K 49: Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of Ristorante Lombardo of Buffalo, New York

 Assembly Resolution No. 49 BY: M. of A. Conrad COMMEMORATING the 50th Anniversary of Ristorante Lombardo of Buffalo, New York WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the achievements of those individuals and businesses that contribute substantially to the economic vitality of their communities, thereby enhancing the economic well-being of the entire Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Ristorante Lombardo; and WHEREAS, In March of 1975, Thomas J. Lombardo, Sr., and Thomas Lombardo, Jr., purchased a former frozen pizza factory in a northern part of Buffalo, New York, naming it Lombardo's; and WHEREAS, In the summer of 1986, Thomas Lombardo, Jr., followed his vision of creating a fine-dining destination, having the restaurant remodeled for the first time in the 11 years of its operation; white tablecloths adorned the tables, rendering the dining room a more upscale attraction; and WHEREAS, Known for its Italian cuisine in a fine-dining atmosphere, Lombardo's became an immensely successful and popular place for the residents of Buffalo and the surrounding region to hold family gatherings, celebrate special occasions, and enjoy delicious food prepared from generational family recipes; and WHEREAS, A subsequent, and more extensive, remodeling occurred in September of 1994; the new layout, expanding the front dining room and adding one of Buffalo's most beautiful and secluded patios, is still the current design; and WHEREAS, Thomas Lombardo, Sr., semi-retired from tending the bar, and Thomas Lombardo, Jr., introduced John Spasiano, one of Buffalo's most talented barmen, to serve the patrons; and WHEREAS, In August of 1996, Thomas Lombardo, Jr., and his wife, Donna, visited Italy for the first time and were amazed by the diverse food, flavors, and culture of the peninsula; upon their return home, they started to incorporate the cuisine they experienced into Lombardo's menu; and WHEREAS, Throughout the late 1990s and the 2000s, the couple spent time in Italy annually; Lombardo's menu features even more of the regional Italian cuisine experienced and enjoyed during each trip; in September of 2010, the kitchen was remodeled, and a wood-burning pizza oven was installed, adding thin crust pizza to the menu; and WHEREAS, Thomas D. Lombardo, a third-generation part of the family, returned to Buffalo after a decade of working in New York City; every few years, new projects and renovations improve and expand the restaurant to create more memorable experiences for the guests of Lombardo's; and WHEREAS, The progression of Ristorante Lombardo, is in direct correlation to the efforts of the Lombardo family and their employees, whose involvement is, and always has been, characterized by an impressive commitment, an unbridled enthusiasm, and an uncompromising standard of excellence in all endeavors on behalf of the business and the community it serves; and WHEREAS, It is with immense pride that the hard-working and dedicated staff members of Ristorante Lombardo, celebrate this milestone 50th Anniversary and anticipate many more years of success for generations to come; and WHEREAS, It is with great pleasure that this Legislative Body acknowledges this exceptional business, its contributions to the local and state economies, and its vibrant role in improving the quality of life in its community, fully confident that it will continue to enjoy the sparkling successes it has experienced thus far; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of Ristorante Lombardo; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Ristorante Lombardo.