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restaurant is all about community
By NADIA MARIA SMITH
CS&T Staff Writer
SPRINGFIELD — Making people feel at home comes naturally to Mario
Federiconi, 40, the co-owner of Osteria Bel Sogno, the new Italian restaurant
in Springfield, Delaware County.
“I have met some of my best friends through the restaurants I’ve
worked in, and some of my best customers have become like family and are
part of my everyday life,” said Federiconi, who has been in the
restaurant business for nearly 20 years. Before opening his own business,
Federiconi managed a number of Philadelphia dining establishments, including
restaurants in landmark hotels such as the Four Seasons and the Ritz Carlton.
“The most beautiful gift has been the people — and it’s
what I love about the restaurant business,” he said.
A native of Italy, he brings his Catholic-Italian culture of hospitality
and celebration to the new restaurant, which he opened with Davide Micheli,
a friend who is also an Italian native. The pair met working together
in the business 12 years ago.
Micheli comes from a family of restaurant owners. His father opened a
popular restaurant located behind
the Colosseum in Rome called Le Naumachie. Micheli and his brothers took
over the family business. Although still a part-owner, Micheli decided
to head to the United States, bringing his skills and his love for the
business with him. That was 14 years ago. Since then he’s also managed
Italian restaurants in Center City and Old City, and is excited about
his latest endeavor in Springfield, he said.
Federiconi grew up in Northern Abruzzo, in a town called Jesi. He came
to the United States in 1986 to live with his father and attend school.
He graduated from Drexel University with a degree in restaurant management.
He is currently working toward a master’s degree in business administration
while he runs Osteria Bel Sogno.
Although the BYOB restaurant opened only two months ago, Federiconi said
it already has the patronage of people from surrounding towns such as
Drexel Hill, Broomall, Media and Havertown.
He and Micheli chose Springfield as the site of their restaurant because
“we felt inspired by the area,” Federiconi said.
“We are in a very blessed place — there is a strong Catholic
community here,” he added. “The community and the local churches
support us.” He loves seeing the priests who come to the restaurant.
In fact, he has had the restaurant blessed.
“For me, it is very important to be a part of this faith,”
he said.
Bel Sogno means beautiful dream. The restaurant has a menu that features
specialties such as risotto alla pescatora, a seafood rice dish, and gamberi
alla griglia, which is baked herb-crusted jumbo shrimp. The restaurant
also features homemade pasta and desserts in addition to a variety of
chicken and veal dishes.
Federiconi said he enjoys bringing the cuisine of his native country to
the people of Delaware County, and he is confident that his restaurant
offers something for every palate.
“It is all about community,” he said. “There are no
strangers — just family.”
Osteria Bel Sogno is open for lunch and dinner every day.
For restaurant hours and prices visit: www.osteriabelsogno.com or call
610-338-9900. Osteria Bel Sogno, a Bring-Your-Own-Beverage establishment,
is located in the Olde Sproul Shopping Village at 1188 Baltimore Pike,
Springfield, 19064.
CS&T staff writer Nadia Maria Smith may be reached at npozo@adphila.org
or (215) 965-4614.