Eddie Barbieri III of the family-owned Da Edoardo Ristorante Group spoke with us this week at his restaurant La Lanterna located in the heart of downtown Detroit on Griswold.

The Barbieri family is an important Italian family in the city of Detroit that has become well-known in the community because of their authentic Italian legacy that’s been rooted here for the past four generations. Edward Barbieri Sr., had a personality that filled a whole room. With his Italian accent and the authentically prepared food, the Da Edoardo restaurants made you feel like you were in Italy and part of their family.

Barbieri III said, back then, it was so busy, his grandfather didn't buy cases of tomatoes and flour, he bought pallets. From the time the restaurant opened the door to the time it closed, there were lines.

Carrying on the legacy, Eddie Barbieri III upholds the family name by running the Da Edoardo and La Lanterna restaurants to the same high-level standard his grandfather and father always had.

Barbieri got emotional at one point explaining, “My father and my grandfather and my mother worked day and night to make sure that restaurant would make it and, to their merit, to their strengths we're here today with three other locations. And, you know, it's a testament of time. It's a testament of our family. And I think my grandpa and father would be very proud, very proud because they worked so damn hard. And if they could see it today, he would say, good job, baby. Good job.”

The Italian immigrants who came to Detroit brought many unique dishes and styles of cooking, their contribution to this city cannot be overlooked, not only with food, but with their elevated level of hospitality.

La Lanterna: www.lalanternadetroit.com/
Da Edoardo: www.daedoardo.com/