Sassella’s
A Trip to Italy Without Leaving Home By Kelly Koepke
SASSELLA’S REFRESHED, PLEIN AIR PATIO is ready for both lunch and dinner service as Santa Fe’s spring and summer dining season is about to begin. The landscaping at the upscale Italian restaurant has been refreshed, the trees trimmed to shade the dog friendly courtyard, and lighting installed for a serene outdoor ambience along its quiet side street location. “The building is so full of history. It’s an icon in itself,” says co-owner Lawrence Becerra. “At one time it housed officers for nearby Fort Marcy and it’s been an art gallery. We’re now neighbor to the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum. We discover something new every day from our customers.” Interior designer and co-owner Suzanna Becerra’s expert touches are everywhere, preserving the beauty of the structure while transporting diners out of the Southwest and into the European café scene. The contemporary décor features curated food-forward photography and artwork and a wall of mirrors reminiscent of Venice. All this puts the spotlight on award-winning Executive Chef and co-owner Cristian Pontiggia’s pan-Italian cuisine. Chef Cristian hails from Sassella, the small town in Italy’s Lombardy region that gives the restaurant its name. His
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FineLifestyles SANTA FE & ALBUQUERQUE
DINING