Baltimore County's beloved Scittino's Italian Marketplace is stretching its family roots into a new territory. The Catonsville staple has fed the neighborhood with authentic Italian fare for over half a century and is slated to open its doors on Falls Road soon. The sibling establishment, located just a stone's throw north of the buzzing Baltimore city line, promises to give the Scittino family more space to unveil a menu ripe with Southern Italian delicacies that until now couldn't be accommodated in their original location.
The expansion comes with a twist—diners can expect to shop for Italian goods, dine in, and enjoy hot meals complemented by a curated selection of Italian wines. Franco Schittino, taking the helm of the family business, hopes to "spread our wings and share what we do with a broader audience." This eagerness was evident as Schittino outlined plans for dishes like tomato-based pesto alla Trapanese and his grandmother’s unique take on eggplant parmesan, as reported by The Baltimore Sun.
First opened in 1973 by Schittino's grandparents and father as a grocery store and butchery named Sorrento's, the original location underwent various transformations to adapt to the community's changing needs. The new spot, positioned at 6241 Falls Road, will feature 42 seats and an outdoor patio for those who enjoy al fresco dining. According to WMAR-2 News, the new establishment will reflect a version of Scittino's that is more in line with the future vision of the family legacy.
To facilitate this future, Scittino has enlisted the aid of seasoned professionals John Klaus and Brad Black, both former employees of The Prime Rib Steakhouse in Mount Vernon. Klaus is set to curate the wine and beer portfolio, while Black will oversee the front-of-house operations. With a liquor license recently approved, Franco Scittino aims to officially open the new chapter of Scittino's in about a month.
