Anna Maria’s
18 Chatsworth Ave, Larchmont
(914-833-0555; annamariasrestaurant.com)
Dish I Do Best…Eggplant Parmigiana. It’s my mom’s recipe, so delicate and light.
Drink of Choice…Campari on the rocks—very refreshing.
Favorite Guilty Pleasure Food…Pizza. But, I am very particular. I am Neapolitan and we make the best pizza in the world!
Favorite Kitchen Utensil…A good, sharp knife makes me feel creative and powerful.
Last Book Read…Setting the Table, Danny Meyer’s informative book about the importance of hospitality in the restaurant business.
Favorite Place to Dine Out…Equus in Tarrytown. The quality of food, attention to detail, and ambience make it a real treat.
I Never Cook With…Butter. A good chef doesn’t need to rely on it.
What Waiters Should Never Do…Clear a plate before everyone at the table is done with the meal. It drives me crazy.
The Strangest Request from a Diner…When someone asks to top a seafood pasta dish with cheese, I raise my eyebrows.
The Worst Incident That Occurred in My Restaurant Was…A waitress once spilled a glass of wine on a customer…not only ruining his suit but his BlackBerry. A very embarrassing and costly mistake.
The Most I’d Pay for a Meal…A great meal is priceless. If it’s a quality meal, I do not think about the cost.
Favorite Pain Reliever…I never take pain relievers, but a good Barolo does the trick!
When I Meet People at a Party and Tell Them I’m a Chef, They Always…Want to tell me how great they are in the kitchen and what they cook best. They usually want me to try their specialty.
My Favorite Cookbook…Guiliano Bugialli’s Food of Naples and Campania. These classic Neapolitan recipes are outstanding.
My Favorite Website…I have succumbed to Facebook.
Food Trend I Hate the Most…Small plates. Being Italian, I don’t do anything small!
My Favorite Music Group Is…I don’t need a whole group, just one man—Andrea Bocelli!
