Chatham Eatery That Supports Special Needs Opens

CHATHAM, NJ - After months of anticipation Chatham's Sorriso Kitchen, the restaurant that aims to serve up smiles while supporting those with special needs, has opened its doors for business and according to co-owner Karen Bellas the community has fully embraced them.

"It’s been going beautifully," Bellas said."The town is thrilled we’re there and enjoying the atmosphere as well as the amazing food."

For the Bellas family, husband and wife Jimmy and Karen and sons LJ and Nico, the opening of this particular eatery is a true passion project that is in the blood as her husband grew up in the restaurant business.

But it was their son, LJ, a 17-year-old born with Down Syndrome that really brought the concept of Sorriso Kitchen into focus.

"We always talked about perhaps someday opening a little place where the boys could work--where we all could work as a family," Bellas said.

And that is what sets Sorriso Kitchen apart from other restaurants. On Mondays Sorriso Kitchen will provide an opportunity to train young adults with special needs as it will be used as a "classroom" for education in service and hospitality.

"It dawned on us, why don't we offer it up to LJ's school to use as a 'classroom' for some real-life job training? This excited us as yet another reason appeared for why we had to open Sorriso," Bellas said. "We presented the idea to ECLC (Education, Careers & Lifelong Community) and needless to say they were thrilled. We will be meeting with them to plan a curriculum which we expect to begin early 2019."

Bellas said the choice to open at 252 Main Street in Chatham was a no-brainer, because this is the place they've called home for nearly two decades. Bellas noted that she was pregnant with LJ when they moved to town, and didn't know that he would be a child with special needs.

"There has been tremendous resources and support here for us. We love this town and want to help give it a boost," Bellas said. "Sorriso Kitchen will hopefully be an example and inspiration to other businesses to do the same. And we live close enough to walk to the restaurant."

Since opening the positive reviews on the place have been pouring in.

"An amazing breakfast this morning! Bacon, egg and cheese on a croissant! The best potato’s crispy with the skin on and well seasoned," Mary Marano said. "The coffee was perfect! Karen and Jim were friendly and so was the staff! Great job Nico! I will definitely go back to try more delicious options!"

Polly Currier-Peters said she recommended the place not only for the food.

"Just wow. Delicious, creative food. Excellent service. Warm, stylish space. Chatham is so lucky to have Sorriso," she said. "We'll be back soon."

Gianna Lynn also recommended visiting the place for the staff experience.

"Went to Sorriso Kitchen for the first time and the employees are so nice and welcoming and the food was absolutely amazing definitely coming back and bringing my family," Lynn said.

But it might be Beth Howard Gibson who summed up her experience most succinctly.

"This is the best new addition to Chatham," Gibson said.

For her part, Bellas said that everything around the restaurant had fallen into place.

"It’s turned into exactly what we’d hoped for," she said. "A real feel good place."

For more information, visit their website.

(Photo courtesy of Sorriso Kitchen)

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