house — you’re here in my house. You’re
having dinner in my home.”
The name itself harks back to Martinez’s
personal life. He was known as “El Fresco”
by most everyone at his alma mater, Le
Moyne College — a name given by his fraternity
brothers for his ability to dish out a
witty comeback for anything.
Martinez, 35, is no stranger to the food
industry. His first job at 14 was at McDonald’s.
Since then, he’s made quite the name
for himself. After majoring in business and
working for a spell in airline catering and
sales, Martinez opened Travesia, then a barbershop
in the Bronx (The Bronx Barbershop),
and now Fresco’s Cantina. He even
has a coffee shop in the works.
“Started from the bottom, now we’re
here!” he said, laughing. “It’s something
I’ve always liked. I’m an overall businessman.
I’m not going to open a restaurant
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