Da Silvano’s Proprietor, Silvano Marchetto, Passes Away at 77: A Life Lived in the Spotlight and the Shadows
Silvano Marchetto, the Italian-born restaurateur who turned his Greenwich Village trattoria, Da Silvano, into a celebrity-studded canteen and a staple of New York’s gossip columns, passed away on June 4th in Florence, Italy, at the age of 77. His daughter, Leyla Marchetto, confirmed that he died of heart failure. Da Silvano, which opened in 1975, was a beloved downtown hot spot for over four decades, drawing in a diverse clientele – from artists and fashion icons to media personalities and film stars. Marchetto, a larger-than-life character with a boisterous personality and a love for Tuscan cuisine, became synonymous with the restaurant’s vibrancy and eccentricities, leaving a lasting impact on New York’s dining scene.
Key Takeaways:
- A Legacy of Celebrity Encounters: Da Silvano became a magnet for the city’s elite, with regulars including Calvin Klein, Anna Wintour, Lindsay Lohan, Joan Didion, Madonna, Yoko Ono, Harvey Weinstein, Susan Sontag, Lou Reed, Salman Rushdie, Stephanie Seymour, and Larry Gagosian.
- The Epitome of a Downtown Haven: More than just a restaurant, Da Silvano became a social hub, blurring the lines between uptown and downtown New York. Marchetto’s warm and welcoming presence despite his fiery temperament made Da Silvano a preferred destination for those seeking both good food and good company.
- A Story of Triumph, Tragedy, and Disappearance: From its humble beginnings as a small trattoria serving authentic Tuscan dishes, Da Silvano rose to prominence, earning a two-star review from renowned food critic Mimi Sheraton in The New York Times. Marchetto’s personal life mirrored the restaurant’s rollercoaster journey: a successful venture, followed by turbulent relationships, legal battles, and eventually, a mysterious disappearance that only recently was unraveled.
- A Return to His Roots: After closing Da Silvano in 2016, Marchetto vanished from public view for almost a decade. He found solace in the Tuscan countryside, cultivating olive trees, enjoying his daily Negronis, and embracing a quieter life away from the hustle and bustle of New York. However, his ties to Da Silvano and the life he built in the city never truly faded.
A Culinary Pioneer in New York
Before Da Silvano, Italian fare in New York was often confined to predictable dishes and heavy sauces. Marchetto, however, was determined to introduce the authentic flavors of his Tuscan heritage. He presented dishes like liver crostini and robins roasted with bacon, challenges to the conventional Italian food offerings at the time. His commitment to quality and originality helped elevate the perception of Italian cuisine in the city, earning him recognition from critics and customers alike.
A Hub for the Creative and the Famous
Da Silvano’s appeal went far beyond its delectable food. Marchetto himself was a captivating personality, a fascinating blend of charm and eccentricity. His vibrant Hawaiian shirts, yellow trousers, and silver bracelets were as much a part of the Da Silvano experience as the perfectly prepared ribollita or the creamy gnudi. He greeted regulars with a friendly growl, fostering a sense of camaraderie that drew them back time and time again.
A Chapter of Controversy
In his later years, Marchetto’s personal life became increasingly intertwined with the restaurant’s success. Legal battles and accusations of financial impropriety cast a shadow over his legacy. A class-action lawsuit filed by his waiters alleged that he had withheld wages; a garage manager filed a sexual assault suit against him, which he vehemently denied. His personal struggles, including a public divorce from his wife, Marisa Acocella, a New Yorker cartoonist, culminating in the restaurant’s dramatic closure.
A Life Both Public and Private
After abruptly closing Da Silvano in 2016, Marchetto seemingly vanished from the public eye. His reasons for shutting down the restaurant remained unclear, although he initially cited the rising rent as a factor. For nearly a decade, his whereabouts were a mystery until last year when he was discovered living a tranquil life in the Tuscan countryside. Although he initially shied away from discussing his life in New York, he eventually opened up, admitting to occasional pangs of nostalgia but refusing to dwell on the past.
A Lasting Legacy
Silvano Marchetto’s life was a fascinating tapestry woven from triumphs and challenges, fame and obscurity. His restaurant became a symbol of a bygone era in New York City, a time when celebrities mingled casually with artists and socialites, forging connections over delicious food and lively conversation. Though Da Silvano is no more, its legacy lives on, etched in the memories of those who experienced its unique charm and the larger-than-life personality of its founder. While Marchetto’s final years were spent in a quiet retreat, his name will forever be intertwined with the vibrant heart of New York City, a testament to the enduring power of a restaurant that captured the city’s energy and the captivating character who made it all possible.
