The Only Consistent Thing About Lombardino’s Restaurant Is Its Ever-Broken Fountain | Bon Appétit
"It's a remarkably dark, old-school Italian-American restaurant in Madison, Wisconsin, best known for a three-foot-wide, 1/25th-scale ceramic replica of Rome’s Trevi Fountain—brought over from Italy by the Sicilian founder in the 1950s and famous for having leaked almost constantly since installation; patrons nevertheless toss coins into the wonky fountain (Oceanus’ scarf-censored loins included). A mustachioed greeter invites guests to come as they are, and generations have used the place to celebrate dates, birthdays, graduations and other family milestones, giving it a 'dated and timeless' charm—dark, cluttered with items from previous owners, and central to the city's communal life. The classic red-sauce menu offers staples like chicken diavola and tiramisù, though under the current chef the kitchen has experimented with additions such as nduja salami, berbere spices, and local pea shoots and mushrooms; while the food’s consistency has fluctuated over the years, the restaurant’s core identity and celebratory role remain intact." - ByMadeleine Davies
