A few weeks ago, I discovered Cecchi’s Bar and Grill through Michael Cecchi Azzolina’s memoir Your Table is Served. The book chronicles Michael’s 35-year journey in the restaurant industry, starting as a runner and eventually becoming the maître d’hôtel at one of New York’s finest restaurants, Le Coucou. After the chaos of the pandemic, he opened Cecchi’s in 2023. I loved reading the book—it was packed with insightful stories about how the restaurant and service industries have evolved over time.

After finishing the book, I reached out to Michael on Instagram to share how much I enjoyed it. To my surprise, he responded and invited me to his restaurant, which is conveniently located near my office. So, one evening after work, I decided to pay a visit. Since I don’t usually eat late but still wanted to explore a variety of flavors, I ordered four items from the appetizer menu: chicken liver pâté, mac & cheese, pork ribs, and lobster salad in lettuce cups.

Each dish was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The pâté came with toasted bread—perfect for sharing. The mac & cheese was rich and creamy, the pork ribs were glazed with a flavorful barbecue sauce, and the lobster salad was light, crunchy, and refreshing. The cocktails were also fantastic, though the ice didn’t quite meet my high standards.

The highlight, however, was meeting and chatting with Michael himself. The restaurant had a modern, hip vibe, and the hospitality and service were top-notch. It was a truly memorable experience!