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Homestyle Food, Festive Aura, Family Ties At Port Chester's T&J Restaurant

PORT CHESTER, N.Y. -- If you're looking for fine Italian dining and desserts, family-friendly ambiance and a festive meal, the newly reopened, expanded T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria is the place to eat in Port Chester.

Emilio Magnotta of White Plains on accordian and Tony Valenti of New City on guitar entertained about 200 guests during Wednesday's grand re-opening of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria.

Emilio Magnotta of White Plains on accordian and Tony Valenti of New City on guitar entertained about 200 guests during Wednesday's grand re-opening of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig
John Ruggiero of Mount Vernon and Ray Sassano of Hawthorne, co-owners of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria, which celebrated its reopening at a new, larger location Wednesday at 10 Pearl St. in Port Chester.

John Ruggiero of Mount Vernon and Ray Sassano of Hawthorne, co-owners of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria, which celebrated its reopening at a new, larger location Wednesday at 10 Pearl St. in Port Chester.

Photo Credit: Contributed/Mario Mirabella
It's all about family at T&J Restaurant. They've been in the dining business since the 1950s and are shown here with Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino who made a special guest appearance at Wednesday's grand re-opening celebration.

It's all about family at T&J Restaurant. They've been in the dining business since the 1950s and are shown here with Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino who made a special guest appearance at Wednesday's grand re-opening celebration.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig
A view of the main dining room at the newly-reopened T&J Restaurant. About 100 people can dine comfortably in the family-friendly restaurant/pizzeria.

A view of the main dining room at the newly-reopened T&J Restaurant. About 100 people can dine comfortably in the family-friendly restaurant/pizzeria.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig
The exterior of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria at its new location in Port Chester offers plenty of free parking in the lot across Pearl Street.

The exterior of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria at its new location in Port Chester offers plenty of free parking in the lot across Pearl Street.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig
Family and guests sang "tanti auquri a te Nonna" (Happy Birthday to Grandma) Filomena Ruggiero -- who is co-owner John Ruggiero's mother -- and then shared tasty cake with all.

Family and guests sang "tanti auquri a te Nonna" (Happy Birthday to Grandma) Filomena Ruggiero -- who is co-owner John Ruggiero's mother -- and then shared tasty cake with all.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig
A view of the intimate wine and beer bar at T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria in Port Chester.

A view of the intimate wine and beer bar at T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria in Port Chester.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig
Visitors to the newly-reopened T&J Restaurant are greeted by the roomy pizzeria as they enter off Pearl Street in Port Chester.

Visitors to the newly-reopened T&J Restaurant are greeted by the roomy pizzeria as they enter off Pearl Street in Port Chester.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig
Emilio Magnotta of White Plains on accordian and Tony Valenti of New City on guitar entertained about 200 guests during Wednesday's grand re-opening of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria.

Emilio Magnotta of White Plains on accordian and Tony Valenti of New City on guitar entertained about 200 guests during Wednesday's grand re-opening of T&J Restaurant and Pizzeria.

Photo Credit: Jon Craig

More than 200 people turned out for Wednesday's grand re-opening of T&J Restaurant in its new location at 10 Pearl St. 

After 26 years, T&J's moved its tiny, popular eatery from 227 Westchester Ave. to much larger facilities at the former Town of Rye Courthouse. There, T&J comfortably seats more than 100 people indoors, 60 people on an outdoor patio and caters to more than 100 guests in a fifth-floor penthouse banquet hall. 

After thriving at T&J’s Westchester Avenue location since 1990, co-owners John Ruggiero of Mount Vernon and Ray Sassano of Hawthorne decided to move to a larger location to accommodate their ever-growing customer base. 

The newly constructed restaurant offers a casual atmosphere where everyone is made to feel like family. In the Italian culture, food is love and with the help of Ruggiero’s mother, Filomena Ruggiero, and Sassano’s mother-in-law, Grace Vitiello, they create classic, family recipes, proudly passed down from generation to generation. 

Ruggiero’s and Sassano’s wives, Veronica and Gina, also play a special role by getting to know their customers personally and forming wonderful relationships. It’s truly a unique dining experience where every relative is part of the secret family recipe of amazing food and personalized service.

“Our family has been in the food business since the 1950s and we're excited to continue the tradition at our new location,'' John Ruggiero said. "We're able to offer our friends and customers, the same great food at the same great prices in a newly-renovated space."

Ruggiero also noted that there is plenty of free, convenient parking in the lot across Pearl Street as well as gelato and an intimate wine/beer bar.

T&J is a classic Italian restaurant that serves authentic, Neapolitan cuisine and gourmet pizza. 

"We set ourselves apart with our new pasta machine; which helps us make fresh, homemade pasta daily," Ruggiero added. 

T&J Restaurant’s new location also has delivery service, speedy takeout as well as a fifth-floor penthouse for private parties and special events/fundraisers.

Proudly decorated with their children’s/grandchildren’s photos, T&J has been a family-owned and operated restaurant for two generations. It has become a neighborhood staple in Port Chester and surrounding communities. 

T&J keeps the tradition of being a family-run restaurant, serving friends and customers a meal "just like Nonna used to make," Ruggiero said.

Earlier Daily Voice coverage of Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino's guest appearance at the grand re-opening can be found by clicking here.

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