| Valbella | |
|---|---|
 Interactive map of Valbella | |
| Restaurant information | |
| Established | 1991 |
| Owner | David Ghatan (also known as David Ghatanfard) |
| Manager | Nick Zherka |
| Food type | Italian |
| Location | 1309 East Putnam Avenue, Riverside, Fairfield, Connecticut, 06878, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°2′35″N73°34′32″W / 41.04306°N 73.57556°W /41.04306; -73.57556 |
| Reservations | required for parties of six and more |
| Website | www |
Valbella is an Italian restaurant in theRiverside section ofGreenwich, Connecticut with sister locations inMidtown Manhattan and theMeatpacking District, Manhattan.[1] Regulars includedJoe Torre, "almost the entireYankees team"[2] andRegis Philbin, who was a Saturday night regular for 22 years; his regular table was left empty in his honor after his death.[3]
Wine Spectator awarded them with a Best of Award of Excellence.[4]
On December 20, 2009, there was a fire that caused them to close for a month for repairs.[5]
In 1998, the restaurant was invaded by members of theGambino crime family to get them to payprotection money ($5,000/month) and free food. UnderbossAnthony "The Genius" Megale, acting bossArnold Squitieri and 30 others were brought up on federal charges of extortion in 2005.[6]
Megale, considered Connecticut’s highest ranking Mob member, was sentenced to eleven years for this and other crimes.[7]
Joaquín "Jack" García, a retired FBI agent, mentioned Valbella in his bookMaking Jack Falcone: Am Undercover FBI Agent Takes Down a Mafia Family.,[8][7]
García hadCaporegimeGreg DePalma on tape saying he dined at Valbella for free and controlled the restaurant.[9][better source needed]