08/07/2026
A heartfelt message from Ragazza owner, Laura:
Finding this picture in the attic is one of my all time weird experiences. I wanted to have a family picture in Ragazza and recalled an image that I had seen that I thought would be perfect. Mom and I looked through every album where I might have seen it, with no luck. Mom said there could pictures in grandma’s old steamer trunk in the corner of the attic - but there was no way of me knowing about those. I went up there and found a Marshall Fields shirt box. This was the second picture in the box. I can’t tell you how excited I was…I am convinced that grandma brought picture to me-maybe in a dream. It’s now iconic.
The picture was taken in New York shortly after my grandfather left them. Mom recalled that the picture was taken by a family member practicing photography. He captured this beautiful, crystal clear image. Shortly after, grandma packed up my mom and my uncles, Peter and Bart, and moved to start a new life on her own in Hollywood Beach, FL. She managed to raise three smart, kind, successful children.
My godfather Peter (the adorable one in the middle) is still living. And he is one of my favorite regulars, the best marketer and instrumental in helping me start Ragazza. He will join us as we celebrate mom’s life. At Ragazza —with family, friends and food. The way mom would have wanted.
Now if mom or Grandma Elsie could bring me the famous eggplant ball recipe in a dream. 🥰
