The Story of Italian Day February of 2007, I fulfilled a long time desire to follow in the footsteps of my mentor, Chef David Russo, by bringing Fat Tuesday to Columbus, Ohio. Fat Tuesday is now a mainstay in Northwest Columbus, and those who attend can speak to it's fanatical environment. Many of those who are present can describe the atmosphere better than I, none better than my regulars, many of who repeatedly gave up their seats so others could enjoy the food. Once the night approached its end, there was one question that everyone kept asking me… “are you ever going to do an Italian day?” A Celebration of Italy, Gallo's Gives Back, was born on August 7th, 2007… I soon realized that much like Fat Tuesday, it was going to become an annual event… which brings us to tonight. Every dish on the menu is from scratch, and made with love. The recipes come from many different places and people, so the spirit of this food is quite vast. Portions will again be small, allowing you to sample several items off the menu. My personal beer of choice, Peroni is on draft, the Chianti is D.E.C.G and is ridiculously drinkable, the Vodka is made from Italian grapes, and the Lemonchello is spectacular. Eat as much as possible. Drink whatever you like. Whatever you choose, please enjoy yourself! Last year we raised over $2000.00 for St Jude Children's Research Hospital. You helped to make the event very successful and quite frankly, exceed my expectations. I can honestly tell you that I push myself to the limit of collapse to do this event with the honor that it deserves. Last year my motivation was a dear friend who we lost to Cancer, Annette Karonis. This years beneficiary was undetermined until events occurred that, while outside the Gallo's Family, were very much in the Service Industry Family. I have found in my many years of working in the restaurant and bar industry, there are those who do this for money, and those who do this for the love. September of 2003, after a four year hiatus, I found myself vowing never to return to this industry again… Then on his honeymoon, my brother called to inform me that he had acquired the bar on Bethel and Olentangy River Roads. Initially, my motivation was quite selfish. I knew with Nick and our GM Pat Gerold's bar knowledge, our cousin Larry's 25 plus years in retail, and my passion for food, that we would surely be successful. I would get in, make money, and get out. Passion is a funny thing though… whether with hobbies, sports, women… and even food… when it has a hold of you… it is really never a question of if, rather a question of when and for how long. Where there is passion, there is often denial… we think we control it, but really, it controls us. Four years later… I am still cooking with unbridled passion. We are now upon our fourth “special event,” and our second to benefit charity. While watching the news on May 16 of this year and seeing Haiku owner Paul Liu explain the details of a tragic situation at his restaurant in the Short North… my motivations were drastically altered. As an owner of my own business, I can tell you that the kids who work for me, are truly more than employees, they are “my family.” I push myself to the limit everyday, to insure that they all have every opportunity to succeed here at Gallo's, or to use Gallo's as a springboard for success in future endeavors. I demand they get respect from my customers, I listen intently to their opinions, and I see to it that their safety is on the top of my priority list. When I saw Mr. Liu on the news, having never met him or his employees, I began to cry. At first I was not sure what had come over me, but as I sat there, I realized the pain he must be feeling seeing not only his own wife injured, but one of his “family” seriously injured, in a life altering way. On the evening of May 15, Rachel Widomski was seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver outside of Haiku restaurant. Rachel's severe spinal cord injuries will leave her paralyzed for life. Tonight, I have asked every bar on Bethel and Kenny Roads, to in some way help raise money for Rachel and her Family. I feel it is not out of necessity, rather obligation, for Industry to back Industry. We are donating all of the food sales, not just profit, to Rachel and her family… I ask that before you leave tonight, look around my bar, look at my servers and bartenders, and if you can get me to look up for a second, try to look into my eyes… What you will see is raw, profound, and undeniable Passion. While the atmosphere Celebrates Italy… Our hearts support Rachel… we ask you to do the same.     Tommy Gallo Donations can be left with your server or bartender. back to menu