Several newspaper clippings hanging on the wall feature the same smiling face: That of Al Papsodero.
The clippings come from different papers in different towns, but they all tell similar stories about the restaurants that he’s helped launch through the years.
He’s been a corporate chef for restauranteurs in Atlanta, Tampa, Fla., Virginia Beach, Va., and other cities. He estimates around 18 restaurants have been opened with him in the kitchen.
“I’m tired of making money for everybody else,” Papsodero said with a laugh.
He’s now partnered with Martee Blair, a Jeffersonville native with a finance background and a longtime dream of owning her own restaurant. The end result is Cozza, located at 214 E. Court Ave. in Jeffersonville.
The two are hoping to cultivate unique atmosphere inside the old Ray Parrella’s building, which was most recently a restaurant named Timothy’s.
Papsodero, along with sous-chef Jon Crite, are focusing on doing everything in house. They make their own bread, cut their own meat and focus on the individual elements of each dish.
And they’re trying to stay local with the food they serve. The chickens come from a farm in Bloomington; the beef from a farm in Palmyra; and Papsodero plans to get the produce from the farm he lives on in Georgetown.
He said it’s a way of finding quality ingredients and giving back to the community economically.
The atmosphere at the restaurant is a major consideration, as well.
Though some of the same furniture from the Parrella’s days is still there, many changes have been made. Blair and Papsodero noted that there was plenty of cleaning to do, as the building had been vacant for some time. The floors have been refinished and the walls painted in dark yellow, black and blue — a color scheme that the two of them came up with.
The work of local artist Walt Hale hangs on the walls. And Blair said a few friends of hers — currently working the jazz circuit in Louisville — will be featured on the restaurant’s stage on weekend nights.
Thus far, the restaurant is only serving lunch, between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. They plan to start serving during dinner hours in February, after receiving a liquor license from the local alcohol control board.
Once that process is complete, a full bar will be available. Restaurant-goers can also look forward to outdoor seating on the fenced-in patio during the summer months.
Business/Money
Related Photos
-
Staff photo by C.E. Branham
Discussion
ITALIAN FLAVOR: Cozza open for lunch in former Parella’s building, with local focus
- Business/Money
-
-
Jeffersonville officials say skating rink was a hit
Jeffersonville Main Street Inc. and downtown business owners were thrilled, saying it helped bring them business and customers.
-
Jeffersonville’s emergency coordinator departs city
She applied for the job in December, a few weeks after Mayor Mike Moore was elected. She decided to do so after initially hearing that Moore would be eliminating her position. He ended up keeping Christian, but Louisville came calling anyway.
-
Military vehicles leave Clarksville police station
-
New Albany City Council will be asked to clarify audit issue over sewer rates
Several members from the audience also questioned other financial matters of the city, and whether the council was aware that Gibson received health insurance as city attorney under England though it had been stated by the previous administration his contract did not include medical benefits.
-
River Ridge moves forward with development plans
No sale has been finalized on either piece of land, as River Ridge owns the 16-acre parcel, and the adjacent 54-acre tract is owned by Crossdock Development, a Louisville-based company that specializes in developing properties on the order of millions of square feet.
-
Town has no cure for ailing medical center
-
First Savings buys bank branches
The move will increase First Savings’ market share in Harrison County to about 31 percent and up the bank’s presence in Floyd County.
-
Free falling: CCE demolishes former New Albany business at no charge
-
Paying their fair share?
John Gilkey, president of the town council, said when Knott initially shared the information with him a few weeks ago, he was surprised to learn some residents weren’t paying any taxes.
-
Neace Lukens acquires Jenkins Insurance of Sellersburg
Jenkins Insurance principal Mike Jenkins will join the Neace Lukens’ New Albany office, where he’ll focus on his current employee benefit clients and expanding service and product platforms for the company.
- More Business/Money Headlines
-
Nordic Festival Puts North Korea in Spotlight
'Rumor Has It' Adele's Rolling in the Grammys
Grohl, Grammy Nominees Cut Up on the Red Carpet
Greece Passes New Austerity Deal Amid Rioting
Coroner: Houston Autopsy Results Weeks Away
Raw Video: Greek Rioting Ahead of Austerity Vote
Raw Video: Child Rescued After Kosovo Avalanche
Pop Music Superstar Whitney Houston Dies at 48
Whitney Houston's Church Mourns Her Passing
Reaction to Houston's Death at Clive Davis Party
79 Turtles Seized at Shanghai Airport
Severe Cold Wreaks Havoc in China
Fuel Removal Under Way on Capsized Italian Ship
Police: Houston Found Dead in Her Hotel Room
Paul Suffers Narrow Loss to Romney in Maine
Palin Brings Anti-Washington Message to CPAC
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
