INDULGENCES eating out by tony reverditto by tony reverditto
Torta di cioccolato con prosciutto Flowerless chocolate cake with crispy prosciutto and salted caramel.
MICHAEL’S on Naples Ristorante May I start by saying that this was one of the finest dining experiences that I
have had in a long while. Every aspect of the extraordinary MICHAEL’S On Na- ples Ristorante is truly wonderful; from the elegant décor to the diverse wine selection right on through to the classic and contemporary Italian cuisine. Owner and visionary, the classy Brooklyn-born, Michael Dene decided to live his dream by pursuing the journey of becoming a restaurant entrepreneur. He moved to the California coast to find the perfect location and fate took him to a run-down building in Naples, Long Beach. He began the tedious process of renovating the space into what would come to be one of the most authentic upscale Italian restaurants in Southern California. When all was said and done, it was a smart transformation; a sophisticated eatery which includes a private dining room called the Chef’s Gallery, an incredible roof-top dining area and a
76 RAGE monthly | DECEMBER 2010
A DREAM COME TRUE
full-service bar...oh, and you mustn’t forget the custom floor-to-ceiling glass encased wine chamber. The funding for this venture was made possible by Michael’s rise in the lighting business in New York and naturally it made sense that the lighting in his creation was perfect; warm and cozy with illuminating candles inside beautiful holders. During our dinner, Michael reflected on his humble beginnings—“In my youth I was known throughout my New York neighborhood as the guy who made and bottled his own sauces from scratch and gave them as gifts for special occasions.” Today, he continues his legacy by insisting on using only ultra-fresh ingredients and is an advocate for the humane treatment of livestock. Michael’s customer service ethic combined with his attention-to-detail has culminated into a culinary work-of-art with growing recognition!
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