New Italian restaurant opens
Classic Italian dishes at new restaurant
Italian cuisine is being served up in Schuylerville at new local restaurant Geppetto’s.
Geppetto’s recently opened at 120 Broad St. in Schuylerville’s downtown district, and local diners are discovering the new dinner-only restaurant.
Classic dishes from the northern and southern regions of Italy - including Chicken Cacciatore, Fettuccine Alfredo, Pasta Bolognese, Veal Parmesan, Eggplant Rollatini, Seafood Fra Diavolo and Delmonico Steak - are all on the menu at Geppetto’s, along with a full bar featuring an extensive wine and beer list.
Owned and operated by Amelia Wistuk of Hoosick Falls, Geppetto’s is Wistuk’s first restaurant endeavor. After working in the business for several years, the business school grad decided to take an entrepreneurial leap when she learned the Broad Street space was available. Its former inhabitant Clark’s Steakhouse recently relocated to 1 Ferry St. in Schuylerville.
“Honestly the opportunity just kind of came along,” the Cambridge native said on why she opened Geppetto’s. “It’s a great location. It’s a great town. It’s a great building.”
Wistuk wasn’t always sure she wanted to have her own restaurant, she said, but when the opportunity presented itself and she had a great chef on board, she decided to go for it. Chef Tom Riddler, formerly of Mangino’s Ristorante on Saratoga Lake, can now be found in the Geppetto’s kitchen, where he prepares madefrom-scratch sauces along with a large menu full of Italian delicacies. “He was interested and people seemed to like the idea, so I kind of ran with it,” Wistuk said.
Along with Riddler’s experience cooking this type of fare, Wistuk thought an authentic Italian restaurant would be a welcome addition in the village of Schuylerville.
From the classic Italian music to the personable service to what’s on a customer’s plate, “We really want to create a genuine experience,” Wistuk said. “We are really focusing on an expe-
rience of your dinner. You are coming to sit down and enjoy things, whether you’re out with family or on a date. We’re not about turning tables over. We’re about sitting down and having a nice glass of wine with your meal and enjoying it. We want people to feel comfortable and have a nice time.”
Looking ahead, Wistuk’s goal for the new restaurant is simply to keep growing. In just the first few weeks open, Geppetto’s has already gained some regulars. “I’d like to create more of those,” she said.
With more new people walking in the door every day, that goal seems achievable. “The response has been great. I’m thankful for how supportive everyone’s been. I’m shocked, honestly, how supportive everyone from this community has been. It’s a really nice feeling. This town has a great sense of community,” Wistuk said. “I’ve just received an overwhelming amount of support. It’s amazing.”
Geppetto’s is open from 4 to 9 p.m. six days a week, and is closed Tuesdays.
More information about Geppetto’s is available online at geppettosrestaurant.com or the restaurant’s Facebook page.
A ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening celebration is to be announced.
Geppetto’s can be contacted by calling 518-6955500. Reservations are accepted.