As an undoubtedly frenzied crowd streams toward Mellon Arena this evening, Joseph Costanzo Jr. will be apprehensive with anticipation.
Not exactly for the reason you might think.
Sure, he's excited to see whether the Penguins can force Game 7 in their Stanley Cup final battle against the Detroit Red Wings. But he's also anxiously wondering how many fans might stop in at the new Cafe Costanzo across the street from the old Igloo.
"I'm so happy the Penguins won (Monday) and they're playing again," he said. "It's a great thing for the city, and it's a great thing for me. There's going to be thousands of people walking by this place (tonight)."
Costanzo, 54, of Robinson once was one of Western Pennsylvania's most celebrated restaurateurs. Then he made some mistakes, and when he fell, he fell hard.
Is he back on his feet? Not yet. Not entirely.
But Monday's opening of his eatery in Washington Plaza is an indication he has begun putting his troubles of recent years behind him.
You may remember Costanzo's story. He ditched a 13-year career with the U.S. Postal Service in 1986 to open The Primadonna Restaurant in McKees Rocks.
The Primadonna rapidly garnered a reputation as one of the region's premier dining spots. It was featured in the New York Daily News and was lauded as one of the state's finest Italian restaurants by Mid-Atlantic Country Magazine.
Costanzo became somewhat of a local celebrity, appearing in numerous TV commercials for the restaurant. He marketed the house salad dressing to more than 80 locations, and hosted a weekly radio show on fine dining.
Attempting to branch out into politics, Costanzo ran for Allegheny County commissioner in 1995. Although he finished fifth among eight candidates, he received more than 24,000 votes -- an impressive number for a political novice.
The expense of that campaign triggered lingering financial woes that Costanzo several years ago blamed for first costing him The Primadonna and then, ultimately, his freedom.
He sold the restaurant in 2002, and two years later pleaded guilty to income tax evasion charges. Costanzo was sentenced to five months in a federal prison in Morgantown, W.Va., then spent another five months under house arrest.
"I thought (the tax charges) should have been handled as a civil matter rather than a criminal one, but I never cried about it," he said. "I accepted it, and did my time."
Now he expects his time to be completely consumed by the new cafe, which is open daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. Costanzo is selling coffee and scones in the morning, then switching to a menu of sandwiches, salads and pasta dishes.
The schedule almost certainly will be grueling to maintain, but Costanzo said he isn't complaining.
"Most people my age are looking to retire," he said with a chuckle. "Not me. After everything that's happened, I'm just glad to be back in business."
Fettuccini before the faceoff, anyone?
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