Cecile and I had a delightful dinner at Aldo’s with our son-in-law Kyle’s mom, Kim Chien, and her husband, the birthday boy himself, Al Chien.
The evening was a joyful celebration filled with great food, laughter, and tradition. We shared a fabulous meal, sang “Happy Birthday” (or rather, “Buon Compleanno” in Italian), and watched as Al made his wish, blew out the candle on the restaurant's complimentary dessert, and opened the gift from Cecile and me.
Aldo’s provides a relaxed, welcoming setting that always reminds us of “Little Italy” in NYC, a place we’ve visited many times. The ambiance is charmingly Mediterranean, featuring terra cotta floors, light-colored walls adorned with tasteful artwork, and an open, airy layout.
The restaurant is owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team, Aldo Maresca and Barbara Lansbury. Aldo, a talented chef from Sorrento, Italy, immigrated to America in 1993, bringing with him the flavors and traditions of his homeland.
Years ago, during one of Aldo's rounds visiting customers at their tables, I discovered something extraordinary—we shared a special connection. Aldo revealed that he had grown up in Sant’Agata sui Due Golfi, a quaint town on the Sorrento Peninsula. Coincidentally, I had spent part of my childhood there, staying at the villa of Rosa and Mimi, close friends of my mother, Maria. Mimi, a pastry chef in Positano and later on the Isle of Capri, even invited me to meet his team and lent me a pastry chef’s cap to wear (see photo), leaving me with life long cherished memories.
Sant’Agata, perched on a ridge above the Bay of Naples and the Gulf of Salerno, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding hills and sea.
