Table of Contents
- Restaurant Closure and Owner's Claims
- Food Hygiene Rating Issues
- Owner's Accusations Against Locals
- Community Response
- Final Thoughts from the Owner
A RESTAURANT owner who attributed his sudden closure to local residents has reiterated his claims, despite receiving a food hygiene rating of zero.
The Italian restaurant closed its doors earlier this month after six years of operation. The owner expressed his frustration.
Don Ciccio’s resentful farewell letter to the community highlighting residents' lack of supportCredit: SWNS
Marco Claudio Valente, the owner of Don Ciccio in North London, previously claimed that neighbors “never supported us, not even once.”
Many quickly pointed out that the restaurant has a food hygiene rating of zero, indicating that “urgent improvement is necessary.”
The proprietor responded by asserting that he had consistently maintained a five-star rating in the past, yet his business still faced challenges.
In a furious farewell message, he initially accused locals of ignoring his establishment despite its numerous positive reviews.
“To those who lived just a few doors away but chose to order delivery from elsewhere, thank you for your dedication to distance,” read the cutting social media post.
He continued: “We may be the first Italian restaurant to close not due to poor food, bad reviews, or bad luck – but because of the sheer indifference of our neighbors.”
The note indicated that due to the absence of residents in Highgate, one of London’s most exclusive postcodes, the restaurant’s staff had endured the “humiliation of an empty dining room.”
Marco boasted about having a 4.7-star rating and several awards: “To those who said back in 2019 that ‘they’ll close within three months’ — congratulations! You were only off by five years and nine months.”
He also criticized The Highgate Society for never dining with them, despite the restaurant’s multiple offers.
The local society responded by stating they could not engage with every local business since they are entirely run by volunteers.
Chair Andrew Sulston told Ham & High : “We are always very sorry when any local business closes.”
“Because the Highgate Society has no paid staff and all our activities are run by volunteers, we unfortunately cannot always follow up on all requests.”
Following the bitter public post, many highlighted the low hygiene rating the restaurant received in August.
“Didn’t Don Ciccio have a score of ‘zero’ on their most recent food hygiene rating?” commented one user after Marco’s criticism of locals.
In response, the owner told Sky News : “We have always had five stars consistently throughout those years, yet we still struggled.”
“The last time inspectors visited, they found a couple of issues, like a broken dishwasher… but we were waiting for someone to repair it. It’s challenging when you generate £4,000 a week in revenue instead of £12,000.”
“I told the inspectors that their assessment was too harsh. Hygiene is a misleading issue; we have always maintained five stars and never had a complaint in six years.”
“People can say whatever they want to rationalize their views; I don’t mind. My conscience is clear on everything!”
He added that over the past five years, he had spent £200,000 on hygiene and food quality.
While the restaurant did receive many positive reviews, more recent diners reported less than satisfactory experiences.
Reviews mentioned slow service, smaller portions, and one claimed they were served tap water in a reused sparkling water bottle and charged for it.
As his conflict with residents continues, Marco stated, “I do not seek notoriety – my statement was simply a truthful statement. That’s all.”
Marco Claudio Valente, owner of Don Ciccio Osteria Italiana & PizzeriaCredit: @donciccioosteria / Instagram
The owner insists he had a five-star rating until very recentlyCredit: SWNS
