Issuu

LUXURY AWARDS

NOMINEES REVEALED THE FUTURE OF

LOCAL NEURO CARE

NICK MARZILIANO

KEEPING TRADITIONS ALIVE

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1528 E. CHAMPLAIN DR. STE. 103 FRESNO, CA • 559.434.4589 • SCEPTREANDSASH.COM N.E. CORNER OF CEDAR AND SHEPHERD, NEAR YOSEMITE RANCH RESTAURANT

Luxury is in the details. As Central California’s premiere sustainable boutique experience, we find only the most luxurious pre-owned and vintage accessories, perfect for every occasion. We specialize in bridal and estate jewelry, certified loose diamonds, timepieces, handbags and accessories, all while offering a 100% lifetime authenticity guarantee, and a 14 day no-questions-asked return policy. Experience all the brands we love as you peruse our collections of Rolex, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, and so much more!

BUY FROM US: Financing is available subject to credit c approval, and a 10-month layaway program is offered. SELL TO US: Visit us for a no-obligation offer on your luxury goods, with immediate payment.

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SCEPTRE & SASH IS INDEPENDENT OF ANY BRAND AFFILIATION. ITEMS ARE PRE-OWNED AND/OR VINTAGE. LICENSE #000000780

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1528 E. CHAMPLAIN DR. STE. 103 FRESNO, CA • 559.434.4589 • SCEPTREANDSASH.COM N.E. CORNER OF CEDAR AND SHEPHERD, NEAR YOSEMITE RANCH RESTAURANT

BEST BOUTIQUE 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022 & 2023 BEST JEWELER 2020

SCEPTRE & SASH IS INDEPENDENT OF ANY BRAND AFFILIATION. ITEMS ARE PRE-OWNED AND/OR VINTAGE. LICENSE #000000780

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—08— SEP

Contents Legacy

54 IN EVERY ISSUE 14 PUBLISHER’S PERSPECTIVE 16 WELCOME TO THE ISSUE 18 MASTHEAD

SOCIAL AFFAIR 20 AROUND TOWN

September means fall is finally here and there’s a change in the air, which comes with an exceedingly full community calendar. 24 2023 PHYSICIAN RECOGNITION AWARDS PRESENTATION

DEPARTMENTS 28 FORWARD THINKING

Santé Physicians recently honored 38 Top Clinical Quality Providers and the 10 Top Satisfaction Providers for their outstanding performance and service.

See how the Bob Smittcamp Family Neuroscience Institute will revolutionize neuroscience treatment in this region of California.

38 2024 LUXURY AWARDS

48 THE VALLEY’S DOOR TO ITALY

The 2024 Luxury Award Nominees are revealed here! Cast a vote for all your favorites starting this month and reserve your seat at the most luxurious night of the year while you still can.

Second-generation owner Nick Marziliano of Sam’s Italian Deli & Market talks about the story behind this Central Valley landmark, what they’re still doing right after over four decades of business, and how he’s maintaining family traditions. 54 FAMILY DINNER

Fresno’s favorite family-owned restaurants include Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods, Cosmopolitan Tavern & Italian Grill, DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant, and Richard’s Prime Rib & Seafood. 64 COSTARS

For the September Edition, CVLUX features Nick Marziliano of Sam’s Italian Deli & Market for the Legacy Issue. PHOTOGRAPHER ELLIE KOLEEN WARDROBE AND STYLING PATRICK JAMES

Efficiency, precision, and perfection are at the forefront with Virgo in the sky.

Bring California Home Michael Nicholas Designs. The essence of California fashion and comfort. A family-owned company building upholstery with value and pride in Southern California. Michael Nicholas Designs specializes in exceptional furniture made by hand and deeply personalized by skilled craftsmen. On display proudly at Fashion Furniture.

255 W. EL PASO, FRESNO / (559) 440-9600 / M-S: 10-7 / SUN: 11-6 / FASHIONFURNITURECO.COM

BUSINESS | HEALTHCARE | RESIDENTIAL emid-designgroup.com | 559.276.7300

Your new home turf Football season is back, and we’ve never been more ready to celebrate its return. Our seven family-friendly parks are practically around the corner from every home, and some are ideal for a little practice or pick-up games. In fact, we can’t think of a better place to raise your future Bulldog (or NFL) superstar. So come join us.

