Place Category: Italian and Outside DiningPlace Tags: Chef Owned and Operated
Paul & Jimmy’s Ristorante has been a landmark in the historic Gramercy Park neighborhood since 1950. The father and son tandem of Louis and Greg Azzollini continue to serve old-country style Italian dishes as well as innovative specials prepared daily. All plates are crafted with the freshest of ingredients, many sourced locally from the farmers market. Louis always welcomes you as part of the family and Chef Greg makes sure each dish would proudly be served to “Nonna.”
OUR CHEF
Greg
Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante has been at the center of my life since I was born. But along the way, I experienced many exciting and educational culinary detours that would eventually lead me back to the restaurant and the job I always wanted: Executive Chef of Paul & Jimmy's.
As a child, visiting my grandfather Cosmo and my father Louis at the restaurant was exciting. The food. The people. The action. Even then I knew it was a very special place. During my teenage years, I worked as a busboy and eventually worked my way up to a waiter. While there, I learned the business from the ground up and became inspired to become a chef. It is decision I have never regretted.
I couldn't have had a better teacher, mentor or role model than my father. He instilled in me the love of food, family and work. You have to love all three to really make it in this business. My father enjoyed having me in the kitchen, teaching me the basics of cooking and all of our family recipes. But as I found out, school wasn't over yet.
After college, I began my formal culinary studies at the Institute of Culinary Education. It was an amazing experience of hard work and discipline which only grew my passion. It was in this period that I worked the line at Mario Batali’s Lupa Osteria in Manhattan. But then I realized that to truly understand the culture I had to go to Italy and experience it first hand. So I packed my bags and traveled to Tuscany where I had the opportunity to focus my attention on the finer points of traditional Italian cuisine at Ristorante Tonino.
It was the culmination of these experiences that led me to take the helm as Executive Chef at Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante.
For over 65 years, the Azzollini family has taken pride in making their customers feel like they are part of our family. It is my honor to continue that family mission by delivering the finest cuisine and dining experience. When you visit Paul & Jimmy's, please ask for me so I can have the opportunity to talk with you and share some of our family's wonderful stories.