This month’s Who’s Who on Boones Ferry Road features Riccardo’s Ristorante and Café Marzocca!
If you’ve lived, worked or visited in Lake Oswego in the last forty years, chances are you’ve been to Riccardo’s Ristorante or Café Marzocca on Boones Ferry Road. Opened in 1980, Riccardo’s is a warm, family, Italian restaurant where patrons are treated more like family members than customers.
Owners Georgette and Riccardo Spaccarelli are often there to greet you with a friendly smile, wonderful hospitality, and even a hug. Having a long passion for family and the Italian dining tradition – where dining is not just about eating, but more about an event – Riccardo and Georgette have created their own little part of Italy right here in the Lake Oswego community.
The Spaccarelli’s stay true to their Italian culture and cuisine – trying to turn your stomach into an Italian by using family recipes from Italy, serving only Italian wines and “the best” Italian coffee (Illy). In the warmer and drier months, they open their outdoor seating area with a large terra-cotta patio and fountains in the center for all to enjoy.
Generations of customers have gone through their restaurant over 40 years – some of the children that used to play in their fountain are now working there!
In 1990, Georgette and Riccardo decided to expand their exclusively Italian offerings by opening a café and retail wine shop – Café Marzocca and Vin Italy – located across the parking lot from Riccardo’s. In the Café, on the second Saturday of every month from noon to 3 p.m. they host a wine tasting of 6-8 wines, along with anti pasti from the ristorante.
Riccardo and Georgette were intrinsically involved in the development of the improvements for the Boones Ferry Road project. Riccardo was a key member of the eight-member project advisory committee, providing input into streetscape features, lighting, crosswalks, and interpretive elements. He recalls how the project was a dream 20 years ago – it’s been a long road to get it to the point of construction, but they are excited to start seeing some of the pieces coming together.
In conjunction with the road construction, the Spacarelli’s thought it was a good time to also give Vin Italy and Café Marzocca a facelift. New windows, doors, stonework, stucco and an awning are being placed, and Riccardo’s will also receive some architectural work once the road project is complete.
Both Café Marzocca and Riccardo’s Ristorante are participating in our monthly Shop Lake Grove raffle, so be sure to drop off an entry card when you stop by to visit!