97, MacDougal Street
New York
United States of America
(212) 674-9456 / 674-9456
http://www.montestrattorianyc.com/
As far back as we can go, a wine and liquor store existed at 97 MacDougal Street, as evidenced by this 1912 photo.
The Medica/Monteverde families opened the restaurant in 1918, hence the name Monte’s, which means mount or mountain in Italian.
It then passed to the Rosasco family, whose descendants still frequent the restaurant to this day.
The Mosconi family immigrated to America from the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy in 1966, aboard the SS Michelangelo. They opened Villa Mosconi in 1976, ten years later. In 1983, they purchased Monte’s Trattoria, a Greenwich Village neighborhood favorite.
For many years, Giovanni Mosconi, with sons Marco and Franco, was the welcoming host and manager, known for his warm embrace and bacio.
In 1998, the second floor dining room was added, allowing for private parties, business seminars and weekend overflow.
Chef Pietro moved back up the block from Villa Mosconi in 2006 to take up the reins upon his brother Giovanni’s retirement.
A year later, Pietro’s son Peter began moonlighting at Monte’s while pursuing a career in finance. He installed the big screen upstairs in 2010, opening the possibility for the first Oscar Party in 2013, as well as many World Cup, Kentucky Derby, U.S. Open and other screenings enjoyed by the locals. He spearheaded the first-floor dining room’s stylish renovation in 2014, where patrons enjoy viewing photos of the many celebrities, government officials and other notables who have enjoyed the same Monte’s hospitality extended to every guest, from the neighborhood regular to the first-time New York tourist. 
Peter now manages the front of the house, including the colorful cast of seasoned servers, as well as going to market early in the morning in search of the freshest seafood, meat and produce. “Good food starts with the finest ingredients,” affirms Chef Pietro, as he shaves fresh truffles over a plate of homemade tagliatelle.
To mark this century milestone, very rare in the changing world of New York restaurants these days, there will be proclamations by local officials, including the governor, mayor, Manhattan Borough President and State Senator Brad Hoylman, recognizing Monte’s contribution to the fabric of life in the neighborhood, city and state.
Monte’s has survived many NYC and world events over the past century, view some selected highlights below.