Taro’s restaurant reaches 25th year

Taro’s NY Style Pizzeria — or simply Taro’s, as its sign reads and its customer-base affectionately calls it — has hit a milestone in the Millerton restaurant industry: 25 years in business. Speaking of its sign and customers, Owner Peter DelCantaro said that many customers would probably be surprised if they knew Taro wasn’t his full last name.Funds were not abundant when the longtime restaurant worker moved his family — including two infants — up from Westchester to Millerton in the late 1980s for friendly community and to open a business of his own. Accordingly, when the “sign guy” told DelCantaro that adding his full name to the exterior sign would cost an extra $500, the frugal owner thought, “why not just ‘Taro’s’?” and the rest became history.The restaurant officially opened its doors in early 1989.Fast forward 25 years, Taro’s has become a staple in Millerton’s restaurant scene, evolving with the village and general food culture, the owner explained.“Over the years we’ve added a lot of things,” DelCantaro said, considering what’s aided in the restaurant’s success. “I try to keep up with market trends,” he added, offering whole wheat pasta, gluten-free pizza, extra virgin olive oil, kale and other field greens as examples of such.Ultimately, the owner said “good value for the money and not sacrificing quality for price” is what keeps customers coming back. Expanding on that commitment to quality, DelCantaro said he tries to buy local farm fresh products whenever he can, but also travels down to The Bronx and Arthur Avenue in Manhattan to hand pick bread and other goods.Besides pizza, Taro’s also offers pasta, grinders, veal, chicken, seafood, steak, salad and more. Millerton’s own Danny Burke holds the kitchen down as chef.For now, DelCantaro plans to just keep up with the demands of his costumers — to transform with the trends and to “jump on the bandwagon early” whenever possible.Down the line, however, the owner hopes to buy his own property in the village and run the business there.Taro’s has been at its current location at 18 Main St. for the duration of its service. The restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Friday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.The business can be reached at 518-789-6630.