Marchitelli's Kiski Valley Inn
is a Best Kept Secret
by Karen Fetter
Are you still looking for that special restaurant that not everyone knows
about just yet? Then it is time to take a look in Westmoreland County's backyard
for what many say is Pittsburgh's best kept secret. That secret is Marchitelli's
Kiski Valley Inn located in Saltsburg, Pa. This Italian restaurant is about more
than just food. It's the atmosphere, the decor, the music, and the people.
According to manager Stacy Marchitelli, you will not leave disappointed.
"It's personal to me. I want every customer to feel welcomed, have good food,
good service, and enjoy our wonderful atmosphere," said Stacy.
To arrive, you make a turn off of Route 22 and weave through the wooded
landscape to reach Marchitelli's along Route 981 North in Saltsburg. (There are
directions on the website:
www.Marchitellis.net.) The drive will heighten your anticipation as you near
the restaurant. You are in for a treat and a night of relaxation.
Each booth and table has subtle privacy whether it's from the high back booths
or the grape arbor dividers. In addition, live piano or flute music is played on
the weekends. The atmosphere is friendly and inviting. Customers have even been
known to bring in their own photos to add to Marchitelli's collection of wall
decor. It really is a place for your family to be treated like family.
"One thing my family has always done is entertain family and friends and being
in the restaurant business makes sense for us," said Stacy.
The menu accommodates every taste with a wide variety of options for appetizers,
pizza, salads, soups, burgers, pasta, steak, chicken, and seafood.
Whatever mood you are in you can find the right item to satisfy your appetite.
And the best part is: the price is right, too, with items ranging from $2.95 to
$22.95. And because Marchitelli's is family-oriented, there is also a kids menu.
Marchitelli's was first opened in 1993 by Stacy's parents, Frank and Anna
Marchitelli. This was a dream come true for both of them. Prior to this Anna
worked at a dentist's office and Frank worked 35 years at the National Roll in
Avonmore.
The couple wanted to create a business that would be an investment for their
children, Stacy and Michael. Once they acquired the building and bar, they
decided it would be best to convert it into a dining restaurant because they
felt the Saltsburg area really needed a mid-scale family dining experience.
The conversion was a pleasure for the business duo. They had many ideas from all
of the restaurants they had traveled to and dined in over the years. Anna
especially loved to express her creativity in decorating the restaurant, which
has movie posters on the walls and grape vines on the ceiling.
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At Martichelli's appetizers include
items such as buffalo wings, nachos, warm and creamy shrimp, crab parmesan dip,
potato skins, deep fried green beans, and Asian pot stickers. Feature salads
include grilled sashimi-style tuna salad, crispy popcorn chicken salad, grilled
chicken asiago salad, grilled chicken spinach salad, Pittsburgh-style steak
salad, Jack Daniel's chicken salad, fajita chicken salad, and buffalo chicken
salad.
Pizza options include a Sicilian style with toppings like pepperoni, mushroom,
onions, green peppers, hot sausage, bacon, black olives, jalapeno peppers, and
anchovies. The burgers are all made of a quarter pound of angus beef in a wide
variety of options.
Pasta specialties stand out as one of Marchitelli's key menu items. Their
signature dish is the Italian Breaded Chicken Parmesan. And finally, the
chicken, steak, and seafood dinners are a perfect choice. One signature dish is
the garlic and butter marinated chicken breast. All dinners come with a choice
of two side items.
In 1995, manager Stacy Marchitell moved back to Westmoreland County to become a
part of the family business. Previously, she was a director of purchasing in the
computer software industry. She graduated from Davis and Elkins College in
Elkins, West Virginia with a B.S. in Management and an A.S. in Business
Administration.
Stacy has enjoyed learning the restaurant business and is thankful for the
support of the staff, especially the long-time kitchen manager, Judy Bonelli,
and evening manager Patty Gabrielson. Stacy feels that both have blessed the
restaurant and contributed to its success.
Since 2001, Stacy has stepped into being the general manager and operator. While
Anna and Frank may have retired from the business, customers can still find them
in on weekends chatting and having fun.
Consider making reservations at
Marchitelli's for weddings, anniversaries,
retirement dinners, birthdays, engagements, and showers. And now Mondays are
open for bookings of parties of 40 or more. For more information, visit
www.Marchitellis.net or call
724-639-9466.
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday
from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Sunday from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays are
closed except for private parties.
For more information,
visit www.Marchitellis.net or
call 724-639-9466.