Pizzeria La Gitana Olympia Staff
Owner’s Marian Licxandru and his wife Lumy, left and right ends.
Photo courtesy: Pizzeria La Gitana. Used with permission.


– “Well-Traveled Couple Enjoys International Ambience at Pizzeria La Gitana”
“If Cheers is the place where everybody knows your name, Pizzeria La Gitana must be its European cousin. When guests walk into the downtown Olympia restaurant they’re often welcomed by the owner himself, Marian Licxandru.

‘It always impresses me when I go to a restaurant and the owner greets you, knows you and is glad to see you,’ says Bill Hainer, a frequent patron. ‘Both Marian and several of the wait crew always stop by to say hello. It’s a positive, friendly environment.'”

“One factor that keeps them coming back is the ambience. The Hainers have traveled throughout Europe and South America and the atmosphere reminds them of the places they’ve visited. ‘It feels like somewhere you can sit and have a glass of wine with your pizza in a very welcoming and warm environment,’ says Bill. ‘We’re never hustled or hurried along when we come here. We’ve grown to like the people a lot and become friends with them.’

Every weekend Pizzeria La Gitana has some type of entertainment, whether it’s flamenco dancers or jazz musicians, which adds to the ambience, says Cathy. ‘Especially after our South American experiences, we appreciate that,'” by Heidi Smith, Thurston Talk.
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