Basil T's Restaurant to Close After More Than 25 Years

After more than 25 years in business, Basil T’s in Red Bank will close this Saturday, Aug. 9. It will be replaced by a new restaurant owned by the same family.

According to owner Victor Rallo, Jr.:

Every story must come to an end; and unfortunately, Basil T’s story will be ending at the stroke of midnight on Saturday, August 9th. Nearly thirty years ago, on March 18, 1987, my father “Big Vic,” my brother Bob, and I opened the hot “new” place in Red Bank. I remember that day like it was yesterday; Red Bank was a town that was practically abandoned, but as we thought, a town with a great deal of promise. It turns out that we were right. During our thirty years, a lot has happened not only at Basil T’s, but in Red Bank as well.

Shortly after we opened Basil T’s, Red Bank’s renaissance began under the direction of Mayor Edward McKenna; Basil T’s became the sixth brewpub in the state of New Jersey; thirty restaurants went in and out of business; the fireworks became the biggest and most celebrated in New Jersey; Ronnie’s laugh got better; Bob and I were split up, then magically brought back together; I got married to Kari, and 18 years later, I am still happily married with three children and three dogs; and “Big Vic” left us with a glass of wine and a smile. Although many events happened during these years, the most profound was my Dad’s passing. Luckily, he had instilled in me the passion to continuously strive for greatness, the understanding that change is necessary, and the courage to make it happen. And as my good friend Steve Sheehan said, “If you do not change, you will end up in the La Brea tar pits with the rest of the dinosaurs.”

Over the past four years, I have had the opportunity to visit Italy nearly twenty times; learning the culture, language, history, and most importantly, the food and wine of its twenty regions. This was made possible with the advent of Eat! Drink! Italy! with Vic Rallo, the national television show I host on Create TV and public television. This journey has transformed my awareness and knowledge of Italian food and wine to another level; it’s made me better. Although change is difficult, it has led to the next chapter in my food and wine life; a new concept called Birravino.

The concept of Birravino is based on the Italian traditions of food, wine, family, and friends. These traditions support the notion of materia prima; the prime ingredient. In Italy, each item at the table is very important to the dining experience. Birravino will bring materia prima to each of its tables in Red Bank, New Jersey. The menu will consist of smaller portions of simply prepared fresh foods, similar to those found in Italy, allowing customers to experience more of the flavors of Italy at a very reasonable price, while enjoying them in the company of family and friends.

I would like to thank the town of Red Bank, all of our loyal customers, friends, and family, but most importantly, my great staff that makes day to day operations happen seamlessly, or almost seamlessly. Please continue to join us during our last week of business as Basil T’s, until the stroke of midnight on Saturday, August 9th. I personally promise you the same service, quality, and enthusiasm for Italian food and wine that you have enjoyed for the past thirty years to the moment we close.

Over the next month, Basil T’s will be transformed into a totally new concept which will be equally as captivating as Basil T’s was thirty years ago. Please check out our website at www.birravino.com for additional information.

Thank you all from the bottom of my heart….

La Forza,
Victor Rallo, Jr.