If you don’t know who Simone Falco that’ll soon be a thing of the past… or you just haven’t had the best food New York City has to offer. You may recognize Falco from his recent stint on the Food Network’s Beat Bobby Flay, where he did indeed beat Bobby Flay with his famous Ossobuco dish. And, we’ve tasted it… IT’S HEAVENLY. However, being on one of the most popular food show’s isn’t Falco’s claim to fame. It’s his food that leaves a long-lasting impression with anyone who samples his dishes. — It’s his tasty and savory creations that make people ask, “Who could have possibly made something that tastes this good?” — That’s how people remember him… Quite the legacy, huh? Well, HollywoodLife.com has the utmost pleasure of sitting down with Falco, who took us inside his New York restaurant, Rossopomodoro, as well as his latest eatery, SIMO Pizza. Simone owns the renowned Neapolitan eatery, Rossopomodoro, with locations within Eataly New York [Flatiron & Financial District], Chicago, Boston, and San Paolo.
Simone — PDH-educated entrepreneur, former athlete and author — is a highly decorated businessmen. However, it’s creating the most delicious Italian dishes that has made his name such a household moniker around the world. Although he never went to culinary school, he says his love for food and the restaurant business began at age 13, when his mother’s brother opened an eatery in Naples, Italy, where he would work in between his studies.
As for how he gets people hooked on his unique-tasting dishes? — “We cook with only 5-6 ingredients,” he reveals, adding, “We never overdo it.” Simone says everybody can make good food, but there’s a difference with his dishes. “What we love about our food is that you don’t feel bloated or sick. — That’s because we use real ingredients. Not much animal fat, and barely any butter; We use wild caught fish and grass-fed meat, so it gives people the taste of food in Italy.”
If you’re in the NYC area here’s what you can expect:
Standouts from the Rossopomodoro menu include the La Margherita Verace Pizza mozzarella, basil, San Marzano tomato; Rigatoni alla Genovese short rib with onion ragu; Polpetta di Melanzane eggplant “meat” balls; Polpetta al Ragu rosso meatballs ‘tenere come il burro’.
And, yes, New Yorkers, there’s brunch! A highlight from the brunch menu includes the Uova in Purgatorio — two baked eggs, ragu Bolognese and parmigiana.
If you’re 21+ and need to wind down with a one-of-a-kind drink, Rossopomodoro offers classic Italian cocktails, such as the Rosso Sprtiz and the Sgroppino.
Oh, and did we mention Rossopomodoro is a frequent celeb hotspot? The restaurant has seen the likes of John Stamos, Andy Cohen, Kyra Sedgwick, Michael Kohrs, Eric Bigger, and many more stars!
Simone Falco plans to open the first location of SIMÒ Pizza in early 2018 [Meatpacking, 90-92 Gansevoort Street] and the second location in Brooklyn [300 Livingston] in Summer 2018. SIMÒ Pizza will offer 4 pizzas, including vegetarian and vegan options, 2 salads, 1 white and red wine option by the glass, 1 beer option and Italian sodas. Each pizza will be priced at around $10, without compromising the size or quality of the pie. All dishes at SIMÒ Pizza will be made with Italian ingredients.
Now, we’re starving!