Story

Generations in the making.

In 1930 Arturo and Rita Paoletti arrived at Ellis Island with their children Maria and Luigi. They left Trisungo, their beloved town in the Marche region of Italy, with a shared vision- to create a better life for their young family. Initially the Paoletti’s settled in East Orange New Jersey and spent years working to realize the American Dream.

After relocating to Miami in 1951, Rita realized that their new home was a perfect spot for an Italian eatery. In 1953, with the help of Luigi and Maria, Rita’s vision became a reality and Paoletti’s was born. For the next seven years the restaurant saw continued success. They eventually outgrew their humble beginnings, so Luigi bought a historic Old Spanish style building in the heart Coral Gables in 1960. As his parents aged, Luigi, a visionary much like his mother, took over the family business along with his wife Gina and grew it to become one of the most storied restaurants in South Florida.

A devoted family man Luigi yearned to spend more time with his six children. It was that yearning that drove him to relocate Paoletti’s to Delray Beach in 1976. Back then Delray was a strictly seasonal destination, booming in the winters and deserted in the summers. This was an ideal setting for Luigi and Gina, allowing them to run the restaurant they so loved in the winters but spend summers with their children. In Delray Paoletti’s grew to new heights and within a couple years became one of the best known restaurants in Palm Beach County. It remained so beloved by many of our original customers it was a common occurrence to have guests from Coral Gables and Miami make the hour drive up to the new locale. This trek became affectionally known as the “Pasta Pilgrimage” to the restaurant’s original customers.

After only two years in Delray, Luigi suffered a heart attack and passed away unexpectedly, leaving Gina widowded at only 43. She made it her life’s work to carry on his spirit in everything she did. She balanced being single mother of six and the rigors of the restaurant business with grace and under her direction Paoletti’s saw continued success. It was her vision to open a second location in Highlands, North Carolina. On July 8th 1984 Ristorante Paoletti opened on Main Street and a new chapter began for the Paoletti Family. On opening day Gina cut the ribbon with guests from Coral Gables and Delray, who joked the “Pasta Pilgrimage” got a little longer. Right before the inaugural toast she said, “to see people that have dined with us for nearly 25 years, continue to support and travel hundreds of miles to do so is the most humbling experience of my life. Grazie, from the bottom of my heart, grazie mille.”

The heart and soul of Ristorante Paoletti has always been our guests and our family, and as Luigi and Gina’s kids grew they learned how to run the restaurant based on the same values that that made them successful.

To this day, the torch continues to be passed from generation to generation. Rita’s grandson, Arthur Paoletti represents the third generation as the current owner, and her great-granddaughter Gina is the fourth generation to take over day to day operations.

In an industry where a decade long run is considered a success, Paoletti’s has withstood the test of time having survived changing locations, recessions, and 13 presidents, one of which frequented Paoletti’s: Richard Nixon. What truly stood out about Luigi was his deep love for his family, his community and of course, his food. That spirit lives on today in everything we do.

LEAD STAFF

Arthur Paoletti
Owner

Gina Paoletti Cabrera
Director of Operations

Zac Vidic
General Manager & Director of Human Resources

Kyle Tarczynski
Beverage Director

Gina Paoletti Ametrano
Maître de Maison