Hailing from the charming coastal town of Monte di Procida in the province of Naples, Andrea Esposito has embraced his lifelong passion for cooking — beginning with the art of pizza — nurtured by his family and rooted in the rich culinary traditions of southern Italy. He presently serves as executive chef at Ristorante LUCCA in Bordentown, New Jersey. There, he blends authentic Neapolitan flavors with refined technique, offering guests a true taste of Italy.
Andrea says his goal as he proposes year-round Ristorante LUCCA menus is to create a symphony of food that reflects each season.
"For this fall, I'm doing my research, and together with my food provisioners, we're finding the freshest vegetables and best choices for fish and meats to fuse them to make unique, delicious appetizers and entrees," he says.
"One given direction for the fall is showcasing pumpkin as a key ingredient and dish because it reflects the season so well. This gives our patrons new items to choose from and enjoy; that's my goal and I take this responsibility very seriously."
Indeed, in American culture, pumpkins have become a quintessential symbol of fall, and their wide-ranging ability to taste savory or sweet solidified this vermillion fruit's place as a special autumn food craved by many.
Andrea honed his culinary craft at the esteemed Lucio Petronio Hotel and Catering Institute in Monterusciello, Pozzuoli, where he developed the technical expertise that he says now defines his cuisine. "Growing up along the Gulf of Naples, I was surrounded by an abundance of fresh seafood and high-quality meats, ingredients, which sparked my creativity and continues to influence my cooking today."
Though far from his native home, Andrea remains deeply connected to his heritage and proudly honors the traditions of Neapolitan gastronomy in every dish he creates. In fact, he confirms he thinks of it as continuous opportunities to share Tuscany locally. Fine Italian cuisine and elegant, exceptional dining is promised by the team at nearby Ristorante LUCCA & Piano Lounge, 144 US-130. Guests indicate stepping into the Piano Lounge’s cabaret dining experiences means leaving the ordinary world behind.
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