Old Canteen - Federal Hill Icon - For Sale: Hosted Mobsters, Hollywood Stars & 1,000s of Engagements

Friday, June 10, 2022

GoLocalProv Business Team

One of Rhode Island’s great restaurants is now being offered for sale — Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant.

It has been the location of some of the most meaningful meals in the state’s history — from romantic propositions for a hand in marriage to politicians cutting deals to major meetings of the leaders of the New England crime family. And, the late Providence Mayor Vincent "Buddy" Cianci hosted Frank Sinatra at the restaurant.

According to the FBI files of Raymond Patriarca, he was an Old Canteen regular and held top-level meetings at the restaurants.

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“Iconic is probably the most misused word in our current lexicon, but it is the only word to describe Joe Marzilli’s Old Canteen Italian Restaurant,” said Peter Scotti of Scotti and Associates who is marketing the sale of the restaurant and the building. 

According to Scotti, the restaurant will remain open until the sale of the business. And, owner Sal Marzilli has agreed to stay on to help in the transition. The younger Marzilli has worked at the restaurant for 40 years.

 

Founded in 1956, the Old Canteen has been operated by the Marzilli family for its entire 65+ year history.  Food and Wine named it one of the 50 Best Classic Restaurants in the United States.

While the restaurant has been a constant for The Who’s Who, it may be more of a constant for family dinners, Easter meals and romantic dining for more than six decades.

Located at 120 Atwells Avenue -- literally at the entrance to Historic Federal Hill -- the Old Canteen is housed in a 7,500 square foot, circa 1870 frame building with a circa 1955 one-level addition.  The current seating capacity is 136 with a first-floor expansion potential for an additional 75 seats.

"I am proud to have been chosen by the Marzilli family to bring this iconic property to market.  Offering details and an NDA are attached; please do not hesitate to contact me," said Scotti.

For more information on the sale and the price for the restaurant and the building, please contact Peter Scotti at [email protected]

This story was first published 6/9/22 3:00 PM.

Related Articles

• Marzilli Discusses the Legacy of the Old Canteen on LIVE’s The Taste
• Federal Hill’s Old Canteen Celebrates 65 Years

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