First Location Outside of New York for the Famed Restaurant
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Nicholas L. Ribis, Partner, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Resorts International Holdings, LLC, announced today that Patsy’s Italian Restaurant, the celebrated New York institution, will open at The Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort in May 2008. Patsy’s will be located on the second level in the space previously occupied by Caruso’s.
“Anyone who knows New York City and authentic Italian cuisine, knows that Patsy’s is where it begins and ends,” said Ribis. “Even though Patsy’s has been a successful restaurant for more than 60 years, they’ve not opened another restaurant until now. We’re honored that the Atlantic City Hilton will be the only other Patsy’s location in the world.”
Ribis added: “Patsy’s at the Hilton will continue the storied tradition, first-rate service and top-notch cuisine that the original has been serving up since it opened in 1944. Our guests deserve a restaurant of this caliber and so does all of Atlantic City.”
Specializing in Neapolitan Italian cuisine, Patsy’s Italian Restaurant was founded by Pasquale “Patsy” Scognamillo in 1944. Located in the famed theater district of Manhattan, the restaurant attracts everyone from celebrities to foodies to tourists who know that a visit to New York isn’t quite complete without dining at Patsy’s. Patsy’s Italian Restaurant is widely known to have been Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurant. Some of the countless stars who have enjoyed the stellar service and authentic Italian cuisine of Patsy’s include Al Pacino, Alec Baldwin, Tom Hanks, Madonna, George Clooney, Sean “P Diddy” Combs, David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey, Jennifer Lopez, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennett, Robert DeNiro, Don Rickles, Josh Groban, Jacklyn Smith, Phyllis George, Calvin Klein, Meredith Vieira, Jerry Seinfeld, James Gandolfini, Christie Brinkley, Jon Bon Jovi, Liza Minelli, Chris Noth, Tony Danza, Ben Stiller, Farrah Fawcett, Billy Joel, Kate Hudson, Chevy Chase, Cheryl Ladd, and Patty LaBelle, to name several.
Remarkably, the restaurant has had only three chefs in its entire history: founder Patsy, his son Joe, and Joe’s son Sal, who is the current chef. This true family-run restaurant features authentic Italian cuisine driven by fresh ingredients and a respect for tradition. Guests can expect dishes such as succulent Veal Chops, spicy Lobster Fra Diavolo, Steak Pizzaiola Linguine Puttanesca, Penne alla Vodka and countless other tempting choices.
“I am so glad to continue the tradition of my grandparents, Pasquale “Patsy” and Concetta Scognamillo, and I look forward to bringing our great food, service, and family traditions to The Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort,” said Sal Scognamillo. “We are bringing Frank Sinatra’s favorite restaurant to his home state of New Jersey, to the exact place where he used to perform when it was the Golden Nugget.”
Executive Chef and co-owner Sal Scognamillo learned how to cook from the master – his father Joe. Patsy’s was Sal’s second education. His free time was spent in the kitchen or helping out as a waiter or busboy. In 1985 Sal assumed control of the kitchen and the quality and love that comes from a family-owned and operated restaurant continues to this day. It has been under Sal and his cousin Frank DiCola’s leadership that Patsy’s has expanded its presence in the gourmet foods market by releasing award-winning pasta sauces, prepared foods, oils and vinegars, and a best-selling cookbook available at stores nationwide and online at www.patsys.com. Sal has appeared on countless television programs nationally and locally, including The Today Show and Martha Stewart. His Patsy’s experiences are rich with stories. He has cooked for numerous celebrities, including the biggest stars of the screen and stage.
“The Patsy’s name is synonymous with family, great food and exceptional service,” said Tony Rodio, Regional President of the Atlantic City Hilton and Resorts Atlantic City. “Having a high-profile brand name like Patsy’s will serve as an attraction for not only our loyal players, but also for others in the area. Patsy’s will appeal to a broad audience, whether it’s players at another casino or guests who simply enjoy first-class restaurants.”
The same staff that served in Caruso’s will serve in the new Patsy’s.
“Patsy’s passionate focus on superior customer service will extend to the Hilton,” said Rodio. “We’re proud of the service that our staff provided at Caruso’s. Sal even dined at Caruso’s and was thrilled with the level of service there. As an added benefit, we will have the New York City Patsy’s staff train our Hilton team so they can take their service to the next level and meet Sal’s exacting standards. The Hilton and Patsy’s share an equally deep commitment when it comes to how customers are treated.”
“I think this quote from Tony Bennett captures the sentiment of Patsy’s better than anything else -‘I’ve been going to Patsy’s for more than 50 years, many times with my friend Frank Sinatra,’” said Phil Juliano, Executive Vice President of the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort. “From talking with Sal, everyone that comes to Patsy’s gets treated like Frank Sinatra.”
The Hilton location of Patsy’s will offer a marketplace where customers can purchase gourmet products, such as Patsy’s award-winning sauces. Since their arrival on the market in 1994, Patsy’s sauces have earned more than 20 awards, including top honors in a blind tasting by Cook’s Illustrated Magazine, the foremost authority on culinary testing. Patsy’s sauces, made from the freshest ingredients and in small batches, adhere to the family’s time-honored tradition. For years, customers asked for a jarred version of Patsy’s sauces so they can enjoy the great taste home. Finally, the restaurant honored the 50th Anniversary of the restaurant by releasing its original Marinara sauce. Today, there are other flavors available, such as a delicate Tomato Basil, a spicy Fra Diavolo, a robust Puttanesca, the velvety Vodka sauce, and the flavor-packed Pizzaiola.
Other items, like Patsy’s Cookbook – Classic Italian Recipes From A New York City Landmark Restaurant will also be available for sale. The book features 100 secret family recipes, touching anecdotes from friends and family, as well as historic photographs chronicling the more than 60-year-history of Patsy’s. The book is both a heartwarming read as well as a kitchen essential for anyone who loves Italian cuisine. Many celebrities contributed stories, from Tony Bennett to Al Pacino to Nancy Sinatra, who wrote the book’s foreword.
Patsy’s is slated to open in May of 2008 at the Atlantic City Hilton and is expected to serve lunch and dinner. Gift certificates will be available.
The Atlantic City Hilton Casino, along with Resorts Tunica, Bally’s Tunica and the Las Vegas Hilton, is a Resorts International casino affiliated through Colony Capital LLC and Nicholas L. Ribis. Colony Capital LLC is a private investment firm whose affiliates are licensed in three gaming jurisdictions: New Jersey, Nevada, and Mississippi.
