La Volpe owners sell to retire

After 39 years in the community, the Volpe family has decided to retire and sell La Volpe Ristorante & Anton Brick Oven Pizzeria, located at 611 Montauk Highway in Center Moriches.

“The Chamber of Commerce of the Moriches extends heartfelt appreciation to the La Volpe family of La Volpe for their years of dedication, warm hospitality, and meaningful contributions to our community,” said Moriches Chamber president Jackie Osborne. “We are also delighted to warmly welcome the Avino family as the new owners. After speaking with Merri Avino, we are excited to see them continue the cherished traditions established by the La Volpe family, while also adding their own traditions and personal touch to our community.”

The purchasers, Merri Italiano, her father Jim Avino and her brother Michael Avino, are the owners of Avino’s Italian Restaurant, located on South Country Road in Bellport Village. That location has been owned by Avino’s since they took over the restaurant in 2005.

The deal, Jim explained, came after a mutual friend told them of their desire to retire and a few months later, the purchase of La Volpe will now be the Avino’s second Italian venture.

“Our families operated consistent with each other, with our values and heritage and trying to bring [the] best product and hospitality forward,” Jim said.

They promise to keep it “exactly the same,” right down to the staff and the chef, who have all been maintained since taking over about four weeks ago.

“It’s the same full staff still there; they will be staying and we are not changing the menu at this time,” said Jim, also stating maybe they will make a few tweaks as time goes on, but it will “essentially stay the same.”

Not only will the famous meatballs keep the same taste, but Jim and Merri said they will also continue to keep fresh high-end Italian ingredients.

“We love the Moriches; it’s a beloved little community that has kind of been untouched in many ways like Bellport,” said Jim of the acquisition. “

“We’re very excited the Volpe family created a wonderful restaurant with beautiful traditions. We’re really looking forward to continuing those traditions with our family,” added Merri.

As for La Volpe, it was originally a pizzeria and restaurant, named Anton’s Pizzeria, that the family opened just two years after moving to Long Island from Sicily.

The business has grown into a successful restaurant experience known as La Volpe Ristorante & Anton Brick Oven Pizzeria. The villa-style location was designed with the help of Filomena Volpe and it officially opened just across the street from the original Anton’s Pizzeria in 2006. The family all worked together to put forth this oocation from the beginning with much appreciation to the youngest member of the family Roberto Volpe who helped establish the business in the beginning specializing in wines and marketing.

According to the owners, La Volpe Restaurant is one of the most popular family-owned Italian restaurants on the East End of Long Island. People from all over Suffolk County and Long Island make a regular trip to La Volpe to experience some of the most authentic Italian cuisine and atmosphere.

As a goodbye to the community, the owners of La Volpe thanked customers for the memories, loyalty, friendship, and support throughout the years.

“We are incredibly proud of what La Volpe Ristorante & Anton’s Pizzeria has become, and none of it would have been possible without this amazing community. The relationships we have built over the years have been one of the greatest gifts of this journey,” said Franco on behalf of his entire family. “As we look forward to spending more time with our family and enjoying retirement, we are pleased to share that the restaurant has been entrusted to the wonderful Avino family.”

Owners, chefs, and brothers, Charlie, Franco, and Sal, continued the family business with the help of their mother, Maria, up until the sale in May of this year.

“We could not be happier knowing the restaurant is in caring and capable hands,” Franco added. “We hope you will join us in welcoming the Avino family and supporting them as they begin this exciting new chapter.”