Two industry veterans step out on their own to open Risata Cucina in Robbinsdale
Countless businesses in the Twin Cities are struggling to make up money they lost during Operation Metro Surge, but there's hope, as some restaurants are choosing to open instead of close down.
In Robbinsdale, Minnesota, two industry veterans are making it happen on their own.
Chef Brendan Denne opened Risata Cucina in the city's West Broadway corridor with longtime friend and fellow industry veteran Bryan Gooding. The pair have worked for top restaurant groups in the Twin Cities; Denne most recently served as culinary director for Travail.
"Risata means laughter but it's specifically like a resounding big deep laugh," explained Denne.
Now they're stepping out on their own.
"Its incredibly nerve-racking," Denne said. "But it's the thing we've talked and dreamed about for years."
It's dream that started when the two met working at Lake and Irving in Uptown. The neighborhood restaurant, approachable and built to last, is an inspiration to the pair.
"You wanna follow the example of people who have been there a while. What do they do well? What they do is provide great consistent service and good consistent food and an atmosphere people want to come back to for any occasion," said Gooding.
Diners can enjoy homemade pasta like beef cheek fusilli or hearty entrees like the brick chicken scarpariello. They built a menu of solid staples on purpose, rather than trying to chase trends or win big awards.
"It's been very Instagram heavy. It's very much trendy, what's new, what's popular," said Gooding. "We wanted to make it like, the food menu, really affordable, really approachable.
You'll find Italian classics like an aperol spritz or a negroni on tap. The full bar is adorned with a wide selection of amaros. They're planning to expand to a happy hour soon to activate their large patio space.
