Look for us on the web:  www.kingumberto.com  &  www.villaumberto.com

We would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the family of PHIL RIZZUTO.  He will always be in our hearts and memories!

Where did the summer go?  I feel like I just sat down to finish the summer newsletter and here I find myself again completing the autumn newsletter.  I do not know about you, but the months just seem to be flying by.  Before you know it, we will be shopping for the holidays once again.

We had quite a few graduation celebrations here.  Elementary graduate REBECCA RYAN will be attending Durant Middle School.  Middle School graduates included JONATHAN DAVIS (South Side High School) and JARED D'ORAZIO (Cardinal Gibbons High School). JESSICA D'ELIA and ANTHONY GRIMALDI graduated from high school.  Kellenberg Memorial High School bid farewell to THOMAS DeJOSEPH, WILLIAM FERRO, KENNETH J. MOSHENSKY, and ALLISON M. MURPHY.  Sewanhaka High School congratulated JACQUELINE M. MINEO, FRANCESCA NOCELLA, JAMES PAOLANTONIO, JUSTINA PARMITER, and JESSICA TOMCZYK.  Christ the King Regional High School (my former high school) bestowed a diploma to DANIELLE LUDWIG.  Chaminade High School graduates STEVEN MARTINEZ, and P.J. TROIANO (St. Joseph's University) are on their way.  Valley Stream South High School graduate BRITTANY RICE and Floral Park Memorial High School graduate LAUREN CACCAVALLO threw their caps up.  Valley Stream North High School graduates ELENA DOERRBECKER (Baruch College), KRISTEN FRIEDMAN (SUNY Albany), and BRYAN LEE (SUNY Plattsburgh) felt proud of their accomplishment. Graduates CHRIS DAVIS (Flagler College) and BLAKE MALIZIA (Buffalo State) said goodbye to South Side High School.  Central High School congratulated ANTHONY GONZALEZ (Nassau Community College).  Massapequa High School graduate HAILEY DeSIMONE is heading to Slippery Rock University and playing soccer for the women's soccer team.  Long Beach High School graduate ALEXANDRA J. GIALANZE will be attending the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam pursuing her degree in music education.  H.F. Carey High School graduates CHRISTINA LISI, PATRICK A. MARINELLO, RYAN STROPKAY, and SARA WALDEN earned their diplomas.  Bergen County Academy High School graduate CHRISTOPHER TROIANO announced that he will be attending SUNY Binghamton.  College graduates included DR. MELISSA PERNA (St. John's University with a Doctorate in Education) and ELIZABETH IOVINO (St. John's University School of Law).  Congratulations to all!

A belated congratulations to my sister- in-law and brother-in-law JOSEPHINE & JOHN DE PIETRO on the birth of their first child JADA MARIE (6lbs, 1oz) born on April 27th, 2007.  My husband and I were asked to be her godparents and we gladly accepted!  JENNIFER & KEITH CILIONE welcomed baby CHASE JEFFREY (9lbs, 2oz) on May 15th, 2007.  JAVIER & JULIETA CARRILLO will cherish June 17th as long as they live since it was the day their baby girl SARAH JULIET (8lbs) was born.  Proud parents, NICK & ELIZABETH LAMPIASI, welcomed their #1 Yankee Fan JOSEPH WILLIAM (7lbs, 9oz) on July 27th, 2007.  BILL & MARGARET SHISHKO were proud to announce the birth of their first grandchild CALEB ANDREW (8lbs) on August 7th, 2007 to their son and daughter-in-law JONATAN & LAURYN SHISHKO.

The SCIALO-LABBE' family celebrated the christening of KAITLYN MARIE on June 3rd, 2007.  JOE & NANCY MONTENEGRO celebrated their first son MICHAEL ANTHONY'S christening on July 21st, 2007.

JOY JANKUNAS, Esq. & GREG STROLLER, Esq.  were married on June 30th, 2007 at the Brooklyn Botanic Gardens.  BENEDETTA REGINA & LOUIS CUCIO had their rehearsal dinner on August 2nd, 2007 for their wedding day, August 4th.  STACEY MARRA & DENNIS SANTORO had their rehearsal dinner for their August 12th, 2007 wedding on August 9th!  Former King Umberto employee, ANNA CESARANO (Ciro’s daughter) & FILIPPO LIMITONE tied the knot on August 19th, 2007! 

May 5th, 2007 was the day ADAM CROSSMAN popped the question to JENNIFER TULLO.  TRACY CATALANOTTI and ROY MARTINEZ got engaged on June 3rd, 2007 and are planning their wedding for September 14th, 2008.  GREG SINACORI asked JACLYN FRANZESE for her hand in marriage on June 13th, 2007.  On August 21st, 2007, KRISTOFFER RIVERA asked MELISSA PERNA to marry him as they walked through the beautiful Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park in Boston.

