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After a career in film, this Long Island City resident opened a farm-to-table Italian spot last year
In the heart of Long Island City, where the Manhattan skyline reflects across the East River, Terrone brings Southern Italy to New York with authenticity, soul, and community at its core. For owner Cristiano Rossi, the journey to opening Terrone was as unexpected as it was passionate.
Rossi’s career began not in kitchens but in cinema. He worked with some of the most famous American directors, building a life behind the camera. It was during the filming of a movie in New York that he met his wife, and together they decided to stay. But while the city gave him opportunity, something was missing. Rossi realized that the piece he longed for wasn’t just about home—it was about sharing it. That missing piece was food.
Determined to bring a taste of Italy to New York in the most authentic way, Rossi returned to Italy to study under master gelatieri, learning the craft at its source. When he came back, he opened Santa Chiara Gelateria, a shop that quickly became known as one of New York’s finest. Gelato was only the beginning, though. Living in Long Island City, Rossi realized the neighborhood lacked a true Italian restaurant—one that could bring families, neighbors, and newcomers together around a table. That vision became Terrone, which opened in April 2024.
Even the name carries meaning. In Italy, “Terrone” has historically been a slang word for Southerners—often used negatively. Rossi reclaimed it with pride, transforming it into a tribute to his roots. Terrone honors the terra—the land—and the resilience, humility, and authenticity of the people who shaped him. It’s a name that proudly wears its heritage while turning something once dismissive into something empowering.
At Terrone, everything is rooted in authenticity. Rossi imports products directly from Italian farms, creating a true farm-to-table experience—from Italy to New York. The menu celebrates Southern Italian traditions, from rustic Neapolitan pizza to Paccheri alla Genovese, a Campanian dish passed down from Rossi’s grandparents. The recipe includes a “secret ingredient” no guest has yet guessed, despite years of trying—a small mystery that keeps the dish as alive and personal as the family who created it.
Yet what makes Terrone unique goes beyond the food. Rossi envisioned the restaurant as a community hub, a cultural gathering place as much as a dining room. Guests can join pizza classes, pasta workshops, mozzarella-making, limoncello tastings, and wine events, turning the space into an interactive extension of Italy itself. These experiences are not just educational—they’re connective. One couple, new to Long Island City, joined a pizza class and walked away not just with cooking skills but with friendships that became their “LIC family.” Today, they still meet at Terrone for dinner, a reminder that food can forge community in the most lasting way.
Unlike many restaurateurs, Rossi doesn’t view New York as a city of barriers. Instead, he credits the community with lifting him up—neighbors became the restaurant’s first supporters, and local organizations opened doors for collaboration. Rather than challenges, Rossi felt opportunities: a city that gave him the chance to create something meaningful. His favorite part of running Terrone is walking down Center Boulevard, greeting familiar faces, and seeing how the restaurant has woven itself into the neighborhood’s daily life.
Looking forward, Rossi’s vision goes beyond Terrone. Along with Santa Chiara Gelateria, he hopes to grow both as cultural destinations—ambassadors of Italian flavor and tradition in New York. Already recognized by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture for his work, he plans to expand Terrone’s classes, events, and partnerships, connecting more people to the richness of Italian culinary heritage. For Rossi, food is never just food. It is culture, history, belonging, and family—all served with humility and love.
Here, beneath the skyline of Manhattan, Terrone is more than a restaurant. It is a living love letter to Italy and to the power of community in New York City.
Terrone
📍 5203 Center Blvd, Long Island City, NY 11101
🍝 Signature Dishes: Paccheri alla Genovese (with a secret family ingredient), Neapolitan Pizza
✨ Experience: Authentic Southern Italian dining, hands-on cooking classes, and cultural gatherings overlooking the Manhattan skyline
🌟 Opened: April 2024
Business Hours
Monday - Thursday: 12:00pm - 10:00pm
Friday - Sunday: 12:00pm - 10:30pm
Santa Chiara Gelateria
📍 5-01 50th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
🍨 Signature Flavors: Classic Pistachio, Dark Chocolate, Stracciatella, Seasonal Rotating Creations
✨ Experience: Authentic Italian gelato made with traditional techniques learned from master gelatieri in Italy; a neighborhood favorite for over a decade
🌟 Opened: 2012
Business Hours
Mon-Sun: 07:00AM – 10:30 PM
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