It all began with a brief notice headlined “Venetian Restaurant” on Page 5 of The Torrington Register on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1925. “The Venetian restaurant, Italian-American cuisine, was opened today at 52 East Main Street by Charles Giampaolo. The most delicious of Italian foods will be served. Regular meals are announced for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Special attention will be given to parties.”

Exactly 100 years later, on Feb. 18, special attention will be given to one big birthday party for Torrington’s oldest restaurant. “We’re going to be doing stuff all day long,” said Tracy Perez, the restaurant's permittee since 2022. “My head chef, Darwin Romero, hasn’t settled yet on the menu for the day, but we’re going to have some historical features around the restaurant for people to look at.”