The creation of a new RigaTony's: August 2011

Friday, August 26, 2011

End of Summer update

Hello Friends,
Just a quick update from my last Email.

First of all, a warm welcome to all the new RigaTony's fans who have signed up over the past several weeks! I will do my best to make these infrequent emails informative and delicious.

In my last email I offered a challenge to you for a chance to be Guest Tasters in our next Wine Dinner Development Meeting. The challenge was to write to me and make your case as to why you are the most qualified person to be a food/wine taster. This is a chance to be locked in a room for several hours with Mike & Chrissy, Chef Hutson and our wine vendor, and critique the many food courses and countless wine varietals that will ultimately comprise our next Wine Dinner. It came down to two finalists, both of whom made compelling cases for different reasons. One begged to be chosen in the name of her Italian grandmother, saying that being chosen would finally give Grandma something to be proud of her for. The other is a long time customer who is attempting to intimidate me with his private collection of 300 wines, regular visits to Napa and 20+ years of culinary pursuits in his home kitchen. In the end I couldn't say no to either one of them so congrats to both Jim and Jennifer who have been awarded the title of Guest Tasters at our next development meeing. Pictures of the event will be forthcoming. (The actual wine dinner is scheduled for Monday September 12th, and soon we'll send out a detailed announcement.)

As you may remember I offered all of you a scoop of our cool delicious Spumoni Ice Cream if you said "Mike is Cool" when you visited us earlier in the summer. The response? Well, some of our servers have developed carpel tunnel symptoms from scooping spumoni all summer. Some of you think I'm so cool that you were compelled to come in several times! I also offered "extra points" for anyone who could work "Mike is Cool" into a memorable conversation. The extra points would include a video of your conversation posted on our web site. Well the operative word is "memorable" and under that criteria Bob Auffert wins hands down. It is admittedly a little off-color but hilariously delivered, so I will risk any negative comments and post away! Congratulations Bob!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xboyf6LJkjQ

Oh and regarding my pledge to develop a delicious cannoli to add to our menu. I am pleased to announce that Chef Hutson has nailed it. He has perfected a delicious shell and developed various exotic fillings and the results are to die for. All that remains is to expand the recipes and our production, but I predict a surprise for all of you in a few days, so keep your eye on your email boxes.

Thanks for a great summer and I'll be in touch soon.

Mike Lopercio

WE ARE MOVING!

That's right; RigaTony's has lived in Chandler on Arizona Avenue for fifteen years but as of March 23rd we will be moving five miles down the road to Tempe. Our lease is ending and we're taking this opportunity to find a location that addresses the suggestions you've made to us over the years. Our new location will have patio dining, seating for large parties, more convenient take out, an Italian market and will also address the top three complaints about RigaTony's; parking, parking and parking. The new location on the north east corner of Mcklintock and Warner will be closer for some of you and farther away for others, although easier to get to as it's just a mile off the 101 freeway.

As more and more of our guests have learned about the upcoming move I have been advised… no… make that threatened NOT to change our food. I am here to report to you that your message has been received. Our entire staff, together with our recipe books, kitchen equipment, pictures on the walls, the lights over your head, the seats you are sitting on and the menu you are now holding will be magically and seamlessly transported to our new home and I personally guarantee the Antipasto Salad will be just as delightful and the Baked RigaTony will taste just as delicious in Tempe as it does in Chandler.

I am generally not known as a sentimental person and my main focus is to protect the livelihood of my staff and move our business forward, but even in the throes of this move I am reminded of what an emotional landmark this business has been to many of our guests over the years; the first dates, anniversaries, weddings and special occasions of all kinds. The personal friends we've made that have visited us and shared their lives with us over the years. My own story as well as my father and inspiration Tony worked here as a host for many years before he passed away, as well as my two sons and two daughters. I met my wife Chrissy here as well, so even though I am engrossed in the details of this move, when people tell me to be careful not to disturb the essence of RigaTony's… I get it.

I invite you to make the move with us in March to our new home. Until then you can follow our progress here or if you really want to stay in touch send me an email at Rigatonys@cox.net and I'll send you a weekly update on the opening details. Just write Hello Mike in the subject line and you're done.

Thanks again for your patronage and hope to see you in Tempe!

Mike Lopercio

Thanks for reading -

The creation of a new RigaTony's

Friday, August 26, 2011

End of Summer update

WE ARE MOVING!

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