Ezio Vlacich is an Italian immigrant who came to New York City as a merchant marine in 1958. When he arrived, he started working as a waiter at several restaurants in Manhattan. But his dream was to open a restaurant of his own.

"We was living not far from here, a couple of blocks away," Ezio said. "This place was closed. So I said to myself, maybe if we can do things my way, that I might do something. So, we started slowly."

So he opened Piccola Venezia restaurant just over 42 years ago.

"It was family operated," he said. "I was here, my wife was here cleaning, my father-in-law was a cook here working, so it was all family inside, you know?"

Over the past four decades, Piccola Venezia has grown to become a staple of the neighborhood. Ezio's son, Chris, handles many of the day-to-day operations of the restaurant now. He says the secret to success has been a mixture of quality people and quality food.

"It feels like home," Chris said. "That is the number one sentiment you hear from customers. First-timers, long-timers. It feels like home."

Some long-time customers include Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and former Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz. The two stopped by earlier this week to celebrate Piccola Venezia's 42 year history.

Katz and Markowitz are not the only fans of the restaurant. Astoria native and crooner Tony Bennett loves it so much and has been going there for so long, a corner of the restaurant is named after him.

"Tony Bennett is a very, very nice person," Ezio said. "He was born in Astoria. He's a good friend, absolutely."

After all his success, which included a glowing review in the New York Times, Ezio says he feels like he has lived the American Dream.

"Now we see what you can do in America. If you're a hard-working and honest man, it's no problem. And respect each other," Ezio added.

As for where the restaurant goes from here, Chris says, "Continuing the passion for excellence, and staying current as well. But not forgetting our past."

And it's a past Ezio says he couldn't be more grateful for.