The restaurant is built on the site of the old Depositor’s Trust Bank which is known for the infamous 1980 robbery there. The robbery took place on the Memorial Day weekend and was committed by a group of corrupt policemen. The thieves broke into the Optical Shop next store and then gained access to the Depositors Trust bank vault by cutting a hole in the roof. The robbery was committed over a three day period where the thieves would return each night after making sure all was clear. An accomplice policeman walking the beat out on the main street made sure all was safe. Although the exact amount is not known, it is estimated that 1-3 million dollars was taken from deposit boxes including money, jewelry and other valuables. It is also rumored that the infamous Whitey Bulger (Winter Hill Gang) used the Deposit Boxes to hide their loot. You can see more info about the robbery at the following links …. Court Evidences …. http://masscases.com/cases/app/25/25massappct229.html and stories about Whitey Bulger … http://www.boston.com/news/packages/whitey/globe_stories/1998/whitey_and_the_fbi_part_1_0719.htm .
The restaurant has several locations in Medford, Lawrence and Boston. In addition to the restaurant, the owners also operate Sal’s Pizza located in many cities north of Boston. Salvatore’s in Medford is the newest restaurant location and is advertised as an upscale restaurant and bar, offering unique Italian cuisine at reasonable prices. Most everyone arrived about 12 noon and we were seated in a function room in the back. To our surprise, this was the location of the old bank vault and even had the giant metal vault door opened at the side. The room could accommodate about 20 people although only 8 Romeos were present for lunch and one more for dessert. The Romeos present were Joe Loduca, Joe Pignatiello, Ed DeSchuytner, Jim Terlizzi, John Tweedie, Jim Kearns, Mark Ryan, Steve Winter and Joe Lapiana. Picture frames adorned the room walls containing news clippings and photos and movie memorabilia about the infamous robbery. One picture frame had the Movie Title “The Cops Are Robbers” with Ed Asner.
You can see it at Amazon.com …. http://www.amazon.com/Robbers-Edward-Asner-James-Keach/dp/B0009GX27S However, the movie is about NY Cops and not Boston/Medford Cops? I looked up the original book on Amazon and found it by the title “The Cops Are Robbers: A Convicted Cop’s True Story of Police Corruption” written by the author Gerald Clemente (the bad Boston cop). See it at …. http://www.amazon.com/Cops-Are-Robbers-Convicted-Corruption/dp/0933341709. After the waiter seated us he continued to tell some more about the vault and the robbery and point to an opening in the ceiling where the thieves entered. It is no sealed.
The waitress soon took are orders for drinks which were Peroni on tap, diet soda, and wine. We then ordered from the lunch menu Linguini with Mussels, Veal Piccatta, and Eggplant Parmesan. The food was served quickly with plenty of crusty bread and oil for dipping. After the main course we had coffee, cappuccino and a few desserts to share. The conversation was lively as usual with Joe Lod. cracking jokes and others talking about health insurance, social security benefits, TV, latest movies and travel.
Jim K. talked about the extra cost of bags on airline trips. However, he and his wife pack an extra bag of clothes that they donate to a local charity on trips to their island destination. Jim T. talked about skiing in Italy and the great time he had. I asked him about his trip to Egypt last year and the current turmoil. He said it was much safer then but the street hawkers were a nuisance trying to sell their wares. Joe Lap. said his trip to Germany was great but has put off any current travel until the unrest in Europe settles down.
Steve W. was celebrating his 85th birthday today and wanted to buy a round of drinks. We all said it was on us and toasted his longevity. John T. came after lunch since he was working supervising student teachers for Emmanuel College. Jim T. talked about the benefits of GIC health insurance with Medicare and no co-pays. He said you get Medicare at 65 but that the age for Social Security Benefits keeps going up. I think its age 66 now. Joe P. talked about going skiing on St. Patrick’s Day. Ed D. Talked about getting ice and snow off is house roof using nylon stockings filled with ice melt (Calcium Chloride) and it really worked. Joe Lap. works part-time for Novartis Pharmaceuticals doing educational workshops and protocols.
We talked about diets and doctor checkups and how doctors always harp on losing weight. Joe Lod. said he hated going back to his cardiologist after gaining some weight and didn’t want to listen to him complain. So he bought a pair of pants two sizes bigger before going to the doctor. At the visit he pulled out the larger size waste band and said he was really trying to lose. The doctor said, keep up the good work. Leave it to Joe to come up with that idea. Joe also said that in a few years they will be putting a tax on medical devices like heart monitors. Before you know it, there will be a death tax.
We then talked about where to eat next month and several suggestions were made including the Exchange Bistro in Malden, The Cordon Bleu School in Cambridge and Giovanni’s in the North End. Since it is Restaurant Week in Boston we decided to go to the North End. Jim T. will send out the particulars.
Mark talked about the latest APPS for the iPod and showed a Credit Card Reader that he uses when at craft fairs selling his crafts. Although you have to have WiFi to use them it’s another way customers can pay for items. The Apps were either SQUARE or PayAnyWhere and are free at the APP Store but they charge a 2.75% fee for all sales plus 15 cents to process the credit card transaction. Mark also talked about the increase in fees charged by Comcast for triple play (phone, internet and TV). He got the $99 dollar package for two years but now pays $154 with taxes.
Ed D. talked about getting a Blueray DVD with wifi adapter from Best Buy for $109. Joe Lod. and Jim K. have the blueray DVDs with Netflix and really like the streaming video capability. This allows you to get unlimited streaming videos for one monthly fee of about $9.
We then talked about the Jeopardy TV show with contestants competing against the computer called Watson. It was now 2:30PM and the hours just fly by when you are having good conversation. We then said our good byes till next month.
You can see photos of lunch at Picasa Web Albums … https://picasaweb.google.com/markryan312/RomeoLunch21611#
Comments are welcome…. markryan82@comcast.net
