Saratoga Business Journal photo
By Helise Stamos
BuonaSera, an Italian restaurant, opened in Malta in July.
Owned by Jimmy and Danielle Hartwyk, it occupies the building that formerly housed the Nostalgia Ale House & Wine Bar on Saratoga Lake. The building was completely renovated by Jimmy and Kevin LaPorto, his uncle, who is a retired New York state corrections officer.
Jimmy, the executive chef, has 30 years of experience in the restaurant business. He and Danielle previously owned Biscotti Brothers Cafe and Saluti in Lake George as well as a restaurant in New Hampshire. Danielle is one of the hostesses in the new enterprise.
“What I love about running a restaurant is seeing people gratified by every plate I prepare,” said Jimmy.
The menu includes pan seared diver scallops over homemade grilled bread with pancetta, red onions and roasted peppers. There is also chicken francese, veal or chicken parmesan, sautéed muscles with red peppers, red wine and herbs.
Satma Guermraoui, a baker, is also on staff. She has been creating delicious cakes and pastries for diners.
The restaurant has seating indoors for 175 diners and 40 outside, weather permitting.
They also cater parties and weddings at times when they are not normally open.
The restaurant is open Sunday-Tuesday 4p-9p, Thursday-Saturday 4p-10p and closed Wednesday.
To view the complete menu go to buonaseraonthelake.com.