Camille’s (Providence, Rhode Island)
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Camille's is the oldest Italian restaurant in
Rhode Island Rhode Island ( ) is a state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It borders Connecticut to its west; Massachusetts to its north and east; and the Atlantic Ocean to its south via Rhode Island Sound and Block Is ...
, located in Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island. Camille's has been open since 1914 when it was known as Marconi’s. They are known as the best Mafia restaurant in America.


History

In 1914 Camille's opened for business under the name Marconi's. In 1919 The restaurant changed ownership, name and location when Pasquale Parolisi bought the restaurant. In 1952, Jack and Camille, his son and daughter-in-law, inherited the restaurant. Camille's is the second oldest family owned restaurant in the US. The restaurant is housed in what was a former mansion. Camille's may have been the first restaurant to feature fried calamari.


Reception

Camille's was honored with an Award of Excellence from '' Wine Spectator.'' ''The Phoenix'' said “Camille's exudes ''duende'', the rare place that's pure Rhode Island with a dash of Las Vegas, the kind of joint where
Frank Sinatra Francis Albert Sinatra (; December 12, 1915 – May 14, 1998) was an American singer and actor. Honorific nicknames in popular music, Nicknamed the "Chairman of the Board" and "Ol' Blue Eyes", he is regarded as one of the Time 100: The Most I ...
would have felt right at home.” In fact, Sinatra was supposedly a big fan of their Italian wedding soup. Other famous customers include several US Presidents including John F. Kennedy and his son, Lyndon B. Johnson,
Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924December 29, 2024) was an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party ...
and
Gerald Ford Gerald Rudolph Ford Jr. (born Leslie Lynch King Jr.; July 14, 1913December 26, 2006) was the 38th president of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977. A member of the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party, Ford assumed the p ...
;
Jane Fonda Jane Seymour Fonda (born December 21, 1937) is an American actress and activist. Recognized as a film icon, Jane Fonda filmography, Fonda's work spans several genres and over six decades of film and television. She is the recipient of List of a ...
,
Yoko Ono Yoko Ono (, usually spelled in katakana as ; born February 18, 1933) is a Japanese multimedia artist, singer, songwriter, and peace activist. Her work also encompasses performance art and filmmaking. Ono grew up in Tokyo and moved to New York ...
as well as members of
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and
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. Mafia boss Raymond L. S. Patriarca was a frequent customer.


References


External links


Scenes From a Chianti-Soaked Italian Restaurant
{{Restaurants in Rhode Island 1914 establishments Speakeasies Restaurants in Rhode Island Italian restaurants in the United States Italian-American culture in Providence, Rhode Island Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island