MAY 2019 • LONGISLANDPRESS.COM 71
CHEF JOSE MORALES
THE AMERICAN DREAM
For Chef Jose Morales, Piccolo Cantina Bay in Bayville is both a family affair and his American Dream.
BY ALAN KRAWITZ
For Chef Jose Morales, the head chef
at Piccolo Cantina Bay in Bayville, the
American Dream is alive and well.
Now 63, Morales, who was born in
El Salvador and grew up in Mexico,
says he crossed the border illegally in
1979, settling in Texas for three years
before moving to New York in 1981.
“I love this country; it opened its doors
to me many years ago and allowed me
to live my American Dream,” says
Morales, who became a naturalized
U.S. citizen before perfecting the art
of cooking both authentic Mexican
and Italian cuisines.
Morales recalls that originally his
plan was to become an architect and
design buildings, but after tasting
his first Italian meal in the states
more than 35 years ago, he decided
to design meals instead.
“I fell in love with cooking,” he says. “To
me, being a cook is like being an artist…
you have to do it with your heart.”
Morales explains that before perfecting
his craft at the Culinary Institute
of America in Manhattan, like many
other chefs, he started at the bottom,
washing dishes and working his way
up, cooking at various Mexican and
Italian restaurants throughout New
York, including Chateau Madrid in
Manhattan.
He also worked at various venues in
Nassau County before opening his
first restaurant in 1991 in Jericho.
That led to several others on Long
Island including Café Jalisco in
Glen Cove and Marcello’s Café in
Bellmore.
In 2007, Morales opened La Cantina
Bay with his family in Locust Valley
to strong local reviews of the venue’s
Mexican and Italian specialties.
Piccolo Cantina Bay in Bayville is the
most current version of the restaurant,
which moved only a few blocks
away.
Some of Morales’ authentic Mexican
and Italian specialties include Spanish
paella, pork chops, fajitas, chicken
francese, and mussels Luciano.
Customers seem to think highly of
Chef Morales and his cooking.
“The food is to die for,” Nick Carbuto
wrote on the restaurant’s Facebook
page. “Couldn't decide from a wellstocked
menu. My wife and I chose
from the specials for the day, stuffed
pork chop and grilled swordfish! Out
of this world! One would think that
two genres of food can't both be done
well.”
Morales notes that the patrons in this
part of town have good taste.
“We’re in a very good neighborhood
and we have appreciative customers,”
says Morales, who has nearly his entire
family involved in the restaurant
including his wife Elvia, his daughters,
and his son. “Starting a family
business is a good idea...it’s one thing
that I would recommend to anyone
thinking of starting a business: Do it
with family.”
Morales, who volunteers his time
helping local seniors in his area with
errands, stresses that he is thankful
for the opportunities he’s been given
in life.
“I came here with dreams and
ambitions and America opened its
doors for me,” he says. “I am a proud
immigrant and I’m thankful for the
opportunity this country has given
to me.”
Piccolo Cantina Bay is located at 18
a Bayville Ave. in Bayville. It can be
reached at 516-802-3001.
MAIN DISH
Being a cook is like being an artist…you have to
do it with your heart.”
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