"People don't notice a cafe without sidewalk seating," was the reply that Marshall, the manager, gave to me when I commented on their new outdoor development. I had taken note of how much busier the restaurant had become during the summer months of 2015, as I had been enjoying the simple, warm decor indoors - where flatbreads and wine take center stage - for several years.
The first thing that I always notice upon entering Riposo is the photograph of an older Italian woman on the wall. The smiling woman, bent over a pot of sauce, is the owner's grandmother, I learned from Marshall. He explained to me that most of the pictures decorating the walls of the restaurant show members of Philip Alotta's family. There are also copies at their other location on Ninth Avenue that opened in 2006. "There are a few more specials at this location, but otherwise we try to create the same experience at both restaurants," Marshall informed me.
The marinara sauce that is used in Riposo's dishes comes from that same Italian grandmother's recipe. The chefs squeeze all the tomatoes by hand to create the right consistency. "People want to drink the sauce after trying it," Marshall grinned. He went on to elaborate on the restaurant's flatbreads - there are about twelve varieties to choose from. There are also over twenty wines available by the glass, which come from a number of countries. "Our wine list is extremely affordable," Marshall proudly declared.
Marshall assured me that Riposo only uses the best ingredients in simple combinations. His personal favorite dish is the Prosciutto di Parma with fresh arugula and shaved parmesan. "This is the kind of place where people can come not just one night, but three nights a week," he said. "We make great food. And it's consistent – you'll get it the same way every time."