TRADITION AND RITUAL ARE THE HEART AND SOUL OF ITALIAN CUISINE. SINCE 1896 THE RAO'S FAMILY HAS BELIEVED IN SHARING THOSE TRADITIONS. WE INVITE YOU TO TAKE PART IN SHARING- WITH US AND WITH EACH OTHER—THE RAO'S FAMILY WAY OF FEASTING. IF YOU FOLLOW ALONG WITH OUR MENU, YOU WILL EXPERIENCE RITUALS VINCENT RAO AND ANNE PELLEGRINO HAVE PASSED TO OUR GENERATION. WITH THE HELP OF YOUR SERVER, ENJOY THE MOST IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS IN YOUR DINING EXPERIENCE: FOOD, FRIENDS, AND FAMILY. WE PROMISE THAT YOU WILL NOT ONLY LEAVE FULL BUT FULFILLED.
THE HISTORY
RAO'S NEW YORK IS A CULINARY NATIONAL TREASURE. WIDELY ACCLAIMED FOR ITS AUTHENTIC, SOUTHERN NEAPOLITAN ITALIAN COOKING AND ITS HOME-STYLE FAMILY AMBIANCE, RAO'S WAS HONORED WITH A PINNACLE THREE STARS FROM NEW YORK TIMES RESTAURANT CRITIC MIMI SHERATON DESCRIBING THE CUISINE AS "EXQUISITELY SIMPLE ITALIAN COOKING."
OPENED IN 1896, THE RESTAURANT IS CELEBRATED AS ONE OF THE COUNTRIES' OLDEST FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED RESTAURANTS RUNNING IN ITS ORIGINAL LOCATION. HANDING DOWN CHERISHED PELLEGRINO AND RAO TRADITIONS AS ITS MAIN INGREDIENTS, THE RAO'S MENU PAIRS GENERATIONS OF AUTHENTICITY AND LOVE WITH FRESHNESS AND FLAVOR.
ALL LOCATIONS, NEW YORK, LAS VEGAS AND LOS ANGELES, SERVE AND SATIATE SOME OF THE MOST POWERFUL APPETITES IN THE WORLD. AT THE NEW YORK LOCATION, THE LIST OF REGULARS READS LIKE THE "WHO'S WHO" OF NEW YORK COGNOSCENTI, INCLUDING WOODY ALLEN, BILLY CRYSTAL, ROB REINER, NICHOLAS PILEGGI AND DANNY AIELLO. LEGIONS OF POLITICIANS, SPORTS FIGURES AND MATINEE IDOLS HAVE JOCKEYED FOR A RESERVATION. THERE, DINING AT RAO'S IS A LEGENDARY EXPERIENCE SO BELOVED THAT GETTING A SEAT IS ONLY POSSIBLE IF YOU ARE A REGULAR AND HAVE, "TABLE RIGHTS," OR IF YOU'RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE INVITED AS A GUEST BY SOMEONE WHO DOES. IN LAS VEGAS, YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE OUR GUEST. FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS, WE INVITE YOU TO SIT BACK AND RELAX WHILE FILLING YOURSELF WITH MORE THAN FOOD. CHEERS!
RAOSRESTAURANTS.COM
GIO BALISTRERI - GENERAL MANAGER / WINEMAKER – RUSSIAN RIVER VINEYARDS - TALKING ABOUT THE UPCOMING PASSPORT TO PINOT
From 11 am -4 pm, Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, visit more than 30 acclaimed wineries and enjoy world-class wines, including limited and early releases, barrel samples, special offers and unmatched hospitality. This tasting experience will have you discovering the rugged beauty of our valley and our region’s most celebrated wineries, unique artists and hidden gems. The Russian River Valley Passport weekend offers ticket holders exclusive experiences throughout the weekend at participating wineries, many that aren’t open to the public. A Saturday night VIP barbecue at Gail Ann’s Vineyard in the heart of Russian River Valley will allow a limited number of ticket holders to mingle with the winemakers and growers over smoky summer fare. Catering provided by Suchernova Farm, Cork’s Restaurant, Twist Eatery and Kozlowski Farms.
FOR $10 OFF WEEKEND PASSPORT TICKETS OR VIP BBQ TICKETS (INCLUDES PASSPORT) USE PROMO CODE CRNRADIO - OFFER EXPIRES 6/24
BIO:
Giovanni Balistreri is a lifelong Sonoma County resident, growing up in Sebastopol, where farming was in his blood. After graduating from high school in 1999 he planted first vineyard of Pinot Noir in Freestone on the land in which he grew up on. His first experience working in the wine industry was at Louis M Martini tasting room in Saint Helena in 2001 working in the tasting room. After graduating from Fresno State University 2004 with a BS degree in Agricultural Business, Gio & his father began to build a winery at their Freestone Vineyard location. In the fall of 2008, Gio partnered with Chris O'Neil and Anthony Austin and took over the property formally known as Topolos. They reopened Russian River
Vineyards and Corks restaurant was born. Executive chef Paul Scandura joined the team 2015 and they began producing world class wines and food for all of Sonoma County to enjoy. Since 2008 Russian River Vineyards has produced more than 100 medals, 30 of these medals are gold. January of 2012 Gio became Head Winemaker for Russian River Vineyards, with Anthony as consulting Winemaker. In 2014 Gio and Anthony were awarded: “Best Winemaker Award” from the North of the Gate Wine Competition. Currently Gio serves as immediate past President of the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce, Serves on the Board of Directors for the Russian River Valley Growers as the Second VP, Chairs the Apple Blossom Festival Steering Committee where he has brought record growth and success as well as volunteers for many other community organizations. Gio still finds time to manage his family's vineyard, the wineries Estate Vineyards, and a good game of golf.
WWW.RUSSIANRIVERVINEYARDS.COM
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