After years of running restaurants in New Jersey with his family, Frank Tolotta knew he wanted to move across the river to Easton.

But not just any place. Tolotta wanted to open a restaurant on the city's South Side, in what used to be the Hilltop Cafe, at 204 W. Madison Street at the top of the South Side Hill.

"He had his eye on this place for years," said daughter Tricia Tolotta-Irving. "He has a vision, and he wanted that vision to come to life."

And now it has. The Tolottas opened Sole Mio Italian Grille two weeks ago; on Monday night, the family held a grand opening, allowing city officials, business owners, and residents to sample their cuisine.

That cuisine includes several varieties of pizza, sandwiches, subs and wraps, pastas, salads, and various chicken, veal, pork and seafood dishes.

Oh, and bread pudding.

Yeah, it's about as Italian as Sean Connery, but as made by Sole Mio chef John Kiley, it's delightful.

Kiley served as the chef of the Mountain View Chalet in New Jersey for 10 years before coming to Easton.

"My background is international, " he said, "so Italian is definitely something I've played with a lot."

He was in the kitchen, while people ate and mingled in the front of the house. Frank Tolotta was happy.

"Everything is beautiful," he said. "We have a nice staff, a nice family."

That family includes his wife Joann, daughter Tricia, and son Robbie, who runs Pizzaville in Bath and Northstar Catering. 

As the weather gets warmer, Sole Mio plans to introduce outdoor dining, a feature few -- if any -- eateries in the neighborhood can boast to offering.

"The South Side needs this, I think," said Tolotta-Irving.