Becco has been a theatre district staple since 1993. Chef Gallagher joined the team in 1999 alongside Lidia and Joe Bastianich to become the Executive Chef. He has shared his talents among numerous charity benefits as well as many television features throughout his career. This James Beard house chef learned to cook in his own grandmother’s kitchen. His love for fresh and fine ingredients in his Italian meals shows in this bustling Theatre District gem.
The Becco menu provides a great variety of traditional Italian dishes with their stand-out being the unlimited table side service of Chef Gallagher’s three daily pasta preparations. This includes, but is not limited to, samplings of Mushroom Ravioli with Truffle Butter and Sage; Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Fresh Basil; or Penne with Veal Bolognese and Peas. This pasta trio will leave you full and satisfied and is a great option to try some of Becco’s homegrown meals.
The Antipasto Misto is a delicious way to start your meal – with an assortment of fresh and flavorful grilled vegetables with seafood. A surprising stand-out in an Italian menu was the Peperoni Ripieni – or Becco’s version of Italian-style stuffed peppers. Its rich flavors have the ability to bring back childhood memories in one bite. Becco has a great variety of dessert options such as Apple Strudel or Chocolate Mousse Cake among the top contenders. However, the Cinnamon Gelato is a velvety and delicate delight.
Since their re-opening after COVID-19 closures, Becco has exceeded expectations with providing quality meals to their patrons. The restaurant now offers online ordering and delivery while the quality in portions and presentation remain outstanding. Even their infamous pasta trio online or for delivery and the portions are generous. This festive atmosphere does require reservations to ensure social distancing measures and safety precautions can stay a top priority. Becco was highly missed during the shutdown and their dining room remains (safely) full since their re-opening. Whether you’re gearing up for date night or looking for a delicious meal before your show – Becco has something for everyone.
Website: www.becco-nyc.com
Tony Lagana
Chef Tony is a 42-year veteran of the food industry and is often known by his peers as “The New Product Guru.” Throughout his illustrious culinary career, he’s earned several notable titles and positions including Acquisition International’s “Most Influential Product Development Expert, U.S.” in 2019.
In 1997, Tony also founded Culinary Systems Inc., a group of culinary consultants that assist with culinary training, restaurant start-ups, concept development, and more. Since then, Tony and his team have generated over two billion dollars in sales for their clients in restaurants, retail, and manufacturing.
The strategic, technical, and culinary skills of Tony and his team can be seen on the menus of national chains, in the portfolio of national food manufacturers, and on the grocery shelves of products produced by major retail companies.