The August issue of St. Louis Magazine includes an article on "The 50 Best Italian Restaurants in St. Louis." In one of the sidebars were tidbits from five of the city's Italian restaurant patriarchs: all of them were relevant, all were insightful, and a few were poignant, especially this one from Charlie Gitto, Sr:
"I took a chance opening downtown in the 70's," said Charlie Gitto, Sr., owner of Charlie Gitto's flagship location downtown. "Mine was the only place around, except for the go-go places." But slowly, conventioneers and tourists, to say nothing of baseball players and coaches--like Tommy Lasorda--discovered the casual and inexpensive little pasta house. "In those days," Gitto reflected, "Lasorda did more to promote my restaurant than I ever could." Nowadays, Gitto, Sr., works an abbreviated work day. "For years, my wife of 59 years worked with me here and always supported me," he fondly remembered. "Now I leave work early every day to go home and take care of her."
Annie Russo Gitto, 81, passed away on Monday after a long illness.
Our condolences to Charlie, Sr. and to the Gitto family.
