Stories from the Lucciola table: Italian fine dining, wine culture, tasting experiences, private dining, and the people who shape our restaurant on the Upper West Side.
Lucciola Blog
Stories from the Lucciola Table
This is where we collect the ideas, dinners, wines, ingredients, and moments that define Lucciola. Some stories begin in the kitchen, others at the table, others in the cellar. Together, they reflect our way of thinking about Italian fine dining in New York City: with time, coherence, and intention.
All | Restaurant | By Chef MCM | Italian Food Culture | Wine | Wine Dinners | Events | Press & Awards
“Good Wine Is Not A Beverage”, Ricasoli: Discover this Tuscan Winery at Lucciola NYC
A six-course Chianti Classico dinner with Barone Francesco Ricasoli at Lucciola NYC on the Upper West Side. Thursday, October 22, and curated by Wine Director Alberto Ghezzi.
Casa I Wonder at the Venice Film Festival: Chef Michele Casadei Massari on the Lido
Chef Michele Casadei Massari returns to the Lido as Culinary Director of Casa I Wonder, the Italian house at the Venice Film Festival developed with I Wonder Pictures — a table set between screenings, in dialogue with the films.
A Ricasoli Wine Dinner at Lucciola NYC
A six-course Chianti Classico dinner with Barone Francesco Ricasoli at Lucciola NYC on the Upper West Side. Thursday, October 22, and curated by Wine Director Alberto Ghezzi.
Lucciola NYC Brings Its Hospitality to Casa Ferrari
Chef Michele Casadei Massari and the Lucciola NYC team curated four days of Italian hospitality at Casa Ferrari, Pebble Beach 2026 — from 100 to 1,200 guests.
The Dolomites are giving us perfect pasta
Why Lucciola chose Monograno Felicetti: pasta made with Dolomites mountain water since 1908. The restaurant offers Spaghettone Monograno Matt and more on our Upper West Side menu.
Private Dining in New York: Why Italian Food Turns a Gathering Into a Gift
In December 2025, Italy became the first country in history to have its entire cuisine recognized by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage. At Lucciola NYC, that tradition shapes every private dining experience — eighteen seats, one table, and recipes that belong to a heritage now formally worth protecting. From graduation dinners to intimate celebrations, this is Italian food as it was meant to be shared.
A Graduation Dinner at Lucciola NYC Feels Like a Private Party
Eighteen seats. A tasting menu by Chef Michele Casadei Massari. Lucciola on the Upper West Side is the graduation dinner in NYC that feels like a private party — intimate Italian dining for the people who made the degree possible.
This Mother’s Day, Celebrate the Art of the Rosé at Lucciola
An intimate Mother's Day weekend at Lucciola NYC — eighteen seats, a seasonal Italian tasting menu, and lunch and dinner with a delicious surprise and Costaripa wines in Upper West Side, New York.
Show Love for Your Mom. Bring Her To Italy, at Lucciola NYC
An intimate Mother's Day dinner at Lucciola NYC — eighteen seats, a seasonal Italian tasting menu, and an evening designed for conversation. Upper West Side, New York.
J. Hofstätter Wine Dinner at Lucciola NYC | Exclusive Alto Adige Wine Pairing Experience
The Dolomites in your glass: an exclusive Alto Adige wine dinner at Lucciola NYC. A vineyard owned for five generations. J. Hofstätter meets Lucciola NYC in an intimate Alto Adige wine pairing dinner in New York City, limited to 12 guests.
Treasure Your Mistakes: What Chef Michele Casadei Massari Learns Every Spring
How does an award-winning Italian chef choose where to eat in New York City? Chef Michele Casadei Massari of Lucciola NYC reveals his three criteria: ingredients, technical execution, and value — and the surprising role that past mistakes play in recognizing greatness.
Lucciola Wins Tre Forchette 2026
It's official. Gambero Rosso's Top Italian Restaurants 2026 certificate, awarded to Lucciola in New York. Three forks. The highest honor. A moment we are proud to share.
25-Year-Old White Wine Dinner in NYC
At our latest Lucciola Wine Club dinner in NYC, we devoted the evening to aged white wines with Cantina Terlano — including a nearly 20-year-old Pinot Bianco that redefined what white wine can become.
An intimate setting, a full vertical lineup, and a menu built to move in step with the wines — this is what Wine Club is for.
More Than a List: How Great Wine Programs Drive Experience, Brand Value, and Investment Potential
Between 2013 and 2023, fine wine investments outperformed the S&P 500 with annualized returns exceeding 10–13%—and yet most restaurants still treat their wine list like an accessory, not an asset. At Lucciola, we built a program to do both: curate meaningful guest experiences and guide collectors toward wines that tell a story and grow in value.
The Art of the Event: Building Brand Equity Through Signature Hospitality Moments
Hospitality isn’t service—it’s brand strategy.
In my latest article, I share how we’ve turned Lucciola NYC into a platform for global brands to express their identity through curated, scalable events.
Lucciola Hosts Industry Lunch with Palazzo di Varignana
Lucciola recently hosted an exclusive industry lunch, spotlighting the exquisite wines and mono-cultivar olive oils of Palazzo di Varignana. The event, curated by Giulia Perovich of Arnald PR and complemented by Chef Michele Massari’s tailored menu, highlighted Varignana’s dedication to sustainability and community. Guests experienced a remarkable showcase of flavors, including the refined Blanc de Blancs, bold Sangiovese, and creamy Chardonnay, all reflecting the rich terroir of Emilia Romagna.
Exploring Ceretto
Nestled in the heart of Piemonte, Ceretto is more than just a winery—it's a legacy of innovation, sustainability, and artistry. From crafting world-renowned Barolo and Barbaresco wines to restoring the iconic Chapel of Barolo, Ceretto offers an unforgettable journey through wine, history, and culture. Join me as I explore this third-generation estate, where tradition meets modernity in every bottle.
Barbaresco and Il Bricco by Pio Cesare
Cesare Benvenuto shared that at Pio Cesare, every vintage is seen as exceptional, thanks to their unwavering commitment to high standards in both winemaking and viticulture. With the same winemaker at the helm for over 40 years, they have masterfully balanced tradition with innovation. Together with his cousin Federica, Cesare personally ensures that every release upholds the family’s legacy of excellence.