Published: July 09, 2009 03:26 pm      

New restaurant brings a touch of Italy to Texas

July 8, 2009 — Family recipes, handed down from generations of cooking in Italy is what Fera's Italian Restaurant has to offer.

Owner of Fera's, Sabit Sera, is originally from the country of Macedonia. Sera settled in Texas in 1993, and he has brought with him a taste of Itlay and 20 years of restaurant experience.

Sera's family is one with authentic Italian culinary experience. Sera's family has a history of cooking that began in Italy on his uncles' side. His uncles own the Italian restaurant known as Baris, and it is from them that he learned the art of cooking authentic Italian food, and the ways of the restaurant business.

"I love cooking, and my family does too", said Sera.

His family opened its first restaurant, La Bella, in Dallas in 1984, and they have been in the business ever since. Sera's uncles developed their restaurant Baris from the origination of La Bella, and it is from this business that Sera branched off and opened Fera's.

Fera's has three other locations, aside from the one in Gainesville. There are establishments in Denton, Sherman, and Litttle Elm that provide the North Texas area with Italian cuisine.

The opening of the Gainesville location has been highly anticipated by both customers and the Sera family alike. According to Sera, he chose to extend his business into the Gainesville area because he thought the location was good, and it was close enough to his other restaurants, allowing him to be near his family without too much travel.

The preparation process of establishing the Gainesville location was almost two years. Sera said that he wanted to perfect everything about the restaurant and its decorations, all for the enjoyment of the customers'.

"I would like to support this town with my business, and do whatever it takes", said Sera when asked about doing business in Gainesville. "I try my best in this town."

Fera's menu is different from the menus at the big corporation Italian restaurants, and Sera knows what the difference is.

"Here, we make everyday fresh", said Sera. "Everything is cooked fresh, and everything is homemade."

Some of the menu items are original family recipes, like the salad dressings, and Sera said that the garlic roll recipe has been in the family for a long time.

Sera's favorite menu items are all of the salads that they offer and the Pomodoro.

Business has been good at Fera's, as it has recently opened. Sera said that the customers have complimented on the atmosphere and food, but they were excited to see it had finally opened.

Fera's is opened from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, and is closed on Mondays.

"I'm happy with business, and I'm happy to be busy with happy customers", said Sera.

With four restaurants in the area, and authentic Italian cuisine, Fera's is a business that seeks to grow.

"We can always grow more", said Sera.