Piero’s says o7 ‘Ciao’

Karen S. Kim

MEDIA DISTRICT WEST -- Piero Biondi has mixed feelings about closing

his restaurant after nearly 40 years.

“In one way, I’m really sad,” Biondi said. “In another way, I can’t

wait until it’s all over.”

Biondi’s indecision about closing his Olive Avenue restaurant actually

led him to back out of selling the place three times over the past couple

of years, he said.

But now the deal is sealed, and Piero’s will officially close Oct. 27.

“I’m going to miss the relations between me and my customers,” Biondi

said. “But I’m not going to miss the headache that comes with owning a

restaurant.”

When Biondi opened Piero’s in 1962, it was about half the size of its

current building, and Biondi cooked the meals.

Now, Biondi’s daughter Lisa is the head chef, while his daughter

Johnna manages the place.

Customers drive from all over Southern California for Piero’s Northern

Italian pasta dishes and flambe specialties, Biondi said.

Located just down the street from Burbank’s movie and television

studios, the wood-paneled walls, dim lighting and upholstered booths of

Piero’s were home to business deals and lunches over the years, Biondi

said.

But in the evenings, candles would be lit, the outside patio would be

decorated with twinkling icicle lights and families and couples would

come to dine.

“There’s a difference between eating out and dining out,” Biondi said.

“I think this place represents dining out.”

Biondi said that after Piero’s closes, he’ll focus on his Cable Radio

Network show “What’s Cooking?” and his feature on KNX-AM 1070 every

Friday about food and wine.

“I have mixed emotions about closing,” Biondi said. “But my wife said

I had to divorce my second wife. To me, my restaurant is my second wife.”

THE PIERO FILE

WHO: Piero Biondi

WHAT: Piero’s Restaurant and Wine Shop

WHERE: 2825 W. Olive Ave.

AGE: 63

CLOSING DATE: Oct. 27

WHAT ELSE: The week of Oct. 21-27, Piero’s bar will be half price.