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Biden at Minutello's
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The recent closing of two well-known restaurants (Minutello's in Shadyside and Tambellini's Downtown) leaves only memories and sadness.
Minutello's former Mt. Lebanon location served a well-known guest in the early 1970s. Vice President Joe Biden first took office as one of the youngest people in the U.S. Senate at the age of 30. Sen. Biden came to Pittsburgh to speak at the University of Pittsburgh after being newly elected.
My former neighbor and Mr. Biden were friends in Scranton. My neighbor Charlie asked me to drive him and his wife to hear Mr. Biden speak.
During the press conference, Charlie said that Joe wanted to go to an Italian restaurant for a late supper. I called Tambellini's on Mount Washington, but since I couldn't give a time frame, it couldn't accommodate them.
I then called Minutello's in Mt. Lebanon. It was more than happy to accommodate them. I told Charlie the arrangements had been made. I said, "See you later." He replied, "No! No! You're the driver."
So I drove Sen. Biden, his aide Roger, Charlie and his wife Carol to Minutello's.
During conversation, I addressed him as Sen. Biden. He put his hand on my arm and said, "Call me Joe."
At the end of a pleasant evening, I drove Sen. Biden and his aide to the Holiday Inn in Green Tree.
Thank you, Minutello's, for an enjoyable evening.
CATHERINE PERLA WHITMER
Whitehall
First Published March 16, 2013 12:00 am
