Restaurateur Carl DiCapo tells the history of Kansas City’s iconic eatery, Italian Gardens, on Sunday, August 22, at 2 p.m. at the Central Library, 14 W. 10th St.

For five decades DiCapo greeted visitors to the Italian Gardens. During that time he saw the restaurant become a Kansas City favorite. Italian Gardens hosted countless local and national celebrities over the years, many of whom were members of the Sabenadica Club. Derived from the restaurant’s so-called Sabenadica Table, a place where lone travelers could sit together rather than occupy a table that could otherwise be used for a larger group, the club grew to over 2,000 members and consisted of local regulars as well as celebrities such as Yogi Berra, Rocky Marciano, “Cinderella Man” James Braddock, John Cameron Swayze, Basil Rathbone, Mayor H. Roe Bartle, and Lenny Dawson.

The stories are shared by Carl DiCapo and co-authors John David DiCapo, and Frank R. Hayde in their new book Italian Gardens: A History of Kansas City Through its Favorite Restaurant.

The event is co-sponsored by Rainy Day Books. Copies of Italian Gardens will be available for sale, and DiCapo will sign copies purchased during the event.

Admission is free. Click here or call 816.701.3407 to RSVP. Free parking is available at the Library District Parking Garage at 10th & Baltimore.