Ever the innovator, Gabe Virgilio purchased a state-of-the-art coal-burning oven to make pizzas in his East Side Cafe. To this day, the cafe makes pizza in this oven.
In the 1950s and 1960s, there were about three dozen places to dine within a block of the Pittsfield âupstreetâ shopping district.
One of my favorites was the Rosa Restaurant, located at 154 North St., near the Palace movie theater. The restaurant counter always seemed to be busy, as well as the many booths. When I was a youngster and our family ate at the Rosa, I always followed my Dadâs lead and ordered the tasty fried scallops.
As I got older and went with friends or on a date, I remember having the breaded veal cutlet, spaghetti, swordfish, chicken, and even liver and onions. Who could forget the classic buttered rolls, strawberry cream pie and sweet cherry tarts?