Valbella is an Italian restaurant in the Riverside section of Greenwich, Connecticut with sister locations in Midtown Manhattan and the Meatpacking District, Manhattan.[1] Regulars included Joe Torre, "almost the entire Yankees team"[2] and Regis Philbin, who was a Saturday night regular for 22 years; his regular table was left empty in his honor after his death.[3]
| Valbella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1991 |
| Owner(s) | David Ghatan (also known as David Ghatanfard) |
| Manager(s) | Nick Zherka |
| Food type | Italian |
| Street address | 1309 East Putnam Avenue |
| City | Riverside |
| County | Fairfield |
| State | Connecticut |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 06878 |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 41°2′35″N 73°34′32″W / 41.04306°N 73.57556°W |
| Reservations | required for parties of six and more |
| Website | www |
Wine Spectator awarded them with a Best of Award of Excellence.[4]
On December 20, 2009, there was a fire that caused them to close for a month for repairs.[5]
Mafia
editIn 1998, the restaurant was invaded by members of the Gambino crime family to get them to pay protection money ($5,000/month) and free food. Underboss Anthony "The Genius" Megale, acting boss Arnold Squitieri and 30 others were brought up on federal charges of extortion in 2005.[6]
Megale, considered Connecticut’s highest ranking Mob member, was sentenced to eleven years for this and other crimes.[7]
Joaquín "Jack" García, a retired FBI agent, mentioned Valbella in his book Making Jack Falcone: Am Undercover FBI Agent Takes Down a Mafia Family.[8], [7]
García had Caporegime Greg DePalma on tape saying he dined at Valbella for free and controlled the restaurant.[9][better source needed]
References
edit- ^ Green, Sarah (5 January 2014). "Valbella: Old School Italian Elegance in Greenwich". CT Bites. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Anner, Rosemarie T. (April 28, 2019). "A new restaurant, big personality and lots of stars are in Tony Capasso's orbit". CT Post. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ D’Angelo, Bob (July 26, 2020). "Regis Philbin's regular table at Connecticut restaurant stayed empty to honor TV legend". KIRO 7 News Seattle. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Mariani, John (January 9, 2002). "Gold Coast Tables". Wine Spectator. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Friedman, Debra (January 25, 2010). "Valbella's re-opens following fire". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Weiss, Murray (July 25, 2005). "STEAMED MUSCLE – MOB EXTORTED POSH GREENWICH EATERY". The New York Post. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ a b "REPUTED CRIME BOSS SENTENCED". South Florida Sun-Sentinel. September 10, 2006. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ "The Top Mobster Restaurants Around The Country". Insider. 2 May 2011. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- ^ Smith, Kate Cornell (May 16, 2004). "'BRASCO' FED'S INSIDE STORY DINED WITH MARIAH AS HE FOOLED MOB". The New York Post. Retrieved 27 November 2022.