WPCNR MAMARONECK AVENUE AMBLER. By John F. Bailey. March 29, 2004: Famiglia, an immigrant success story, opened at Mamaroneck Avenue and Martine Monday, and donated all of Monday's proceeds (not just profit), to the St. Agnes Children's Hospital in White Plains. The family owned business that has 9 stores in Manhattan and occupies choice New York Gateway locations Newark Airport and LaGuardia Airport, and is the official pizza served in Yankee Stadium gave media freeloaders a taste of the Famiglia difference.
A REPORTER'S REPORT: Freeloading scribes sampled slices of Pizza Fresco: a delicious tomato and basil combination on ricotta Monday noon at brand new Famiglia on the Mamaroneck & Martine crossroads. Two out of two journalists agreed Famiglia's crust is light and tasty, ingredients full-bodied, and seasoned to perfection. "Best Pizza crust I've ever had," said Jim Benerofe of suburbanstreet.com. The difference: their crust is made with pure virgin olive oil imported from the Frosinone region of Italy (between Naples and Rome). The tomatos are from California, the sauce home made. There is no lard or vegetable oil in the dough, and you can tell because it leaves no greasy, fatty patina on your fingers.. The restaurant, one of whose owners, Dad Tony Kolaj lives in White Plains, opened Monday and turned over all Opening Day receipts to St. Agnes Children's Hospital. They are open 10 AM to 10 PM. They also serve a full 18" Large Pizza for just $18. Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.
RUSTY SCISSORS: George Gretsas, the Mayor's Executive Officer commented the Mayor's opening day ribbon cutting scissors were getting worn out from the number of openings Mayor Joseph Delfino is presiding over lately. Right to left at Monday's Famiglia Opening are: John Kolaj, Chief Operating Officer, Paul Kolaj, (red shirt) President of Famiglia-DeBartolo, Mayor Delfino, Pascal Daka, (in hat) uncle to the Kolaj sons, his sister, Jane, and Rosa Kolaj, their mother, whose name appears on the Famiglia Extra Virgin Olive Oil that makes their pizza dough so outstanding, and Theresa Romano of the Mayor's Office, (holding the ribbin.) Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.
QUALITY CONTROL THE DIFFERENCE: Famiglia owns 27 stores around the country. John Kolaj (of Armonk) told WPCNR that in order to maintain the "New York taste," New York water is shipped to all their stores nationwide to use in Famiglia pizza dough. Tomatos are imported from California. His brother Paul, President of the chain said that the firm was recently joined by the Dibartolo Corporation, which is now a 50% partner in the operation. The Dibartolo family owns the San Francisco 49ers football team, and Eddie Debartolo, Jr., became familiar with the Famiglia taste when introduced to it at George Steinbrenner's luxury box at Tampa Legends Field where the New York Yankees train. The Famiglia brothers ran into the Debartolos again at a national restaurant convention in Las Vegas, had some talks and Mr. Debartolo bought half the business. Kolaj said that Debartolo told him that the taste of Famiglia and its concentration on original Italian ingredients "reminded him of family," and that was a major factor in persuading Mr. Debartolo to partner in the business. Paul Kolaj added that the firm has plans to expand to university markets, too, they currently furnish pizza to Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.
Look for Mama Rosa's Extra Virgin Olive Oil when you vist Famiglia at Mamaroneck & Martine. Famiglia is open from 10 AM to 10 P.M., seven days a week, does deliveries, and may be reached at 328-4444. The website for the business chain is www.famousfamiglia.com. Photo by WPCNR GourmetCam.
