Trattoria de Simonetta
There really isn’t an easy way to describe Trattoria de Simonetta, which opened Tuesday in Easton. So I’m just going to try to get it all out in one shot. It’s a community deli-Italian-Lebanese-Spanish-Puerto Rican-pizzeria-Internet cafe-ice-cream parlor with a menu borrowed from a famed South Philadelphia hoagie shop. By the way, did I mention they’re bringing back classic baked goods from Schubert’s Bakery in Nazareth?
Street cred:
Phillip Simonetta ran Simonetta’s Cafe on Broad Street in Philadelphia, which was recognized by the My Fox Philly Hotlist as the Best Hoagie Shop. But in July, when Simonetta’s rent tripled, he brought his concept and his food back home to Easton.
Simonetta brings a host of deli faves like his
hot roast beef
(served smothered in gravy and melted provolone) and Lebanese classics, while co-owner Mariana Willett is cooking up her favorite family Spanish and Puerto Rican recipes like rice and beans and coconut flan.
Launching pad:
The storefront is no stranger to Italian delis, having previously housed Giacomo’s Italian Market and Grille, which has since moved to College Hill in Easton.
Giving back:
The duo is ambitious — planning to give out 150 hot turkey platters to families in need on Thanksgiving Day, only a few days after opening.
"Right now, people you wouldn't even think of need a warm plate,"
Willett says. They hope to challenge Easton restaurants and businesses to do the same next year.
What's in a name?
Trattorias in Italy have standard menus but offer a plethora of daily specials, Simonetta says. They’ll also be serving up homemade soups, freshly squeezed seasonal juices and ice cream. Their paper-thin-crust pizzas are cooked in a stone oven and use dough imported from Sicily, whole tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, garlic and peppers.
Meal steal:
Their recession special offers a hoagie, soda, chips and mini cannoli for $7.99.
Insiders eat:
S-2
(dry-cured capicola, provolone and prosciutto) — 6-inch $5.25, 12-inch $7.25;
Simonetta's Famous Upside-Down Pizza
— $9.99;
Empanadas
(choice of ground beef, shredded chicken or Swiss cheese and caramelized onions) — $2;
Fresh Mozzarella Balls
— $2.99;
Homemade Hummus
—$4.99;
Tostones
(12 fried plantains) — $4.99;
Rice and Beans
— $3.99;
Italian Tuna, Mozzarella and Roasted Red Pepper Wrap
—$5.75;
Cannoli
— $1.50;
Cuban Tart
(pound cake stuffed with guava or pineapple paste in the middle) — $2.50 for a square, $20 per tray.
Sweet start:
Early morning customers can expect fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, bagels — all recipes that Willett’s mother-in-law will be baking from memory from her days working with Ernie Schubert, former owner of Schubert’s Bakery in Nazareth.
Hours:
7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Breakfast served 7 to 11 a.m.