Goodfellas is a family affair
The small-town atmosphere and friendly residents of Milton played a big role in Ralph and Donna Colone's decision to open a second restaurant in the town June 13.
Located at head of the Broadkill river in the former location of Norma’s Restaurant and, most recently, the Broadkill Boathouse, Goodfellas is an Italian restaurant offering an assortment of homemade Italian favorites.
“We're were looking for another place, and we liked the town,” Donna said.
“The people were nice and friendly,” Ralph added. “It's a very good location.”
The Colones moved to Delaware 11 years ago and opened the original Goodfellas location on Route 26 just east of Dagsboro. Donna said a supportive customer base has helped the business thrive, and they hope the residents of Milton will embrace the restaurant the same way.
“The place in Dagsboro is pretty small, but the people - they just love us,” she said. “We go out and socialize with the people. They even come up here to see us.”
The menu features traditional Italian entrées, including hand-tossed brick oven pizza, stromboli and lasagna. The Colones also offer a few seafood dishes, such as shrimp scampi and mussels marinara.
“We're into Italian 100 percent,” Ralph said.
Before opening for business, the Colones remodeled the kitchen and dining room to make it more attractive and inviting to guests. They decorated the walls with Italian-themed artwork, including a faux movie poster of the 1990 Martin Scorsese film “Goodfellas” with Ralph photoshopped in with stars Robert De Niro and Ray Liotta. The restaurant also features a patio for outdoor dining and a full bar.
Ralph said he's happy with the way the restaurant has been received so far.
“We're already getting a lot of repeat customers,” he said. “So far everybody's happy with what they've got.”
Ralph has worked in the Italian restaurant industry for 38 years, starting at a restaurant in New York City in the early 1970s. He moved to New York City in 1969 from Abruzzi, Italy, and worked three years in construction before moving into the kitchen.
He later opened restaurants in Pennsylvania before eventually opening his first Delaware restaurant in Fenwick Island, where he spent one summer.
Goodfellas is located at 122 Mulberry St., and is open daily from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. For more information, call the restaurant at 302-684-3111.
