ENROLLED ORIGINALS
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A CEREMONIAL RESOLUTION
25-68
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
May 2, 2023
To recognize and honor Filomena Ristorante and its founder, JoAnna Filomena Chiacchieri, on
the celebration of the restaurant’s 40
th
anniversary.
WHEREAS, 2023 marks the 40th anniversary of Filomena Ristorante, which was opened
by JoAnna Filomena Chiacchieri on May 23, 1983 at 1063 Wisconsin Avenue, N.W. in the
Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.;
WHEREAS, JoAnna faced the stigma and discrimination that accompanied starting a
business as a woman in the 1970s, even being told she needed a male partner to secure a business loan, despite her qualifications and experience gained from many years working in the restaurant
industry in Brooklyn, New York;
WHEREAS, JoAnna overcame these obstacles and worked with the Small Business
Administration, impressing them with her loan package and experience, and eventually securing a half million-dollar loan, a historically large loan for a female entrepreneur at that time;
WHEREAS, JoAnna partnered with 2 other women in the restaurant field to start a group
called Women in Food Service, which helped women who wanted to enter the restaurant business;
WHEREAS, Filomena Ristorante is named for and inspired by JoAnna’s mother,
Filomena, whom JoAnna held in endless respect, admiration, and love, and who was a fastidious hostess and always created a delicious meal and a dining atmosphere that was warm, welcoming,
comfortable, and memorable;
WHEREAS, the menu at Filomena Ristorante is influenced by Mother Filomena’s
simple, yet creative Italian cuisine as well as old-world, traditional dishes;
WHEREAS, over the past 40 years, JoAnna and her staff have had the honor of serving
many United States Presidents, Chancellors, Prime Ministers, Heads of State, and Dignitaries
from around the world;
ENROLLED ORIGINAL
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WHEREAS, Filomena Ristorante has received a number of awards and accolades,
including a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor based on consistently great reviews from
diners, the title of Best Italian Restaurant by Washingtonian Magazine, OpenTable’s Top 100
Restaurants for 2022, a Top Italian Restaurant in the United States designation by Zagat, and
features in a number of national publications, including Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Travel Channel,
and The New York Times; and
WHEREAS, Filomena Ristorante will hold a 40th anniversary celebration on May 23,
2023.
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this
resolution may be cited as the “Filomena Ristorante 40th Anniversary Celebration Recognition
Resolution of 2023”.
Sec. 2. The Council recognizes and honors Filomena Ristorante and its founder, JoAnna
Filomena Chiacchieri, for 40 years of delicious Italian food and memorable meals and
celebrations.
Sec. 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.