Pizzeria Bellini: Difference between revisions
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'''Pizzeria Bellini''' (also '''Bellini's''') was an Italian restaurant and pizzeria that Biagio Gargano opened in 1999 in the former Monastery at 401 E. Washington Ave. It was on the city's | '''Pizzeria Bellini''' (also '''Bellini's''') was an Italian restaurant and pizzeria that Biagio Gargano opened in 1999 in the former Monastery at 401 E. Washington Ave. It was on the city's license lists in 1999, 2000 and 2001<ref name="ct-1999-05-26-p7">(1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N…. ''The Capital Times''. p. 7. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522006391/ 522006391], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522007482/ 522007482].</ref><ref name="ct-2000-05-25-p12">(2000, May 25). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2000–01 (pages 12–13). ''The Capital Times''. p. 12. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522191464/ 522191464], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522191464/ 522191464], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522191472/ 522191472].</ref><ref name="ct-2001-05-25-p6">(2001, May 25). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2001–02 (pages 6–7). ''The Capital Times''. p. 6. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522638205/ 522638205], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522638205/ 522638205], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522638207/ 522638207].</ref>. Later known as Bellini Italian Restaurant, it ran for 17 years. Pete Gargano closed it in November 2016<ref name="wsj-2017-01-15-pE5">Kalk Derby, S. (2017, January 15). "Bellini location to be sports bar." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. E5. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/608606294/ 608606294].</ref><ref name="mc-2019-09-15-never-eat-part-5">(2019, September 15). [https://madison.com/life-entertainment/local/food-drink/restaurants/collection_4589675e-51d6-56df-8190-efffda7e06d7.html "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 5."] ''madison.com''.</ref>. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
Gargano, who had owned Gargano's on State Street thirty years earlier and whose brothers ran Gino's and Peppino's, was expected to open the restaurant in January 1999. In June his daughter Maria said it would be ready soon after July 10. The menu promised 24 tapas-like appetizers at about $5, 16 pizzas and 15 pastas; instead of tomato sauce, the Bellini pizza would have dill cream cheese, smoked salmon and caviar<ref name="wsj-1999-06-17-p64">Kalk, S. (1999, June 17). "Gila Monster bites dust; Cleveland's takes break." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 64. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404115636/ 404115636].</ref>. The city's 1999 | Biagio Gargano had first opened The Monastery in the restored church at 401 E. Washington Ave. in the last week of November 1980, after selling [[Gargano’s Pizzeria|Gargano's]]; the staff wore monks' robes<ref name="wsj-1981-03-01-p84">Campbell, G. (1981, March 1). "A Gargano scores again." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 84. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401048042/ 401048042].</ref>. The State Journal's dining guides of the 1980s listed it as Italian cuisine in a "Gothic medieval atmosphere"<ref name="wsj-1985-10-06-p134">(1985, October 6). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1985." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 134. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/401397269/ 401397269].</ref><ref name="wsj-1987-10-04-p251">(1987, October 4). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1987." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 251. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/402545332/ 402545332].</ref>. | ||
The restaurant was first announced in December 1997. The Monastery, Inc., with Peter Gargano as agent, applied that month for a liquor license as Pizzeria Bellini, 401 E. Washington Ave.<ref name="ct-1997-12-01-p20">(1997, December 1). "New liquor and beer license applications, December 1997." ''The Capital Times''. p. 20. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522200722/ 522200722], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522201016/ 522201016], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522201373/ 522201373].</ref>, and Patricia Simms reported in the State Journal that Biagio Gargano "is back in business": the veteran restaurateur, a native of Sicily, had run Gargano's on State Street for years, opened the Monastery Italian Restaurant in 1980 and run it until 1994, when he became seriously ill and closed it, thinking it temporary. Early in 1997 the building had reopened under other management as the Cornerstone, a live-jazz club that "quickly went under". Now recovered, he planned to open Pizzeria Bellini there in February or March 1998; "he's pretty sick and tired of retirement", his son Peter said<ref name="wsj-1997-12-17-p19">Simms, P. (1997, December 17). "Gargano revives pizza business." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 19. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404475333/ 404475333].</ref>. The council granted the Class B liquor and beer license on January 6, 1998, on the Alcohol License Review Committee's report<ref name="ct-1998-01-09-p25">(1998, January 9). "Common Council proceedings, Jan. 6, 1998." ''The Capital Times''. p. 25. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/522127840/ 522127840].</ref>, but the restaurant did not open that year and was not on the city's May 1998 renewal list<ref name="ct-1998-05-26-p4">(1998, May 26). "City of Madison license applications, June 2, 1998 (Ray Fisher, city clerk; published May 25–27)." ''The Capital Times''. p. 4–5. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/521509437/ 521509437], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/521509449/ 521509449].</ref>. The opening took far longer. | |||
Gargano, who had owned Gargano's on State Street thirty years earlier and whose brothers ran Gino's and Peppino's, was expected to open the restaurant in January 1999. In June his daughter Maria said it would be ready soon after July 10. The menu promised 24 tapas-like appetizers at about $5, 16 pizzas and 15 pastas; instead of tomato sauce, the Bellini pizza would have dill cream cheese, smoked salmon and caviar<ref name="wsj-1999-06-17-p64">Kalk, S. (1999, June 17). "Gila Monster bites dust; Cleveland's takes break." ''Wisconsin State Journal''. p. 64. Newspapers.com image [https://www.newspapers.com/image/404115636/ 404115636].</ref>. The city's 1999 license renewals carried it as The Monastery, Inc., doing business as Pizzeria Bellini, with Peter Gargano as agent<ref name="ct-1999-05-26-p7" />, and the same entry appeared in May 2000 and May 2001<ref name="ct-2000-05-25-p12" /><ref name="ct-2001-05-25-p6" />. | |||
The Monastery itself had advertised as "The Monastery — Restaurant & Pizzeria" in November and December 1993, open Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday to 11<ref name="ct-1993-11-22-p29">(1993, November 22). 'The Monastery — Restaurant & Pizzeria. Tue.–Thur. 5–10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 5–11 p.m., 401 E. Washington, 257-1980' (hours-correction ads in both papers Nov. 22 – Dec. 1, 1993). ''The Capital Times''. p. 29. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/521427822/ 521427822], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/406420135/ 406420135], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/406427407/ 406427407].</ref>. | The Monastery itself had advertised as "The Monastery — Restaurant & Pizzeria" in November and December 1993, open Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday to 11<ref name="ct-1993-11-22-p29">(1993, November 22). 'The Monastery — Restaurant & Pizzeria. Tue.–Thur. 5–10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 5–11 p.m., 401 E. Washington, 257-1980' (hours-correction ads in both papers Nov. 22 – Dec. 1, 1993). ''The Capital Times''. p. 29. Newspapers.com images [https://www.newspapers.com/image/521427822/ 521427822], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/406420135/ 406420135], [https://www.newspapers.com/image/406427407/ 406427407].</ref>. | ||
Pete Gargano closed his 17-year-old Italian restaurant Bellini in November 2016. In January 2017 Samara Kalk Derby reported that two recent UW–Madison graduates had leased the church from him. They planned to open the Hail Mary Sports Grill there by early March, keeping the church feel and adding 15 to 20 television screens<ref name="wsj-2017-01-15-pE5" />. | |||
==Pizza== | ==Pizza== | ||
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==Former Locations== | ==Former Locations== | ||
* 401 E. Washington Ave., the former Monastery (1999 to | * 401 E. Washington Ave., the former Monastery (planned from December 1997<ref name="ct-1997-12-01-p20" /><ref name="wsj-1997-12-17-p19" />; license granted January 6, 1998<ref name="ct-1998-01-09-p25" />; 1999 to November 2016<ref name="wsj-2017-01-15-pE5" />). | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 20:40, 28 October 2026
Pizzeria Bellini (also Bellini's) was an Italian restaurant and pizzeria that Biagio Gargano opened in 1999 in the former Monastery at 401 E. Washington Ave. It was on the city's license lists in 1999, 2000 and 2001[1][2][3]. Later known as Bellini Italian Restaurant, it ran for 17 years. Pete Gargano closed it in November 2016[4][5].
History
Biagio Gargano had first opened The Monastery in the restored church at 401 E. Washington Ave. in the last week of November 1980, after selling Gargano's; the staff wore monks' robes[6]. The State Journal's dining guides of the 1980s listed it as Italian cuisine in a "Gothic medieval atmosphere"[7][8].
