The Vesuvius Restaurant was located at 161 Eighth Avenue at the corner of Sheffield Street. The restaurant, owned by the Siciliano family, was considered one of the finest Italian restaurants on Eighth Avenue. As with the Vittorio Castle, another renowned Eighth Avenue restaurant, it attracted its share of celebrities, the famous and the infamous. When the neighborhood was razed for the Columbus Homes , Vesuvius relocated to Bloomfield Avenue, where it remained for many years.
This plastic demitasse spoon, must have been taken as a keepsake and then stashed away for close to seventy years. Fortunately, when it was rediscovered , it was not discarded. I rarely find many old First Ward “relics”. Most people today would not know where these items originated or why anyone might want them. I hope that if some people who may read this blog have similar items they will think twice before discarding them.
Newark's Attic 
I was married to the Siciliano’s granddaughter, Madeline DiDonna, in 1956. Her parents, Michael DiDonna and Fortunata(Fannie) worked and operated the business, before turning it over to their son Domenic (Donald) who ran it for some years, before selling it, and moving to Florida.
We have two children, Joseph and Maria, and ten grandchildren . Donald married and has one daughter.
To be able to eat their food for months while courting Madeline daily was the experience of a lifetime. Its authenticity, variety and flavors were overlays of my subsequent eating experiences in Naples.
It was truly a blessing in response to a prayer to St. Anthony that brought us together. I am indebted to him forever.
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Hi Joseph,
Thank you for sharing your story. Vesuvius was an integral part of the restaurant row on the late lamented 8th Avenue. Your story is a true tale from a Newark long, long ago. Vesuvius was fortunate to survive it’s initial demise and thrived for many years on Bloomfield Avenue.
As a totally unrelated aside, my late grandmother had a devotion to St. Anthony. My late uncle was named Anthony Gerard.
Appreciate your comments.
Regards,
John Lipari
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My grandfather was the bartender at Vesuvius for several years. Despite his now dementia, he speaks only fondly of his years there.
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Hi Kristin
Thank you for your comment.
Did he work at the Vesuvius on 8th Avenue or Bloomfield Avenue?
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What a lovely memory this is! My name is Michele Di Donna, and I am blessed to be the daughter of Dominick Di Donna – (incorrectly cited as “Domenic” in a previous post by my Uncle) – the last Sicliano/Di Donna family proprietor of the Vesuvius.
Many of my most special childhood memories were made in our restaurant. It is where I watched my Father honor the traditions handed down to him by his Parents and Grandparents – the service of superb, authentic Italian cuisine to guests who were treated like family. And the crew was a family. I had so many “Uncles” who seamelssly balanced their art of consummate professionalism with patient indulgence of an impetuous red-headed 6 year-old. “Uncle” Eddie, “Uncle” Ernie, “Uncle” Tony behind the bar who would let me collect the bottle caps and paper scrolls from the necks of the bottles of Italian wine. How I loved them all!
I have learned everything I know in the kitchen from my Dad. And even now at 85 years of age, he doesn’t let a day go by without teaching me something new or sharing a memory with me. I can’t wait to share this article with him……..thank you for the smile today.
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Greetings Michele
I’m honored that you took the time to comment. I’m guessing that your father, yourself or both remember the original 8th Avenue restaurant? If so, I would be interested in knowing more. Photos and additional recollections would be fantastic. All the best.
John Lipari
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Just read a New York Times article which stated that David Chase, creator of the Sopranos, named Artie Bucco‘s restaurant Vesuvio in the Sopranos after a Northern New Jersey restaurant named Vesuvius. It has to be this restaurant. I grew up on N. 9th St. in Newark and Vesuvius at that time was on Bloomfield Avenue near N. 8th I believe. The article stated that David Chase and his family would dine there.
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I was a kid when this restaurant was THE place, especially for the Italian community . I had the privilege to DJ a wedding party. Ah, the good old days!💕🙏💕i
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Hi everyone! I was a Bartender (for a short time) at the Vesuvius on Bloomfield ave. back in the early 1990’s what a beautiful restaurant! The stucco, marble etc. was simply extraordinary.. I remember pictures on the walls with Sinatra, Pesci, & many other Big names!! Too shelf food..
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I ate there once toward the end of it’s long existence. The comments about the restaurant always recall it fondly. Thank you for sharing.
John
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I never been there but I recently watched a YouTube video related to the acquittal of 20 something mobsters. In the video the defendants and attorneys were celebrating their win at Vesuvius. I think it was in the late 1980’s or early 90’s. It looked like a really nice place so I googled it and here I am.
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Thank you for commenting.
John
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