NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. - Lucas Lucido and Nick DiCostanzo's Mamma Francesca Italian Restaurant at 414 Pelham Road will soon be featuring Puerto Rican cuisine under the name of Siete Ocho Siete.
The Italian eatery was named after DiConstanzo's mother. The new restaurant is slated to open in roughly two weeks.
DiCostanzo, who has owned the restaurant for 27 years, made renovations to it about 18 years ago."It's time for a change," he said of the once classic-Italian establishment.
Lucido will operate the space with DiCostanzo to be small and upscale, similar to an eatery you would find in Manhattan. He said he would like to utilize his fondness of Puerto Rican culture in his restaurant.
"Even though I was born in Italy I moved to the states at a very young age and growing up amongst Puerto Ricans and Latinos," said Lucido. "I had the opportunity to harness the culture from top to bottom."
The restaurant is named after Puerto Ricos area code and will feature chefs from the Island. Lucido said the eatery will be the closest patrons can come to true Puerto Rican taste.Lucido was previously involved with opening two other Puerto Rican flavor restaurants.
"I've built a strong name and following in the Latin community," said Lucido. "My staff has been loyal to me for many years. From time to time I have different chefs come to New York from Puerto Rico to teach them new ways and techniques so they can keep up with the trends and traditional flavors of the Island."
The two come from the island of Ischia off the coast of Naples, Italy and met one another in the states a few years ago.
Click here to follow Daily Voice and receive free news updates.