The Lodge Stylish Homes

Trails & Parks Stone Creek Elementary Dog Park Riverwalk

www.RiverstoneCA.com @LifeAtRiverstoneCA 2019 • 2020 • 2021

Tour the Model Homes From Fresno, go north on Highway 41, turn left at Avenue 12 and follow the signs.

©2023 Riverstone Development, LLC. Obtain a copy of the Public Report as required by Federal law and/or the Public Report issued by the California Bureau of Real Estate and read them before signing any documents. No Federal or State agency has judged the merits or value, if any, of this property. This advertisement is not a solicitation to purchase or sell property in any state where prohibited by law. The stylized R logo is a service mark of Riverstone Development, LLC. Riverstone and Riverstone Development are trade names of Riverstone Development, LLC. The San Joaquin River and River Park are located approximately six miles from Riverstone.

—14— SEP

Publisher’s Perspective Legacy

PHOTOGRAPHER DON DIZON

Family Ties

t the beginning of this year, we decided to recommit ourselves to the Central Valley and spend more time highlighting everything that makes this part of the country so remarkable. So, to continue in this vein, we decided to highlight some of our favorite family-owned businesses and showcase what they provide to our community. This inaugural Legacy Issue acknowledges those who are looking to serve the generations to come. This edition also marks the start of the Luxury Awards voting season. This year we decided to grow the celebration and include a variety of new categories, 42 to be exact. This allows us the opportunity to recognize

over 200 different businesses. For more information, or to cast your vote, please visit www.cvlux.com. Voting is live and will continue through December 2023, and please remember that there is only one vote counted per email. So, let’s get clicking! We hope you enjoy this latest edition and give us a follow on social! Cheers,

David

Donald P. Dick congratulates Spencer Enterprises, Inc.

48 Years of Commercial & Residential Construction in the Central Valley

For Spencer Enterprises building commercial and residential buildings is a passion and one that all of us at Donald P. Dick have witnessed first-hand. We appreciate the thoughtful design and quality craftsmanship Spencer Enterprises builds into every project over our 48 years of working together. From all of us at Donald P. Dick, we thank Spencer Enterprises for building a better Central Valley community!

DONALD P. DICK AIR CONDITIONING mrcool4ac.com

Proud provider of Heating, Air Conditioning and Solar to the building industry since 1970

Welcome to the Issue

Legacy

Honor the Past On the cover of this inaugural Legacy Issue is Nick Marziliano, second-generation owner of the local landmark Sam’s Italian Deli & Market (page 48). The Bob Smittcamp Family Neuroscience Institute will give more than a new legacy to the Central Valley (page 28). Four family-owned restaurants have been feeding the greater Fresno area for generations (page 54): Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods (page 56), Cosmopolitan Tavern & Italian Grill (page 58), DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant (page 60), and Richard’s Prime Rib & Seafood (page 62). Cast a vote for your favorite 2024 Luxury Award Nominees starting this month (page 38). Social Affair covers the Santé Physicians’ 2023 Physician Recognition Awards Presentation (page 24). Fall events are stacking up on the community calendar this September (page 20). Virgo season encourages efficiency, precision, and perfection (page 64).

Enjoy the Present As the holiday season knocks on our doors, we are reminded to reevaluate priorities. Time with family and loved ones takes center stage with traditional meals, communal activities, and seasonal festivities. Enjoy being present, especially when around the dining table. PHOTOGRAPHER DON DIZON

—18— SEP

DAVID MANNING Publisher, Sole Owner

EDITORIAL Editorial Director LAUREN BARISIC Features Contributor COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM, OFFICE OF PHILANTHROPY Astrologer SHARI SCHOPP ART Design Director PHENG MOUA Graphic Designer SAMANTHA DEATHERAGE Contributing Photographers DON DIZON, ELLIE KOLEEN COMMUNITY HEALTH SYSTEM, OFFICE OF PHILANTHROPY and HINDS HOSPICE BUSINESS Regional Marketing Director CAROL DEFENDIS Sales Executive CAROLINE HOWARD Accounting Director DEE ANN LINKER Legal Counsel GONTORWON BORH Please submit all advertising inquires to information@cvlux.com.

