TUES–SUN 9AM–3PM | 252 MAIN ST, CHATHAM, NJ 07928 | 973-665-8068
SORRISO KITCHEN
THIS IS US
Jimmy, Karen, L.J. and Nico Bellas
WELCOME TO SORRISO KITCHEN
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We serve a menu of creative, fresh, farm-to-table breakfast and lunch while serving the special needs community. That's our mission.
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Gathering around the table and sharing a delicious meal together is what we're passionate about.
Sorriso means "smile" in Italian. It's our son, LJ, who has Down Syndrome, who's been the inspiration for the restaurant. He brings a smile to everyone he meets.We wanted to create a safe place where LJ could work
and be a vibrant part of the community he lives in.
That was the dream of Sorriso Kitchen.
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It all started around the kitchen table
(as do so many important decisions in the Bellas family)
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Jimmy grew up in the family restaurant business on Long Island, NY. After marrying Karen, he changed careers by joining corporate America where he remained for 20 years. After telling the boys countless stories about the family business and talking about getting back into it one day, Nico said at dinner, “Let’s just do it already.” We looked at each other and realized Nico was right.This was the time.
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After that, everything fell into place. The just-right space became available, we received funding, found the perfect chef, staff and had an incredible ride ever since! Our food, talented chef Kevin Ortiz and attentive servers receive
rave reviews often. And folks love our mission.
Karen’s years as a Creative Art Director in advertising has served well in the redesign of the interior, logo and everything visual about the place. She also has a passion for cooking and feeding people. Her favorite feature is her custom designed wallpaper that welcomes guests to Sorriso. She feels that we eat with our eyes first so the decor should be as inviting as the food. It's all part of what makes guests smile while enjoying a delicious meal.
We' re celebrating our 7th year in downtown Chatham and are so grateful for the wonderful support
and love received for our little place. Thank you.
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SORRISO KITCHEN AND
REAL-LIFE JOB TRAINING
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On Mondays, Sorriso Kitchen is closed so that th erestaurant can serve as a teaching classroom for young developmentally disabled adults.
These classes provide real-life job training in service and hospitality and are facilitated by a professional Occupational Therapist, Rose Bagnara.
The goal is to offer these young adults a positive experience in a workplace where they are respected, accepted and encouraged as they acquire the job skills they need to become employed in the community.
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It’s just one of the many ways
we’re making the world a happier place.
Watch the video
to see the
graduates of our
training program
at work.
"The meaning of life is to find your gift, the purpose of life is to give it away." -Pablo Picasso
"We're all given gifts.
Impact the lives of others with yours.
You never know what gifts you can unlock in them.
And then, they can give them away."
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-from Karen Bellas' TEDx Talk