VIC RALLO, UNDICI TAVERNA RUSTICA, RUMSON
Congratulations to Vic Rallo, owner of Undici Taverna Rustica, 11 West River Road, Rumson (732-842-3880), whose Italian restaurant has received the coveted three-star award from The World of Fine Wines annual World’s Best Wine List 2014. A panel of judges awarded 750 restaurants from around the world one, two or three-star awards and Undici’s wine list was one of only 225 making it into the top three-star category. Rallo, who is also the host of Eat! Drink! Italy! travels to Italy six to eight times a year to meet with prominent winemakers and artisan food producers. Along with head sommelier Elizabeth Bogner and head chef Giovanni Atzori, Undici’s wine room continues to expand, currently displaying over 350 labels from premier Italian producers, with over 40 selections available by the glass.
JARRETT BENNETT
Jarrett Bennett, a CIA graduate is the chef at H2Ocean Seafood & Raw Bar “From Hook to Plate,” which has opened at 41 Ridgedale Ave Cedar Knolls (973-984-9594). Bennett’s first job was in the kitchen at Bruschetta in Fairfield at the age of 16. After graduating from culinary school, he worked for Michael Mina in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.
MICHAEL MERIDA
Michael Merida is no longer at Cravings Tapas Bistro in Ridgewood. He previously worked at Mezza in Westwood and has had stints at the Fat Duck in London, El Bulli in Spain, Park Avenue Café, Vong, Le Bernadin and Mia Dona all in NYC. We visited Cravings recently.
SEAN NORRIS
Sean Norris, formerly of Chakra and Due in Ridgewood, is now the chef de cuisine at Terre a Terre, 312 Hackensack St, Carlstadt (201-507-0500); BYO.
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