Circa 1998, Nino, Pina and Santino purchased a three story Victorian home. Located on a busy street near the center of town, these brothers and sister proceeded to gut all the rooms and convert the inside to open their now well known Italian ristorante, Bromadino’s Family Pizza.

The three levels of this classic Victorian featured: 

• a brick oven pizzeria on the first floor, making the Capricciosa pizza  which is topped with mushroom, artichoke and prosciutto,  
• eight table fine dining room on the second floor known for its old world Ossobuco, a traditional Italian dish of braised veal shanks in a rich tomato sauce 
• and the Distillato & Toscano Room on the third, which serves a variety of spirit’s and Italian cigars.

Bromadino’s was the post per mangiare (place to eat), come Friday and Saturday nights. But it sometimes came with a price …

“Pina, why not you do the-a pizza tonight-a?” Nino asked his piccola sorrela (little sister). 

“No, Nino, it’za to hotta today. I stay-a in the dining-a room where it’sa colda.”

“Bene! You looka like a, a, come si dice, Un pinguina e tuo tailleur. (Fine, you look like a penguin in your tuxedo)

“Perché non posso lavorare in sala da pranzo?” asked Santino. (Why can’t I work the dining room). “Sono il più vecchio.” (I’m the oldest).

“Ah vai via vecchio,” answered Pina. (Ah, go away old man).

With that being said, Santino raised his hand in a huff and walked out the door. Nino and Pina, looked at each other and after further heated discussions shook there heads and walked out the same door, mumbling in disgust under there breaths.

The workers looked at each other and snickered amongst themselves knowing this outburst happens every so often.

At the same time these temper tantrums occurred, Riccio Li d'oro, (Goldilocks) one of Bromadino’s favorite customers was parking his Alfa Romeo and entered the ristorante minutes later.

“Buonasera signor Li d'oro.”

“Buonasera. Where are Nino, Pina and Santino? Or did they do the disappearing act again tonight? Coagli!”(Scoundrels).

“Sì. Se ne sono andati,” (yes, they left) said a pizza maker. 

“Fine then. I’m going to help myself,” said Riccio.

And with that said, Riccio foraged his way through the three levels little by little. 

Famished, Riccio entered the pizzeria’s kitchen like a bull in a china shop grabbing a slice of plain cheese pizza.

“Ugh, boring,” he said. Next he snatched a few garlic knots, dipped them in the pot of marinara sauce on the stove before devouring them. “Umm, much better. Second floor here I come.”

Climbing the stairs two at a time he reached his destination, the fine dining kitchen. He ordered a plate of the renowned Osso Bucco with a side of pappardella pasta smothered in the meats gravy and warm semolina bread.

“Bring it to my table, with a bottle of Chianti,” he stressed to the chef rather rudely. “And don’t forget the formaggio (grated cheese)!”

Chef Giovanni rolled his eyes before responding, “but of course Signor Li d'oro, of course.”

Riccio slammed through the kitchen doors, looked around and sat himself gruffly at the largest round table he saw.

“Giovanni, andiamo,” (Giovanni, let’s go) Riccio yelled.

A few minutes later, Oriana, the fine dining waitress brought out his meal. Setting it in front of him, he stole a peep down her blouse, “Que bella.”

Oriana, knowing better and holding back on her Italian temper, walked away without saying a word.

Ten minutes later, with the table looking like a tornado ran through it, Riccio got himself up and headed upstairs.

“Cugino,” (cousin), “a Tuscano cigar and a shot of Strega. Better yet, make it double!” Riccio plopped himself, “ughhh” into the Classic Leather Cigar Chair drawing attention to hand crackled, distressed leather and oversized rolled arms.

Suddenly, “Riccio Li d'oro, disgraziato,” yelled Santino.

Startled, Riccio dropped the lit cigar on his lap, knocked over his double Strega and stumbled getting up from this overstuffed cigar chair.

“S-Santino, I’m, I’m so sorry, let me explain, please,” Riccio started to mumble.

“No! Riccio,” Pina jumped in immediately. “Justa because youa my husbanda, youa canna come here anda make-a mess-a.”

“But… but…”

“No-a buts! This is a my bizanessa. You no can comma in here anda eata whena-ever you wanta,” Pina paused watching Riccio shuffle his feet back and forth.

She continued. “Tu, ahh you, needa apologize anda  show ayour rispetto a Santino! “

“Basta!” (enough) he replied. “I will never apologize,” Riccio said. “I do what I want, when I want!” 

Just like Goldilocks, Riccio stormed off never to return to Bromadino’s Family Pizza ever again.