Today, October 30, 2014, our city lost one of its greatest visionaries and leaders. Remembered as the “people’s mayor” by many, Mayor Thomas Menino’s enormous impact on the City of Boston will not be forgotten.
From the Innovation District to the education community, he managed to influence every sector of this city during his decades of service. Menino worked tirelessly to champion various causes around town – many of which were food related. Just last year, I witnessed Mayor Menino speak to Bostonians and local chefs at a Lovin’ Spoonfuls’ fundraiser, a food rescue nonprofit facilitating the recovery and distribution of healthy food to those less fortunate. This was just one of many examples of Mayor Menino’s involvement in the Boston restaurant community.
Today, many of Boston’s well known chefs and restaurateurs paid tribute (below) to the former mayor and his lasting legacy.
Christine and Carla Pallotta, Owners of Nebo Cucina & Enoteca
“It is with much sorrow that we hear of the loss of Mayor Menino! It takes a great man to make everyone feel special! He used to come in the original Nebo for Tripe with his wife Angela. No matter what was going on in his life , he somehow always found a way to turn the conversation around to our life journey. We always had a lot of fun sharing our family memories and talking about our Italian heritage. Last year we participated with the Mayor on Prince Spaghetti’s new campaign launching. He was walking with a cane at the time and refused to let us help him or discuss it. He was too busy discussing our lives growing up in the North End and our restaurant opening on Atlantic Wharf! His smile, wit and warm hugs will always be remembered!”
Dante de Magistris, Chef/Owner of Restaurant dante:
Mayor Menino was one of a kind and I always felt fortunate to be in his company. The last time I cooked for him was about a year ago after an event that we did with the Italian Consulate. When I went over to say hello, I shook his hand and re-introduced myself and he warmly told me ‘Dante, you don’t have to remind me. I remember you from when you cooked at Pignoli. I complimented Lydia on my favorite pasta dish there (orecchiette with broccoli rabe and sausage) and Lydia told me you made it.’ For someone like him to remember that experience so long ago is truly an honor, and I will think of him every time I make that dish for years to come.
Jeff Gabel, Founder of Kitchen Kibitz:
Mayor Menino was a true innovator, helping to support food culture and push Boston to new heights. He stood tall to champion gay rights against Chick-fil-A, enacted new procedures on sustainability and urban gardening plus who could forget his bet with Chicago mayor to volunteer at a food bank during the 2013 Stanley Cup series. He helped shape this city into a collaborative community and taught us how to be everyone’s neighbor. I will truly miss Mayor Menino and am forever thankful for all he’s done for our city.
Lena Kikuchi, Owner at Itadaki:
We will truly miss our beloved former Mayor Menino, who created a safe and prosperous city for us to run our restaurant on Newbury Street, in the heart of the city. We are proud to have called him our Mayor for so many years, and especially remember him for his open mindedness and willingness to embrace different cultures.
Bill Brodsky, Chef/Owner of City Landing:
It’s a tremendous loss for Boston and we are all indebted to the Menino family for his years of public service.
Bob Luz, President/CEO of the Massachusetts Restaurant Association:
I speak for everyone at the Massachusetts Restaurant Association when I say that though we are deeply saddened by Mayor Menino’s passing, we are glad that the suffering has ended and the healing process can now begin for his family and friends. The Mayor embraced small business and saw restaurants as a vital catalyst for the evolution of Boston’s neighborhoods. Under his watch and with his support, Boston grew into the highly regarded culinary destination it is today.
I personally will always fondly remember Mayor Menino’s presence at Charlestown’s Flag Day parade. Year after year, he would return to the Doherty home at 29 Washington Street after marching to enjoy a cheeseburger and a cold drink, relax with the crowd, and just be a regular guy. His down to earth demeanor and hard work for our city will never be forgotten.
