Continuing a 30-year tradition
Burke Campbell, Financial Post
Published: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Silvia Piantoni, her parents Benny and Franca, and her sister, Brenda, operate La Bruschetta (labru.ca). Their restaurant has served customers for nearly 30 years in Toronto’s Little Italy. Ms. Piantoni tells Financial Post what motivated her to join the family business.
Beginnings:
“My father learned cooking in the Italian navy. In the 1950s, he immigrated to Canada with my mother. They got married and mother started the restaurant. Both my parents did everything.”
My youth:
“I grew up in the restaurant, studied photography at Ryerson University in Toronto, and worked as a photographer for awhile, until I was really needed here.”
Hub:
“The restaurant looks long and narrow, but we have space upstairs for busy days and special events. We have many regular customers. People never tire of Italian food. It makes them happy.”
Celebrity haunt:
“Over the years, celebrities including Bette Midler, Sophia Loren, Matthew Broderick, Whoopi Goldberg, and Hilary Duff, have visited. Word gets around.”
Wonderful:
“Our staff has been with us for years. It’s good to have family, good food, and people to share it with. We make good memories happen every day.”
