A brother-and-sister duo with deep family roots in the restaurant industry is preparing to launch their own venture next year.
Isabella Carmela Wantz and Giancarlo Cammarata will open Gigio’s Mediterranean Bistro on 72 Main St. in Mullica Hill.
“We grew up in the restaurant setting with our dad and our uncles being in the business for so long. It was our second home to us really. We’ve always shared a passion for food, tradition and celebration,” Wantz told Whatnow Philadelphia.
The restaurant will transport diners to the Mediterranean with its food and atmosphere.
“We want you to walk in and act like you’re stepping into Greece, Italy, France, Spain, Morocco—just want to take you away from everyday life. It’s not just about going in for dinner, it’s about going in for an experience,” she said.
The duo is working with JRP Architects in Rivertown to bring the vision to life while also collaborating with the historical society to preserve the building’s original architecture.
The menu for Gigio’s Mediterranean Bistro is still in development as Wantz and Cammarata look to partner with a chef.
“We want to work alongside a creative mind to project the food that has traveled through the Mediterranean since its ancient times, the different lifestyles and traditions they maintain. We hope that if you ask 10 of our customers what their favorite fish is, they’ll come up with 10 different answers,” Wantz said.
Wantz looks forward to opening a restaurant in the community where she and her brother grew up.
“I’m honestly most excited about seeing all these familiar faces, and meeting some new people, and really just creating a family vibe at this place because that’s how it felt for us our entire lives,” she said.
She said she is also eager to join other prominent staples in the area, such as Harrison House, the Amish Market, Naples and Marino’s of Mullica Hill , and grow alongside them.
Gigio’s Mediterranean Bistro is currently under construction and plans to open in fall 2027. Follow along on Instagram for the latest updates.
