Pasquale Zammitti, from Acicastello, Sicily, was a merchant seaman aboard a ship that exploded in the Suez Canal. He was fortunate to be placed with the Ambrosanos, an Italian family living in Cairo, Egypt. Pasquale fell in love with their daughter Adriana. They were married in Cairo in 1921.
Pasquale and Adriana had three daughters, Graziella “Nella”, Teresa and Angela. The Zammitti sisters grew up in Suez, but attended school in Italy. They were fluent in Italian, French, Greek, Arabic and English.
Harry Burns, from Goose Creek, Texas, was a young soldier in the US Army’s Counter Intelligence Corps. In 1943, he was stationed in the Middle East, where he met the Zammitti sisters. Smitten with their beauty and warmth, he eventually won the hand of Nella. With Pasquale’s blessing, they were married in Cairo in 1944. After the war, Harry and Nella moved to Houston. Soon after, they were joined by Nella’s sisters and parents.
As with most Italian families, the Zammitti kitchen was the center of social activities, with the good food being the main staple of their gatherings. The family soon became known for its hospitality and flair for entertainment. The Zammitti grandchildren offer you the same old world charm that is the heart of their Italian heritage.
We feature the recipes of our Zammitti family and serve them to you fresh daily. We invite you to come and experience authentic Italian cuisine!
Our family invites you to experience the history and heritage that is the staple of Zammitti’s. We built our restaurant to reflect the old-world charm of our beloved Italy. It is our hope that you will feel like a part of our family!