Hour Staff Writer

NORWALK — Vito Derario is back on the Norwalk restaurant scene. This time on the other side of town.

Derario, a veteran of the South Norwalk restaurant scene, opened Milano Ristorante last week in the County Mall on Westport Avenue. Milano Ristorante offers food from all regions of Italy for lunch, dinner and catering needs.

"I missed it very much," Derario said of his short hiatus from the restaurant business. "It's in my blood."
 

 

 

Milano Ristorante, which replaces Via Sforza Trattoria in the recently refurbished County Mall, is currently the Derarios only restaurant. Jimmy Patchen is another partner with Milano Ristorante.

Derario has been out of the restaurant business since he left Pelican in spring of 2006.

"It's great to have Vito back in the restaurant business in Norwalk," said Edward Musante Jr., president of the Greater Norwalk Chamber of Commerce. "Not only is he a great restaurateur, he's a great personality."

Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia said Derario has enough experience in the restaurant business to make his new place work.

"He's been around for while in the business and he's from Milan originally," Moccia said. "I'm happy he's here. He certainly has the business sense and there's a beautiful design to this restaurant."

Bethany designed the interior using "old world charm and earthy elegance" as inspiration. Milano Ristorante features a full bar and seating for about 55 people.

"We went back to the basics, like Cafe Milano," Vito Derario said. "It's a comfortable place. This is a great location with plenty of parking."

Milano Ristorante is one of several changes at County Mall. The mall, owned by M.F. DiScala & Company, recently underwent a complete exterior renovation. Also, Kai Fusion, an Asian restaurant in the mall, has closed and will be replaced next month by an Asian hibachi restaurant.