CLOSING MAY 18, 2008

In 1971, Ed Sullivan aired his final show, postage stamps increased to 8 cents, the Nixon administration arrested 13,000 anti-war protestors in three days, and LaGroceria Restaurant in Cambridge was born.  It was started by my father Franco as a modest sandwich shop in Central Square, but the word quickly spread about our unique cooking style of fresh sautéed Italian food.  LaGroceria was a trailblazer with its fresh pasta machine and hot antipasto table welcoming guests at the entrance, and Gourmet Magazine.  The Boston Globe and The Boston Herald all heaped praise on us.

In 1973, upon graduation from Boston University, I joined my father at LaGroceria.  As things started to get busier, my brother Charles joined us as well, creating our famously irresistible tiramisu and completing the family atmosphere that has endured with us for 37 years.  The restaurant flourished in boom times and weathered the recessions.  Five years ago we closed our upstairs restaurant and transformed it into six apartments, and while this move gave us renewed life, all good things must come to an end.

On May 18, 2008, we will serve our final meal.  My family would like to thank the generations of customers that have dined with us.  It was our pleasure to serve you.  We are happy to announce that our landmark will rise again as Craigie On Main.  tony Maws, a nationally recognized chef, will open his first-class bistro in the fall

Thanks for the memories

Frank Mastromauro Jr. President, LaGroceria Restaurant.