Monday Morning Quarterbacking -- Pazza Luna
I enjoyed myself at Pazza Luna. Early on though, I was frustrated by what appeared to be under-staffing -- the presence of a host, a busboy, or both, would have made a huge difference. It reminded me of the recent evening at Sotto Sopra, in which I was troubled by the same thing.
Then, a friend reminded me that Riccardo Bosio (of Sotto Sopra) was connected with Pazza Luna. I had forgotten. I had just reviewed Sotto Sopra a few weeks ago, and another Bosio-related review so soon suddenly felt weird.
It's true that Bosio purchased the Locust Point property in 2007, and it was reported at the time that he was in a partnership with the chef Gianfranco Fracassetti. Early this year, the running of Pazza Luna was taken over by Davide and Christa Rossi, pictured here.
I asked our server about this casually and was told that Bosio owns the building but has no involvement in the running of the Pazza Luna. Still, I didn't manage to pin down for the review precise answers of ownership and management. Nor did I choose to pursue the story of what happened to Fracassetti.
So, on Monday morning, I'm wondering if I should have spent more time unraveling these questions of ownership and proprietorship.
Baltimore Sun Staff/Gene Sweeney, Jr.
Categories: Monday Morning Quarterbacking
Comments
Gianfranco F is at Ciao Bella.
thx
Posted by: Dara Bunjon | October 18, 2010 11:32 AM
Yeah, but how much did they pay for the building?
Posted by: Abraham Moss | October 18, 2010 2:55 PM
actually, gianfranco is at cafe gia in little italy
great guy, great chef, great Juventus fan
Posted by: loucatelli | October 18, 2010 4:43 PM
Davide and Christa both used to work at Sotto Sopra many years ago.
Posted by: mobtown | October 18, 2010 5:10 PM
A thousand apologies...yes Cafe Gia for Gianfranco..not Ciao Bella. That is what happens when I eat too many carbs.
Posted by: Dara Bunjon | October 18, 2010 7:49 PM
speaking of cafe gia, their former chef Bruno, last i heard, is at The Point in Fells {ugh on the name}, we haven't been yet but thursday is pasta night, and Bruno made the best eggplant parm i have ever had {sorry dear} while he was at gia, and i have no reason to think it's any less spectacular. anyone been there for that?
Posted by: davethesuave | October 21, 2010 9:30 AM
Well, dave, maybe if you spent less time strumming your giant "guitar", maybe you could help out in the kitchen.
Posted by: Mrs. Suave | October 21, 2010 9:39 AM
Caro Richard,
This is the story:
I bought Pazza Luna at auction as a turn around story in 2007. I installed
Gianfranco as the chef but I couldn't find anybody to run the front
successfully! So last year I convinced the only 2 people I know to be extremely
talented in running a restaurant ( I brought davide from Italy 10 years ago,
with Gianfranco, Nicola, Fabio, Raffaele etc) to sell their restaurant in Maine
and move back here to make Pazza Luna the success story I always envisioned. I
predicted they will build one of the best Italian restaurant in 2 years! Now
that you validated my prediction, they also have an option to buy the building.
They are truly the best and will achieve great things in Baltimore! I want them
to be as free to succeed as I did!
I hope this missive will clear everything
about the mistery of this gem call Pazza Luna!
On a separate note when the economy recovers you will see your hostesses and bus
boys. For now we are trying to manage
Skyrocketing costs and prices. This has been the most challenging times for
small businesses in a generation!
Ciao
Love your writing style!
Posted by: Riccardo | October 21, 2010 9:54 AM
I love when owners make an appearance.
Posted by: Owl Meat Grazie | October 21, 2010 11:41 AM
Who in the heck wants to work for that guy Riccardo???? do you know he is looking for help year around? in this economy?
Posted by: ROBERTO | October 22, 2010 12:24 AM
My husband and some colleagues had dinner at Pazza Luna recently. He said the food was outstanding (he particularly enjoyed the carpaccio with arugula) and the service was "very attentive."
Posted by: Dahlink | October 27, 2010 6:31 AM