It is war time again. The photo was taken circa Jaunty of 1942. Pearl Harbor was attacked by Japan Dec. 7, 1941, Lou had just turned 18 and was preparing to go into the Army. The family photo was probably instigated by my mother. At that time ii was a real possibility that Lou would be lost to us. I was 13, Rita was 21. Ettore was born 1886 and Antonietta was born 1896. They lived in Astoria NY from about 1922 till about 1955. At that time they moved to Clinton Corners in Dutchess County NY. Ettore died at the age of 85 and Antonietta at the age of 93. Both are interred at The Upton Lake Friend's Cemetery in Clinton Corners.

Ettore was in partnership with Charley Rossi. They owned The New Hudson Villa Restaurant in Fort Lee and later in Coytesville New Jersey. The restaurant was known for Italian/French cuisine and some well known clients. One such client was Arturo Toscanini, famed conductor of the NBC Symphony Orchestra and The Metropolitan Opera. In an interview for a magazine of the day, the Maestro related he enjoyed calling the Villa to arrange for Polenta and Tripe. He often came with his family including famed pianist Horowitz, his son in law. Once I asked my father, The Chef, if I could ask him for an autograph. My father said we do not disturb the Maestro when he is dinimg.

My father arrived in NY at the age of 17. He first job was in the kitchen of the Park Plaza Hotel, off Central Park in Manhattan. The Park Plaza Chefs were French. It was here that he acquired the art of French cuisine and also kitchen French. Years later ,1946, while touring Quebec, he impressed me and my brother with his command of French.

Move on by selecting a menu item from the left side.

Bon Voyage...........