In just four months, restaurateurs Maria Buonsante and Franco Franzese brought their "EAT Italian" restaurant concept to life. The casual bistro-style eatery, located in the Woodrow Shopping Center, just debuted lunch, dinner and its egg-focused "colizione" concept with a friends-and-family fete that attracted South Shore neighbors.

"The reception on Sunday was wonderful," enthused Maria who was struck by the love from Staten Islanders stopping in to bid the families good luck. She said the common tenet among well-wishers was excitement over an Italian restaurant included in the eclectic mix of eats already within shopping complex.