Camille's (Providence, Rhode Island)
Camille's is the oldest Italian restaurant in Rhode Island, located in Federal Hill, Providence, Rhode Island. Camille's has been open since 1914 when it was known as Marconi’s.
| Camille's | |
|---|---|
 | |
_001.jpg.webp) Camille's restaurant | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Previous owner(s) | Pasquale Parolisi |
| Food type | Italian |
| Street address | 71 Bradford St |
| City | Providence |
| County | Providence County |
| State | Rhode Island |
| Postal/ZIP Code | 02903 |
| Country | US |
| Coordinates | 41.822778°N 71.421667°W |
| Website | Camille's website |
They are known as the best Mafia restaurant in America.[1]
History
In 1914 Camille's opened for business under the name Marconi's.[2] 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.[3] Camille's is the second oldest family owned restaurant in the US.[4]
The restaurant is housed in what was a former mansion. Camille's may have been the first restaurant to feature fried calamari.[5]
Reception
Camille's was honored with an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.[2]
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 would have felt right at home.”[3]
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 and Gerald Ford; Jane Fonda, Yoko Ono as well as members of Aerosmith and Led Zeppelin.[3]
Mafia boss Raymond L. S. Patriarca was a frequent customer. [3]
References
- "Camille's Restaurant Named 'Top Mafia Restaurant' in America". Golocal Prov. May 18, 2011. Retrieved 25 May 2023.
- "The Oldest Italian Restaurant In Rhode Island Is Camille's And It's Delicious". Only in your State. 15 February 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- Donnis, Ian. "Closing time Camille's Roman Garden, a Providence institution, faces an uncertain future". Providence Phoenix. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- "Six Prohibition Speakeasies You Can Still Visit". New England Historical Society. 30 July 2016. Retrieved 27 November 2022.
- Beaulieu, Linda (2014). Providence & Rhode Island chef's table : extraordinary recipes from the Ocean State. Guilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press. p. 18. ISBN 9781493010615. Retrieved 27 November 2022.