New ideas and respect for tradition sit side by side at Donny G’s, 7308 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park.
Starting in December breakfast is served at this Italian ristorante and bar.
In the past, breakfast was a Sunday exclusive, but now you can come and get it daily, except on Mondays when the restaurant is closed. An extensive morning menu is complemented with rotating specials. Service starts at 8 a.m.
“The breakfast menu is extensive!” Mary Jane Muccianti, assistant to the general manager, said. “We have fresh squeezed orange juice. I think that’ll be a draw.”
Crepes, waffles, skillets, pancakes, omelets – the sizzle and smell of breakfast never fails to wake the senses. You have until 2:30 p.m. to rise and shine. The lunch menu overlaps with breakfast starting at 11 a.m.
“Our neighborhood regulars will be here first, but we hope that word of mouth will spread, once people taste the quality,” said Muccianti.
And word does get around. Donny G’s staff is proud that people come back, even from afar.
“I’ve seen people on vacation from Arizona, and they will come in because they’ve been here before or their relatives bring them in. And we have a lot of people from out of state who come here because they have fond memories of the place,” said Muccianti.
On Sundays, breakfast gets the extra treatment with entertainment from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Music to diner’s ears.
Speaking of music, the restaurant has both a dining room and a lounge area where dinner is also served on Friday and Saturday nights. The vibe feels straight out of a movie with live singers and a DJ keeping it smooth and elegant. Dec. 13 will feature the singing group Jersey Girls. And New Year’s Eve will pull out all the stops, featuring Anthony Frank Cassano and his tribute to Frank Sinatra. Dinner and a show.
Weekly lunch specials span salads, sandwiches and lunch portions of seafood delights, such as whitefish and salmon. Dinner specials change weekly chasing what is freshest and best of the season. Drink specials round out the goodness: Tuesdays it’s $7 martinis; Wednesdays $5 glasses of house wine; Thursdays 1/2 off bottles of wine.
The wine list is an extensive tour of Italy’s wine producing regions, along with several other stops along the U.S. west coast and points beyond.
Holiday catering is a mainstay at Donny G’s.
“Serving the best, without the exhaustion,” Muccianti said. “This gives you the energy to enjoy your party.”
No matter whether you are eating a hearty breakfast, feeling the swing on the weekends, or remembering the good old days with friends and neighbors, Donny G’s commitment is to customers. Muccianti has great admiration for the manager, George Diamond.
“He spares no quality. He takes pride. He stands at the kitchen. Every night he watches the food go out. He’ll say, ‘Mary Jane is everybody happy?’ And he’ll walk up to every single table to make sure.”
Know before you go
Website: donnygs.com
7308 W. North Ave., Elmwood Park
Tuesday – Thursday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Monday: Closed