La Fontana is among the hosts of a 9/11 fundraiser that summoned dozens of Staten Island and Brooklyn eateries to participate. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A day-long fundraiser for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation on Sept. 11 will commemorate the 21st anniversary of 9/11. The Independent Restaurant Organization Association Rescue is behind the third such effort dubbed “Dine Out To Remember,” which has raised over $60,000 in the past.
Over 70 establishments between Staten Island and Bay Ridge are on the list of participants, all veterans of the event, with two newbies — The Point and DeLuca’s Trattoria, both of West Brighton. A portion of the day’s receipts will go to Tunnel to Towers.
Co-planner Joe Fauci of La Fontana in Oakwood said that the gesture helps keep alive the memories of lost loved ones. Fellow organizer Rob DeLuca added, “For such a somber time in our lives 21 years ago, being out with other Staten Islanders might be of comfort.”
The emotions and days following September 11th are embedded in the two restaurateurs’ minds, as it is for their colleague of I.R.O.A.R., Joe O’Toole.
Joyce’s Tavern co-owner O’Toole recalled, “Every year my wife and I take out our old American Express bill from 9-11-2001 when we were supposed to be staying for our anniversary in the Marriott World Trade Center. It sends chills down my spine every year knowing that we were supposed to be there that day but our parents backed out of babysitting my kids. Thank God.”
O’Toole said that he reminds himself of the time afterward the nation seemed stronger than ever. The unity was a standout memory from such a tragedy.
Flashback to 2020: IROAR, a new union of independent restaurant owners, presented a $25,228.00 check to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for a 9/11 "Dine Out To Remember." (Courtesy of Tunnel to Towers Foundation)
SUCCESS IN ITS INAUGURAL YEAR
On the topic of memories: this I.R.O.A.R. 9/11 event kicked off in the fall of 2020 as indoor dining gradually returned to New York City. At that time, restaurants were eight months without use of their dining rooms due to COVID restrictions specific to the industry.
In that environment, when the city announce it would not read 9/11 victims’ names that September at an annual memorial, the gesture sparked widespread outrage. The I.R.O.A.R. community rallied with a fundraiser to benefit the Tunnel to Towers Foundation which said it would step in to save the live reading of names. The non-profit also underwrote the lights tribute after the 9/11 Memorial & Museum initially said it would cancel the festivities due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The 9/11 Memorial & Museum later said it would continue the tradition and the ceremony and lights tribute went on as it has in past years.
People walk by One World Trade Center, the Freedom Tower, which stands at Ground Zero in lower Manhattan. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) Getty ImagesGetty Images
But the first I.R.O.A.R. fundraiser was so well-embraced it gathered broad attention from outside the borough, particularly sparking the interest of the State Liquor Authority (SLA.) By supposed coincidence in the midst of the remembrance, around 9:30 p.m. on Sept. 11, 2020, Joyce’s Tavern was paid a visit from the state. An inspector reportedly observed guests dining indoors. Suddenly, the restaurant’s license was revoked in an SLA trial without representation from the restaurant.
Within a couple of weeks, after worldwide attention in the matter, Joyce’s Tavern was fully exonerated.
Restaurants interested in joining the ranks can reach out to IROARNYC.com or to Rob DeLuca, Joe Fauci and Joe O’Toole personally. They can be reached respectively at DeLuca’s (718-227-7200); LaFontana (718-667-4343) and Joyce’s Tavern (718-948-0220).
Hundreds of borough residents attend the 9/11 memorials each year at Angel's Circle. (Staten Island Advance/Joseph Ostapiuk)
In Annadale — La Fontana Sorellina, District, The Pizza Parlor
In Dongan HIlls — Campania, Max’s Es-Ca
In Castleton Corners — Castleton Corners Pub, Beer Garden, The Local, The Manor House
In Charleston — Big Nose Kate’s Saloon
In Grant City — The Corner House BBQ
In Great Kills — Marina Cafe
In Elm Park — Lacey’s Bridge Tavern
In Eltingville — Joyce’s Tavern, Campania, Richmond Republic
In Meiers Corners — The Pizza Parlor
In New Dorp — Ho’Brah, Kettle Black, Trackside Bar & Grill
In New Springville — Angelina’s Kitchen
In New Brighton — Shaker’s Lounge
In Oakwood — La Fontana, Canlon’s
In Port Richmond — Denino’s, O’Neill’s Public House, Gino’s
In Richmond Valley — Nucci’s and Aunt Butchie’s of Brooklyn
In Rosebank — J’s on the Bay
In Rossville — Unique Lounge and Billiards
In Stapleton — The Richmond, VINUM, The Coupe, The Hop Shoppe
In St. George — Ruddy & Dean
In Tompkinsville — Flagship Brewing Co., O’Henry’s Public House, Flour & Oak by Angelina’s
In Tottenville — DeLuca’s Italian Restaurant, Reggiano’s, Angelina’s, Mangia, Main Street Coffee
In West Brighton — Ho’Brah, Kettle Black, Randall Manor Tavern, West Cork Union Hall, Doc Hennigan’s, Jody’s, Duffy’s, Burrito Bar, The Point, DeLuca’s Trattoria
In Brooklyn — Cebu, Chadwick’s, Positano, Green House Cafe, Elia’s, Wicked Monk, Skinflints, Ponte Vecchio, Ho’Brah, Hunter’s Steakhouse, Kettle Black, Pipin’s Pub, Pour House, Tuscany Grill, Salty Dog, Gino’s and D”Elias Lounge
Pamela Silvestri is Advance Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com
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