Farewell A.V. Ristorante

(photo by bethhowe1 @ flickr)

Augosto Vasaio opened his landmark Italian restaurant "AV" in July 1949 on New York Avenue, and it became a magnet for all who love to eat. My cousin, Pete adored it for the large portions of comfort food, Italian style. He was in heaven when we had cousin parties there. I remember him ordering platter after platter until we all left groaning. We made sure we used a lot of napkins because the restaurant was a customer of Modern Linen which our fathers ran throughout the 1960s and 1970s. "Modern" kept them supplied with tablecloths and napkins for many years.

cousin party circa 1985

My father remembers that Augusto used to fill a big station wagon full of American things like stockings, toothpaste, and cigarettes- whatever he thought he could sell overseas. He (and the car) would get on a boat to Italy every year, and come back with a load of olive oil, pasta, cheeses and all that Italian yard art that A.V. is so famous for in the courtyard.

Another piece of Washington history is slipping away. The doors close July 28.