Chef Spotlight: Executive Chef Shea Gallante of LINCOLN RISTORANTE

Shea Gallante is an acclaimed chef of New York's most renowned kitchens, known for his 15 years of re-imagining traditional Italian cuisine. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), Chef Gallante made his way to New York City to begin his professional experience at the popular midtown Italian Restaurant, Coco Opera. To continue his work in fine dining, Chef Gallante advanced through positions at establishments such as Felidia Restaurant as sous-chef, Bouley Restaurant as chef de cuisine, and CRU as Executive Chef - being named one of Food & Wine magazine's "Best New Chefs."

Chef Gallante's tenure in fine dining led him to creating and launching Ciano, an upscale-casual Italian restaurant. Now, Chef Gallante brings his success and innovation to Lincoln Ristorante while maintaining the traditional values of Italian cuisine.

As the Executive Chef at Lincoln Ristorante, located in New York City's iconic Lincoln Center, Chef Gallante is bringing a new style of Italian cuisine to the restaurant, refined and rustic, personal and classic. In addition to new dinner and lunch menus, he will introduce a pre-theatre program and chef's tasting menu, set to launch this fall.

Broadwayworld.com had the pleasure of interviewing Chef Gallante for our "Chef Spotlight."

What was your earliest interest in cooking?

Probably prior to being 10 years old. I grew up in an Italian-American family with a grandmother as the family chef. My mother was also an excellent cook. I was always intrigued by food and helped when I could in the kitchen.

Who were some of your career mentors?

Two of the influential chefs I have worked with have definitely been David Bouley, and Fortunato Nicotra of NYC's Felidia.

What culinary styles have influenced your career?

In general, I always had an Italian depth and base. As chefs, we are always learning, sometimes as the teacher and sometimes as the student. I am always open to other forms of execution. I love Italian ingredients, dishes, and foundations. In my career, I have also discovered very positive influences from other cultures.

How much did you change the menu of Lincoln Ristorante?

It is completely new. My motivation was to personalize the menu and make it a chef-driven restaurant. The former chef's menu reflected his pedigree and style and I introduced my own.

What has been the public reaction to the new menu?

Our new menu has been met with extremely positive reactions. Lincoln Ristorante has always maintained a top level of hospitality so that guests continue to be welcome and comfortable at our restaurant.

What have been some of the challenges of your new position at Lincoln Ristorante?

For me, the biggest challenge is that I have a staff that didn't select me. We were brought together and because they are all top professionals, everything has been working extremely well.

What is your favorite meal?

I am definitely a pizza guy.

About Lincoln Ristorante:

Lincoln's breathtaking, architectural space on W. 65th Street overlooks Lincoln Center's famed reflecting pool, Henry Moore bronze sculpture Reclining Figure, and the Metropolitan Opera. Housed in the rarest of Manhattan restaurant real estate, its own free-standing building designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro is a true pavilion. The restaurant has two levels, an outdoor terrazza open during warm weather, plus a grass roof sloped in a rare hyperbolic paraboloid shape and open to the public for picnics.

About the Menu:

Chef Gallante began work on his Lincoln menus after travelling through Italy earlier this year. His menu preserves a form of simplicity found in authentic Italian cuisine today. He balances flavors with a focused, grounded style. Highlighting fresh and flavorful produce, he takes advantage of local farmers and purveyors, precisely building each dish from a unique point of view. Dishes Include: Pappardelle with housemade lamb bacon, cannellini beans, Calabrian chili, tomato sugo; Spigola alla Vernaccia (wild sea bass in Vernaccia wine) with confit fennel, Meyer lemon, Taggiasca olives, roasted tomato emulsion; and Agnello Scaffata, lamb chop and braised lamb shoulder with young English peas, snap peas and mint.

Lincoln Ristorante is located at 142 West 65th Street, New York, NY 10023. They are open for dinner, Monday to Sunday, lunch Wednesday to Friday and on Saturday and Sunday for brunch. Call them at (212) 359-6500 and visit their web site, https://www.lincolnristorante.com/.

You can also follow Shea Gallante on Instagram @sgallante.

Photo Credit: Jason Varney

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