Pizza & Pasta In A Place That Feels Like Family

The menu at Franco’s Pizza & Pasta in Sand Hill Plaza is far more extensive than pizza and pasta. The menu for the 35-seat restaurant includes chicken and seafood entrees, baked dishes, wraps, panini sandwiches, and grinders, as well as a special children’s menu. Owners Marcio “Santo” Dos Santos and Elizabeth Siemon (and 3-year-old Sophia) are dedicated to serving great food at great prices in a cozy atmosphere, they said, and they serve it all up with a smile.

Santo has been a chef for nearly 20 years, and designed the menu. Most of the ideas come from his “Nonna Maria,” who taught him to cook as a child. Elizabeth also comes from a food service background: her mother has owned a bakery and restaurant since Elizabeth was 6 years old, and her college major was hotel and restaurant management.

Franco’s is a family-oriented eatery — children are given crayons and paper plates to draw on, with the resulting artwork then displayed on the end of the pizza counter and on the soda machine — but Santo and Elizabeth recognize that when kids want pizza, their parents would often prefer a “real meal,” and here both preferences can be accommodated. “Parents can get a night out and their kids can get pizza,” noted Elizabeth. Franco’s does not have a liquor license, but guests are welcome to bring their own beer or wine if desired.

Situated at Sand Hill Plaza off of South Main Street, Franco’s is open seven days a week and serves New York-style thin crust pizza for eat-in or takeout; Sicilian-style is available for those who prefer the thicker crust. Pizzas come in four sizes, 12-inch, 14-inch, 16-inch, and extra large, with the prices for cheese pizza $7.75, $9.75, $12.75, and $13.75, respectively. Sicilian pizza comes in two sizes, small for $8.99 or large (16-inch) size for $16.99.

Santo’s pizza-making skills have achieved international recognition. He has participated in several pizza competitions worldwide, and along with Elizabeth, served as one of the judges for a pizza competition in Shanghai, China, five years ago. A previous participant of the Las Vegas pizza competition, Santo has already confirmed his place in that contest for March 2013.

Eighteen specialty pizzas — such as Fra Diavolo (pepperoni, hot cherry tomatoes, and Italian sausage), Hawaiian (ham and pineapple) chicken parmigiana, or veggie — come in four sizes, as well.

For those looking for a quick bite or snack, pizza can also be purchased by the slice.

Diners can also choose from an assortment of soups — all made on the premises — salads, calzones, grinders, wraps, and paninis, as well as full meals that include entrees, baked dishes, pasta specialties, and seafood. Everything on the menu is available for takeout. The full menu, takeout prices, and other information about the restaurant can be seen on Franco’s website, francospizzanewtown.com, and orders may be placed at the website, as well.

Food delivery is available within a five-mile radius for a $2 delivery change. Call for delivery hours. There is a $20 minimum order for delivery.

The appetizers offered include ten Buffalo wings with blue cheese; mussels sautéed in a garlic brandy sauce and herbs; bruschetta (fresh tomatoes and mozzarella, basil and olive oil on toasted bread); and broccoli rabe with sausage. The six soups are $2.25 for a cup or $4.25 for a bowl, served with bread. The eight salads come in small or large sizes, and can be turned into a meal with the addition of grilled or Cajun chicken.­

Thirteen grinders, nine wraps, and nine panini sandwiches give customers plenty from which to choose.

The chicken and veal entrees include a choice of pastas, a mini salad, and bread. Selections include the traditional Marsala, Francese, and parmigiana, as well as chicken Newtown (breast of chicken, mushrooms, sundried tomatoes, asparagus, sherry wine in a brown sauce with a touch of cream).

The baked dishes, such as eggplant rollatini and spinach manicotti, and the dozen pasta specialties are priced from $10.99 to $12.99. Among the pasta selections are tortellini Franco (sautéed mushrooms, ham, cream, and parmesan sauce), linguini Pele (grilled chicken, garlic, onions, and spinach in a parmesan lemon sauce), and spaghetti Elizabeth (sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, and asparagus in a light cream sauce).

There are also more than a half-dozen seafood specialties, including filet of sole, shrimp scampi, and calamari Luciana.

Weekly specials for soups, pastas, and salads are offered and special desserts are sometimes featured.

Catering is available for all occasions, public and private.

Franco’s Pizza & Pasta, dine in or takeout, is at 228 South Main Street South in Sand Hill Plaza. Open seven days a week, Monday through Saturday 11 am to 10 pm, Sunday noon to 9 pm; phone 203-270-3548 or orders can be faxed to 203-270-3596 or placed at francospizzanewtown.com.