Due Italianos

Donato De Iseo (left) and Marco Irato of Vias Imports were in the restaurant yesterday showing off some of their portfolio.

I know them both from previous lives. I was an assistant manager, (read glorified hostess) at Remi restaurant in New York City in, god, 1993. Donato was one of the waiters. This was a place that only hired male waiters, or so the story went. By the time I left there was one female. Otherwise it was chock o’ block full of Italians, and one Chris Cannon, who has gone on to do big things with, first, Judson Grill, Alto and L’impero, which the New York Times said yesterday is closing on June 29 for a revamp: new name, Convivio, and a new focus on the food of Southern Italy.

Marco was in my advanced certificate class at the International Wine Center. He is one test away from finishing his diploma.

Let me say, I just love Italian wine salesman.