Amici's Bottles Signature Garlic Romano Dressing

Move over ranch dressing, signature Garlic Romano dressing is taking over. 

Co-owners Maureen McNamara and Jennifer Stark, inspired by their customers' requests, said they have decided to bottle and sell the creamy sauce.

Amici's makes the Garlic Romano dressing daily. It is bottled to order to ensure customers get the freshest batch, Stark said, adding that it has a seven-day shelf life, given all ingredients are fresh and preservative free. The dressing sells for $6 per bottle and is available only at Amici's.

"We had a burst of creativity to tackle things we wanted to do," McNamara said, adding that the pair also plans to open Amici's Gourmet Pizza To Go next June in Birmingham. The restaurant will be located in the strip mall just south of the Lincoln Avenue and Grant Street intersection and will be open for lunch and dinner, offering carry-out and delivery service.

McNamara and Stark bought Amici's five years ago from the restaurant's original owner, Sal Parco, who created the Garlic Romano recipe and now owns nine restaurants in South Carolina. After taking over, McNamara and Stark began building a loyal clientele.

"We love Amici's because of the ambience as well as the warm relationships we have developed with the owners and staff," said Berkley resident Janice Terry, who is also a fan of the Garlic Romano sauce.

"It's delicious as a veggie dip," said Terry, who added she enjoys entertaining and is excited to have the dressing as a quick-and-easy option.

"It isn't just for salads," Amici's co-owner Stark agreed. "It is great for dipping pizza, bread sticks, vegetables or chicken fingers; use it to replace ranch dressing."

The owners said response to Amici's bottled Garlic Romano thus far has been positive.

"Some of our Facebook fans have even asked for it to be shipped to New York," Stark said. 

Amici's also is known as being the only green-certified restaurant in Berkley, a distinction proudly announced on its menus, T-shirts and website.  The restaurant recently received the "Recycler of the Year" award from the city of Berkley for its efforts to go green.