ig Wine

The Italian Garden Restaurant was located on Main Street Willimantic, Ct. It was founded and operated by our Sicilian family from approximately 1899 through 1986. 

      It was a favorite of people from all walks of life. The spaghetti and meatballs were very popular as well as other “Italian” standards, the hand cut French fries, delicious Sicilian pizza (thin crust before it was popular in the USA), and of course wine!

     At lunch, if you were lucky enough to get a table (maybe in the particularly favored back room), it was common to find local friends, politicians, business owners, professionals and persons working within the down town walking area. Dinner time offered a perfect environment for families and friends while later evenings drew a younger clientele including students from Eastern Connecticut State University and the University of Connecticut, who were attracted to the low-cost beer specials, and frequent live music.

     If you happen to remember the ig, you might remember Momma in the Kitchen (everyone’s Momma!) and Sam (her husband) at the bar. In later times you might remember Flo and Al, daughter and son in law of Momma and Sam. These were our parents and grandparents. 

Our family with Italian and Sicilian heritage included home wine makers from the time they immigrated to the USA well into the 1980’s. Wine was always part of family gatherings and holidays. Wine was also part of the ig restaurant with it’s typical “Italian Restaurant” menu and wine.                                                                                                                                                                               We developed ig wine in hopes that it would, at least in thought, bring you back to your favorite restaurant or place. We hope you think about the good times and fond memories of your favorite times and places while enjoying our wine!