Letters To The Editor: We want to hear from you. Please submit letters to: CVLUX, 7797 N. First St. #172, Fresno CA, 93720 or e-mail to information@cvlux.com. Letters must be signed and deemed appropriate for our readership to be considered for publishing. Letters are subject to editing and may be cut for length. Story Queries: Are you a writer? Please send story queries to lauren@cvlux.com. Please allow six to eight weeks for a response. CVLUX is not responsible for unsolicited material. CVLUX is published twelve times a year by Modern Living Publishing LLC, 7797 N. First St. #172, Fresno CA, 93720. Copyright 2014 by Modern Living Publishing LLC. All rights reserved. Every effort has been made to ensure the information within this publication is complete and accurate at the time of publication. CVLUX does not warrant such accuracy or the claims of its advertisers. All materials, articles, reports, original artwork, and photos published in this magazine are the property of Modern Living Publishing LLC and cannot be used or reproduced without permission in writing. Modern Living Publishing LLC is not responsible for the opinions expressed within the publication. Prices quoted in advertisements are subject to change without notice.

THE

THE STUDDED CHAIN

FASHION FAIR MALL 511 E Shaw Avenue • Fresno 559.229.2515

—20— SEP

LUX locale Community Calendar

SEPTEMBER Around Town September 8th

Celebrating Life’s Shining Moments Gala Hinds Hospice Clovis Veterans Memorial Building www.hindshospice.org

The Hinds Hospice annual gala will directly benefits patients and their families across Fresno, Madera, and Merced counties. As the area’s only independent, non-profit hospice, Hinds provides the highest quality end-of-life care and bereavement support to our community. Individual reservations are $150. Hosted tables are $1,500.

September 9th

2023 Dark Sky Festival

Sequoia Parks Conservatory Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park www.sequoiaparksconservancy.org

The 2023 Dark Sky Festival is a celebration of our night sky. This free family-friendly event takes place both day and night at various locations across Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks from 10:00AM to 11:00PM. Events will be held in the Giant Forest/Lodgepole area as well as the Grant Grove area. Check out the full schedule on the Sequoia Parks Conservatory website.

September 14th to November 5th

The Pirates of Penzance Good Company Players Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater www.gcplayers.com

Set sail in the Tower District with a band of swashbuckling pirates, ditzy fair maidens, bumbling bobbies, lovable villains, and confused heroes at Roger Rocka’s Dinner Theater, as the Good Company Players present The Pirates of Penzance. This shipload of fun comes as a rated PG show. Performances are held on Thursdays through Sundays. Tickets range from $37 to $69.

HINDS HOSPICE WILL HOST ITS ANNUAL GALA AT THE CLOVIS VETERANS MEMORIAL BUILDING THIS YEAR. PHOTO COURTESY OF HINDS HOSPICE

September 15th to 17th

Fresno Greek Fest

St. George Greek Orthodox Church www.fresnogreekfest.com

California’s premier Greek festival returns to the beautiful grounds of St. George Greek Orthodox Church in Fresno. This family-friendly event will run for three days and include tons of food, a Greek market, dancing, drinking, music, art appreciation, shopping, and fun for the kids. Check out the map and schedule online for more details on the planned festivities.

September 16th

Casino Night

Saint Agnes Men’s Club Stockbridge Estates www.samc.com

Bet on a good time at the epic return of the Saint Agnes Men’s Club Casino Night. The evening will begin with hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction, followed by an exquisite gourmet dinner and a live auction. Casino games and dancing are a highlight of the night! Tables of 10 are $3,000 and all proceeds from the Men’s Club events benefit Saint Agnes’ programs and services.

September 21st

46th Annual Fresno Scottish Gathering and Games

Visalia Chamber of Commerce Oktoberfest

Enjoy a cultural day of Scottish history with fun, food, family, entertainment, and games at Kearney Park. Heavy athletics, clan rowing, bagpipes, a marketplace, youth athletics, herding dogs, and a living history village will all be on display. Admission is $20 for the general public, $10 for military, seniors, and students with IDs, and free for children under 12.

Raise your (tiny) steins and embrace the spirit of Oktoberfest at Vossler Farms. This 21+ event in the heart of Visalia features the Central Valley’s best food, beer, wine, and entertainment. Peruse the venue while sampling drinks and snacks from local businesses and community partners. An early bird rate of $55 is available until September 7th.

