Villaggio Gastro Italian Announces New Ownership

Successful Atlanta Restaurant Group Refreshes Decatur's Casual Italian Eatery

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Sep 21, 2015, 06:00 ET

DECATUR, Ga., Sept. 21, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Villaggio Gastro Italian announces new ownership, interior updates and an updated menu. Partners Eddie Johnson, Costanzo Astarita, Mario Maccarrone, co-owners of Midtown's Publik Draft House and Baraonda Ristorante and Bar, and newcomer Alin Cruceanu, are the new owners of Decatur's casual Italian gastro eatery. Enhancements to the menu, and both the interior and exterior of the restaurant, demonstrate the new ownership's commitment to serving the Decatur neighborhood with authentic Italian dishes in a rustic and relaxed dining environment.

Villaggio Gastro Italian's new menu includes classic pastas, pizzas and entrees, such as Margherita Pizza, Strozzapreti and Pollo Parmigiano. The new team focuses on quality Italian fare, making all dishes from scratch and in-house, utilizing ingredients from regional farms and suppliers. Villaggio Gastro Italian offers lunch and dinner, along with a Sunday brunch. Villaggio Gastro Italian also features an expansive, partly-covered patio, where locals can enjoy a fresh meal, specialty cocktail, Italian wine or craft beer.

"Expanding our reach to the Decatur area is an exciting step for us," says Eddie Johnson, co-owner of Villaggio Gastro Italian. "Our executive chef, Costanzo Astarita, and business partner Mario Maccarrone, hail from Capri and Sicily, both coming from families with a love of cooking. They both have many years of restaurant experience under their belts and truly understand authentic Italian cuisine. We look forward to serving this neighborhood and offering quality Italian fare to Decatur."

Grazie Hospitality Group Strengthens Atlanta Presence

Johnson, Astarita and Maccarrone are the managing partners of Grazie Hospitality Group, parent company of Villaggio Gastro Italian, Publik Draft House and Baraonda Ristorante and Bar. Publik Draft House is a boutique gastropub located next to the Fox Theatre, and known for its original menu items such as the Duck Quesadilla and Korean Kimchi Chicken Wings. Baraonda, also located within walking distance from the Fox Theatre, offers adventurous and hearty Italian dishes and premiere wines.

Villaggio Gastro Italian is located at 1355 Clairmont Road, Atlanta, GA, 30033. It is open Monday – Friday for lunch, 11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. and dinner, 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. Saturday dinner hours are 5:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m. and Sunday brunch is available from 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. For more information, visit www.villaggiogastro.com.

About Villaggio Gastro Italian

Villaggio Gastro Italian is a casual Italian eatery, offering traditional and fresh Italian menu items, specialty cocktails, craft beers and a robust wine menu. Part of the Grazie Hospitality Group portfolio, Villaggio Gastro Italian is owned by Eddie Johnson, Costanzo Astarita and Mario Maccarrone, and offers classic Italian pastas, pizzas and entrees. For more information, visit www.villaggiogastro.com.

SOURCE Villaggio Gastro Italian