What to expect from restaurant L’Inizio at this year’s Tastemakers event.
The dynamic duo behind Ardsley’s L’inizio, better known as Heather and Scott Fratangelo, can now check another accomplishment off their list – both being honored as Westchester Tastemakers. Scott, a chef, was found in the 2016 lineup. Heather, a pastry chef, will round off this year’s six-course meal with a decadent strawberry rhubarb brown butter cake. We named L’inizio one of the Best Italian Restaurants in Westchester back in 2015, and prior, the couple owned Spigolo restaurant in Manhattan from 2005-2011, which earned a 2-Star review in the New York Times. Here, Heather gives us a preview of what to expect from this year’s Tastemakers of Westchester event.
There is so much creative freedom when it comes to dessert. How did you decide on the cake?
My idea for the cake was to incorporate items and flavors that scream spring/beginning of summer, as well as hit on key flavors that would keep guests wanting to stay until the end.
What are the main flavors featured in this dessert?
Brown butter – who can resist? The sweet pea panna cotta lends a nuttiness without being a nut.
What does it mean to you to be featured as a Westchester Tastemaker?
What an honor to be featured as a Westchester Tastemaker. My husband and I work hard to make flavors harmonize so it means a lot to me to be noticed.
The past few years have included notable accomplishments for L’Inizio including your husband featured as a Westchester Tastemaker in 2016, landing seventh in Westchester Magazine’s 38 Top Restaurants of 2017, and being named ‘one of the county’s most talented pastry chefs’ in Westchester Magazine’s 9 Dishes We Really Loved in 2017. What has stuck out most thus far?
With all of the accomplishments we have, the most notable ones are those that acknowledge the restaurant as a whole, with all of the components. There are many gears that make a restaurant successful, not just one, so I think being nominated as one of the Top 10 Restaurants in Westchester stands out pretty heavily in my mind, and I am so happy and proud of that.
Overall, what are you expecting from the 2018 Wine & Food Festival?
I am excited to be a part of a fun night with talented chefs, showcasing L’inizio to those that know it and those who are not aware of our little restaurant in Ardsley.
Want to dine with the best chefs Westchester has to offer? Click here for tickets, and enter the promo code TASTE to receive 10% off Tastemakers tickets! Don’t wait, this code is only valid through Friday, April 20 at 5 p.m.
