Quake Benefit At Le Virtu

On April 6, a deadly earthquake crushed the Abruzzo region of Italy. L’Aquila, the inspiration for East Passyunk’s Le Virtu, was one of the worst towns hit, and owners Francis Cratil and Catherine Lee are hosting a benefit for the quake victims on Tuesday, April 28. “L'Aquila … was home to Cathy and I—and our Jack Russells—or six months in 2001,” says Cratil. “We go back every year and have done so since 1999. All our friends there are homeless. We have little information about the shopkeepers and neighbors we knew. Many of the villages, including the villages of the Campo Imperatore, have suffered terrible damages and death. L'Aquila changed our lives: there would be no Le Virtù without it and its people.” The benefit will be $40 per person (you can donate more if you wish) and will include traditional Abruzzese buffet—hopefully with their airy sage-and-mozzarella-stuffed pizza fritta (above). Proceeds from admissions as well as all alcohol sales will go directly to the victims of the L’Aquila earthquake. Doors open at 5pm, rain (Cratil and Lee are planning on tenting the patio if the weather doesn’t cooperate) or shine.

Photo: LeVirtu