Tag: italian food

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Dining Featured

Chef Raffaele Ronca, Opens Rye

Grace A. Capobianco and Chef Rafele

A dear friend and longtime favorite Italian restaurant have just opened its second location. Chef Raffaele Ronca opens Rye, June 6, 2018, to friends and family. The decor is clean elegant and perfect for a date night or just family and friends. If you dine alone but prefer company, don’t worry the excellent staff and Chef Raffaele will be sure to introduce you to their regulars.

It’s Famiglia always at Rafele New York City and now Rye New York.

Months and months of planning going to and from, making sure that everything was just perfezionare, Chef Raffaele Ronca is just that, a perfectionist. When we first met Chef Raffaele back in 2012, his West Village Ristorante was still brand new, what we noticed right from the start and he’s never wavered, is his dedication to create a welcoming culinary experience, with just the right special touches fresh flower arrangements, beautiful displays of fresh vegetables, fresh homemade cheesecake which still today is one of the most talked about in New York, and truly the best authentic Neapolitan ingredients in every dish. Fresh daily-made pasta, including Gluten Free, to various meat dishes, fresh delights from the sea and a renowned wine list.

The new location in Rye is said to have that same special welcome glowed inside with lovely furnishings and art. Chef stayed with his open kitchen design, with a lovely enclosed wine room, two brick ovens to prepare their il piú delizioso designer pizzas, his same trips to the fish market for fresh fish, and mouth-watering meats, for the carnivores. Of course, there is a beautiful bar, to enjoy a cool refreshing flute of Prosecco.

Our favorite dishes, Paccheri All’ Amatriciana, Pappardelle with Lamb Ragu, Cacio E Pepe, Pizza Fritta, roasted cauliflower and sautéed spinach, Bistecca Per Due 22 OZ, Finocchio Brasato, Cavofiore and many delicious authentic dishes to choose from. BUT, be sure to save room for dessert!

Our CEO Grace A. Capobianco and a good friend of Chef Raffaele Ronca, was unable to attend the opening due to an already committed schedule, “I am so very proud of Chef Raffaele Ronca, for his second location, I am sure, just like his many fans and followers in NYC, the residents of Rye will soon make Rafele Rye their favorite spot. Every person who comes to visit me here in New York City request to dine at Rafele West Village, from my longtime High School friends to family members from Europe and Israel. They are sure to add Rafele’s to their list of things to do. Chef Raffaele’s heart and generosity are as authentic and fresh as his cuisine. Over our years of friendship, when we’ve called on Chef to create a special meal for our cover celebrities from Chris Noth to Zac Posen, Chef not only sent over a table full of delicious dishes, but also stayed to ensure that the quality when served was as perfect as when first cooked and that the celebrity enjoyed every bite. I’m so happy for my dear friend Chef Raf and for the Rye community, we only hope that we still get to still see his gorgeous smile at his first baby, Rafele West Village. I love you Raf and I will be out shortly”

Chef Raffaele Ronca, Naples-born and raised, Chef comes from a family of butchers and fishermen who collectively inspired his lifelong passion for food and flavors. With his family also in the restaurant business, Raffaele embraced cooking and culinary explorations as integral parts of not only his Italian culture but its also his heart and soul. Working in his uncle’s restaurant in Naples and helping his mother make fresh pasta daily, Raffaele learned to respect the beauty and taste of fresh ingredients, as well as the time it takes to select and prepare them for fine dishes. Immigrating to America at the age of 21, Raffaele worked steadily at some of New York’s most authentic Italian restaurants, including as the executive chef at Palma, chef du cuisine at Bellavitae and manager of food and wine at Caffé Torino.

Chef Raffaele Ronca is a winner of the hit Food Network show “Chopped.” He is also a collaborator with the James Beard Foundation, and his signature Buffalo Ricotta Cheesecake has been featured twice in Food & Wine magazine as one of the top cheesecakes in America, in addition to having received other impressive culinary accolades.

We are honored to have featured Chef Raffaele Ronca, in our magazine numerous times, he is an authentic in his person as he is in his cuisine. The Rye menu will vary slightly from it’s Manhattan sister ristorante but we are sure that even the most discerning pallet will be pleased.

 

 

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Dining

Lunch at Ristorante Rafele

A few weeks ago, Downtown had the privilege of having lunch at Ristorante Rafele with some well-known names on the Italian food scene of New York City. With Chef Rafele Ronca in attendance, moving from kitchen to dining room, he served classic Naples style Italian fare.

That afternoon, Rafele hosted Gerado Antelmo of Italy’s leading food and wine reference website, Gambero Rosso. The website employs a rating system for restaurants and pizzerias and acts as a guide for establishments in Italy and America. Antelmo comes to the United State for 100 days out of the year and attends more than 200 events to add to the American edition of the guide. The most important reviews get published in the free online guide.

 

The lunch also included the chefs responsible for the newly founded Federation of Italian Chefs in New York. The organization sets to create a group that is dedicated to fresh ingredients and dishes that are authentic to their culture. They are aiming to preserve the Italian culture of cooking in their restaurants. The Chefs are from several New York Italian restaurants Chef Raffaele Ronca of Ristorante Rafele West Village, Chef Enzo Pezone of Pepolino in Tribeca, Marino Rosato,  Alessandro Pendinelli Al Vicoletto and other NY Centric Chefs.

 

Born and raised in Naples, Italy, Raffaele Ronca comes from a family of butchers and fishermen and has had a passion for food all his life. With his family also in the restaurant business, food and cooking was
not only an integral part of his Italian culture, it is in his blood.

Working in his Uncle’s restaurant in Naples and helping his Mother make fresh pasta daily, Raffaele developed a lifelong passion for food. Immigrating to America at the age of 21, he worked steadily at some of New York’s most authentic Italian restaurants including as Executive Chef at Palma, Chef du Cuisine at Bellavitae, and Manager of Food and Wine at Café Torino.

A few years ago, Raffaele and Romeo Palmisano, an old friend from Naples, began discussing opening their own restaurant that would feature their beloved Naples’ cuisine. Working together, perfecting
each detail which includes also the weekly flower arrangements – they created Ristorante Rafele.

* Chef Raffaele Ronca has appeared and won one of the most distinguished culinary competitions, “CHOPPED” featured on The Food Network.

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Dining

Serafina Comes To TriBeCa

Serafina celebrated the launch of its 10th location last week, as it opened a new restaurant in TriBeCa. Founded by the utterly charming and impossibly stylish duo that is Vittorio Assaf and Fabio Granato, the Neapolitan cuisine is fast becoming a Downtown staple.

“The neighborhood aligns perfectly with what our brand is all about, providing guests a place to dine out with the same comfort found within their own home. It’s an incredibly family-friendly community and we’re excited to be a part of it,” said Granato.

“The new location is situated in the heart of TriBeCa and easily accessible, located across the street from the Chambers Street Subway line.”

Downtown had the pleasure of dining at the venue last night and savored a feast of nine dishes including the infamous truffle pizza, a divine masterpiece that should be on every foodie’s to-do list, as well as three different kinds of pasta, truffle risotto and tiramisu. Delizioso!

 

“We like to add a little something unique to the menu when we open a new location, while still keeping the menu pretty similar to all Serafina locations,” said Assaf.

“We know what our customers expect, whether you visited the first location or one that’s only been open for a short time, you will experience the same fabulous food we introduced over 20 years ago,” said Assaf. The new location will also feature the restaurant’s famous light, thin-crust pizza made with OO flour and extra virgin olive oil imported directly from Italy, cooked until perfectly crisp in a signature display pizza oven, also imported from Italy,” Assaf added.

At the event, the duo also announced that they will be launching a new hotel in Puerto Rico later this year. Favoloso! 

Photos courtesy of Serafina

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Dining Miami

Trendy Italian at Il Mulino Prime

Il Mulino New York, the trendy Italian eatery with locations New York, Miami and Las Vegas, is now bringing more of its fare to Downtown with a new location in TriBeCa. Their current Downtown location is on West 3rd Street in SoHo. The trendy upscale restaurant is known for their exemplary steaks, seafood, cocktails and other Italian dishes.

Downtown recently had the pleasure of visiting Il Mulino Prime in SoHo to enjoy food and drinks, which were served up as a modern twist on Italian cuisine. Their caring and attentive staff provided excellent service.

