Today is January 24th

Dear Wonderful, exquisite, beautiful Customer/Friends. !……..  It has been a pleasure and an honor to have served you and I Thankyou from the bottom of my heart!

LONG STORY SHORT!

I AM CLOSING CUCINA DI PAOLO.    I HAVE DECIDED TO BE OPEN 3 MORE MONTHS  (Feb, March and April; ending on the last sat in April, the 27th)  to be able to share what we have, with those that want it a couple more times.   It is time to close this book, so I am retiring for both Paul and I and retiring what we started and grew together with our LOVE.

LONG STORY LONG!

THIS  business has had so many magical parts to it, and turns out that it was a business that was as much Paul and I as it ever was about the food !!!  Starting with  our bus tub and a card table, we were  pioneer members of both Boise markets sampling out the lasagnes whether it was sunny or snow was coming down!  That is how people came to know us.  We had a death in our family and I said to Paul, “If I dropped dead tomorrow, YOU would be the one I wanted to be around, so, what do we have between us?…Your talent… my mouth !  You make it and I will tell them why they want it!”  And that, my friends, was our beginning.   Carole and Rick Skinner  (They own THE FLICKS).  We have loved them and always grateful to them!!!! ). were instrumental in us getting our first brick and mortar place on Ustick Rd.  That building was sold after 7 years and we sublet the kitchen at University Inn,  while Paul head cheffed at the Cottonwood Grille.  That was also a 7 year stint, as BSU  bought it and it was torn down and replaced with college buildings.  We ricocheted our way to 1504 Vista to our final home.  :)

We took the weekend to go camping , celebrate Paul’s birthday with our 2 furry kids and plan a date to back out of our business in Feb and Paul had a heart attack.  It was the beginning of the worst pain and sorrow I have ever felt.  It has just reshaped itself in my life, but I  am working my footsteps into this new world  and I live in so much gratitude for how lucky we were together and how blessed I was to cherish and be loved by this man for 33 years.    There is always so much to be thankful for.

Although Life was rerouted, Rob (our oldest Son) and I walked through our unendurable pain and decided to reopen Cucina di Paolo with our flagship lasagne and chicken pot pies and desserts and salad and bread.  I can look back at these past 3 years as a lifesaver and know without a doubt, how proud Paul would be of us….. amazed as well !!!  None the less, the absolute joy of being included in your lives, carries on.  Like, reading a great book and coming to the end, but treasuring the story in remembrance.  Sometimes , knowing that you are gathering moments for a “heart bouquet” is one of the best reasons for going through the day!

There aren’t words invented to share my heart about what Rob has been and brought to my life’s table!  He not only put on a big pair of shoes, but laced them up as well while having his own heartbreak of his Dad dying and looking to make his Mom hang on.  For him, the recognition and applause  would be thunderous!   He is right next to Paul as an outstanding man  and I count my lucky stars for his love, friendship and support to cross this bridge.  His actions speak so loudly, it doesn’t matter if you hear what he is saying!

Having been a WORD OF MOUTH business, has given us the most outstanding people over these last 18 years and some have turned into the best friendships ever!   I want to thankyou all for the gift of you and know most of you had favorite dishes that Paul made , and  experienced so many, with him sharing his talent with new things each week…. It is my hope that you will  appreciate this closing , take advantage of these last 3 months and salute, THAT LIFE GOES ON !

Sincerely and With LOVE,

MJ

PAUL AND MARYJEAN AND NOW ROB, …..HAVE LEFT THE BUILDING!