When Jose Villegas' grandparents died, he was in Mexico visiting with his mother. His grandmother, who had been ill for some time, died first, and his grandfather followed two weeks later. In the middle of grief, the mother, Delfina Villegas, and son looked at each other and asked: What will we do? The answer came just as easily: "We'll open a restaurant," the pair said.
Tony Dimaggio's Pizza will officially reopen today at 3852 Monterey Road. This family-owned spot, a staple since 1977, overcame a roof fire in July 2024 that led to an 11-month closure. Now back in business since June 2025, the restaurant invites the community to its formal celebration on Thursday, October 9, starting at 11:30 a.m. Remarks from Councilmember Bien Doan, representatives of the Monterey Corridor Business Association, and owner Jack Dimaggio will highlight the event, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
At the Mona Lisa Restaurant in North Beach, Andrea Bocelli croons over the loudspeakers as diners feast on cacio e pepe, lobster ravioli and Neapolitan pizza. The 46-year-old restaurant is a sensory overload: neoclassical statues wearing motorcycle helmets, rainbow chandeliers hanging from the equally colorful ceiling and a massive mural depicting the "Creation of Adam." Every other free inch of wall space is occupied by framed photos of celebrities: