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Everybody knows the Como and has a memory of ‘the times of their lives’

This week we had planned to do an exhaustive story on the Como restaurant- the historic Como.

We found, as we studied the topic, that it is, in fact, too big to write about in a single story.

That is because it is a living thing.

An institution. An attraction.

If there is anyone in town who has not heard of the Como restaurant, I have not heard of him or her.

And, since last week, I went around and asked everyone I met, “What do you think of the Como? preparing to write the wondrous history of this most famous of Niagara Falls restaurants.

Everybody had a similar answer.

Like Enzo Luciani, who said, “The food is top notch; very good. I’ve been there many times. I’ve been there for political rallies. I met Rocky Marciano at the Como.”

It was always the same. Everyone praised the food, but something more, they had a memory of the time of their lives.
Joe Petrozzi first went to the Como when a friend of his had his wedding reception. In those days a wedding was not one, but three meals: a breakfast, lunch and dinner reception.

Pappa Joe went there first in 1951.

“It’s an institution,” he said. “We have people that come visit from out of town. No matter where they come from, we have to take them to the Como. In 1986,” the longtime owner of Capital Cleaners added, “The convention for dry cleaners was in Niagara Falls and we took them to all the falls’ attractions and we took them to the Como. And everyone that was there that night commented on how good the food was.”

His son, Russ said something similar. “The first time I was there was for a wedding, 40 years ago, I was just a kid. It is one of the places to stop at Niagara Falls. It is one of the sights to see. It is more than a restaurant, it is one of the attractions here.
“The old family restaurants, as we used to know them years ago, one by one, they are falling by the wayside.

“There are very few left.

“There are very few left that live up to the standards of the Como.”

Council member Robert Anderson had to make his usual flippant comment when I asked him. He said, “The Como? I think I am old enough to say that I was the first one with a tan to ever go there.”

“So what about the food, turkey?,” I said.
“The best….”
Won’t you say more?
“Bonasera. Bon appetite…. The best.”

Or Pete Stranges, who said, referring to the Antonacci and Colucci family, who have been operating the Como for eight decades, “I’ve been coming here all my life. Good people; good food; good everything. This business saved Pine Avenue. If it weren’t here, Pine avenue would be, I don’t know what.”

A lot of the people have been through the cycle of birth through death, having been there as a baby, again for a wedding and some again, some who are not with us, were there in spirit, for the Como does many bereavement parties.

Because I couldn’t avoid it, I ran into George Satarian, and so I had to ask him too. I had supposed he had his first communion there since it is universally assumed he still has his first communion money.

So what about the Como, George?
“I’ll be there tonight with my good friend George Maziarz and a lot of other guys,” he said. “It’s the best place; the owners know how to treat people right.”
It is funny how many people are all in accord: it is the best.

(Next week, we will look into the history of the Como, of some of the celebrities who have been there; of how the restaurant progressed from six tables to a place that can serve 1000 people a venizen dinner, and how, after 85 years, the same family traditions, even the same recipes, are still in use.

And we will look at how the Como stands as a bulwark against a starkly declining city. How it is an always dependable place to go out and enjoy the best Italian food, food so good, that frankly, you have but little choice, when showing off your city – to take your guests there. That is if you want to impress them.

And we will look at the future of the Como.

 

 

Niagara Falls Reporter www.niagarafallsreporter.com Oct 30, 2012