“They shouldn’t do the lockdowns. Especially now. If you don’t abide by the rules … shut that area down, but don’t shut down the whole industry,” said the 84-year-old founder of La Fontana, Anthony Fauci.
His son, Joe Fauci, 57, who runs the now-iconic eatery in Oakwood, repeated his dad’s cautions, while still showing admiration for his famous relative.
“In the beginning, I thought he was fabulous, but then a few times he flip-flopped on different things. He had us all locked down at a tremendous rate,” Joe told. “They should have loosened things up when it was slowing down in the summer. Everything else was loosening up except the restaurant business.”
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Dr. Fauci, 79, has said he was open to a nationwide lockdown to stop the spread of the deadly virus. In recent months he has said that probably will not be needed but still opposed actions to get things back to normal. In September he called Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to fully reopen bars and restaurants “very concerning.”
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Anthony Fauci and his doctor cousin both hail from Brooklyn. The Faucis track their roots to Naples and Sicily. The Staten Island part of the clan pronounces their last name as “Faw-See,” while the famous doctor uses “For-Chee.”
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“My father and his father were first cousins. His grandfather and my grandfather were brothers,” the Staten Island Anthony said, remembering how his younger brother would bring mail to Dr. Fauci’s family drug store in Bensonhurst.
While geographically near, the two Fauci members were not close. Joe and Anthony Fauci have never met their famous relative.
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But they had their own success. Since its opening in 1983, La Fontana has become a neighborhood staple and GOP gathering place. Former Staten Island Congressman and GOP kingmaker Guy Molinari was a regular before his death in 2018. His daughter, former Rep. Susan Molinari, and Assemblywoman Nicole Malliatakis also come by regularly.
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“La Fontana and the Fauci family have become part of many peoples’ lives,” wrote Vito Fossella, yet another former Staten Island congressman, in a fervent recognition.
Joe Fauci said despite their differing views, he was still “very proud” of Dr. Fauci and that overall he was doing a “spectacular job” leading the White House coronavirus task force.
Before the pandemic, the business had been flourishing. In 2017 La Fontana opened a second location in Annandale, La Fontana Sorellina. The business has been forced to operate at 25 percent capacity like all restaurants, but has a fiercely loyal customer base. Joe Fauci suggests the worst for restaurants is yet to come.
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