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Enrico and Mary Velleggia came to the United States from Porto San Elpidio, a village on the Adriatic Sea. They opened a small tavern where Mary prepared the dishes that she grew up eating. She made the sauces that her mother’s mother made; food from her homeland, a city by the sea. Enrico’s friends would come and dine and eventually others from the neighborhood that is now called Little Italy.
Even though Enrico and Mary are gone and their children have retired, the food, the sauces live on through Miss Betty who has been cooking at Velleggia for an amazing 45 years. I recently met Betty at a media dinner that owner, Terry Coffman Sr. had assembled. The evening took us to the past with a tasting of the traditional foods that came to the US from Porto San Elpidio to their socially aware, organic and gluten-free menu selections. Can’t make it to Water Street, they deliver to a great number of neighborhoods in the city – a taste of Little Italy in your own home?
Velleggia’s is now located at Water Street, closer to the harbor, hotels and businesses. The original building remains up for sale, so don’t think the restaurant is closed, it has moved to newer digs.
Velleggia’s Italian Seafood Restaurant
110 Water Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-986-4445
http://www.velleggiasitalianseafood.com
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