Mama mia,
great food at the trattoria
by Melissa Masar
July 2006
For the past 70 years, the Strologo family has owned and operated
the Trattoria Strologo in the center of Camerano. From spaghetti bolognese
to coniglio alla cacciatora (braised rabbit) to a chilled carafe of
vino bianco (white wine), the meals served at the trattoria are homemade
dishes from this Italian family’s tradition. |
|
Loyal patrons give Trattoria Strologo a healthy
business during both lunch and dinner. Photo by Patrick Weatherly. |
The current trattoria owner, Gianfranco
Strologo, has been working for the family business since 1975. He
became the “true boss,” as his sister Matilde, refers
to him, after their mother died in 2001.
Although Matilde says family involvement working at the trattoria
is complicated, all seven children in the Strologo family have lent
a hand. “A little contribution is given by everyone,”
she says.
The current family contribution comes from Matilde as the cook and
brother Roberto as waiter, after his retirement from restoring rugs
in the nearby city of Ancona, Giancarlo Strologo runs the family
business and wait on customers as well.
|
| Paintings
and old photographs of Camerano line the paneled walls of the trattoria,
located in a distinctive triangular-shaped building at one end of
the Piazza Roma. Conversations hum throughout the room at lunchtime
where patrons sit at tables draped with white linen underneath the
white and red-striped paper napkins inscribed with Buon Appetito.
While a liter of white wine and water are placed on the table, the
dishes of the day, which are chosen by Matilde, are conveyed to
patrons.
White wine is readily
available in a carafe. It comes from the Silvestroni
Winery, about 20 kilometers away. Giancarlo Strologo claims
red wine is also offered, in bottles, but not commonly ordered
because it is more expensive. However, some customers--and
others in the community -- say the trattoria does not serve
red wine because the owners think that spilled wine would
stain the white tablecloths.
While the Trattoria Strologo is not the only trattoria in
Camerano, the long-standing family business attracts regular
customers as well as tourists. The trattoria, according to
Strologo, mainly serves people from Camerano and visiting
salespeople.
Matilde says the seasons also affect the business. During
the vacation periods in the summer, people do not work and
go to the beach with their families. In the winter, the trattoria
becomes busier, serving many groups of customers.
While the Trattoria Strologo serves dishes of the Italian
family tradition, the business does not serve dessert. Fruit
is served, but not traditional desserts. When asked why he
does not serve dessert, Giancarlo Strologo responds, with
shrugged shoulders and a laugh, “Because it’s
a trattoria!”
Strologo also describes service at a restaurant as a luxury
and more refined than at a trattoria. Although a trattoria
is less expensive than a restaurant, the menu is more limited.
Although a wider variety of meals cannot be found at Trattoria
Strologo, a selection of dishes of Italian family tradition
will always be served fresh, homemade and delicious. |
|
The Trattoria is located at the end of Piazza
Roma. Photo by Patrick Weatherly. |
|
Matilde
Strologo is the genius behind Trattoria Strologo's many delicous
dishes. Photo by Patrick Weatherly. |
|
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