Portofino Italian Restaurant in Merrimack, N.H., is a true family ristorante. Patriarch Giuliano Mastantuono handles the cooking while his wife, Maria, and his brother in-law, Helder “Pepper” Pimenta, are among the family members who help out.

Giuliano is a native of Italy and worked in his family’s restaurant as a young man. When he was in his teens his family moved to Brazil, where they also owned and operated an Italian restaurant. His dishes are familiar to many local diners. He formerly owned Pastamore Restaurant in Amherst, N.H.