Meet Al and Maria Zimei, Owners of the Gathering Restaurant

In the 1980s when Al Zimei was on the road as a salesman, a friend invited him to lunch at a restaurant called LaStarda in Manchester.

He liked the food and became a regular customer. When the space became available last fall Al and Maria Zimei took the opportunity to move their 10-year old restaurant called The Gathering to its current Manchester location at 471 Hartford Rd.

Timothy Becker: I understand that you moved your restaurant from Malborough. How did you come to choose Manchester?

Al Zimei: I was on the road as a salesman in the 1980s. A friend invited me to have lunch at LaStarda which was the restaurant that was at this location many years ago. We moved to Bolton and I became a frequent customer. About ten years ago I heard that LaStrada was closing and I tried to lease the space, but I was unsuccessful in reaching an agreement. We opened The Gathering in Marlborough on Route 66 in 2000. The space became available again in the fall of 2010 and here we are. I always had an eye out for this location. It's like we were destined to be here.

Timothy Becker: What unique offerings do you serve at The Gathering?

Al Zimei: You can't get omlettes or pancakes like ours anywhere else. The pancakes have a Mediterranean flair. We offer 20 different omlettes like the Santa Fe, Blue Bayou, Irish, and the Steak-illicious.

Timothy Becker: Where did you learn to cook?

Al Zimei: We learned the family traditions and home-style cooking from our parents. I used my mother's recipes and elaborated on them. I was born in Capistrano, Italy and Maria was born in Colli Frosinone, Italy.

Timothy Becker: Do you serve beer and wine?

Maria Zimei: Our license is approved and we will be serving mimosas for breakfast and sangria, beer and wine with lunch by August.

Timothy Becker: What are the busiest times?

Maria Zimei: The weekends are busy all day long. We are open on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast and lunch and on Sunday for breakfast only from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. We are open seven days a week.

Timothy Becker: What is the atmosphere like at the Gathering?

Maria Zimei: People who are friends that used to meet here are coming back not knowing that their friends are here. There are many happy reunions. We are trying to bring the social atmosphere of LaStrada back again.

Timothy Becker: Do you have any plans to serve dinner?

Al Zimei: We tried it, but this spot is known as a breakfast and lunch spot. We do handle private parties in the afternoon and evening and we also offer catering for pick-up or delivery.

Timothy Becker: When is the grand opening planned?

Maria Zimei: We will have a grand opening right after Labor Day. There will be complimentary champagne to celebrate our new home.