“ My mother was an incredible cook ,” Ted said . “ I learned to make marinara at a young age . Growing up like a lot of Italian- Americans starting at a young age , 15 or 16 , I started working at an Italian restaurant .”
Fatto a Mano ’ s menu features an assortment of pizzas and pasta dishes , salads , seafood , and steaks . If someone is hungry for Penne Pomodoro , Capellini Scampi , or Tagliatelle alla Bolognese , they can be comfortable in knowing it will be lovingly cooked and presented .
But Ted and Dana believe one element in particular makes Fatto a Mano so popular .
“ The marinara sauce itself is extra special ,” Dana said . “ It really is the base of the cuisine .”
The sauce is a Griebs family legacy . They have sold it separately at Rockwall ’ s Farmers Market . Along with dishes based on the sauce , their marinara has received rave reviews from critics throughout the Dallas area .
Fatto a Mano has been such a success that the couple already is in the midst of opening a second restaurant downtown .
Fiddle & Fork was being developed inside Greenville ’ s Uptown Forum in late March with the concept of offering breakfast and lunch , featuring biscuits and gravy , pastries , eggs , chicken fried steak , okra , pinto beans , mashed potatoes , and more .
As busy as they may become by owning and operating two restaurants , the couple wouldn ’ t have it any other way .
“ It ’ s just us ,” Ted said . “ Just doing whatever it takes .”
Dana said the couple takes Fatto a Mano literally , which by definition means “ made with a person ’ s hands or with tools held in the hands , rather than by machines .”
“ Because it all really is made from scratch ,” she said .
GREENVILE LIFE 24 SPRING 2022
A house salad .