Scottish Society of Central California Kearney Park www.fresnoscottishsociety.com

Vossler Farms www.visaliachamber.org

For more information, contact event organizer as events may be subject to change.

—22— SEP

LUX locale Community Calendar

SEPTEMBER Around Town September 23rd

2023 Distinguished Woman Artist Lecture & Luncheon Fresno Art Museum www.fresnoartmuseum.org

This year marks the 34th annual luncheon and honors Martha Casanave as the Distinguished Woman Artist for 2023. Meet Martha in her exhibition after her lecture in the Bonner Auditorium, followed by a vegetarian lunch in FAM’s Sculpture Garden (weather permitting) or Lobby. This is a fundraising event for the Council of 100. Tickets are $55 each.

September 23rd

THE 2023-2024 SEASON OF THE FRESNO PHILHARMONIC KICKS OFF WITH FRENCH CONNECTIONS. PHOTOGRAPHER ELLIE KOLEEN

September 23rd to 24th

September 28th

48th Annual ClovisFest & Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly

Bert Kreischer: Tops Off World Tour

The Fresno Harvest of Hope continues to bring relief and hope to the Central Valley. This incredibly meaningful evening brings the gift of hope to our neighbors who need it the most. Guests will come together to celebrate the generosity that changes so many lives. This event features live music and dancing, silent and live auctions, and the harvest dinner.

The Clovis Chamber of Commerce and Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino will host the 48th annual ClovisFest and Noble Credit Union Hot Air Balloon Fun Fly. This free family fun will feature a wide range of hot air balloons, unique craft vendors, festival foods, and cultural adventures. Get to the Clovis Rodeo grounds before sunrise to see the hot air balloons readying for takeoff!

Renowned comedian, actor, host, and author Bert Kreischer is bringing his Tops Off World Tour to the Save Mart Center. As one of the best storytellers of his generation, Kreischer seamlessly and sincerely shares anecdotes about his family and fatherhood in virtually every medium he tackles. Get tickets through Ticketmaster or the Save Mart Center Box Office for $39.75 to $99.97 each.

September 23rd to 24th

September 26th

September 29th

Fresno Convention & Entertainment Center www.ccwc-fresno.org

Centro La Familia Advocacy Services Signature Flight Support www.centrolafamilia.org

20th Annual Harvest of Hope Catholic Charities, Diocese of Fresno Fresno Convention Center www.ccdof.org

French Connections Fresno Philharmonic Saroyan Theatre www.fresnophil.org

The Fresno Philharmonic kicks off its 2023-2024 season with French Connections. Referencing 1930s Paris, Francis Poulenc’s Concerto for Two Pianos combines the lyricism of Mozart with the jazzy rhythms popular in this era. Pianist William Eddins joins Rei Hotoda for this Gallic treat, paired with Mozart’s Haffner Symphony and Valerie Coleman’s 2019 composition Umoja.

Old Town Clovis www.clovischamber.com

Central California Women’s Conference

The Central California Women’s Conference seeks to “empower women at all stages of their lives.” This year, guests are invited to “Believe in Your Voice” at the one-day event where actress, model, and author Brooke Shields will serve as the 2023 keynote speaker. Over 175 exhibitors offer networking opportunities amongst other offerings at this marketplace.

Save Mart Center www.savemartcenter.com

Fiesta Around the World

Centro La Familia Advocacy Services is celebrating 51 years of service. At “Fiesta Around the World,” attendees will hang out in the Signature Flight Support hangar and enjoy a first-class experience with exquisite cuisine, handcrafted cocktails, and cultural entertainment. Live music is by Monsanto and there will be silent and live auctions. Tickets are $100 each.

For more information, contact event organizer as events may be subject to change.

—24— SEP

SOCIAL affair

2023 Physician Recognition Awards Presentation

2023 PHYSICIAN RECOGNITION AWARDS PRESENTATION Photographer Don Dizon

Santé Physicians hosted the 2023 Physician Recognition Awards Presentation on Wednesday, August 16th at Fort Washington Country Club with 80 guests in attendance. This event was held to honor Santé Physicians Primary Care Providers, whose clinical quality and patient satisfaction were the highest in their specialties in the 2022 measurement year. A total of 38 Top Clinical Quality Providers and 10 Top Satisfaction Providers were acknowledged for their outstanding performance and service to the Central Valley community. For more information about Santé Physicians, please visit www.santephysicians.com.

