The Sauces of Rao's

864 Words2 Pages

Sauces are the hands that cradle the dish, serving to compliment the elements and bring harmony to flavor. Historically, sauces were the nutritional accompaniment to starches and also put salt back into food that had leached during the cooking process (Encyclopedia of Food and Culture 2003). Antonin Carême was the first to coin the term, mother sauces, which are the foundation for other sauces called derivatives (Cuisine Foundations 2008, p. 227). Sauces have evolved in design and can be a creative signature on a classic dish. When considering the benefit of sauces you are destined for cravings of Italian cuisine! Rao’s, the beloved East Harlem neighborhood restaurant is famous for its social clout and mastery of marinara.

For over 115 years, Rao’s has been tucked away on the modest corner of 114th street and Pleasant Ave in the upper borough of Manhattan. In 1896, Charles Rao purchased a small saloon from The George Ehret Brewery and opened Rao’s (Rao’s History). Charles passed away in 1909 of a heart attack and his brother Joseph Rao took over the restaurant until his death in 1930. Charles’ sons, Vincent and Louis Rao then became the operating owners. Vincent eventually brought his wife, Anna Pellegrino on board to rev up the menu. Her refined approach to traditional Southern Italian cooking kept the restaurants highly coveted 10 tables filled with diehard regulars (Rao’s History). Rao’s local following was rewarded with seniority in the form of standing-reservations that still exist today. Anna’s nephew, Frank Pellegrino, an aspiring actor and musician, was often called upon to serve and entertain guests. Today, Rao’s is owned by Frank Pellegrino and Ron Straci, the nephew of Vincent Rao. (Rao’s History). The continued star...

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The Chefs of Le Cordon Bleu International, Cuisine Foundations (2008) Les Sauces Méres- Mother Sauces, (227), Clifton Park, NY, Le Cordon Bleu International.

Rao’s History. Retrieved April, 17, 2011, http://www.raos.com/history.aspx

Chef Dino Gatto (2010). Retrieved April, 17, 2011, http://www.idealchef.com/profile.html?uid=1108

Gettlin, J. Eat your Heart Out, LA Times (1998). Retrieved April 17, 2011, http://articles.latimes.com/1998/jun/24/news/ls-62868

Coraggio, J. Rao’s House Wine? It’s From Warren (2009) Retrieved April, 17, 2011, https://www.strawberryridge.com/raos/press.asp

Rao’s Recipes. Retrieved April, 17, 2011, http://www.raosrecipes.com/category/meats/

Burkons, R. Tasting Panel the Magazine: Rao’s Signature Wines Open in Las Vegas (2009) Retrieved April, 17, 2011, https://www.strawberryridge.com/raos/press/TastingPanelMagazine-Sept09.pdf

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