Danilo's Restaurant was a very well known fine dining restaurant, located in Hamilton Newcastle NSW.
Danny Franco was a "10 Pound" migrant in the 1950's and he started an apprenticeship in fine food at the famous Astoria Hotel in Melbourne, he then took everything he had learned up to Hamilton and began his own business, The Expresso Coffee Bar. The menu was traditional Australian café food and a selection of authentic Italian dishes, later he was granted a liquor licence - unusual for a café, at the time.
Danilo's restaurant was begun, owned and operated by Danny Franco in 1963 until his formal retirement in 1976. The name Danilo's Restaurant continued under the management/ownership of Harry Van Der Wyst and then Neil Papworth until the business closed down in 1999.
It was frequented by well known personalities from all walks of life and besides his guest book, these guests often left a note of appreciation to Danny which were then placed on the wall for all to see.
This means that at the time of these autograph's (1992), the restaurant was in the name of Danny but owned/operated by Neil Papworth, not Danny.
Much deeper detail about the history of The Expresso Coffee Bar and Danilo's Restaurant is available at this blog: http://hiddenhamilton.blogspot.com/2016/11/danilos-restaurant-and-secret-of-success.html
We were lucky enough to be given the opportunity to have this wonderful memorabilia from Danilo's when the restaurant closed in 1999
I have two autograph items from the walls of Danilo's Restaurant, one is dated (by the restaurant) and the other is assumed to be around the same time but I cannot be sure about that - it is NOT dated.
Nice pieces of sports memorabilia, here are the details ...
Danilo's Restaurant Memorabilia
Autographed A4 pages which were on the restaurant wall until closure in 1999
Newcastle Knights
Message and signature of:
Paul Harragon
Dated by the restaurant 6th June 1992 (Black fountain pen)
A4 page is embossed light paper stock (brown/orange) - restaurant "in-house" or business use, printed business logo and location/contact information
Andrew & Matthew Johns
A4 page is embossed light paper stock (grey greenish - restaurant "in-house" or business use, printed business logo and location/contact information
CONDITION:
It is pretty easy to see these are a bit worse for wear, grubby with a few marks/liquid stains on them
No tears
For the last 28 years I have kept these on a stiff card backing and sealed it within plastic, stored in our home library - they were not in great condition when I obtained them but I have tried to ensure they do not get any worse.
