Salvatore’s Steakhouse held its grand opening on March 7, serving a variety of steak, pasta and salad dishes, while offering a sit-down and bar setting. 

The steakhouse is located on 1670 Whitney Avenue, where the land has been owned by the  Ferraro family prior to the restaurant being placed there. Victoria Ferrero owns Salvatore’s Steakhouse. 

Her family created and runs the popular Ferraro Market in North Haven that specializes in meats. 

“We just have always been known for our quality meat at a very affordable price,” Ferraro said. “So my family always wanted to open up a restaurant, a steakhouse, for years now. It just always went hand in hand, because we have the market so we can get the supply from them and keep the prices at a very affordable price for our customers.”

Ferraro’s grandfather, Salvatore Ferraro Sr., established the family’s market originally located in New Haven 75 years ago. 

The steakhouse is named after Salvatore Sr., and Ferraro’s father, Salvatore Ferraro Jr., who passed away in 2010. A painting of Ferraro and her father is featured in the front room of the restaurant.

Paying tribute to the family ties in the steakhouse’s name, many members of the Ferraro family work there.

“The Ferrero family (has) been very, very supportive of the restaurant,” David Perez, a waiter at Salvatore’s Steakhouse said. “I mean, I’m pretty much becoming part of the extended family I feel like, because everyone (who works here) is related. A lot of the servers and the manager staff, a lot of the Ferrero family (works here).”

In addition to the family being hands-on with the business, Salvatore’s Steakhouse uses meats from the family market. 

“Because we have the market … we can get the supply from them and keep the prices at a very affordable price for our customers,” Ferraro said. 

Despite only being open for a few weeks, Salvatore’s has seen complete bookings the past two weekends, with its busy hours often spanning from 5-8 p.m.

“So (two of Ferraro’s uncles) came one time to a restaurant that I used to work for down the street, and then they told me about this place, and I was just like, ‘wow, that’s great, Hamden is gonna have a steakhouse,’” said Shirley Arrieta, the assistant manager at Salvatore’s Steakhouse. “I think that’s much needed in this town, and it’s gonna be very successful. So once I knew that they were gonna open, I reached out, and I’m here.” 

Although Salvatore’s has a wide variety of meal options, both Ferraro and Arrieta agreed that the bone-in ribeye is their favorite. 

“To be honest with you, I did come in … on my day off, which was recently,” Arrieta said. “I brought my husband and some friends with us, and I did try the bone-in ribeye. That’s like  butter, it’s just amazing.

Ferraro hopes that Salvatore’s Steakhouse and its large menu will draw in many patrons, to families, couples and Quinnipiac students. 

“I’m 25 and I have sisters who are in their early 20s,” Ferraro said. “Especially (our) bar scene. We have really nice craft cocktails, some good appetizers for sharing if you just want to come and have a few apps with your girlfriends. It’s very welcoming to all age groups, it’s local and I think we’re gonna get a lot of business from all the colleges nearby, for sure.”