When Wilmington businessman Jeff Jones contacted the MoMentum Group with the intent of listing the restaurant space formerly occupied by Press 102 at the Tarrymore Hotel, developer Terry Espy knew right away what downtown Wilmington lacks: upscale Italian dining.
 
Espy said she worked with Jones to find a buyer looking to establish an Italian restaurant. They narrowed it down to four candidates before selecting a family that grew up learning from their Italian grandparents that life is better with great conversation and great food. 
 
Ryan Morabito and sister Erika Morabito-Henderson grew up in upstate New York, benefitting from decades of home-cooked Italian food passed down from generation to generation. Though Ryan Morabito pursued a career in marketing and Erika Morabito-Henderson is an attorney, they both knew they would one day own a restaurant together. Along with their spouses Kim Morabito and Jason Henderson, they purchased the space at 102 S. Second St. and will open Tarantelli’s this summer.
 
“This has been a lifelong dream of ours,” Erika Morabito-Henderson said. “It was never a question of if, just a question of when. We’ve always known we wanted to honor our grandfather by carrying on his name, tradition and his recipes.”
 
Tarantelli’s will specialize in classic Italian cuisine, serving family recipes created by Ryan and Erika’s grandfather, Anthony Tarantelli. With seating for up to 250, including a large outdoor patio, the new owners will offer private event space and will be adding an additional bar to the area typically sectioned off for large parties. There are also plans for the installation of a wood-fired oven.
 
“The people of Wilmington have already been so kind and welcoming,” Morabito-Henderson said. “We couldn’t ask for a better place to make this dream of ours a reality.” 
 
Tarantelli’s will be located at 102 S. Second St.
 
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