My father came from Calabria, and my mother came from Sicily. Both of my parents came to America, arriving from a boat in New York, in their late teens. My mother met my father while working with my Grandmother in a sewing factory. After they got married, my grandfather opened up Pompeian Restaurant in New York, it was the first sidewalk cafe in the Village.
Working in an Italian Restaurant is in our blood. At the age of 12 years old, my brother and I started working for my fathers friend in his restaurant. Mr Salvatore Scotto raised us both in the restaurant and guided us to success. There were two things that were like a religion to Mr. Scotto — Quality and Consistency. He used to say, “No matter what you do, always give your customer the best ingredients and quality and they will remember you forever!”
