Closed: Ciao Bella in Valley Stream
Ciao Bella, the Southern Italian restaurant located directly under the LIRR tracks, served its last meal on Jan. 22. Owner Freddy Sammarone said that the closure was the result of a dispute with the building’s landlord.
Ciao Bella, which opened in September, 2008, had one of Long Island’s coziest and most distinctive dining rooms: a railroad trestle ran through it, as did the low rumble of passing trains. Sammarone imbued the place with real warmth. He’s currently looking for a new restaurant location.
Freddy Sammarone attends to customers; the railroad trestle is to his left.