Italian restaurant La Calabria closes in Gilbert, may reopen in new location

La Calabria, the wonderful mom-and-pop Italian restaurant on the northwest corner of Val Vista and Ray in Gilbert, is being booted by its strip-mall landlord, according to an email from the owners:

Most of you know that we are at the end of our lease as of September 30th. We have been negotiating to stay for some time now, but without success.

As of this writing, we have had no offer extended. After 7 years of being a “Hidden Gem” … the doors of La Calabria will be closed.

Despite a less-than-visible location – behind a paint store, a tire store and a gas station — the eatery had operated since 2008.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that Giovanni Spataro, the chef (from the Calabria region of Italy), and wife Clara, the hostess, apparently are determined to reopen at a new location:

We have ‘‘something cooking!’’ Watch for email updates. So we’re not saying Good-Bye. We are saying ‘‘Till We Meet Again!’’

Please save your gift certificates for the new location!