Don’t forget to check out the fall foliage, stop in for dinner, and share your news with us!  Ciao!

Contents Copyright 2007, King Umberto Inc.

Our featured wine is Turnbull Wine Cellars, Merlot. The Turnbull name goes back to the early 1300s when William Roule of Bedrule saved the life of Scottish King Robert the Bruce from a wild bull that was threatening to gore him. William jumped in between the bull and the king and proceeded to turn it down to the ground. The grateful king dubbed his subject "Turnbull" and awarded him a crest featuring a bull's head twisted back with the motto: "Audaci Favet Fortuna," or "Fortune Favors the Bold."

Merlot is a sensitive grape that dislikes dry and cold conditions. The merlot stalk bears vigorous hanging foliage. The mature leaves are large and highly indented with marked 'blistering.' The clusters of grapes are large, loose, often winged with small round grapes that are blue, tending towards black.

Turnbull merlot opens with a bright, clean burst of red cherry pie, with teases of wintergreen, clove tea, and smoky oak. This inviting aroma leads to an elegant balanced mouth feel, rich in dusty tannins and complex cherry, coffee, and grilled mushroom flavors which finishes very fine.

Merlot is a fine food wine that pairs well with foods that are not too strongly flavored, such as poultry, beef with morels, or a cheese tray.  It is often said that merlot is the wine best suited to mushroom dishes.

FUN FACTS

 - One barrel of wine equals roughly 20 cases, which equals 120 glasses.
 - A ton of grapes makes about 720 bottles of wine or 60 cases.
 - One vine annually produces between 4 and 6 bottles of wine or between 20 and 30 glasses.
 - Each bottle of wine contains about 2.8 pounds of grapes; therefore each 5 ounce glass of wine contains a little over half a pound of grapes.
 - There are between 15 and 45 clusters of grapes per vine.
 - One acre of land is home to between 900 and 1300 vines.
 

To the Entire King Umberto Staff,

I recently had my baby shower in the restaurant.  I wanted to thank the entire staff for the wonderful service and great food.

Thank You,
Geraldine & Christopher Voss
(Teresa & Tony Vendome)

Thank you to King Umberto restaurant and amazing staff for helping to make our engagement a very special occasion.  From the family environment atmosphere to the ring on the champagne glass, amazing meal, and special attention throughout, this is a day that will remain in our fondest memories forever.

We're both looking forward to celebrating future turning points and many happy occasions together. 

Thanks again,
Roberta & John

Rosario,

I just wanted to thank you and everyone at King Umberto's for making my 30th birthday such a special occasion.  The food was fantastic.  So many people commented on it.  As always, the staff did a wonderful job.

Thanks again,
Lisa Cairo

Rosario,

Thank you for a wonderful party to help us celebrate Ava's baptism.  The food was of course delicious and everyone was very accommodating.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

Love,
Laura & John Berard

Dear Rosario,

Thank you for always treating us with extra special kindness.  The dinner "treat" was truly appreciated.  Thank you for creating a restaurant with great food, an extensive wine list, and an atmosphere filled with comfort.  Most of all…thank you for a restaurant filled with great people!  Thank you for the great service!

With Love,
Regina & Sal

Dear Franco,

To say thank you is such an understatement!  The party was a HUGE success as I knew it would be.  The orientation to detail by you and your staff is tremendous.  Your focus on customer service is exceptional.  The balloons were awesome and very festive.  The food was delicious.  The cake was magnificent.  The courtesy was over the top.  As I mentioned, I don't host too many functions, but we've had my children's baptisimal celebrations at your restaurant.  We've dined out and taken-out on occasion - we don't go out much.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  Thank you for the beautiful memory and such a successful tribute to my husband!

Debbie Sorace

P.S. The Polaroid picture was "WOW" what a nice gesture and rememberance.

Dear Rosario,

Everything you serve in your restaurant is delicious and done in full measure.  You give new meaning to the word "hospitality".

Many Thanks for the generous supply of after-dinner mints.

Sincerely,
Judy & Richard Wolf

Dear Rosario,

Recently I had a bridal shower at King Umberto for my daughter. I would like to praise Franco and staff for making the occasion a great success. Their attention and service was excellent. Franco was very accommodating and to say the least, tried to please everyone.

Of course, all the guests expressed the food was "one of the best" they've ever experienced.  Since I have been at your restaurant on several occasions and was aware of your reputation, I wasn't surprised to hear the food was "delizioso".

Thank you so much for making the day a memorable one

Sincerely,
Rosemarie Santacroce