DE PERE − Kelly Qualley always knew she wanted to own a restaurant one day. About a month ago, he achieved that dream with the help of his family and friends.
Orsetta Craft Kitchen & Bar opened in early March at 109 Broadway in De Pere. After working as a head chef at Hinterland Brewery for 21 years, Qualley said she had everything in place to open her own shop.
“I think the times chose me,” he said. “I always wanted to do something in downtown De Pere.”
Qualley, a De Pere native, leased the space in the former Bilotti's Pizza Garden in October and renovated it to create a modern look while maintaining the building's classic exterior. His family helped with painting, construction and decoration.
“We made a whole group effort to make this place look exactly like we wanted it to look and feel like we wanted it to feel like,” he said.
The menu focuses on Italian-inspired dishes, including fresh homemade pasta and sourdough, as well as Sicilian-style pan pizza and thin-crust pizza. There are also soup and seafood options, such as Alaskan halibut and seared scallops. Meat options include seared duck breast, chicken parmesan, and prime beef strip loin.
The menu will be added to the menu depending on the season, including plans to offer king salmon in the spring.
“It's to keep it fresh and interesting,” Qualley said.
Qualley said one of the unique features of Orsetta's kitchen is the use of electric stoves instead of gas for the pasta and entree stations.
“It’s better and more sustainable,” he said. “It's kind of nice to work as a chef because you don't have fire everywhere.”
Quarry employs approximately 25 people on a full-time and part-time basis.
During football season, the company plans to offer an online pizza pick-up service to give people in the area an alternative dining option during the game.
Qualley is very grateful for the support and honest reviews posted online.
“It was a mutual appreciation,” Qualley said. “Our customers say thank you for opening this store, and we say thank you for coming and supporting us.”
The restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday and Monday from 4 PM to 9 PM for private events only.
For more information, visit orsettadepere.com or its Facebook and Instagram pages.
Ariel Perez is a business reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact him at APerez1@gannett.com or visit his Twitter profile at the following URL: @Ariel_Perez85
