By By Adrienne McKenzie
Atmore's Italian cuisine lovers will no longer have to drive to Pensacola or Mobile to taste scrumptious breadsticks, salads or pastas. Stephanie Pinto is bringing Pintoli's Italian Cafe to town for those who crave an Italian feast.
Pinto said she and her restaurant partner Kimberly Davis plan to open Pintoli's the first of December and that she is thrilled to be in Atmore.
"We have a restaurant in Satsuma," Pinto said. "About a year ago, Atmore residents started coming. Everybody said that I should come take a look at Atmore and I finally decided that I would. I came and look and decided that I love Atmore, it's beautiful."
Pinto said Pintoli's will provide a nice and welcoming atmosphere for Atmore residents. The restaurant will focus less on pizza, although it will have 10-inch pizzas. It will have all Italian entrees, plus more, Pinto said.
Pintoli's will eventually cater parties and will have a takeout option.
Pinto is the sole owner of Pintoli's in Satsuma, but thought it would be a good idea to have a partner for the Atmore location.
"I've had Pintoli's in Satsuma for eight years," Pinto said. "But, I chose to take a partner here. I like an owner to be at one of the establishments. So, there will always be an owner here."
When Pintoli's opens, Pinto plans to bring in some of the Satsuma employees, but will also be looking in Atmore for workers.
There will be a bar, which will have beer and wine products.
Pintoli's will be located on South Main Street, where McElhaney's Restaurant &Grill used to be. Pinto said there will be some renovations done before the restaurant opens in December.
"We plan to keep the brick and the restored ceilings," she said. "We will put a couple's room in, which will be our white linen section. We have one in Satsuma and a lot of anniversaries and proposals happen there. That will be the only place for reservations. The main dining room will not have reservations."
Pintoli's will be open tentatively Mondays thru Thursdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. until 9 p.m. and Fridays from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.