Benito’s Cafe in Novi plans to add gelato, sorbet, Italian beer and espresso to its menu after a bricks and mortar expansion this fall. “It’s pretty exciting and it’s been in the works for a while. If you go to an Italian cafe in Italy, they have liquor, espresso and you can get gelato, too. That’s what we’ve always tried to strive for with this concept and now we’re going to fully realize it,” said Michael Mautone, who manages Benito’s Cafe for his family’s business. 

Benito’s Cafe, 24270 Novi Road, has been open since 2008 and it's the only sit-down restaurant in the chain that also includes 19 Benito’s Pizza carryout and delivery stores throughout metro Detroit and one in Arizona. A second cafe-style restaurant is set to open this month in Oceanside, Calif.