A Decade of Culinary Goodness

It’s been 10 years since Barry DePaolo opened his restaurant at 30 Center St. named after his two Godsons: Anthony and Jack.

Now celebrating its anniversary Anthony Jack’s Woodfire Grille is
reopening today after a week-long renovation leaving the local favorite with a fresh face.

With most work being done within the bar area, the restaurant was given new wood flooring and paneling, paint, tables and chairs and décor, in hopes of continuing an extremely successful run.

“We’ve done some pretty extensive work. I just thought it was
time for a refreshing, to put a little more excitement back into the
restaurant,” DePaolo said. “We’ll be doing specials all having to do with the number 10, like $10 wings or maybe dinners for $10, to thank our guests for the last 10 years.”

Although Anthony Jack’s, affectionately known as "AJ’s" to frequent guests, was Barry’s first entrepreneurial venture, he’s always been involved in the restaurant industry. He worked in restaurants while he earned his business degree in college, then wore many hats including corporate chef at places like Planet Hollywood and the Hard Rock Café.

He still cooks whenever he can at Anthony Jack's, and also at his
other Italian bistro, Bonterra Italian Bistro, which DePaolo opened on Main Street four years ago.

"It’s fun. We’re always talking about food, and new things to
add to the menu or make things better,” DePaolo said.

When he isn’t running back and forth between the sister
eateries, DePaolo also serves on the Activate Southington, a new group aimed at making Southington healthier.

He said he’s loved the experience of living and working in his home town, and hopes his success continues.

“The success has been beyond my dreams,” DePaolo said. “I never thought the town and people would embrace the restaurant as much as they have. We’re fighting for business just like everybody else, but we’re still doing well.”