AUNT JAKE’S: ITALIAN SPECIALITIES,
OPENS WITH A WHOLE NEW TAKE ON ITALIAN CUSINE IN NYC’S LITTLE ITALY
This Winter, Aunt Jake’s: Italian Specialties will open in the heart of NYC’s Little Italy neighborhood. Located at 151 Mulberry Street between Grand and Hester, owner Nick Boccio, introduces the innovative counter service restaurant with a made-to-order concept unlike any other – bringing a whole new take on Italian Cuisine to NYC. Beginning January 13th, customers can order a combination of fresh homemade pasta paired with unique composed sauces – which will be made available for take away or dining-in within minutes. Additionally, Chef Carmine Di Giovanni will create a daily specialty Italian dish, along with six freshly made dishes available every day.
Chef Carmine Di Giovanni’s culinary career began at the age of sixteen with his first job in the kitchen as a line cook. He earned his culinary degree from the New York Restaurant School and honed his skills at some of New York’s top restaurants including Picholine as the chef de cuisine, and served as an executive chef at David Burke Townhouse. Prior to these launch pads, in 2001, Di Giovanni took a break from working in New York to embark on a “culinary walkabout” to Italy to rediscover what first brought him into the profession and get back to his roots. With a playful yet serious cooking style, his current work at Greenwich Project features influences from France and the Mediterranean – but it’s at Aunt Jake’s where he will get back to his Italian heritage that runs deep within his soul.
“Cooking Italian food has always been near and dear to my heart- from the memories I have of growing up in an Italian family especially with my favorite aunt’s recipes, to my time in Italy, to my present day cooking style,” says Executive Chef Carmine Di Giovanni. “With Aunt Jake’s, I am excited to showcase both the traditional Italian dishes that people typically crave, but also show a more unique twist of Italian cuisine with specialty pastas and sauces,” he adds.
Aunt Jake’s, with a name derived to give homage to Italian matriarchs like Boccio and Di Givanni’s aunts, will serve health-conscious dishes, offering a variety of fresh handmade noodles and composed sauces for any type of palette. Upon entering, customers will make their order at the counter – choosing one pasta and one sauce, or the daily specialty Italian dish, along with receiving a side of fresh bread. Whether taking away, or dining in, the food will be made-to-order and ready in just minutes.
Each day, the selection of homemade pasta will consist of 6 options such as rigatoni, cavatelli, beet pappardelle, among others- and will include basic, gluten-free, and organic options as well. The composed sauces will change daily including unique creations by Di Giovanni like his broken meatball sauce, lamb ragu, and roasted garlic pecorino. All meat included will be organic and antibiotics-free. Beyond the “Create Your Own” dish, the daily pasta creations (“Our Pasta Creations”), will include a handful of freshly made dishes such as wild boar rigatoni, shrimp scampi spaghetti nero, and truffle mushroom agnolotti. Additionally, “AJ’s Specialites” will consist of one classic Italian dish that will change daily, as well as the “On Bread” section which allows customers to enjoy their favorite Italian combinations on fresh local bread. Lastly, the “From the Garden” menu offers vegetarian options like beets and saba, roasted red peppers, and black kale caesar salad.
Aunt Jake’s encompasses two floors with dispersed, unassigned seating on the main floor and upstairs for guests looking to dine in. The seating will feature communal and private tables, and orders will be taken to the customer’s table based on the number card they received at the counter upon ordering. The venue will reflect a modern Italian vibe, with live pasta making in the foyer for an increased customer experience.
A retail component will be available for customers as well, where they can purchase their favorite homemade pasta by the pound and Di Giovanni’s signature composed sauces from the restaurant. Guests will receive a recipe card with each purchase containing “how to make at home” instructions for quick and easy tips for an at-home Aunt Jake’s meal.
“I’ve had Mulberry Project for almost five years now, and being surrounded by Italian restaurants in the heart of Little Italy, I saw the need for an Italian take-away concept in the neighborhood,” says Aunt Jake’s Owner Nick Boccio. “Not to mention, the need to give New Yorkers a healthier option paired with quick service was imminent.”
Aunt Jake’s is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch and dinner from 11:00AM – 11:00PM Monday thru Sunday. For more information about Aunt Jake’s, visitwww.AuntJakesNYC.com or call (212) 689 – 2130.
