A Trattoria with Sicilian Soul Food Genusa’s Restaurant
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OR 50 YEARS GENUSA’S ITALIAN Restaurant has been serving the Monroe area a blend of Italian and Sicilian favorites. The restaurant was founded on being a small, comfortable, family restaurant and that still holds true to this day. Genusa’s is now pleased to announce that the third generation, their first grandchild, Ashley Genusa, has joined the team. That’s Ashley with a capital “A,” as bold and brave as the characteristics she embodies. Between caring for her three rambunctious canine children and managing the wait staff, bookkeeping and payroll for Genusa’s, Ashley’s capable hands are definitely full! Genusa’s is ecstatic to keep family tradition and values alive with this newest addition. With this cornerstone under their belt, the Genusa family will continue as usual: pounding garlic, dicing onions, making meatballs and memories, and serving their
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fabulous customers with love. A few years ago, a guest chef from Florence, Italy arrived at Genusa’s to find an eager staff ready to absorb and learn some traditional cooking methods. As they began to help her prep for the chef’s dinner, the chef soon realized that Genusa’s culinary style more closely resembled the Sicilian style instead of traditional Italian. Since then, Genusa’s has happily identified their cuisine as “Sicilian Soul Food.” “We love our heritage, our tomatoes, garlic, onions, and our garlic bread! This will never change at Genusa’s!” Cherry and Francis Genusa started this trattoria and wine cellar 49 years ago and as the business grew, so did the family. They could not be happier to have three talented Genusa women to carry on the family business for them. Ann is a master of all trades, often working in the kitchen and on the service floor, when she is not running
the Coffee Bean. Rachel fine tunes each and every plate that comes out of the kitchen and regularly flexes her innate culinary skills by constructing truly amazing foodwine pairings. Ashley works to constantly improve service and to bring the guests the most pleasurable dining experience they can offer. She is now learning from Pop & GG as Ann and Rachel have before her. Maybe one day this quaint favorite of Monroe’s natives will add another generation to the restaurant business but until then, they will continue on together, doing what they do best – cooking with love and a healthy dose of laughter. Genusa’s is Now Serving Family Feasts “To Go” Stop by and pick-up a Family Feast menu at 815 Park Ave. in Monroe, or feel free to call in an order at 318.387.3083.