Nella and Mario Molinaro of Molinaro’s Café and Catering dished out the first serving of their family’s famous lasagna on March 15, 1985.

Next month, the popular family-run business will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in their new location at 3400 Ridgeway Drive, Unit 4, and the Molinaros would like to extend their thanks.

“We want to thank all of our supporters who followed us to our new location,” says head chef and ‘mom’ Nella.

The Café and the catering company were founded on the idea that customers would appreciate high-quality homemade Italian food, and the entire family played a part in its success, with Nella in the kitchen, Mario up front and kids Jason, Jessica and JR literally growing up behind the scenes, participating in the day-to-day operations of the busy restaurant as they got older.

After 24 years at the location at the corner of Rathburn and Tomken Roads, the family decided to relocate.

“As of March 1, 2010, we will have been in our new location for one year,” says Nella, “and we’re very happy there, in a larger space.”

Along with their old customers, Molinaro’s would also like to welcome customers from the new neighbourhood, many of whom have quickly become regulars as they discover Molinaro’s brand of old-fashioned, homestyle Italian cuisine.

A 12-page menu boasts not only that delicious lasagna, in both a meat and a spinach-ricotta variety, but veal and chicken parmesan, chicken cacciatore, gourmet pizza, a huge array of fresh seafood, salads, hot and cold sandwiches—and that’s just the beginning.

“Our meatballs are unbelievable,” says Nella, “and once people try Mario’s famous homemade bread, they’re hooked.”

All items are created from scratch with the freshest ingredients, all directly imported from Italy.

“Even our bottled water is Italian,” Nella explains.

A large portion of the business revolves around companies who use Molinaro’s outstanding catering service.

“Our space now includes a conference room for out-of-office meetings,” Nella remarks. “It can be used for private occasions like birthdays and anniversaries, wedding rehearsal dinners and such.”

Although the kids are grown, Molinaro’s is still very much a family business. Jessica is a photographer and JR is a deejay (and both are available for your special events!) but they remain involved with the company. Molinaro’s also offers the services of professional makeup artistry by Dominika.

Over the years, Molinaro’s has won numerous awards in the category of Best Catering, including the Mississauga News Readers’ Choice Awards and most recently, won the first place spot from the Mississauga Business Times.

Molinaro’s also offers a ‘take and bake’ service, with a large menu of fresh pastas and sauces customers purchase and serve in the comfort of their own home.

Take advantage of Molinaro’s 25th anniversary special for the month of March, any order $25 or more will receive one of Mario’s freshly baked homemade breads.

Please call (905) 275-7305 for more details.