Full Belly American Bistro builds on Casa Amici tradition
Casa Amici has always been a place people identified as “that restaurant that looks like a gas station” at Wescoats Corner outside Lewes.
But it’s much more than that, said owner Chris Parziale.
Casa Amici opened in 2010, and Parziale bought into the business in 2012. With the recent departure of his business partner, Parziale said he thought it was time to take the next step, and Full Belly American Bistro was born.
“We’re not a seasonal restaurant,” he said. “We know the locals, and we know them by name. We know their families and their dogs. We have a very personal connection with our clientele, and we’re just looking to grow on that and attract people who don’t hear about us through word of mouth.”
But word of mouth has worked out pretty well so far. Even without advertising, Parziale said, business has grown about 20 percent every year for the last five years.
The lunch rush is a big part of the restaurant’s business.
“The line is to the door most days,” said Gregg Breeding, Full Belly Bistro’s general manager.
With subs, sandwiches and pizza, the lunch crowd draws people across the spectrum of the work force who are looking for a quick bite to eat.
To speed up the process, Breeding said, a new POS system will soon be introduced, including an option for online ordering.
Most of the lunch menu items people crave will still be available when the switch to Full Belly Bistro begins Jan. 1.
Where the big changes will occur is the dinner menu. For several years, Casa Amici has been working with a limited dinner menu and a chalkboard full of nightly specials.
“I’m taking what has been so popular on the board and putting it on the menu,” Parziale said. “Now people will have those choices on an everyday basis versus walking in or seeing our posts and wondering what we have that night.”
Breeding said the change been a long time coming.
“Trying to survive on specials alone is difficult,” he said.
Breeding said he also believes the changes, including the new name, better represent the staff and what they do for customers.
“We now have a brand that accentuates what we do as a restaurant,” he said. “We’re a different type of environment because we have to be. We have to find a draw because nobody’s going to come to an old gas station unless they hear about us through word of mouth.”
The staff’s personalized service adds a little extra to the ambiance, Parziale said.
“We’re trying to be a little more fun and light,” he said. “Our customers want to talk to us. The personal connection we have with our customers is really our main draw. They thank us when we should be thanking them.”
“I even have customers who say ‘I love you’ when they leave,” added employee Jasmine Ortiz.
Breeding said the loyalty the restaurant gets in return is incredible.
“We see some of the same people in here for lunch every day,” he said. “We have a guy named Dave who’s been coming in here for seven years every night because his doctor told him he needs to eat salmon.”
He rides his bike to the restaurant about 7:45 p.m. about five nights a week, and the kitchen staff prepares the salmon a different way each night, just for him.
“Dave calls it his mystery salmon,” Breeding said. “We call it Dave’s special.”
They also deliver to several homebound seniors regularly. Delivery is available up to seven miles from the restaurant.
Parziale came to the Cape Region from New York. Born and raised in the Bronx, Parziale spent 17 years as a commodity trader. He always had a love for cooking and finally made the leap in 2012 when he became a part owner in Casa Amici.
“I saw the future of [the restaurant] and the potential,” he said. “We’re starting to realize our goals. Now, I’m trying to turn it into more of a dream than a goal.”
Parziale has a vision for Full Belly Bistro, and the recent changes are just the beginning of a grander plan, he said.
Full Belly Bistro, 3711 Wescoats Road in Lewes, is open daily at 11 a.m. for lunch and dinner. To learn more, go to www.casaamicilewes.com or call 302-645-6211.
