After seven years in retirement in Italy, Franco Abbruzzetti is back at Trattoria da Franco in Old Town. Last fall, the 85-year-old bought back his restaurant at 305 S. Washington Street from Michael Strutton, who bought it in 2017 and renamed it Michael’s Little Italy. Abbruzzetti and his wife moved to Rome, adopted a young boy, Bruno, who is now five years old, and got bored being away from his business.
“Retirement is boring,” Abbruzzetti told ALXnow. “My wife and I have a home in the historical district in Rome, and I got bored so we came back.” After spending $65,000 on a refurbishment, Abbruzzetti reopened the restaurant in December.
