 W. Delaware Ave., Pennington. (609) 737-7174.
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