(GLEN COVE, N.Y.) – For the Lubrano family, the restaurant business is more than a livelihood – it’s a family tradition spanning three generations, with the crown jewel being La Bussola Ristorante in Glen Cove.
On Wednesday, Feb. 12, the restaurant was the site of a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking its 45th anniversary of serving the greater Glen Cove community – and with it, a celebration of an American Dream come true.
Matriarch Raffaela and her six siblings, who hailed from islands off Italy’s Amalfi Coast, came “little by little” to America, La Bussola co-owner Carlo Lubrano said; patriarch Pasquale, the oldest of nine, came to America in 1957. There, he began working in a restaurant in Forest Hills wed Raffaela, and honed his craft diligently until 1980, when he went into business for himself with his family by his side.
“We got to be with him every weekend to watch him cook and see what he did,” Carlo said. “It was really cool - a lot of kids don’t get a chance to see the sacrifices your parents make for you firsthand to understand and get it.”
Today, all four of Pasquale’s sons are in the family business, with Tony, John and Carlo each manage a restaurant while executive chef Marco oversees the kitchens for all locations.
In carrying on the tradition established by Pasquale, who passed away in 2006, Bussola Restaurant Group has grown to include restaurants in Huntington and Mineola, with the Glen Cove flagship holding a special place in their hearts.
“Even though it’s a city, Glen Cove has the small town feel to it,” Carlo said. “The most wonderful thing about being about 45 years in this community is that you have first, second, third and fourth generations of families coming in and knowing all of the other neighborhood businesses – that makes it feel like a small town for me.”
As the number of families that discover and enjoy La Bussola continues to grow, so too do the stories of major life events that get passed down from generation to generation.
“So many memories have been made within these walls - I got engaged and had my wedding reception here after Richard and I got married at City Hall - and the reason is because whenever you walk in, you are greeted like you are family,” Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D – Glen Cove) said. “This is a one-of-a-kind gem that we all cherish - and we wish you all many, many years of delicious success.
Looking ahead, the Lubrano family has their sights set on a golden 50th anniversary in 2030, and they plan to get there by remaining consistent, preserving the quality of their signature cuisine, and making new memories with outstanding customer service.
“To be able to continue something dad started so many years ago and to be a part of it since its inception – we’re really blessed,” co-owner Carlo Lubrano said. “Having my mom there at 91 years old – knowing she’s been through it all and saw how my dad struggled to start up the business – is especially meaningful.”
PHOTO CREDIT – Photo by Peter M. Budraitis