Phil started in the restaurant business at 18 years old working at a local mom and pop pizza/pasta joint. Phil was raised, as many Italian children are, with a strong sense of family. Good homemade food was the central theme that brought them all together. Gender plays no role in his family when it comes to food as all children in the family are taught how to get around the kitchen. So, his transition to food, family, and friends as a career choice was no surprise to those who knew him. His first 5 years took him through all the positions in the restaurant from pizza maker, line cook, prep cook, server, manager, and everything in between.

Phil then moved to his second job, as a General Manager at a “chain” Italian restaurant, for another 5 years. This helped teach him the other side of the restaurant industry, where mass production was the focus, rather than food. Although he excelled in his position, he felt that he had lost what brought him into the industry at first, a love of people and exceptional food. After hearing good things about another local family-owned restaurant, he went to work at Pallotta’s Italian Grill, formerly called “sghetties”. This is where he found his home and has been since 1999. Under the tutelage of George Pallotta, Phil learned even more about the restaurant business and how the focus should always be on the quality of food and service, rather than focusing on numbers and percentages. Phil embraced the “Be Guest First” mentality that George always practiced and continued to become more passionate about food and service as the years went on.

In January 2009, after many years of managing the restaurant, Phil, and his wife Heather, were given the opportunity to purchase the restaurant. They are keeping all the wonderful traditions of serving great Italian food, along with adding their own take on things. As a result, they updated the menu and décor, also adding new weekly specials and a daily happy hour. Phil loves to get creative in the kitchen and is always adding new specials to the menu. However, you can always count on all the dishes that made them a success in the beginning. Recently out of a desire to be healthier for themselves and their daughters Emilia and Isabella, Phil and Heather came together to create their Healthier Options menu so others can enjoy success with weight loss and still enjoy delicious food. The positive response from regular guests, as well as new patrons, has been overwhelming.

The next time you are in, you will probably see Phil… greeting guests, taking food orders, or making sure everyone is enjoying their visit at Pallotta’s. If not, then he is probably in the back cooking your food! Heather is currently a teacher at a local elementary school but from time to time, you will see her helping out in the dining room or on caterings. Emilia & Isabella also help with catering and Emilia is a hostess, when needed.  Isabella wants to go help her daddy out whenever allowed and can't wait to get in the kitchen.