Visiting professor Romano Prodi, a former Italian prime minister and president of the European Commission, has arranged to return the Trattoria to its regular spot in the Sharpe Refectory rotation, a University spokesperson confirmed Tuesday.
Though critics had characterized the move as a return to "gastronomic imperialism," Prodi argued that "the Trattoria is a cornerstone of the international cross-understanding he hopes to promote at Brown, and we have obliged him in that request," said Marisa Quinn, director of public affairs and University relations.
Prodi had reportedly been in intense discussions with Refectory officials for weeks over how to arrange a politically palatable demise of the unpopular "Tastes of the World" line and return the pizza and pasta station to its former glory.
"It was especially important to the prime minister that the Refectory resume serving on a regular basis both apple pie dessert pizza, which is a traditional Italian dish with a great history, and overcooked fusilli," said Nandeeni Dellafishco, a Prodi spokeswoman.
The Refectory will now also feature ambient accordion music and will play a tape of Dean Martin singing "That's Amore" on continuous loop, she added.
Prodi also hopes to visit Via Via IV next week, Dellafishco said, to "pay his respects to the management."
