RIP: Mia Roma 1973-2015. As of Sunday night, the doors closed forever at Mia Roma in Kenmore. The owner abruptly sold the business to a group of investors to eventually make it an upscale restaurant-nightclub. It will reopen some day with a new name. A new chapter for Kenmore.

Teo’s Mia Roma, was a popular Italian restaurant in Kenmore back in the day. On weekend nights, the place was packed, buzzing with conversation and activity. The who’s who of the Italian community would frequent Mia Roma’s.

My own music career started at Mia Roma over 25 years ago with Concetta Migliore and Tom Falcone who strolled the restaurant with accordion, guitar and song. She played her accordion on the restaurant’s opening night. She and her husband John could be found at Mia Roma every Friday and Saturday night for many years. She formed the RigaTones with her “boys” Tom Falcone and myself. The three of us would stroll and sing until she couldn’t anymore.

Tom and I still sing many of her song arrangements today. I will miss strolling the dining room with accordion and the recent joy of son Joe Luzzi’s monthly comedy showcase. So sad to see it go… so, these song lyrics have a little deeper meaning now: Arrividerci Roma, good bye, good bye au revoir.

Lenny Luzzi, Kirkland