Manhattan’s oldest Italian restaurant is about to serve its final meal.
After 120 years on West 46th Street’s Restaurant Row, Barbetta will close its doors tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 27.
The decision to shutter the eatery, which is also the longest-running family-owned restaurant in the city, comes after the death of longtime owner Laura Maioglio. She ran the institution until she passed away last month at age 93.
“With heavy hearts, we share that following the passing of Ms. Laura Maioglio, the heart and soul of Barbetta, the restaurant will conclude its remarkable journey, with our last day of service on Friday, February 27,” the restaurant shared in a farewell message on its website.
Barbetta was founded in 1906 by Maioglio’s father, Sebastiano Maioglio, according to Secret NYC.
The restaurant, which spreads across four adjoining 19th-century brownstones originally purchased by the Astor family, became an institution in the Theater District, drawing in Broadway stars, opera performers, artists and politicians.
The Post penned an ode to the restaurant back in 2015, noting that the eatery had been featured in films such as “Arthur,” with Dudley Moore, “Basquiat,” with Jeffrey Wright; and “Alice” with Woody Allen.
Laura Maioglio took over the family business in 1962 and, over the course of over six decades, transformed Barbetta into one of the most elegant Italian restaurants in the city.
At the time, regional Italian cuisine was not a trend in New York, and Americans associated Italian food with rustic joints full of red sauce.
Barbetta built its reputation on consistency and tradition, specializing in Piemonte cuisine from the northwestern Italian region, where the Maioglio family originated.
Elegant pastas, risotti and seasonal white truffles were signature dishes — with the restaurant even sourcing truffles through its own hunters and truffle hounds in Italy for some years, extremely unusual at the time.
The wine cellar at Barbetta also introduced many American patrons to Piedmontese wines such as Barolo and Barbaresco long before they became wine list staples.
Barbetta also stood out for its flourishing garden patio, which was created in 1963 and was among the first open-air dining spaces in Manhattan outside of Central Park. The garden eventually became one of the city’s most highly coveted summer dining reservations.
While Barbetta was an institution in New York, it made its mark far beyond the Big Apple.
The restaurant was recognized as a historic establishment by Locali Storici d’Italia — the first restaurant in the US to receive the distinction.
In Barbetta’s farewell message, the restaurant invited guests to visit until its closing, and they shared that many bottles from their wine cellar are being offered at half of their listed price.
“It was Laura’s wish that guests continue to gather here in the spirit she cherished, and we invite you to join us during this final month to celebrate the food, wine, and memories that have defined Barbetta for generations,” the restaurant said.
“In that spirit, we are sharing our extensive wine cellar, with bottles listed at $200 and above offered at half their listed price. Thank you for being part of our story.”
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