Tiffani Faison, Chef/Owner of Sweet Cheeks Q
Mayor Menino’s greatest legacy was and will continue to be the foundation of diversity that guided his leadership. He was everyone’s mayor, everyone. Our industry has a unique understanding of inclusion as our greatest asset, as did Mayor Menino. We are all better people and more united citizens because of his love and service. His courage touched me personally, he stood up for gay rights before standing up for gay rights was cool. I, like all of us, will miss him terribly.
Sal Lupoli, Founder and CEO of The Lupoli Companies (Salvatore’s Restaurant & Sal’s Pizza):
Boston shines a little less bright with the passing of Mayor Menino. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Daniel Bruce, Chef at Boston Harbor Hotel:
I was lucky enough to have been able to spend some time with Mayor Menino as he came to the hotel for lunches and dinners often, and once I enjoyed a very small lunch with him with only four of us at the old city hall space. But my favorite memory of him was when I did a local fundraiser for the Tuesday Club, a small trust that works on preserving one of the oldest houses in Jamaica Plain where I live. As I was putting out the dishes for the event, Mayor Menino came into the back and spent at least half an hour chatting about this and that and eating what I was making, saying that he always enjoyed being in the kitchen and that it brought back good memories for him. He had a way of making you feel that you were the only person around when he was with you.
Jeffrey Gates, Partner at Aquitaine Group:
I have served and hosted Mayor Menino on so many occasions throughout my 35 years of hospitality service here in Boston. My most memorable experience was when we held a fundraiser at Union Bar and Grille for the family of slain Boston resident Richel Nova….He attended the event and was visibly moved by the outpouring of support. Prior to that evening I had attended ribbon cuttings, fundraisers, community meetings with him and served him dinner with his wife. That evening I realized what a diverse and intense guy he was emotionally and how his passion for us all informed his work.
Sal Boscarino, Managing Partner of Pier 6:
From transforming entire city blocks like the Seaport/Innovation District, to small community initiatives like Mayor Menino Park in our neighborhood of Charlestown, the list goes on and on of the countless contributions Mayor Menino made to its’ citizens and business owners. Take a walk around the city and it’s easily visible how his memory and legacy will live on forever.
Chris Coombs, Executive Chef/Owner of dbar, Deuxave, and Boston Chops:
Mayor Menino meaningfully impacted not only the success of our restaurant group Boston Urban Hospitality but also the Boston restaurant community as a whole. We would not be where are now without his support and this city will forever be a better place because of our beloved Mayor Menino. He will be greatly missed.
Mary Catherine Deibel, Former Owner of Upstairs on the Square
Somehow, this hit me hard. I remember wondering in 1990 – how can this shuffling, awkward man at the podium be Boston’s mayor, as I heard him mumble remarks before my first big tourism breakfast. UpStairs at the Pudding had been asked to do the first of many FAM tour lunches for the GBCVB – we were considered, for VIP tour and convention scouts, an emblematic and historic Cambridge destination.
As time passed, I think Menino gained our respect, as a very honest, incredibly hard-working mayor whose real goal was to advance the City of Boston. He was a wonderful and long-standing champion to Community Servings over the years, and his toughness and integrity served him well. He died too early, and indeed, it is a sad day for Boston. Condolences to Mayor Menino’s lovely wife, Angela, who was nothing but cordial to me and to every Boston citizen all these many years.”
Frank DePasquale, Owner of DePasquale Ventures (Bricco, Umbria, Quattro, Mare, Trattoria il Panino):
“Mayor Menino was a tremendous Italian American leader in our country. His impact in the revitalization of neighborhoods in Boston will last for decades. His vision and leadership behind the creation and development of the Seaport District and Fort Point area has been remarkable.”
Jason Santos, Chef/Owner of Abby Lane and Back Bay Harry’s:
“Mayor Menino and his wife were frequent visitors of my restaurants and he was such a strong supporter of Back Bay Harry’s. I used to sneak him cookies at the end of his meal, which he really got a kick out of. My thoughts go out to his family and friends. The city lost a very special man today.”
Image via Nebo
