Tony D'Amato passed away on Sunday, June 28, at the age of 73 while traveling overseas with his wife, Maria. His death has sent waves of sadness through Bay Park, Clairemont and San Diego's restaurant community, where D'Amato was widely admired not only for his culinary accomplishments but for the genuine relationships he built with guests over decades.
Born in Palermo, Sicily, D'Amato immigrated to San Diego as a teenager and began working in restaurants shortly after arriving in the United States. His career started humbly as a dishwasher at Mister A's before he worked his way through nearly every front-of-house position, eventually becoming a captain. Drawing on years of experience and an instinctive understanding of hospitality, he opened Baci Ristorante on West Morena Boulevard in 1979.
What began as a modest Italian restaurant steadily evolved into one of San Diego's more respected dining institutions. Known for its white tablecloths, tuxedoed servers, extensive Italian wine cellar and timeless Sicilian cuisine, Baci earned a loyal following that included neighborhood regulars, business leaders, celebrities and visiting dignitaries. The restaurant received numerous accolades over the years, including repeated recognition with the AAA Four Diamond Award.
Yet friends say it was never the awards that defined Tony. Night after night, he could be found near the front entrance greeting guests by name, remembering anniversaries, introducing newcomers to longtime patrons and making everyone feel as though they had been invited into his home. His wife, Maria, stood beside him through much of that journey, together creating the atmosphere that made Baci feel less like a restaurant and more like a family gathering place.
In 2012, D'Amato expanded his family's footprint by opening Luce Bar & Kitchen next door, transforming the former DaNino's space into a contemporary gastropub operated alongside his brother Gaetano and later his children. The concept offered a more casual complement to Baci while remaining rooted in the same commitment to hospitality that had become synonymous with the D'Amato name.
Over the years, Baci became known for hosting special dinners celebrating regional Italian cuisine, including memorable sea urchin feasts showcasing local seafood paired with imported Italian wines. D'Amato was an enthusiastic ambassador for Sicilian food traditions and often spoke passionately about introducing diners to ingredients and recipes they might otherwise never experience.
For many in Bay Park, Tony represented something increasingly rare in San Diego's ever-changing dining landscape. As longtime independent restaurants continue disappearing amid redevelopment and generational change, Baci remained a steadfast neighborhood anchor. Friends describe D'Amato as an old-school restaurateur whose success was measured less by trends than by relationships built over decades.
"He was a true host," one longtime friend told SanDiegoVille. "People in Clairemont and Bay Park are really going to miss him. Old-school places like that are going away fast. Nobody can just replace him."
Fortunately for the neighborhood, D'Amato had already begun preparing the next generation. His children have long played active roles in the family businesses, and friends say plans were already underway for them to gradually assume leadership of both Baci Ristorante and Luce as Tony prepared to slow down and enjoy more time traveling with Maria, visiting family in Europe and spending time pursuing his love of fishing.
Those who knew him best hope the restaurants will continue carrying forward not only his recipes and traditions, but also the spirit of hospitality that made him one of San Diego's most beloved restaurateurs.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been publicly announced.
Tony D'Amato is survived by his wife, Maria, their children, extended family and the countless employees, friends and loyal guests whose lives he touched during nearly five decades of welcoming San Diegans through the doors of Baci.
Originally published on July 5, 2026.
