Mezzaluna, Beloved Upper East Side Italian Restaurant, to Close After 42 Years

Mezzaluna, a staple on the Upper East Side for over four decades, is set to close its doors permanently on Sunday, November 1, at 8 p.m. The decision comes after the owners opted against renewing their 10-year lease for the restaurant located at 1295 Third Avenue.

For founder Aldo Bozzi, 86, the closure marks a bittersweet end to a long-run establishment that he helped open in 1984. Initially slated to close in March, a strong outpouring of community support, including a petition signed by over 2,100 patrons and lines stretching around the block, prompted Bozzi to seek an extension. Ultimately, the prospect of undertaking extensive and costly renovations, including overhauling the restaurant's compact kitchen, led to the final decision.

"I'm not a young chicken any longer," Bozzi remarked about the energy required for the renovations. "I'm 86. I wish I was 76. I would have more energy."

Mezzaluna has long been a cherished neighborhood spot, described by patrons as a "second home" and a place where multiple generations have dined. Longtime resident Genny Eide, 33, expressed her sadness, noting that her mother orders the same salad daily and is unsure where she will go now.

"It's so depressing. I was there yesterday," Eide said. "They were selling plates. I bought one."

The restaurant's closure is seen by many as another loss for the traditional character of the Upper East Side, as neighborhood haunts are increasingly replaced by luxury condominiums, chain coffee shops, and new developments. The proliferation of establishments like Blank Street, with multiple locations in the vicinity, exemplifies this shift.

Bozzi recalled how, upon opening Mezzaluna, he aimed to revolutionize Italian dining in New York by importing high-quality ingredients like artisanal pasta from Naples and olive oil from his family's Tuscan estate. He believed Americans would recognize and appreciate the quality, a conviction that held true for 42 years.

The restaurant's interior, with its terracotta floors, wood-fired pizza oven, and numerous framed Italian artworks, has remained largely consistent with Bozzi's original vision. The intimate setting, which served wine but no hard liquor, made it a popular social destination as much as a dining spot, known for its consistently good food, generous portions, and reasonable prices.

Many staff members have been with Mezzaluna for extended periods, some for over 40 years, adding to the emotional weight of the closure. The restaurant joins other family-owned institutions on the Upper East Side, such as Donohue's and Neary's, that have recently closed.

While Bozzi, who now resides in Southampton, has not ruled out a future iteration of Mezzaluna, he stated that there are no immediate plans. He concluded the conversation with a hopeful "Let's not say goodbye. Let's say arrivederci. That's a big difference. We can see each other maybe soon. Who knows?"