The name Becco is derived from the Italian verb, beccare, which means to peck, nibble, or savor something in a discriminating way. Lidia Bastianich & her son, Joe, opened Becco in 1993 & since then, it has been providing the New York community with outstanding service for over 18 years.
Located on New York’s famed Restaurant Row in the heart of the theater district, Becco is open 7 days a week for both lunch & dinner. Becco is most famous for its’ innovative pasta tasting menu & extensive $25 wine list.
Lidia Bastianich
Lidia Bastianich: founder & president of Tavola Productions, an entertainment company that produces high-quality broadcast productions including Lidia’s Italy, an Emmy-nominated television series; one of the best-loved chefs on television, a best-selling cookbook author, restaurateur & owner of a flourishing food & entertainment business. Her line of cookbooks include, Lidia Cooks from the Heart of Italy & Lidia’s Italy (both companion books to the Lidia’s Italy) as well as Lidia’s Family Table, Lidia’s Italian-American Kitchen, Lidia’s Italian Table & La Cucina di Lidia. Lidia is the chef/owner of four acclaimed New York City restaurants — Felidia, Becco, Esca & Del Posto, as well as Lidia’s Pittsburgh & Lidia’s Kansas City. Together with her son Joseph, she produces award-winning wines at their Bastianich Vineyards in Friuli. 2007 signified a true benchmark in Lidia’s career, as she had the esteem honor of cooking for His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during his travels to New York. In fall of 2010, Lidia released her first children’s book, soon to be a holiday classic, Nonna Tell Me a Story: Lidia’s Christmas Kitchen. Perhaps the single most important quality that Lidia shares is her belief that it’s not only the food on the table that makes the meal, it’s the people who join around the table who bring the meal to life. Her signature line: “Tutti a tavola a mangiare!” means “Everybody to the table to eat!”
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Joe Bastianich
After studying finance & spending a year on Wall Street, Joe bought a one-way ticket to Italy & explored the country’s small corners, keeping food & wine a top priority. He came back to New York & opened Becco with his mother, Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, & then partnered with Mario to open Babbo, which garnered three coveted stars from The New York Times & the prestigious Best New Restaurant in America award from the James Beard Foundation — indeed, the prophetic beginning of their thriving collection of restaurants. Joe is also a passionate wine-maker & teacher & wrote, with David Lynch, Vino Italiano. In 2005 he was recognized as an Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional by both the James Beard Foundation & Bon Appétit. Most recently, he & Mario were awarded the 2008 James Beard Foundation’s Outstanding Restaurateur Award. Joe feels fortunate to be “working within the vernacular of the Italian table.”
Executive Chef
William Gallagher
Chef Gallagher’s culinary education started where most great Chef’s careers begin, in his grandmother’s kitchen. There he learned how to cook with skillful & careful preparation & the importance of hand selecting only the freshest & finest ingredients.
Highly regarded & well renowned, Billy has cooked at the James Beard house, numerous charity benefits including Share Our Strength, & has been featured nationally on Fox & Friends with Julian Phillips, Food TV’s Follow That Food & CBS News with Tony Tantillo. The Intrepid Air, Sea & Space Museum has invited Chef Gallagher “on deck” as a regular star judge during the annual Fleet Week “Best Chow” Competition, with heavy features in local media.
In his career at Becco Restaurant, Chef Gallagher has represented the Bastianich name at the “Taste of the Tetons Music Festival” in Wyoming, as well as, created a 50 foot long Pappardelle ribbon to be cut for the televised opening ceremony of the summer annual “Taste of Times Square”. He has also had the honor of cooking for Pope Benedict XVI with Lidia.
When not cooking with Lidia on her PBS cooking series, Lidia’s Italy, Chef Gallagher can be found at 355 West 46th Street on Restaurant Row in the heart of the New York City’s Theater District. There he works side by side with both Joe & Lidia Bastianich in creating one of the most value packed & delicious menus in New York City.
The Management Team
- Jim Brigman – General Manager
- Carolina Gil – Beverage Director
- Marie O’Brien-French – Service Director
- Matt Martin – Maitre’D
- Raymond Roberts – Bar Manager
- Angelo Ruggiero – Sommelier
- Simon Levine – Floor Manager
- Marica George – Private Event Coordinator
