Russos open new restaurant

Bennie Scarton Jr.

Thursday, April 19, 2007

For the past 25 years, Joe and Josie Russo have operated a restaurant in the Gainesville area, Joe's Pizza and Subs along with others in the Warrenton-Manassas area.

They have become widely known through the years for their real Italian food and friendly service.

Wanting to expand their facilities, the two sold their old original establishment in Gainesville last year and opened Giuseppe's Ristorante Italiano in the heart of Haymarket six months ago to offer homemade Sicilian-style cooking.

The new location offers banquet possibilities and/or catering for groups of up to 150 in the large dining room and up to 50 in the small dining room. On weekends, these rooms are open to romantic dining with Saturdays showcasing a strolling guitarist.

The main floor features a family dining room that seats 90 people and a full service bar which "takes you out to the ballgame" with Yankee memorabilia from the early '30s and keeps customers gaming needs occupied with Golden Tee and Megatouch.

"Our main goal is to be able to offer the community a touch of Sicily by making authentic Italian dishes using only the freshest ingredients," said Josie Russo who with her husband were both born in Italy and came to the United States in 1976.

They use no fillers, additives or preservatives, cook with olive oil and want to bring all of their customers food that not only tastes good but is good for them. They make their own multi-grain bread as well as homemade sauces, pastas and baked specialties.

Having a menu consisting of only the freshest chicken, seafood and veal dishes, other items include their popular Neapolitan style pizza and subs. They also offer appetizers, baked turnovers, salads, soups and Italian desserts such as homemade Canolli, Tiramisu and Profitarole.

Joe Russo's most requested dish is the Lobster Ravioli with rose sauce and other popular dishes include Gnocchi a la Vodka, Tortellini Tre Colore, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Chicken stuffed with Crabmeat, White Lasagna, Shrimp Fra Diavolo and Fettuccini Adriatico. All entrees are served with a choice of homemade soup, garden or Caesar salad.

When the weather warms up, the couple is looking for their first spring session to accommodate their customers "al fresco" dining on the front porch of the two-story brick structure in the historic town.

"Customers will be able to watch the action, the sunset, and their neighbors pass as they enjoy a glass of wine and dinner," said Josie Russo.

Prices on the menu range from $7.95 for pizza to the juicy prime rib at $18.95. The restaurant is at 15120 Washington St., and is open everyday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. The restaurant is available for club meetings, wedding rehearsal dinners, sports banquets, corporation lunches and the like. There is plenty of parking around the facility. For more information, call (703) 753-1004.

"Stop by and say hello, and on your next visit you won't be a stranger -- you will be our new friend," said Joe Russo, who handles the kitchen chores while Josie does the managing and marketing.

Josie, who has been running Joe's Restaurant at Bealeton for the past year, has sold it and returned full-time to the place "where my heart has always been in the Gainesville/Haymarket area."