Restaurant owner hits out at locals who ‘humiliated’ staff as they’re forced to close down

The owner of an Italian restaurant in London has hit out at the local community which ‘humiliated’ his staff.

Don Ciccio in Highgate, north London, was forced to close down earlier this month, exactly six years after it opened.

With just 239 reviews in that time, it held a decent rating of 4.6 out of five on TripAdvisor. Although two of its recent ones were not particularly complimentary about the restaurant serving up Italian food favourites.

And in its closure announcement, it took aim at its local ‘community’ for ‘never supporting’ it. Marco Claudio Valente, the founder, also accused a local organisation of ‘never replying’ to the restaurant’s proposals.

In a post titled ‘The Farewell’, it simply states: “We have closed due to a lack of customers,” as it reflected on previously being told it had ‘one of the best pizzas’ in the capital.

Don Ciccio was on Hampstead Lane in north London. (SWNS)

“We are guests in this country, and as guests, we will not complain,” it adds. “We’ll simply say: addio.”

The post then goes into sharing ‘gratitude’ for its ‘faithful customers’ who it hopes to one day meet in Italy, as well as adding to its staff: “Thank you for your passion, and for enduring the humiliation of entire evenings with an empty dining room.”

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But the gratitude then takes a bit of a turn: “To the community of Highgate and its neighbours – thank you for never supporting us, not even once.

“To those we served during lockdown, when we were the only restaurant open, thank you for never visiting us once the pandemic ended.

“To the Highgate Society – thank you for never replying to any of our proposals for collaboration.

“To those who lived a few doors away yet ordered delivery from somewhere else – thank you for your commitment to distance. In short: thank you for all supporting us so perfectly.”

The restaurant closed after exactly six years. (SWNS)

Oh, and it doesn’t stop there: “To those who said, back in 2019, ‘they’ll close within three months’ – congratulations! You were only off by five years and nine months.”

It also added: "WE MAY BE THE FIRST ITALIAN RESTAURANT TO CLOSE...

"...not for bad food, bad reviews, or bad luck — but for the sheer indifference of our neighbours."

Pizza and pasta on the menu ranged from about £14 to £26, and while some Google reviews called it a ‘hidden gem’ with the ‘tastiest food’, other reviews simply warned ‘do not go there’ and called it ‘disappointing'.

Don Ciccio's menu, which is still online, lists classic Italian dishes including pizza and pasta ranging from £14 to £26.

LADbible has contacted the Highgate Society for comment.