©2018 Saratoga Photographer.com
By Jennifer Farnsworth
Geppetto’s restaurant at 120 Broad St. in Schuylerville is now part of the downtown landscape and a place to have an authentic Italian meal.
The restaurant offers dishes like scampis, steaks, and chicken francaise. Owner Amelia Wistuk said since opening earlier this summer, they have already established a crew of regulars.
“The reception has really been great. We have been busy with both new customers and many who return,” said Wistuk.
The space, which was formerly Clark’s Steakhouse, is just the right size, according to Wistuk. She said she took about two months to make some cosmetic changes to the decor, including painting.
She became open to the idea of becoming a restaurant owner after having worked in the industry in some capacity for many years. She was working as a substitute teacher and had toyed with idea of becoming a full-time teacher, but felt unsure about the it. She then had the opportunity to open up Geppetto’s, and it felt like the right choice.
“The space opened up. I had the perfect chef for the job, and it just seemed like the right time,” she said.
“I myself am not Italian, so I couldn’t use my name. I thought of Geppetto from the movie “Pinocchio,” and it just seemed to fit. It’s a name that people will remember,” said Wistuk.
Wistuk said chef Tom Riddler, along with about 15 other employees, prepare everything from scratch, including sauces for dishes like penne with vodka sauce. She is keeping everything as homemade as possible and aims to keep the menu authentic and fresh.
Geppetto’s is open from 4-9 p.m. Wednesday through Monday, and is closed on Tuesdays.
More information, including menu choices is available at geppettosrestaurant.com. Geppetto’s can be contacted at 518-695-5500 and reservations are accepted.