Brioso Ristorante: Celebrating 25 Years of Membership
By Danielle Wiseman, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce
Brioso Ristorante is the dream of the DiMaggio family brought to life. Serving authentic Italian and Mediterranean cuisine from a beautifully designed corner on New Dorp Lane, Brioso is a family-owned restaurant that aims to provide diners with a traditional Sicilian experience.
The DiMaggio brothers, Raffaele, Pietro, and Calogero, were born and raised in Torretta, Italy, a small town tucked away in the mountains of Sicily, and moved to the United States in 1979. Following their move, Raffaele used his culinary background to work in several high-end New York City restaurants, including Elio’s and Petaluma, where he remained the chef for ten years. During his time at Petaluma, Raffaele worked alongside his brothers, Pietro, who had experience working as a pastry chef, and Calogero, who, like Raffaele, worked as a chef.
Driven by the desire to create their own menus and share the traditional Sicilian recipes that they grew up with, the DiMaggio brothers opened their first restaurant, Brioso, in Marlboro, New Jersey in 1995. Three short years later, following their overwhelming success in New Jersey, the DiMaggio brothers opened a second location in Staten Island, where they still stand today.
Stepping into Brioso is like taking a short trip to Italy, as you’re enveloped with the sights, smells, and sounds of historic Sicily. From the wood-burning brick oven to the endless array of fine wines, Brioso boasts a rustic ambience, inviting diners to share in the recipes that the DiMaggio brothers hold so closely to their hearts. When they moved to the United States, the DiMaggio brothers never forgot their many nights of “le tavolate” spent in Italy, or the lively family dinners with cousins, aunts, and uncles gathered around a long, wooden dinner table, laughing, sharing stories, and indulging in the dishes that Brioso serves today.
Brioso, which means lively in Italian, continues to live up to its name, constantly engaging with community members to bring New Dorp Lane to life. On a typical night, Brioso is filled with families, friends, and loved ones gathering to enjoy the atmosphere and the rich flavors that the DiMaggio brothers have come to perfect over the years.
This year, Brioso is celebrating its 25th anniversary with the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce. As a long-term Chamber member, Brioso has consistently showed support for the Chamber, and we are proud to have the DiMaggio brothers as members of our community. Congratulations to Brioso on 25 years with the Staten Island Chamber!
