Family backs proposal to rename Aragon Avenue Nino Pernetti Way

Tatiana Pernetti, who identified herself as a daughter of the late restaurateur Nino Pernetti, said Mayor Vince Laro posted a proposal to name Aragon Avenue "Nino Pernetti Way" and that the family welcomed the suggestion. "He had the vision that Coral Gables was special," she said, adding that her father chose Coral Gables after a life of international travel.

Her sister, Katerina Pernetti, also described growing up in Coral Gables and supported the naming proposal as a recognition of their father's ties to the neighborhood. Tatiana recounted her father's early life and business: "He left Italy when he was 17, and he was supporting his family when he was that young... He opened Cafe Abracci on Aragon Avenue, which at the time in 1989 was nothing. It was across from a Greyhound station. Everyone said, what are you doing here?"

The sisters framed the proposed renaming as an acknowledgment of Nino Pernetti's community contributions and personal story. Tatiana said the restaurant was a reflection of her father: "He took everything extremely seriously. He took everything very personally as well. That's why the restaurant is held to such a high standard for him because it was a reflection of him." She noted the family's gratitude at the suggestion and the symbolism of the chosen suffix: "The name is also great that it's way and not street or avenue... It was also a play on Frank Sinatra's 'My Way.' I did it my way, and it was very much Nino Nino Pernetti. Nino was very much I'm going to do things my way."

The Pernetti sisters said their family is originally from the Lake Garda and Milan areas of Italy and that the restaurant helped create a community gathering place in Coral Gables. Tatiana said the proposed naming and the restaurant's presence still bring the family joy: "Every time we drive to Abirachi to to see that, it every time it, it puts a smile on my face."