This brand new restaurant offers homemade pizza, freshly baked bread and desserts imported from Italy.
A brand new Italian restaurant and pizzeria is preparing for its grand opening next week in Ormond Beach.
Profeta’s Trattoria, 1140 W. Granada Blvd., replaces the former Granada Family Diner and will open its first week of business at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 26, followed by a grand opening at 4 p.m. hosted by the Daytona Regional Chamber of Commerce.
Owner Robert Profeta, a Port Orange native whose family lives in Gaeta, Italy, is excited to open his first restaurant – which he is opening at just 22 years old.
The Embry-Riddle graduate, who also owns an auto detailing business, says he grew up with a passion for the culinary world, drawing influence from his grandfather, who owned a bar in Italy and a local restaurant in the ’90s, and the big weekend dinners his family has long hosted, where he would watch his nonna cook and eventually use his own skills in the kitchen.
Although Profeta says he always thought he would own a restaurant in the future, it wasn’t until the former location closed in July that he got the opportunity to pursue his dream. Despite his age, the restaurant owner says he has the passion and professionalism of generations within him, which he hopes to let speak for itself at Profeta’s trattoria.
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“Ever since I was a little kid, I always loved cooking and things like that. So I had a feeling that I would go down this path at some point,” Profeta said.
“…I want (the community) to know that everything will be handled in the same professional and organized manner as if any corporation were conducting the takeover.”
What to expect at Profetas Trattoria
Profeta hopes to create a true “Italian feel” in the 12,000-square-foot space, with a warm, family-friendly atmosphere in vibrant colors and hand-painted murals on the walls and ceiling, courtesy of local artist Chloe Bogicevic.
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As for the menu, Profeta says customers can expect a range of Italian classics and specialties from chef Jeff Miller.
“(Miller) has been in this business for 40 years. He’s from Philadelphia, but he specializes in Italian cuisine. He’s outstanding,” Profeta said. “We basically collaborated. I gave him (my recipes), he gave me his and we made something cool out of it.”
The new restaurant serves lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and offers a rotating daily special, including two lunch entrees priced at $8.99 – the special with soup, salad and bread and the Italian frittata, served with a choice of soup or house salad.
Seafood and steak platters are also offered, such as the chef’s Mahi and Godfather steak for dinner, as well as a variety of freshly made pizzas with homemade sauce and dough.
The choices include meat-lovers’ pizza, vegetarian pizza, margarita pizza and four-cheese pizza, as well as a sweet and savory “chef’s style” pizza.
“It consists of an oil and garlic base, sliced red onion, grated blue cheese, a dollop of fig jam, prosciutto, mozzarella, fresh basil and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar,” Profeta explained.
A gluten-free pizza with a cauliflower base will also be available, along with other gluten-free and vegetarian menu options.
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Other menu highlights include the Italian Pork Sandwich – thin, slow-roasted pork on a fresh Italian bun with turnip greens, spicy provolone and pork au jus, and Profeta’s special sauce – a creamy sauce made with sundried tomatoes and parmesan, served with your choice of protein and pasta.
Protein options include chicken, mahi-mahi or shrimp, while customers can choose from capellini, spaghetti, rigatoni, penne or fettuccine for their pasta.
“What really makes Italian cuisine unique, and Jeff would agree, is the basic sauce – the marinara. The way we do it, it will be a different style than I think what other places would do,” Profeta said.
“We’re going to keep it very traditional… in the culinary world, one of the most important things to know, besides chopping vegetables, is how to make a good sauce.”
All breads, from ciabatta and Italian loaf to the garlic focaccia served tableside, are made in-house, Profeta noted, and for dessert, the restaurant will offer a selection of homemade and Italian-imported sweets, including panna cotta cheesecake, tiramisu, cannoli and a weekly-changing gelato trio.
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As for drinks, Profeta’s Trattoria offers six beers on tap and several bottled beers, as well as 10-12 wines, including a house red and a house white, sangrias and mimosas. Coffee lovers will find everything from cappuccinos to espressos and Americanos, “the full range,” he noted.
Looking to the future with Profeta’s Trattoria
There will be live music in the restaurant at the grand opening – Profeta hopes to be able to offer this weekly in the future.
In the future, he plans to make the most of the spacious restaurant and host banquets and private events. The restaurant’s rear banquet room, which is expected to open in January, can accommodate an additional 100 guests, Profeta said, making it the ideal venue for large, upscale gatherings.
“I want to thank the community in advance for being so excited about the opportunity to open a new Italian restaurant,” Profeta said. “I really hope everyone is as excited as I am about living in this area.”
Profeta’s Trattoria is located at 1140 W. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach and is open daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., but hours are subject to change in the future. Reservations are welcome. For more information, visit facebook.com.
