Donnie Scalessa Reopens Café Scalessa’s in Wilmington

Here’s one thing Donnie Scalessa wants you to know about the new version of Café Scalessa’s in Wilmington: Over the year it was closed, he and main man Richie Katz worked hard at improving the food—and we thought it was pretty darned good in the first place. All stocks—veal, chicken, clam—are homemade from fresh ingredients. Mozzarella is made on site. And still favorites from the old Scalessa’s remain: calamari with red pepper gravy, Sunday gravy, the incomparable meatballs and the famous butter cake. “I’m really excited about the food,” Scalessa says. “The flavors are very broad now.” The space has been brightened a bit with subtle lighting and a new palette, and a new sound system boosts the Mob hits (Sinatra, Dean Martin, etc.) that the regulars love. Speaking of regulars, they’re back in droves. The restaurant is currently open Wednesday through Saturday, but if business keeps trending upward, “we might have to add another night,” Scalessa says.—Mark Nardone