An Inside Look At Bruno’s Success
Danny Napolitano isn’t just the General Manager of Bruno’s, he’s the second generation of his family to be involved in the restaurant. With his parents owning and operating restaurants in Portland for pretty much his entire lifespan, Danny knows the community, knows the industry and has played a big role in establishing Bruno’s role in the Portland food scene in recent years.
Bruno’s In The Community
As he explains, Bruno’s is a special place for people in Portland for several reasons – and though the food is important, it’s not the only reason people gather at the popular Allen Avenue restaurant.
“Bruno’s has been a meeting place for friends and families for decades. Generations of families have been coming here to have a quality meal, a drink at the bar, to celebrate a birthday or even to grieve a loved one. We have always had a strong bond with our neighbors,” says Danny.
Recognizing the significance Bruno’s has for many in the community, especially longtime Portlanders, Danny and his family also make every effort to give back. Bruno’s sponsors local sports teams and does fundraising for schools and other charities.
Bruno’s also offers opportunities to people through employment; many local teenagers can cite Bruno’s as their first job, and others have found long-time careers at the restaurant.
“We are almost always hiring and willing to train people who may have little to no experience,” explains Danny.
Their local relationships also help make the food delicious and build the sense of community at the restaurant. “Bruno’s and the Napolitano family have built many relationships in the Portland area. It is our pleasure to cultivate and grow these relationships,” Danny says.
And Of Course, It’s About The Food, Too
The Napolitano family takes great pride in serving homestyle, authentic, freshly prepared Italian foods to guests at Bruno’s. With the recent addition of Bruno’s Pasta Company, they’ve also made Bruno’s favorites available for customers at retail locations around southern Maine. What makes the food from Bruno’s so special? For Danny, it’s a combination of several factors – getting products from local vendors, making items from scratch and tweaking recipes until they’re just right.
Looking for a meal recommendation for a holiday meal at Bruno’s this year? Take it from Danny – “Try the beef ravioli filled with prime rib and served in a balsamic reduction. Enjoy it with a glass of Angel’s red wine sangria.”
Need a convenient holiday meal? Danny’s suggestion is the eggplant parm. “It’s one of our most popular dishes and it’s now available in Hannaford.”
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