about Graziellas


In 1972, 20 year-old Graziella left her hometown in small town in Palermo, Sicily and emigrated to Brooklyn not knowing that one day, her name would one day welcome patrons in glowing neon to Fort Greene/Clinton Hill’s favorite restaurant. Twenty years ago, in 2004 her son Vito Randazzo and his father-in-law Louis DeVivo transformed an old parking garage with four bare brick walls into Graziella’s, one of the newest, and now oldest, Italian eateries of the area...



In 1972, 20 year-old Graziella left her hometown in small town in Palermo, Sicily and emigrated to Brooklyn not knowing that one day, her name would one day welcome patrons in glowing neon to Fort Greene/Clinton Hill’s favorite restaurant. Twenty years ago, in 2004 her son Vito Randazzo and his father-in-law Louis DeVivo transformed an old parking garage with four bare brick walls into Graziella’s, one of the newest, and now oldest, Italian eateries of the area...


     

 Vito first started working in the neighborhood in 1994 at the ripe old age of 20, running Little Louie’s, his father’s pizza shop on Myrtle Avenue. In 2004 he paired up with his father-in-law’s know-how and “golden hands,” and brought Graziella’s to life. For over 20 years customers have feasted on classic favorites like Sicilian Rice Balls, Wood Burning Pizza, Rosemary Lemon Chicken, and of course, the Meatballs...

 


Over the years, the neighborhood has undergone significant changes, and right along with it, so has 

Graziella’s. What started as a BYOB only restaurant with limited outdoor seating now has a fully stocked bar, a rooftop deck and year-round roof-deck dining. During tough times, Graziella’s has been a bedrock, serving the community through blizzards, blackouts and Hurricane Sandy. When Covid hit, Vito sprung into action. Graziella’s is where lifelong patron Patrick Sauer planted the seeds of Brooklyn 4 Life—With a innocent hashtag on Twitter by Patrick, Vito, actor Jeffrey Wright & Brooklyn Moon took an initiative that ultimately supported 50 restaurants, served 170,000 meals to frontline heroes, and pumped $1.5-million into the local restaurant industry...


In 2014, Vito’s father-in-law retired and he took over the family business, slowly he is passing down his passion to his children. On occasion, some lucky customers will be served by Graziella’s grandchildren themselves. If not, don’t worry, Vito considers all the staff and customers family as well. At 50 years young, Vito is as just as excited to be working at Graziella’s as day one.

For 20 years Vito worked hard & sacrificed a lot of his time to be at the restaurant. Dedicated to his craft he has worked every Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Xmass Christmas Eves, Valentines Day & most Fridays and Saturdays. Vito still put away time to spend quality time with his family & friends. There is a side of Vito that most people don’t know. He loves to go on vacations, loves his wife & kids to the moon and back & he enjoys his time away from Graziella’s as we can see in the photo collage!!!!