The Cornwall Local and The News of the Highlands continues its monthly series on food and beverage establishments in the area.
Name of establishment:
Leo’s Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria.
Date opened:
Memorial Day, 1981.
Owners:
Leo Maniscalchi and his sons Danny, Gasper, and Frank.
Why did you get into the restaurant business:
Danny: My father’s passion was serving the public with making pizzas and establishing a business. My brothers followed suit. I was the outcast. I pursued a career after getting a degree in computer science. Once the third restaurant was opened, I left the corporate world and joined the family world again.
How did you get your start:
My father was partners with his two brothers-in-law. In 1971, they opened up a restaurant, in the Town of Newburgh, called “Roma Imperial.” It was right next to Alexis Diner. Roma Imperial was a big success. They were going to branch out and make many Roma Imperials, instead they split. One brother-in-law took it. The other brother-in-law left and went to Beacon. My father left and went to Cornwall. In 1996, 15 years after we opened, we expanded the dining room into the [pizzeria].
Do you own any other restaurants:
In 2003, we added Leo’s in the Town of Newburgh on Route 300. In 2006, we opened up in Wappingers Falls, in Stadium Plaza, across from Dutchess Stadium where the Renegades play.
We also opened up a tequila restaurant, in Beacon, called Baja 328. That happened four years ago. It was an experiment and it worked. We got the idea when we were going to see our parents in Florida. Near Borden Beach there’s a place called Delray. In Delray there are many tequila restaurants. We just tried doing a tequila restaurant, just like Delray has and it was successful. We have southwest food, as well as a variety of tequila.
How did the restaurant get its name:
Roma Imperial was very successful and the key to Roma Imperial was Leo. Everyone knew Leo with his big moustache and smile. Whenever people came to Roma Imperial, they yelled out, “Leo, Leo.” He felt that’s the name it should have been.
What type of food do you serve:
Southern Italian. Our crust is a thick crust, but we can always accommodate anyone’s desire. We have Sicilian, specialty pizzas, chicken, veal, an enormous amount of pasta dishes, both classic and new, and seafood.
What are popular items on your menu:
Eggplant and Veal Alla Leo’s.
What is your signature:
Our specialty is penne alla vodka and Zuppa di Pesce (which is an assortment of fresh clams, mussels, shrimp, scallops, lobster tail sautéed with garlic and fresh herbs prepared in a marinara sauce).
Why should visitors to the Hudson Valley stop at your restaurant:
Our food is outstanding. The service is above and beyond. We treat everybody very close. We always look at the customer as if we were the customer. We treat people like we want to be treated. We are always giving to the community. We are always helping one another, especially autism in April. Leo’s has given over $100,000 to autistic children. Between giving, food quality, and service I feel that everyone should come to Leo’s.
Location:
Cornwall Plaza, Quaker Avenue
Hours:
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 2 to 9 p.m. on Sunday.
Phone number:
845-534-3446