—25— SEP

2023 NATIONAL When the sun goes down, Tesoro Viejo shines—with neighborly gatherings around fire pits, cookouts,

Photos depicted do not constitute an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to purchase real property at Tesoro Viejo. Persons shown do not reflect racial preference. Prices are effective date of posting or publication deadline and subject to change without notice. Based on the information presently available, the developers of Tesoro Viejo understand that Tesoro Viejo will be served by the Chawanakee Unified School District. Buyer should contact the Chawanakee Unified School District to confirm the identity and location of the specific schools planned to service Tesoro Viejo, including the TK-8 Hillside School located adjacent to Tesoro Viejo. Obtain a copy of the Public Report as required by Federal law and/or the Public Report issued by the California Bureau of Real Estate and read them before signing any documents. © 2023 Tesoro Viejo Development, Inc.

and special events. You’ll find night time to be a bright time at the National Community of the Year.

new homes from the $400 s to $800 s

—28— SEP

Forward Thinking The Bob Smittcamp Family Neuroscience Institute Feature and photos courtesy of Community Health System, Office of Philanthropy.

neurological illness or injury can be life-changing. When these problems strike, time matters. One hour can mean the difference between a swift recovery and long-term damage to the brain or body. That time should be spent getting treatment, not driving to Los Angeles or the Bay Area in search of high-quality care. Community Health System was founded more than 125 years ago because of the growing need for healthcare access in the Central Valley. From its humble beginnings as a boarding house, Community now serves as the largest healthcare provider in the region. As the Central Valley grows consistently and substantially, Community continues to work diligently to help ensure the availability of top-tier services to families in the area, particularly to those requiring neurological care.

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Because of the care she received, Riley was able to perform at the inaugural Founders Club gala, Fire and Ice, supporting neuroscience care.

A Need for World-Class Care Close to Home Until a few years ago, Community had approximately 10 to 15 neuroscience physicians supporting a four-county service area with more than 1.7 million people living within its borders. Consequently, patients often had to leave the Valley to get the specialized care they needed. There was a major need for more access to specialists and services. In 2018, Bob Smittcamp made a transformational gift to help fulfill this need and to ensure the advancement of neuroscience care in the Valley. He wanted the preeminent neuroscience center to exist in his hometown to care for his friends, family members, and neighbors. “Bob had a vision for world-class neuroscience care to be present in Central California. He knew he could be one of the champions to bring it to people who live here,” says Katie Zenovich, senior vice president for development and external affairs at Community. Sadly, Bob passed away unexpectedly in 2021 and wasn’t granted the time to see his dream come to fruition. His legacy, however, will live on in the future Bob Smittcamp Family Neuroscience Institute, recognizing his incredible commitment to the people in this region. Philanthropy’s Impact Today, Community is home to more than 80 neuroscience providers, and this number is still growing. Under the leadership of Dr. Ian Johnson, medical director of neurosciences, Community now offers almost every sub-specialty within neurosciences—something Bob was passionate about. “There’s a huge shortage of neurosurgeons that are trained on an annual basis. Recruiting them to Fresno has been challenging, but we’ve been able to do it and bring an extensive amount of talent here to the Valley,” says Dr. Johnson. Patients who need care for traumatic brain injuries, stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, spinal problems, brain tumors, and a host of other conditions can

turn to Community and trust they will receive top care. Even more programs will be added as additional specialists join the team. Patients facing neurological illness or injury usually need extensive follow-up care. Such care can be fragmented (imaging at one location, going to occupational or physical therapy somewhere else, and office visits), but this shouldn’t be the case. That’s why the Bob Smittcamp Family Neuroscience Institute will be a “one-stop shop.” Located on the Community Regional Medical Center campus and adjacent to the region’s only Level I Trauma Center, the institute will offer the majority of outpatient neuroscience care under one roof. Patients can visit their care team and receive services such as infusion and rehabilitation in a single visit. It’s a big undertaking. This multimillion-dollar project will need philanthropic support to become a reality. How You Can Help Generous community leaders and the Founders Club (a newly formed, all-female volunteer group) have already invested to further Bob’s vision, raising several million towards this cause. It will take the combined strength of the Valley to make this needed resource a reality. “Donations to neuroscience have a direct and immediate impact on the level of care that’s being provided for our patients,” says Dr. Johnson. The choices we make today will impact the healthcare our friends and families receive tomorrow. Our community has the opportunity to ensure that top-tier neuroscience care is available, not only for ourselves but also for future generations. “We’re at a place where I think Bob would be very proud because we’re right on the verge of making it happen,” says Zenovich. To learn more, visit www.smittcampneuroscience.com or contact Community’s Office of Philanthropy at 559.724.4343.

