A restaurant in Cumberland County that has been run by the same family for around 40 years has been sold.
Giovanni Scotto, proprietor of Luna Italian Cuisine in Mechanicsburg, acquired Visaggio’s Ristorante, located at 6990 Wertzville Road in Silver Spring Township, from the Lumadue family on Friday.
According to Rossella Scotto, Giovanni’s daughter and co-owner, the new owners will keep the Visaggio’s brand and some of its recipes, such as the meatballs, filet mignon, and oyster appetizers.
Our goal is to preserve the legacy. She claimed that it had been her for a very long time.
After closing for a few days to make the move, the restaurant will return Tuesday at 5 p.m., she added.
The restaurant was created in 1979 after Bill and Rosemary Lumadue bought the old Wonder Why bar. Later, their sons, John and Bill Jr. Lumadue, joined them.
A little off the usual route along Wertzville Road, Visaggio’s serves homemade Italian food. The restaurant has hosted proms, class reunions, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and wedding anniversaries over the years.
In a 1985 newspaper column, George Will, a well-known columnist and political television commentator, referred to Visaggio’s as one of the top restaurants in America.
A fast-moving, wind-fueled five-alarm fire tore through the eatery in 2013. A year later, the family reopened it with a promise to rebuild.
According to Rossella Scotto, her family was drawn to Visaggio’s because it gives them more space than Luna, which debuted at Legacy Park in 2023. In Swatara Township, her father also runs Papa Joe’s Pizza & Subs and other eateries.
In order to accommodate more events for larger gatherings, such as weddings, christenings, and first communions, we needed a larger space, she said.
The property also houses Castel Castagna, a venue for banquets and weddings, in addition to the restaurant.
The chief chef of Luna’s kitchen, Tony Coppola, is in charge of Visaggio’s food service. According to Rossella Scotto, the restaurant’s website has been removed and will be replaced with a new one.
From 5 to 9 p.m., Visaggio’s will only be open for supper. Tuesday through Saturday. The opening will move to 4 p.m. on February 11.
Stories by
Sue Gleiter