Culture Magazine

20 culturecheesemag.com BEGINNINGS 2024 CHEF'S DISH F elipe Riccio, a native of Houston via Veracruz, came to the hospitality business naturally. His parents were hospitality professionals, and when following in his grandfather's footsteps as a lawyer didn't pan out (according to Riccio, the lectures were boring), he turned to the next dream on his list: owning a restaurant. Despite qualifying for a scholarship with the prestigious Culinary Institute of America, Riccio opted to attend the culinary arts program at Houston Community College and gained experience in kitchens at progressive Houston area restaurants. After college, Riccio opened Camerata at Paulie's, an Italian wine bar in Houston, and received his Master Sommelier credentials before embarking on a European sabbatical that would inspire the concept for his new restaurant, Rosie Cannonball. During his three-year sojourn in Italy while his wife completed her degree, Riccio staged at some of Europe's buzziest Michelin-star restaurants, including Osteria Francescana, Erba Brusca, and Belcanto. After his return to Texas in 2017, he became partner at Goodnight Hospitality, transitioning from the kitchen full-time to overseeing every aspect of Rosie Cannonball's opening in Houston's Montrose neighborhood, an area known for its contemporary, eclectic scene. The core concepts behind Rosie Cannonball are the wood-burning oven and grill, and comfort food with a southern European twist. To set the mood, the eighty-five seat restaurant marries warm lighting with classic mid-century design elements such as glass, wood, marble, and rattan. By reworking the original seating partitions, Riccio created a sweeping panoramic view of the restaurant from the kitchen, which sits adjacent to the bar—a throwback to 60s Italian design with warm, dark tones. Because pizza is a quintessential comfort staple on the restaurant's menu, Riccio knew using high-quality cheese from a local producer was a necessity. Fortuitously, at the weekend farmers' The core concepts behind Rosie Cannonball are the wood-burning oven and grill, and comfort food with a southern European twist. Rosie Cannonball's unassuming exterior reflects the comforting interior design with delicate touches such as mid-century modern wall sconces. A pop of fire red juxtaposed with simple, clean lines.

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