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Jeff Detlefsen Donor-Investor

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COMMUNITY

PROUD We’re in this together. Your community is a place where we take care of each other. Together, we can improve the lives of people in the Central Valley. Thank you for supporting your Community.

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VOTING now OPEN! CULTURE. BEAUTY. STYLE. DESIGN. CUISINE.

CVLUX Magazine is pleased to present the 2024 Luxury Awards. Each year, CVLUX recognizes the Central Valley’s favorite businesses with Luxury Awards. Nominations were submitted in July 2023. The top five in each category have made it to this year’s ballot. The winners will be announced at the Luxury Awards. Voting is open until Friday, December 29th, 2023—each email address may only vote once and all emails are authenticated at the end of the voting period. For additional information, contact information@cvlux.com. No refunds or exchanges. All sales are final.

HOSPITAL Community Medical Centers Fresno Surgical Hospital Kaiser Permanente Kaweah Health Medical Center Saint Agnes Medical Center

COSMETIC/PLASTIC SURGEON Hedieh Arbabzadeh, MD WPS Fresno Carl Askren, MD, FACS Aesthetic Plastic Surgery Pavilion Mark A. Chin, MD, MPH Valley Institute of Plastic Surgery James Knoetgen, MD Beautologie Kaye Riolo, MD, FACS Riolo Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

ANTI-AGING & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE Diego Allende, DO Allende Centre for Regenerative Medicine & Vitality Juan G. Bautista, MD Bautista Health & Anti-Aging Juan Chavez, MD Optimal Medical Group Ignacio Guzman, MD North Fresno Primary Care Daria Majzoubi, MD Maj Medical Clinic

DERMATOLOGIST Kathleen Behr, MD Behr Laser & Skin Care Center Carlos Paz, MD, PhD Paz Dermatology Babar K. Rao, MD, FAAD Rao Dermatology Gregory L. Simpson, MD Central California Faculty Medical Group Leslie Storey, MD Valley Skin Institute

ALLERGIST

ORTHODONTIST

A.M. Aminian, MD Allergy Institute

John Bayrakdarian, DMD Unique Orthodontics

Malik Baz, MD Baz Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center

Ryann Christensen, DDS, MS Christensen Family Orthodontics

Praveen Buddiga, MD, FAAAAI Buddiga Family Allergy, Skin & Immunology

Mark Lowe, DDS Mark Lowe DDS Orthodontics

Richard S. DeMera, MD DeMera Allergy, Asthma & ENT Center

Nicole Nalchajian, DDS, MD Nalchajian Orthodontics

Rabinder Sidhu, MD Sidhu Allergy

Brian Thurman, DDS Thurman Orthodontics

OPTOMETRIST

ORAL SURGEON

Anthony Chavez, OD Fogg Remington EyeCare

Shannon Barnhart, DDS Fresno Oral Maxillofacial Surgery & Dental Implant Center

Rick W. Ideta, OD Aloha Family Optometric Group Jeffrey Krohn, OD, FAAO, Diplomate (ABO and AAO) Fig Garden Optometry Thomas Shute, MD Eye-Q Vision Care Desiree Sison, OD Eye Medical Center of Fresno

OPTICAL SURGEON Maziar Bidar, MD Eye Medical Center of Fresno Andrew Maxwell, MD, PhD InSight Vision Center Eric J. Poulsen, MD InSight Vision Center Rodney C. Remington, MD Fogg Remington EyeCare Campbell Waldrop, MD Eye-Q Vision Care

DENTIST Ryan Dunlop, DMD Better Life Center Implant & General Dentistry Bryan C. Fung, DDS Bryan C. Fung, DDS Sam Namdarian, DMD Fresno Smile Makeovers Gerald T. Shinkawa, DDS Shinkawa Dental Surdeep Singh, DDS Clovis Family Dentistry

