Just imagine the Pastabilities


Since its opening in 1988, Luigi Vitrone’s Pastabilities Restaurant has always been cited as "The Little Jewel of the new Little Italy" and also as one of the very few restaurants in the Brandywine Valley where one can savor the authentic and uncompromising regional Italian cuisine that chef/proprietor Luigi Vitrone has made famous and affordable to all.

This fine restaurant, along with its founder, Luigi Vitrone of Brooklyn, New York, has received many enthusiastic reviews from prestigious newspapers, magazines and trade publications on the East Coast.

From Luigi’s humble beginnings through today, his many affectionate patrons return to Pastabilities seeking the wide variety of homemade pastas, milk-fed veal, fresh exotic fish, fresh seafood and wild game selections, when in season.

Luigi’s fine restaurant also boasts a great reputation for its homemade desserts, impeccable service, great and affordable wine selections, and his world famous romantic, cosmopolitan and intimate ambiance under the stars.


  • Gift certificates are available for purchase. Who wouldn't want one?
  • Carry out is available, and so are reservations. Call (302) 656-9822
  • Small parties welcomed, and fed well.
  • We can open on Sunday and/or Monday, with a minimum of twenty people, (and 1 week notice)
  • We have a full liquor license! Carafes of house wines, half carafes, or by the glass, and full bottle.
  • We try to meet any dietary or religious requests.
 
Pastabilities was a real find. The food is excellent and is hand made by Luigi Vitrone, the owner and chef. He has captured the spirit of an Italian trattoria, with very reasonable prices and the feel of being a guest at a friend’s home.

Dave L (A Happy Customer)

 

About Chef Luigi Vitrone



Luigi Vitrone was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York with a butcher and store keeper for a father and grandfather, and his mother's parents were restaurateurs and "non participators of prohibition".

Luigi grew up in the food world and had early exposure to the mechanics of the business. At 7 years old, he began working in the butcher shop, and then in the restaurant by twelve. He quickly realized that his "first love” was the kitchen and the magic that really happens within.

Upon high school graduation, a "Bon vivant" provided a private scholarship for Luigi to attend the much reveled Culinary Institute of America (CIA) in New York. Working full time during his enrollment at the CIA, he graduated with high honors, perfect attendance, and much ambition. Luigi was offered his first "chef" position in 1977 in a popular east coast restaurant. Prior to this, a chef mentor had arranged for him to work on an Italian cruise line, namely the "Michael Angelo", and sister ship "Raffaella". Not wanting to leave his friends, Luigi's father told him "you will regret this decision all your life”. Forty years later, Luigi still agrees with that advice!

In the late seventies Luigi teamed up with former CIA alumni and friends to establish five restaurants in the Baltimore and DC area. There were stellar write ups in the Baltimore Sun, Forbes magazine, Playboy magazine, and Esquire magazine.

Returning to New York in the early eighties, Luigi opened "Bon Vivant" in New York. It featured French and Italian cuisine in a former family butcher shop. That restaurant was featured on television, day time talk shows, and won many local and regional awards.

Luigi arrived in Wilmington, DE in 1988 to open "Pastabilities". He strives to offer great, authentic Italian cuisine, affordable to all. This has always been his mission statement.

Luigi and his eponymous restaurant have garnered many awards over the years. Some highlights:



  • All local publications cite us extremely favorable.
  • Recipient of "Corner Stone of Community" twice.
  • President of "Italian American Press and Radio Media”
  • Instructor at Wilmington University "Italian history,heritage and culture”
  • Rated top one thousand restaurants world wide by Italian Ministry of Forestry and Agriculture
  • Initiated "urban farming” at the Rispoli reservoir in Wilmington.
  • Spokesperson for the "Premier Veal Company" in New York.
  • Recipient of many medals gold,silver,bronze in culinary hot and cold food competitions.
  • Several community awards from the state of Delaware House of Representatives, and City Council initiated.
  • Been a guest on WHYY tv shows, Best of Delaware, and Food Network.
  • President of Little Italy, LINA (Little Italy Neighborhood Association)
  • President of "Hands Across the Delaware River”
  • Recipient of "Distinguished Citizen" by James Baker
  • Started an apprenticeship program in Baltimore County
  • Chairman for US senator William Roth’s re-election campaign, "Italian Americans for senator Roth”
  • Had “Wilmington's Little Italy" inducted and filed into library of congress and placed on Rand McNally maps.
  • President of "Luigi V LLC " consulting and design group.
  • Owner of Luigi Vitrone’s Old Skool Antiques an Collectibles.
  • Last but least eternal student of the late, most reverend, Father Roberto Balducelli. Peace!