Tutto Pasta a State Street staple for almost 27 years, will have its last day in its current form Sunday and then will merge with owner Joe Perkins’ other restaurant, Sass, on Capitol Square.
Perkins has renamed that restaurant Tutto with a Touch of Sass and said it’s going to take three days to move. He expects his hybrid place to open on Dec. 1.
“That’s the day that all the new menus will be in place,” he said, adding that while the name on door has already been changed, the awning will take more time because it needs city approval.
Perkins opened Sass in August 2022 next to Rare Steakhouse, in the former location of Merci and Field Table. Sass’ full name is Sass Sauce & Shells.
While Tutto Pasta has been in its spot at 305 State St. since 1997, Perkins became a co-owner in 2018. He bought out business partner Kay Millonzi last month.
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Tutto Pasta will have its last day on State Street on Sunday.
Samara Kalk Derby | Wisconsin State Journal
“The biggest thing I want to get out there is that Tutto is not closing,” Perkins said. “We’re just moving, we’re hybriding the restaurants, going to have the same good food.”
He said he gets to combine his two staffs, 26 employees at Tutto and 20 employees at Sass, but some of them are part time and not all of them are staying.
“We’re not going to be short staffed at either place anymore because that’s been an issue,” Perkins said. “We’re in a new building. We’re on the Square, we’re right across from the Capitol. It’s a great location. It’s three blocks away from the old location. We’re still close to the Overture … So, to me, it’s a win-win for all of us.”
The door now says Tutto with a Touch of Sass.
Samara Kalk Derby | Wisconsin State Journal
He said people don’t want him to leave State Street, but what they don’t understand is that he doesn’t own the building, which needs a lot of work. He said he can’t keep spending money on it.
“It’s killing me to fix everything every month, every week,” Perkins said.
Sass on Capitol Square will soon be Tutto with a Touch of Sass.
Samara Kalk Derby | Wisconsin State Journal
Perkins said he’s bringing 19 pasta dishes from Tutto, three appetizers and three salads. He said he’ll be doing individual, flatbread pizzas instead of the traditional, thin-crust pies at Tutto.
He said he’s adding to the lunch menu for people who work and live on the Square.
Perkins said it’s hard to leave State Street. “I’ve spent so much money and so much time and effort.”
He also said construction of the 10-story ōLiv apartment building next to the restaurant, which disrupted walking traffic, hurt business.
“In the future it’s going to be a very nice location for somebody.”
Read more restaurant news at: go.madison.com/restaurants
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