One-year anniversary celebrated by DaFranco & Tony

One-year anniversary celebrated by DaFranco & Tony
Photo by Edwin Soto

A Pelham Bay restaurant recently celebrated its one-year anniversary.

On Thursday, December 3, DaFranco & Tony Ristorante, an Italian and seafood restaurant located at 2815 Middletown Road, held a party to celebrate its one-year anniversary and the acquiring of a full liquor license.

The restaurant offered an open bar to all of its customers to celebrate the important moment.

They also offered seating in the outdoor patio area in the back of the restaurant, which was not completed at the time of last year’s grand opening.

The restaurant now seats an additional 20-25 customers. In total, the restaurant can seat 75 customers.

DaFranco and Tony, which opened on the same day last year, offers a wide variety of delicious cuisine and a romantic atmosphere for those in the neighborhood who don’t want to travel to Arthur Avenue or City Island to enjoy great Italian food and/or seafood.

“The customers have said that the restaurant has an exciting atmosphere – but now they’re saying it’s even more exciting because of the recent improvements that have been completed,” said co-owner Frank Strellci, who moved to the United States at age 17 after he was born and raised in Kosova.

“We are very proud of our one-year anniversary – and it was a great feeling to receive the support that we did from the community,” he added.

“This restaurant is an excellent and exciting addition to the neighborhood that provides a great experience for its customers,” said president of the Throggs Neck Merchants Association Stephen Kaufman, who was present during the celebration. “The owners are charitable, knowledgable and their food is terrific.”

“In my opinion, this is one of the best restaurants that the Bronx has to offer, and I’m very happy I was able to celebrate their one-year anniversary with them,” Kaufman added.

The opening of the restaurant last year marked the second eating establishment that the brothers Frank and Tony Strellci operate on Middletown Road.

Frank’s Pizza, just up the block, opened 15 years ago.

Reach Reporter Steven Goodstein at (718) 260-4599. E-mail him at sgoodstein@cnglocal.com.