By Myles Ma
After moving to America from Ecuador in 1982, Genaro Gonzalez worked at many different restaurants serving various cuisines. But when he wanted to open his own, he chose to open an Italian restaurant.
Gonzalez admired the way Italian food created interesting combinations of ingredients and coupled them with fresh pasta. He and co-owner Rosendo Gonzalez (no relation) try to bring that ideal to the table at their restaurant, the Positano Grill.
For Genaro, it is the second Italian restaurant he has owned, while Rosendo has worked in Italian restaurants for 12 years. The two say they use only brand-name Italian products to produce their food, which is a mixture of seafood, veal and pasta dishes.
Their patrons are split between the younger crowd, many of whom attend nearby Rider University and the College of New Jersey, and an older crowd that sits down for full meals. Genaro said there are discounts for both students and seniors.
The lunchtime crowed prefers the restaurant’s selection of sandwiches and paninis, especially the grilled campagnolo, which includes grilled chicken breast, roasted red peppers, provolone cheese, creamy pesto mayonnaise and baby lettuce. Genaro said he liked the fact that the restaurant could cater to different crowds — his previous restaurant didn’t have a pizzeria.
“We can serve to everybody,” he said.
The pair bought the restaurant in June 2008, and didn’t change a thing. That’s exactly what their customers wanted, Genaro said.
In that time, the two have established the restaurant as a good place to have important meetings. Genaro said Mayor Jack Ball and other township officials have conferred over plates of Italian food.
Rosendo, who goes by “Joe” to most people, said he enjoys talking to all the customers that come in. Genaro agreed.
“I appreciate the customers,” he said. “I appreciate the area.”
Many restaurants will turn away customers who wander in too close to closing time, but the two said they will happily serve anyone who walks in.
They are just as flexible with the food. Everything is made fresh to order at the restaurant, even if it isn’t on the menu.
Genaro said as long as he knows how to make it (and he probably does, given his long experience in restaurants) he’ll make it, provided they have the ingredients. A customer once asked him for chicken marsala with rice, and though it wasn’t on the menu, he gladly obliged.
The Positano Grill delivers and also has a catering service, which many companies in the area use.
The restaurant’s owners have put down local roots since moving to America. Genaro lives with his wife and two daughters in Hamilton, and Rosendo lives with his wife and two daughters in Trenton, though he is contemplating a move to Ewing soon.
Positano Grill is located in the Ewing Plaza, at 1980 Olden Ave. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (609) 671-9150.
Co-owner Rosendo Gonzalez stands with customers Jeff Appleson and Erin Biglin, students at the College of New Jersey. (Staff photo by Myles Ma.),
