After the Illawarra Flame reported the popular family-run Cosa Nostra restaurant was on the market, bookings at the popular Corrimal Street diner in the city doubled.

On Saturday, the place many regard as the best home-cooked Italian on the planet was set to deliver its last service and the "house full" signs were already up.

"We've been booked out now for weeks," said Neve Piras, who was expecting to shed a few tears as she served many of her most loyal customers a final time.

"It was time for us to call it a day after more than 40 years, and we can only thank everyone, not just for coming to eat with us, but it's like they're our friends."

Neve, George and their son Peter just plan to "have a good rest" once the lights go out. That's despite so many requests for them to do many 'in-house' services from their legion of foodie fans.

As one of many regulars at Cosa Nostra, I wish the Piras family a happy and long retirement.