FOOD NEWS
Bamonte's, Brooklyn's Oldest Italian Restaurant, Has Notable Ties To The Mob
BY AUTUMN SWIERS
From Umberto’s Clam House to Sparks Steak House, the mob has strong historical ties to many NYC eateries, including Bamonte's, a famous former haunt of mob giants.
Opened in 1900, Bamonte’s is Brooklyn’s oldest Italian restaurant. Today, it remains at its original location, still serving up classic Italian-American recipes.
The restaurant was opened by Pasquale Bamonte after he immigrated from Salerno, Italy. The restaurant quickly became popular with Italian immigrants and eventually, the mob.
In the ‘50s, Bamonte’s installed a glass wall in the kitchen so mobsters could see if their food was being poisoned, and the dining room had phone booths for private calls.
The restaurant's most notable mob event occurred in 1979. After mafioso Carmine Galante was killed, New York's five mafia families held a celebration at Bamonte’s.
Today, instead of mobsters, the restaurant is frequented by tourists and everyday locals, who enjoy the no-frills menu with classic Italian-American fare served family style.