“I’ve enjoyed Trattoria Il Mulino and felt that adding to their restaurant group may hinder the quality and expertise, but my first thought could not be further from the truth,” said Downtown’s CEO and Publisher Grace A. Capobianco.

“Attending the dinner at the SoHo Il Mulino Prime location, a delightful awakening was yet to come. The decor at first sight is elegant but not overstated, modern yet trendy and keeping a warm feel for its SoHo digs. The staff alone could be the models for our next fashion editorial,” she said.

The restaurant offers a wide variety of foods, from fish, pasta and steak — including some truly delicious desserts. The Branzino, scallops and lobster were some absolute favorites, the zucchini blossoms, charcuterie, spaghetti with red sauce and steak were also truly delectable.

“Once the dishes reached our tastebuds, I must admit, each item during our tasting was unique and flavorful, keeping with the same Il Mulino New York quality that I know and love from Trattoria Il Mulino,” said Capobianco.

Top tip: Leave room for dessert! While being contently full after the bulk of the meal, we made room for a sweet dessert consisting of fig gelato, flourless chocolate cake and cheesecake.

And don’t forget the cocktails. Il Mulino Prime has an extensive cocktail menu, and you’re sure to find one to fit your tastebuds. Offering tried-and-true such as the Cosmopolitan and the Hemingway Dry Martini, its bartenders are serving them to perfection. A favorite of ours was the “To Have or Have Not” cocktail made with grapefruit liquor, cucumber, pomegranate syrup, lemon and Prosecco. Light, refreshing, fruity and the perfect drink for summer.

“The highlight of my evening was meeting Executive Chef Michele Mazza, a talented, handsome man with a strong presence and one who makes sure Il Mulino Prime sets high standards each and every day,” noted Capobianco.

Check out more of what Il Mulino has to offer on their website.

Photos courtesy of Il Mulino

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Dining Events

Cheers to a Good Cause

Chef Sandra Lee and Chef Raffaele Ronca

She Chef vs He Chef was a showcase of not only Chef Sandra Lee and Chef Raffaele Ronca’s incredible talents in the kitchen, it was also two friends coming together to create delicious dishes and to support a good cause. With fifteen years of experience, the two spent the night creating wonderful and colorful plates based on each of their preferences at Ristorante Rafele, located in the heart of Greenwich Village.

Downtown was pleased to join award-winning Chef Raffele Ronca and Daytime Emmy Award winning, Semi-Homemade Chef Sandra Lee in their rivalry of the palettes benefiting the Food Bank for New York City.

Friends, family and Italian food lovers joined together to enjoy a curated menu while also giving back through their support for Chef Lee and Chef Ronca. Lee and Ronca were joined by long time friends as well as Todd Weiser and Jake Haelen, programming and development executives of The Food Network.

Chef Sandra Lee, Chef Raffaele Ronca, Jake Haelen and Todd Weiser joined by longtime friends.

The restaurant was completely packed as the patrons raved over the unique flavors coming from the kitchen. Diners enjoyed dishes like Ronca’s traditional Cacio & Pepe with Chef Lee’s choice of artichokes and Fiori di Zucca, fried in a light prosecco batter. Deliciozo!

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Dining News

Fiaschetteria “Pistoia” opens in the East Village

Downtown was whisked away by the magical flavors of Tuscany brought to New York City directly from the source at the new restaurant, Fiaschetteria “Pistoia.” Owner Emanuele Bugiani has created and curated an incredible trendy meets traditional Tuscan restaurant in the East Village. He brought his own chefs and staff from his restaurant in his hometown of “Pistoia”.
This 34-year old restauranteur arrived in New York in January, and in few short weeks renovated an older restaurant space into a cool spot to enjoy classics that taste straight out of your nonna’s kitchen.

The menu includes dishes that Emanuele’s family has been cooking and eating for decades, including Pappa al Pomodoro (tomato and basil “soup” that is thickened with Tuscan bread), Sformatino Di Zucchine (zucchini flan with parmigiano cream), and Baccala’ alla Livornese (cod fillet, braised in tomato and parsley sauce), and of course fresh pasta made in-house by his authentic staff from Pistoia.Photos courtesy of Fiaschetteria “Pistoia”