Federico Ristorante Italiano, the to Crystal City鈥檚 Cafe Italia, is now open for business.
Co-owner Freddie Lutz, who also runs the eponymous Freddie鈥檚 Beach Bar, told ARLnow that the revived restaurant held its grand opening Sunday (Sept. 30).
Lutz worked for decades as a waiter and maitre d鈥� at Cafe Italia, located at聽519 23rd Street S., and worked with a pair of other former employees to bring the eatery back to life after it . He鈥檇 originally planned to dub it 鈥淔reddie鈥檚 Italian Cafe,鈥� but decided to change the name a bit in deference to its former owners.
Lutz added that the restaurant held a soft opening last Monday, before officially cutting the ribbon on the place Sunday night. Lutz, a longtime South Arlington resident, held an 鈥渋ce cream social鈥� at his home nearby, then led attendees over to Federico for the big celebration.
鈥淲e had a line up the street, it was packed and very festive,鈥� Lutz said.
Lutz said attendees included state lawmakers like state Sens. Adam Ebbin (D-30th District) and Barbara Favola (D-31st District) and Del. Mark Levine (D-45th District), as well as former County Board member Jay Fisette.
Lutz is hoping the new place can capture the spirit of the original restaurant, which was a fixture of the neighborhood since it opened in 1976. Though the eatery fell on some hard times in later years, Lutz expects the restaurant to be packed full of diners for the foreseeable future.
鈥淲e鈥檝e got our sea legs and now we鈥檙e bracing ourselves for the busy times,鈥� Lutz said.
