La Viola Restaurant, in downtown Syosset, wasn't just another restaurant. It was a gathering place for residents of Syosset and the surrounding communities. Only a few hundred feet from the Syosset Railroad Station, it was where spouses would meet their loved ones as they stepped off the incoming evening train, and then walked over to La Viola for dinner.

When they arrived there, they would be greeted with the calm warmth of owners Giancarlo Costa, or his wife Josephine, (known to all as Jo). Patrons would be seated, and a waiter, who most probably knew by his first name because he has been there for so long, would be at tableside, as though he was waiting for you in particular.

The Costas have owned La Viola for 15 years. During that time, they not only served the customers, they literally served the community. Every Thanksgiving, for 15 years, La Viola closed its doors to regular business and opened them to many in need. They served an average of 250 - 270 persons at the restaurant. Volunteers delivered meals to 150 persons within Syosset and the surrounding communities, who were unable to attend, due to disabilities or lack of appropriate transportation. The Costas sought persons in need, through local charitable and social organizations, such as Youth Families Services, Coalition for Domestic Violence, Veterans from the Veterans Hospital at Northport, Mercy First of Syosset, outreach programs from local churches, seniors, and those living alone, and a number of others in need.

Volunteers worked all day, long before and after the noon to 3 p.m. feast. Volunteers included personal friends of the Costas, longtime customers, and members from the Rotary Club. Many donated turkeys, and other foods, that added to the La Viola supply. Members of St. Edward's donated turkeys and volunteered their time. The waiters and other staff of La Viola volunteered time each and every year. Former employees, who had gone on to other careers, continued to return each Thanksgiving Day to volunteer their time.

La Viola was also home to the Syosset-Woodbury Rotary Club that had its weekly luncheon, in the private room, for 10 years. The Rotary Club also had dinners and other special events in that room, including their annual Christmas/Holiday Party. Jo Costa was, and still is, an active member of the Syosset-Woodbury Rotary Club. The relationship between Rotarians and the La Viola staff, though professional, was on a first-name basis. It was truly a family friendly restaurant.

The charitable nature of Giancarlo and Jo Costa didn't stop after Thanksgiving. They were very generous to many local organizations. Gift certificates were given on a regular basis, to the Syosset PTA, the Syosset American Legion and the Syosset Chamber of Commerce for raffle prizes. Many journal ads were taken in various publications. They also sponsored a local baseball team for many years. During the last weeks of December, Rotary had their last meeting... their last Christmas/Holiday Party, where they thanked Giancarlo and Jo... for simply, everything.

On New Year's Eve, December 31, 2007, La Viola held its last New Year's Eve Dinner/Party. At a little past midnight... the Costas retired. And with them, so has La Viola.

On March 25, 2008, Jo Costa received the Town of Oyster Bay Woman of Distinction Humanitarian Award, at a special presentation at Town Hall.