Italian restaurant takes swipe at locals after closing down

An Italian restaurant has taken a savage swipe at locals after closing down – saying, “Thank you for never supporting us, not even once.”

Don Ciccio brought down the shutters in Highgate, north London earlier this month, exactly six years after opening.

Announcing the closure on its website, the Hampstead Lane restaurant has taken a furious parting shot at the “community”.

It said: “We have closed due to a lack of customers.

“To the community of Highgate and its neighbors —thank you for never supporting us, not even once.

“To those we served during lockdown, when we were the only restaurant open, thank you for never visiting us once the pandemic ended.

“To the Highgate Society — thank you for never replying to any of our proposals for collaboration.

“To those who lived a few doors away yet ordered delivery from somewhere else — thank you for your commitment to distance.

​”In short: thank you all for supporting us so perfectly.

“WE MAY BE THE FIRST ITALIAN RESTAURANT TO CLOSE…

“…not for bad food, bad reviews, or bad luck — but for the sheer indifference of our neighbors.”

Don Ciccio’s menu, which is still online, lists classic Italian dishes including pizza and pasta, ranging from $19 to $35.

It has a 4.6 rating on TripAdvisor (out of five), as a result of 239 reviews.

However, the two most recent reviews are less than complimentary – with one ending: “Do not go there”.

The online letter – titled “Farewell” – continued: “We have closed due to a lack of customers.

“It wasn’t enough to be Traveler’s Choice 2023 – 2024 – 2025 on Tripadvisor. It wasn’t enough to be told we had one of the best pizzas in London.

“It wasn’t enough to hold 4.7 stars on Google, with 700 reviews, for every one of those six years. Nor to change our menu each season, roaming through the flavors of Italy.

“We are guests in this country, and as guests, we will not complain.

“We’ll simply say: addio.”

When asked about the restaurant’s broadside, Andrew Sulston, chair of the Highgate Society, told Ham & High: “We are always very sorry when any local business closes.

“Because Highgate Society has no paid staff and all our activities are run by volunteers, we unfortunately cannot always follow up on all requests.”