The restaurant was first announced in December 1997. The Monastery, Inc., with Peter Gargano as agent, applied that month for a liquor license as Pizzeria Bellini, 401 E. Washington Ave.[9], and Patricia Simms reported in the State Journal that Biagio Gargano "is back in business": the veteran restaurateur, a native of Sicily, had run Gargano's on State Street for years, opened the Monastery Italian Restaurant in 1980 and run it until 1994, when he became seriously ill and closed it, thinking it temporary. Early in 1997 the building had reopened under other management as the Cornerstone, a live-jazz club that "quickly went under". Now recovered, he planned to open Pizzeria Bellini there in February or March 1998; "he's pretty sick and tired of retirement", his son Peter said[10]. The council granted the Class B liquor and beer license on January 6, 1998, on the Alcohol License Review Committee's report[11], but the restaurant did not open that year and was not on the city's May 1998 renewal list[12]. The opening took far longer.
Gargano, who had owned Gargano's on State Street thirty years earlier and whose brothers ran Gino's and Peppino's, was expected to open the restaurant in January 1999. In June his daughter Maria said it would be ready soon after July 10. The menu promised 24 tapas-like appetizers at about $5, 16 pizzas and 15 pastas; instead of tomato sauce, the Bellini pizza would have dill cream cheese, smoked salmon and caviar[13]. The city's 1999 license renewals carried it as The Monastery, Inc., doing business as Pizzeria Bellini, with Peter Gargano as agent[1], and the same entry appeared in May 2000 and May 2001[2][3].
The Monastery itself had advertised as "The Monastery — Restaurant & Pizzeria" in November and December 1993, open Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday to 11[14].
Pete Gargano closed his 17-year-old Italian restaurant Bellini in November 2016. In January 2017 Samara Kalk Derby reported that two recent UW–Madison graduates had leased the church from him. They planned to open the Hail Mary Sports Grill there by early March, keeping the church feel and adding 15 to 20 television screens[4].
Pizza
- The Bellini pizza: dill cream cheese, smoked salmon and caviar[13].
Former Locations
- 401 E. Washington Ave., the former Monastery (planned from December 1997[9][10]; license granted January 6, 1998[11]; 1999 to November 2016[4]).
See also
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 (1999, May 26). City of Madison 1999–2000 alcohol license renewals, part 2: Liquor & Beer Class B (#159–458): But-Lo LLC dba Sal's Pizzeria 313 State St.; First Madco Inc. dba Rocky Rococo 7952 Tree Ln.; Mineral Spirits Inc. dba Edwardo's N…. The Capital Times. p. 7. Newspapers.com images 522006391, 522007482.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 (2000, May 25). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2000–01 (pages 12–13). The Capital Times. p. 12. Newspapers.com images 522191464, 522191464, 522191472.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 (2001, May 25). City of Madison license renewal applications, 2001–02 (pages 6–7). The Capital Times. p. 6. Newspapers.com images 522638205, 522638205, 522638207.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Kalk Derby, S. (2017, January 15). "Bellini location to be sports bar." Wisconsin State Journal. p. E5. Newspapers.com image 608606294.
- ↑ (2019, September 15). "Throwback photos: Madison-area restaurants you'll never eat at again, part 5." madison.com.
- ↑ Campbell, G. (1981, March 1). "A Gargano scores again." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 84. Newspapers.com image 401048042.
- ↑ (1985, October 6). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1985." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 134. Newspapers.com image 401397269.
- ↑ (1987, October 4). "Madison Area Dining Guide, Fall 1987." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 251. Newspapers.com image 402545332.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 (1997, December 1). "New liquor and beer license applications, December 1997." The Capital Times. p. 20. Newspapers.com images 522200722, 522201016, 522201373.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Simms, P. (1997, December 17). "Gargano revives pizza business." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 19. Newspapers.com image 404475333.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 (1998, January 9). "Common Council proceedings, Jan. 6, 1998." The Capital Times. p. 25. Newspapers.com image 522127840.
- ↑ (1998, May 26). "City of Madison license applications, June 2, 1998 (Ray Fisher, city clerk; published May 25–27)." The Capital Times. p. 4–5. Newspapers.com images 521509437, 521509449.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Kalk, S. (1999, June 17). "Gila Monster bites dust; Cleveland's takes break." Wisconsin State Journal. p. 64. Newspapers.com image 404115636.
- ↑ (1993, November 22). 'The Monastery — Restaurant & Pizzeria. Tue.–Thur. 5–10 p.m., Fri. & Sat. 5–11 p.m., 401 E. Washington, 257-1980' (hours-correction ads in both papers Nov. 22 – Dec. 1, 1993). The Capital Times. p. 29. Newspapers.com images 521427822, 406420135, 406427407.
