■ALAN CAPPER MANDUCATIS RUSTICA Social Center and Established LIC Restaurant BY ALAN CAPPER “Apart from the food you have to keep building the community. In its seven years, Manducatis has established itself as a leading pillar of the LIC community” says Gianna Cerbone-Teoli, the restaurant owner and visionary. Everybody knows Gianna and she knows everything that is happening in Long Island City. The warmth of her personality has helped her to build strong relationships with a wide-ranging group of customers. She did not start her career intending to go into the restaurant business but wanted to work in the arts field as a curator. This earlier ambition, and knowledge has helped her in her relationship with the many members of the LIC art community who have become established customers. In fact, it was her father, a successful restauranteur in his own right, who encouraged her to consider opening her own restaurant because he recognized that she had the personality and dedication to build a great establishment. Because of the established feel of the restaurant it is always a surprise to new customers to know that she has only been in the business for seven years. “In fact, my father was absolutely right!” says Gianna. “Food is my life and has been for a number of years, even way before I opened the restaurant. I love to cook, and I can probably cook or prepare anything I want from Greek food to sushi, but Manducatis Rustica is unashamedly and delightfully Italian! I believe I have brought my passion for food into the restaurant which accounts for much of its success.” She may be charming, but she is very single-minded. “I want my customers to understand that you don’t come to Manducatis expecting a quick meal prepared in a hurry. Each dish is prepared lovingly with an investment of time to properly ensure that it is a dining experience rather than a quick, instant meal.“ She calls her style of cooking “slow Italian” and while the entrees include classic dishes like seabass, calamari and veal chop there’s a wide range of pasta and pizza on offer. Diners agree that the food in the restaurant is of the highest quality but this is only one factor in restaurant success. The restaurant has two areas – a café at the front and a more formal restaurant at the back. While it is perfectly usual to see a group of regular customers drinking espresso or cappuccino at any time of the day you can also have your main course in the café while admiring the magnificent photographs by renowned LIC photographer Tony Vaccaro. Vaccaro, a war photographer who has also photographed many international celebrities, proudly hangs his work at Manducatis where it adds much LIC character. Two additional elements underline the Italian origins and heart of the restaurant. The superb thin crust pizzas loved by children and adults and the dazzling selection of gelato with regular changes in the flavors throughout the year. Gianna has witnessed the changes that have come to Long Island City in the last seven years and has benefited from an expanding and sophisticated clientele. She loves the expansion of the area and the growing sense of community of which she is an active part. “We would be less comfortable without this and I do as much as I can do to build this further,” she says. This includes building close relationships with other restaurateurs. “We talk together quite often on matters of mutual interest. “I do not fear or resent competition. There is a place for all of us in our growing and diverse neighborhood.” Gianna Cerbone-Teoli Photo by Troy Benson
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