Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
One Of The 'Scenes From An Italian Restaurant' Restaurants Is Closed... For Now?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 25, 2014
Modified Feb 25, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Feb 25, 2014
Modified Feb 25, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On Monday Christiano’s restaurant in Syosset closed. Some joint on Long Island closed, big deal, right? Well, the place has a little bit of history: it's been called the inspiration for Billy Joel's "Scenes From An Italian Restaurant." Though others say the inspiration was the now-shuttered Fontana di Trevi at 151 West 57th Street, (someone from Long Island put on) Wikipedia that it is Christiano's, noting: "On May 6, 1977, before the song's official release, Joel premiered it at Long Island University C.W. Post Campus. He dedicated the song to Christiano's restaurant, located in Syosset, New York."
BUT... last year Joel admitted he was "going for applause" when he made that dedication—"It was like saying 'Yankees' when you're playing in New York."
Back to Christiano's, which at least for one night was The Restaurant... according to Newsday, the Singh Hospitality Group announced its plans to give the restaurant a makeover last year, and company president Harendra Singh says, “Whatever we do, he [the Billy Joel memorabilia] will always be a part of it"... though according to Patch it probably won't even be an Italian restaurant anymore.
So from this point forward, the Italian Restaurant—until Joel declares otherwise—is just Whatever Italian Restaurant You Go To, probably.
Tagged
billy joel
christiano's
long island
scenes from an italian restaurant
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .