The new Italian restaurant Dining Alfresco at 10 Gay St. in the corner of the Sharon Shopping Center gets its name from the quintessential Italian phrase, evoking images of enjoying a meal under blue skies, watching the play of sun and shadow as you dine. “You have magnificent trees and shading, plus the huge awning outside,” said owner and chef Adriano DiMario, of New Milford, of his restaurant’s own al fresco area. “A lot of people eat outside.”

On the opening of the eatery, which was in late August in the space of the former Stacked Kitchen, DiMario, 75, said, “I am doing it all myself, cooking all the dishes from scratch to dishwashing. Last Sunday we had over 75 people.” He said to ease his being overwhelmed, his daughter Sabrina helps out at the restaurant as a waitress evenings.