Many chefs dream of making it big in New York, but there are also a few successful New York chefs who dream of making it big back home. Chef Dante Boccuzzi falls in this latter category.
Last spring, Boccuzzi left his executive chef position of five years at NYC's
Aureole, a role that had reunited him with his post-CIA mentor Charlie Palmer, to strike out on his own – not in New York, but in Cleveland – with Palmer's blessing to boot. Boccuzzi, an Ohio native, had completed a culinary loop that included stints at L'Escargot in London, Silks at the Mandarin Oriental San Francisco and Armani/Nobu in Milan. "He's continued to develop as a chef and manager. It makes sense that he wanted his own restaurant. He's earned it, put in his time. I think he's ready for this," Palmer told Cleveland Magazine.
Boccuzzi will open Dante in the Cleveland suburb of Valley View (8001 Rockside Rd.; 216-524-9404) on Saturday, September 29th, and celebrate with a grand opening gala on Friday, October 5th. He took over
Lockkeepers in March, running the fine-dining favorite until September 21st, when he closed the restaurant so that its transformation into Dante could begin.
A revamped menu will highlight Boccuzzi's skill at weaving Asian and Italian ingredients and flavors with French technique, and feature homemade charcuterie, starring his Parmatown pork proscuitto. He describes the menu as "New York style with Cleveland prices." The formerly lodge-like dining room will boast sleek, modern elements, and the bar area will invite lingering with couches and a communal table.
"I wouldn't have accomplished what I have without Charlie," Boccuzzi told the Buzz. He noted that the best part about going home is that, "In New York everyone fights for attention. Here, I'm a big fish in a small pond. And I live 10 minutes away, no traffic."
– Deirdre Donovan