Center City restaurant Cibo shares the spirit of Thanksgiving

You don't have to leave Philadelphia to see the real message and spirit behind Thanksgiving. U-Turn reader Jeff Morrison forwarded me a photo he took of a sign he saw today in front of Cibo Restaurant at 1227 Walnut Street in Center City.

The sign read: "Thanksgiving is a day to share with your neighbor. Cibo invites those less fortunate or without family to share in a traditional complimentary Thanksgiving meal. Dinner will be served from 1PM to 5PM. We look forward to seeing you!"

Morrison, who lives in the Loft District of the Callowhill neighborhood, felt inspired to let U-Turn know about Cibo's generous offer. "Made me feel humbled that the restaurant opened its doors for total strangers to enjoy a holiday dinner regardless of their current situation, whether they don't have family or are struggling right now," Morrison messaged me.

I spoke with Cibo's manager Brian Peeke this afternoon, who let me know that the former restaurant owner Ralph Berarducci started this tradition many years ago, and the new management decided to continue it.

Berarducci, who was at Cibo today when I spoke with him over the phone, previously ran Portofino and the Walnut Street Supper Club before selling the restaurant over the summer.

"It's a service to the community and for people that have nowhere else to go," Peeke told me, adding, "We give back to the community for one day a year. It's the right thing to do."