Tony May says the new San Domenico will reflect daughter Marisa’s generation.  Photo: Steven Richter       

       

Chef Odette Fada goes downtown too. Photo Steven Richter

Before moving San Domenico downtown with a radical makeover to a new, hipper, sexier, more au courant image, veteran restaurateur Tony May will celebrate 20 years on Central Park South by bringing back the opening menu at 1988 prices, three courses for $55. Beginning May 29 through June 16, look for vintage oldies like beef carpaccio with slivers of goose liver in raspberry vinaigrette, garganelli quill pasta with caviar and cream, and Sicilian prawns with cannellini beans, rosemary and olive oil. Parties for friends will follow, beginning with a gathering of stars who passed though the kitchen – Paul Bartolotta (now at Wynn in Las Vegas), Theo Schoenegger (now with Patina Group), Scott Conant (Scarpetta), Andrew Carmellini (wherever he is) and Valentino Marcattilii from the original San Domenico in Imola, Italy.  So farewell and phooey to the landlord who refused to make a deal May and daughter Marisa could live with. The new larger space (the Mays aren’t saying where, but I hear it’s downtown in the Gramercy Park area), with separate wine bar menu will be the first U.S. restaurant for Massimo Vignelli, master designer of books, magazines, furniture, Bloomingdale’s Big Brown Bag and the classic NYC subway map. Marisa May says the family and team, including chef Odetta Fada, will spend August at the May home in Capri, exploring Sorrento, Positano and Ischia, “always eating,” with a hoped for opening in fall.

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