North End restaurants work together to raise money for Italy earthquake relief
"The North End is one of the rarities in the country ... that still celebrates their heritage in such a way.”
In a show of solidarity and togetherness, Italian restaurants in and around Boston’s North End will honor their heritage this week by donating to rescue efforts following Wednesday’s devastating earthquake in central Italy.
Through Labor Day, at least eight restaurants will donate all of the proceeds from orders of bucatini all’amatriciana to the Italian Red Cross.
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At least 240 people died in the 6.2-magnitude quake, and scores more wereinjured or left homeless. Thousands of rescuers have been fighting against time since last week to locate and treat survivors. The historic communities in Amatrice, Accumoli, and Pescara del Tronto, were practically destroyed, ancient buildings crumbled to ruins.
“Whenever something like this happens, it’s a devastating toll,” said Philip Frattaroli, the owner of Ducali Pizzeria and Bar and Lucia Ristorante and Bar, two of the participating restaurants. “As Italian restaurant owners, we rely on a lot of products that come from Italy, from wine, charcuterie, cheeses. … We thought it’d be a good opportunity to get people together, raise some money.”
The bucatini all’amatriciana, which consists of a tomato sauce with pork cheek and cheese served over hollow bucatini pasta, is a specialty from the town of Amatrice. While some of the best Italian cooks are said to have come from that area, Amatrice also saw the highest death toll from the earthquake — 184, BBC reported.
“The country is almost like a museum.”
Italian restaurants in New York are also using pasta all’amatriciana to support the earthquake victims.
The tragedy feels much closer to home for Farattiroli and other North End residents who have strong ties to Italy and its storied culture.
Farattiroli’s father is from a town in central Italy close to L’Aquila, which was hit by an earthquake in 2009. More than 300 people died, and Farattiroli later toured the destruction and helped rebuild community centers, he said.
“It’s really sad to see,” he said. “These buildings are thousands of years old … the country is almost like a museum.”
A man stands in front of his collapsed house in Villa San Lorenzo, near Amatrice in central Italy on Saturday.
Carla Pallotta, the co-owner of Nebo Cucina & Enoteca, shares a similar story. She has family in Rome, several hours away from Amatrice. Her loved ones felt the earthquake but were not harmed, she said.
She said she felt helpless when she first heard about the quake, but feels better knowing her restaurant is donating to the cause.
“When you can’t actually be hands on, say ‘What’s the best way we could possibly help,’” Pallotta said.
Working together to raise funds has bolstered the already-strong companionship felt between North End residents and Italian restaurant owners, Pallotta said.
“We share our heritage,” she said, “and I think the North End is one of the rarities in the country … that still celebrates their heritage in such a way.”
Other restaurants participating in the fundraiser include: Strega North End, Nico, Il Molo, Trattoria il Panino, and Mare.
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