Cocozza brings Italian fare to downtown

When you wander down South Main Street, you will notice that The Majestic Grille’s patio has been transformed into an Italian cafe. Red check tablecloths cover the tables. Red candles flicker on the tables. Italian music plays in the background, and twinkle lights light the area. Do we dare say, it almost feels like a romantic scene from the Disney film “Lady and the Tramp"?!

The Majestic Grille owners Deni and Patrick Reilly have launched a “ghost” restaurant out of the kitchen of their downtown eatery.

“The Majestic is more than just the food. It’s the whole experience – the building, the people, the bustle. If we couldn’t do all of it, we didn’t want to reopen,” Patrick said.

Cocozza, an idea simmering in the Reillys’ minds for years, suddenly became the solution to how to reopen in the middle of a pandemic. After a soft opening, the restaurant officially launches July 15.

Back in May, the couple thought they would launch Cocozza as a supplemental takeout-only business; but the rising COVID-19 numbers have deterred any interest in re-opening their indoor dining room.

The “ghost” dining concept will operate as both a takeout service as well as a pop-up patio restaurant. The menu is available for takeout Tuesday through Saturday evenings, and if the weather is nice, patrons can choose to dine al fresco on their reinvented patio. (In case you were wondering, the definition of a "ghost" restaurant is one that is takeout only with no dining room.)

The American Italian “red sauce” themed eatery finds its roots in the couple’s past.

“One of the reasons I married Patrick

JOE RONDONE/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Cocozza, a pop-up ghost restaurant, with American Italian fare from the staff at Majestic Grille, served from their Main Street downtown patio cafe Friday, July 10, 2020.

JOE RONDONE/THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL Cocozza fare is available for takeout or, when the weather is nice, for dining al fresco on the patio.