Scenes from an Italian Restaurant:Memories of Peppino’s
My dad and mom hard at work cooking at the original Peppino’s on State Street in 1975….while I dine on pasta from my highchair!
My family’s restaurant, Peppino’s, opened in 1974 on State Street. I grew up in the kitchen, surrounded by the smell of onions sauteeing in butter and the sound of garlic being chopped. As a little girl, I would peek out from behind a refrigerator (trying to stay out of the way of pots and pans) and, mesmerized, watch my parents turn out dish after lovely dish of food for our customers. My sister and I would play hide and seek behind crates of lemons in the walk-in cooler until our mom would give us some task, like peeling garlic, to keep us busy. My memories of the restaurant are incredibly important to me and I can’t imagine my life without those tastes and smells and sounds. In late December, after 35 years, my father will be retiring. While I am happy to see him have more time to relax with his wife, I will admit that I am more than a little nostalgic and sad to see Peppino’s close it’s doors.
Over the years, I believe Peppino’s has been as important to the community here in Madison as it has been to me. Engagements have been celebrated, birthday candles have been blown out and many, many people have enjoyed meal after delicous meal together. I am very proud of my father, and everyone who has been a part of making Peppino’s so special. Like so many immigrants before him, my father brought love, hard work and his passion for food together to build something truly special. At a time when most Italian restaurants were sticking with spaghetti and meatballs, my father was breaking out of the culinary mold and introducing diners to the pleasures of Veal Florentine and homemade limoncello. At a time when fast food was taking root, my father was urging us all to slow down and enjoy a meal together.
Growing up at Peppino’s taught me to believe deeply in the power of breaking bread together. It taught me that life is too short to live without the elemental pleasures of beautiful food and wine. It taught me that a meal, prepared with passion and care, can be the ultimate expression of love for one another.
Over the course of the next few months, I hope you will come celebrate 35 years of wonderful food and memories with our family. I will post more info about upcoming events at the restaurant, as well as special additions to the menu from our original 1974 menu. For now, let me just say thank you to all of you who have supported Peppino’s over the years. You are more special to our family than you could ever know. To my father, thank you so much for teaching me the importance of hard work, family, community, good food and love. I couldn’t be more proud of you or love you more.
In the office at the original Peppinos on State Street….as you can see I am making it very hard for my dad to get any work done!
“The table makes the family”- Sicilian proverb
Please share your memories of special occasions or happy meals at Peppino’s with us….I will be gathering them (along with photos) for an album for our family to save. If you have photos, feel free to send them to angela@blissflowyoga.com
For reservations, please give us a call at Peppino’s at 608-251-9500
Dear Angela — your blog absolutely captures the atmosphere and unique place that your father started on State Street. My husband and I would go there for very special occasions, and I was amazed by the way Peppino would engage him in conversation about the evening, about the meal, about the future….
Thank you for the memories, and we look forward to more memorable Peppino dinners in the next few months.
Anne W.
Comment by Anne Wadsack — September 8, 2009 @ 4:35 pm
Ang, this is a beautiful post. And those pictures make me feel like I was right there with you! I’m sure you know that your father has touched countless lives, including mine, and that people in WI and across the country will be shedding a tear when his door closes for good. And I know I’ll have cravings for Shrimp Livornese, creamy garlic dressing and your dad’s tortellini for the rest of my life!! I’ll also always smile when I think of him calling out from the kitchen, “Hello, Aspara-GOOSE!”
Comment by Michelle — September 9, 2009 @ 4:18 pm
I have never met you and saw this from Michelle Facebook site. Your parents place has some memories for me, a prom date dinner, and even the place my now (ex) wife went to after we got divorced (maybe it was bad luck! lol). I do remember the food was amazing and if your father is the one I met a very nice man.
Kevin
Comment by Kevin S — September 9, 2009 @ 4:46 pm
Sorry not divorced engaged! WOW
Comment by Kevin S — September 9, 2009 @ 4:47 pm
Always lots of drama at the restaurant over the years….engagements are always more fun! LOL. Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Administrator — September 10, 2009 @ 8:58 am
I remember going there for peters 21st birthday. i only have been there to eat twice. both times, peppino gave us the meal free. This may have been because i am his sons best friend, but who knows. The gargano family has always been special to me. Peter was the first friend i ever made, and frank followed! Everytime I ever needed anything each one has been quick to help. The generosity is amazing, the love is amazing, and the feeling of family is amazing.
Im bummed to see the restaraunt changing hands, but its been a great ride!
Comment by Drew Mau — September 10, 2009 @ 9:20 am
Drew- you are very sweet. We will always feed you….but that is also because your mom always feeds my brothers when they run across the street to your house. =) All the same is true for your family. We love you! Hugs-Angela
Comment by Administrator — September 10, 2009 @ 9:53 am
Beautiful pictures and heart warming story! I couldn’t agree more about the love expressed in a meal thoughtfully planned and shared with ones you care for. Many well wishes for your dad in his retirement. It sure sounds like he deserves it.
Comment by d — September 10, 2009 @ 10:11 pm
One of my favorite memories of Peppino’s is when I took my Grandma there for a birthday dinner. As we were seated at a nice table by the window, she said with a big smile on her face, “I like coming here because we’re treated like celebrities!”. This was one of many wonderful nights at the restaurant with family, friends, a warm greeting from Peppino & Angela, and amazing food! -Dan O
Comment by Dan — September 27, 2009 @ 3:40 pm
Angela
I thought that was you standing at the counter. You really look like your mom. We love Pepinos and will be eating there as much as possible until December. It would be nice to have one more New Years Eve dinner there…..
Comment by Barb — October 28, 2009 @ 10:36 am
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Pingback by The Best Of Madcity » Peppino’s Restaurant — November 16, 2009 @ 10:10 am
Oh my goodness! Look at you! So cute! What great photos, Angela. It was so fun to see you and your mom and dad on the 23rd.
Comment by Charmaine — January 21, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
[...] the Pacific Coast of Mexico to celebrate my dad’s retirement. After 35 years of working as a chef in his restaurant, he is ready to let someone else do the cooking for a change. Which is exactly what brings us to [...]
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