For over 20 years, Fresco by Scotto was one of the most popular destinations for fine dining in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. The restaurant served as the go-to location for power lunches for some of New York’s most notable businessmen. It was so well-known that come mid-day, the chairs and tables would be packed with different suits of the latest fashions, all discussing potential plans that would be talked about for decades to come. The energy was vibrant. The topics of conversation were serious, while these icons of finance and entertainment broke apart meatballs the size of small boulders. Handshakes would solidify these deals and soon, steaming bowls of delicious pasta would be placed in front as a victory meal for the future.
As the sun began to set, and the offices and markets soon closed for the day, the Italian eatery remained open to serve a different clientele. Paparazzi would line the streets as the biggest stars of Hollywood would make their way into the dimly lit bar area, waiting to be seated by the family’s matriarch, Marion Scotto. Every night, one could easily spot some of the hottest names in entertainment, like Jennifer Aniston and Leonardo Di Caprio, sharing a drink, a plate of pasta and maybe a few bomboloni. However, if the celebrities wanted to take a night off , then New York City political royalty would grace the diners with their presence. The Clintons, the Cuomos and even Rudy Giuliani have all had their time sitting in the back of the dining room surrounded by surrealists’ paintings of what can only be described as the patron saints of the hospitality industry. It didn’t matter what side of the aisle you leaned over, all were welcome and treated with the same respect at the midtown establishment.
Soon, the business expanded next door to serve the financial and businessmen as they found only a few moments between their high-intensity jobs to grab something to eat. Wraps on Fresco’s specialty bread, salads and even eggplant parmigianas were moving out the door in a New York minute to be wolfed down in a matter of seconds. To accommodate for those on Wall Street who wanted a little slice of what Fresco had to offer, another location was soon opened along Pearl Street in the Financial District. There was a piece of the Scotto family all over Manhattan. To say the least, Fresco by Scotto had become synonymous with dining in the Big Apple. But everything moves in cycles. Times changed. The suits decided to conduct their meetings elsewhere. The stars decided to take their evening meals in new locations popping up all along the southern peninsula of the island. Sandy wiped out the newest addition to the Scotto clan’s portfolio of restaurants. The magnetism of Fresco was slowly winding down, but the restaurant still stood strong. It took a worldwide pandemic to make the historic midtown site shut its doors.
As the world stood still, so did the restaurant. The chairs were empty. The tables had never shown their wood surfaces to the world since the fi rst day they were purchased. It seemed to be the end of an era. However, the Scottos were not going to give up without one fi nal fi ght. It wasn’t in their nature. Spending time in New York after the pandemic, sisters Elaina and Rosanna, co-owners of Fresco, realized that Fresco could be brought back from its dormant state, but there needed to be a reason. Fresco, once again, needed to become a destination in Midtown, not just another restaurant.
Speaking with their friend Larry Scott, the Scotto sisters were able to come up with a plan and a design that would breathe new life into the old establishment. Taking inspiration from their Italian roots, the team looked to the east, specifi cally the lemon groves that grow along the coast of Capri. What if they were able to bring the beauty of this amazing destination to the city that needed it? So, Larry got to work, with oversight from Elaina and Rosanna. Soon, a new era had begun. It took a few months, from inception to build, for Fresco by Scotto to take on a new life. Larry was able to move in the same fashion as the workers on the line. In the time it took the city to shut down, Larry was able to create an entirely new Fresco. Outside diners were placed under a canopy that made each individual feel as if they were spending the evening in an Italian orchard. Music was turned up loud to liven up the mood of the incoming diners. The indoors were treated as the same. Lemon trees had grown roots in the middle of the dining room. The lights had been turned low. The scene was set for the grand reopening of this New York staple.
The first set of soft openings, for friends and family of the Scottos, were indicative of how the renovation would be met by those who had never been there before. Dishes were fl ying out of the kitchen, rounds of drinks were being passed from table to table. The spirits were so alive of the people in this brand-new place that some of the diners began to dance in the street. It was an active bike lane, but that did not stop a single person from reveling in the energy of this establishment. It was difficult for Elaina and Rosanna to turn tables during those soft openings since many of the customers didn’t want to leave! It was the best response they could’ve asked for.
Soon after the rust had been shaken off , it was time to open the restaurant to the public. People from all over the tri-state area were coming in to dine once more with the Scottos, marveling at the new sights and sounds. They were met with a new menu as well. The classic staples of zucchini, potato, Gorgonzola chips and thin-crust grilled pizza still stood at the top of the list, but now a new array of pasta dishes and main entrees filled the pages. Elaina and Rosanna’s brother Anthony found their new chef, Ben Kacmacik, who in tandem with the Scotto family created and curated the new flavors of Fresco’s menu. Kacmacik was able to capture the old familiar taste of each of Fresco’s signature dish, and even add his twist to the recipes. After the world had fallen apart, Fresco had come together stronger than ever. Rosanna, Anthony and Elaina’s late father, Anthony Scotto, who died in August 2021, all put in the hard work necessary to make the restaurant better than ever before.
Fresco is turning tables at a rate the Scottos hadn’t seen for some time. Elaina has also been working hard to get Fresco on the Go refurbished and ready for reopening. Like the restaurant, On the Go is bringing to life a new concept: fast-casual lunch Monday through Friday. Once the rush has died down, at 3 p.m. On the Go will turn into the “Sunset Lounge” where patrons can enjoy great music and a sexy cocktail. Midtown Manhattan, once again, has a new destination for fine dining.