Mehrdad Fay, DDS Fresno Prosthodontic Centrè Scott Jett, DMD, MS Advanced Perio Endo eXperts Andrew R. Rahn, DDS, PC Andrew R. Rahn DDS PC David J. Smith, DDS Central Valley Dental Implant & Oral Surgery Institute

ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON Ronald Castonguay, MD Fresno Surgical Hospital Ian Duncan, MD Orthopaedic Associates Medical Clinic, Inc. Don Lester, MD Community Care Health Peter T. Simonian, MD Simonian Sports Medicine Clinic Connor J. Telles, MD Sierra Pacific Orthopedics

SPORTS MEDICINE Green Sports Medicine Pride Sports Medicine Sierra Pacific Orthopedics Simonian Sports Medicine Clinic Sports & Orthopedic Physical Therapy

CHIROPRACTOR

FITNESS STUDIO

London Jones, DC Feel Good Chiropractic

Blue Moon Yoga & Juice Bar

Thomas Potigian, DC Sunnyside Wellness & Chiropractic Center Joshua T. Ritter, DC Fresno Family Chiropractic Thomas Schroeder, DC Schroder Family Chiropractic

Boppilates The Iron Office Mayweather Boxing + Fitness Olympus Fitness

WEIGHT LOSS CENTER

Matthew Vinson, DC Preferred Chiropractic Center

AHK MD Primary + Preventative Medicine

MEDICAL SPA

Body Goal Fresno

Aspire Medispa Body del Sol Aesthetics Kiss Me Med Spa The Medical Spa and Laser Center at Fig Garden Village Revay Aesthetics

DAY SPA La Peau Spa Muses Day Spa PREEN a boutique salon Serenity Springs Spa The Spa at Fig Garden Village

HAIR SALON Gentry Salon Hungry Hair Salon La Dama Salon PREEN a boutique salon Spectrum Salon, Day Spa & Barber Shop

NAIL SALON Blush Salon Head Over Heels Salon Hitech Nails & Spa Polish’d Nail Bar PREEN a boutique salon

Body del Sol Aesthetics Her Body Bar Restorative Health & Wellness

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GIFTS & DÉCOR Jude’s Revival 23 RPL. Lifestyle RSVP Style Shoppe At The Avenue

JEWELER

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Gianni Fine Jewelers

Brian Domingos Jr. Premier Valley Realty

Orloff Jewelers Rogers Jewelry Co. Sceptre & Sash Authentic Luxury The Vault Fine Jewelers

DEALERSHIP BMW Fresno Fresno Acura Haron Jaguar, Land Rover & Volvo Mercedes-Benz of Fresno Porsche Fresno

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BUILDER Bonadelle Neighborhoods De Young Properties McCaffrey Homes Wathen Castanos Homes Woodside Homes

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Nico Gentile Gentile Real Estate Laura Mather The Mather Method Victoria Sherlock Sherlock Homes Real Estate Group Paul Tatarian The Apex Broker

CONTRACTOR/REMODELING SPECIALIST Dodson Builders Construction Inc. Icon Construction & Design Imagine Remodeling Legacy Construction Trademark

INTERIOR DESIGN dlb Design EMID Design Group Facility Designs Katie Mendrin Design Stephanie Catron Design Collaborative, Inc.

HOME FURNISHINGS 4 Seasons Furniture Amparan Design Fashion Furniture RPL. Lifestyle Shoppe At The Avenue

LANDSCAPER/NURSERY Elite Landscape Construction First Impressions Gazebo Gardens Pratt Landscape Design Willow Gardens Nursery

BANK

CASINO

Central Valley Community Bank

Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino

Citizens Business Bank

Club One Casino, Granite Park

Educational Employees Credit Union

Eagle Mountain Casino

FFB Bank

Table Mountain Casino Resort

Premier Valley Bank

Tachi Palace Casino Resort

WEALTH MANAGEMENT

BAR

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Bella Vino Cellar

The Coury Firm

Elbow Room Bar & Grill

Thiesen Dueker Financial Consulting Group

Cracked Pepper Bistro

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Manhattan Steakhouse & Bar

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Modernist Craft Cocktail Bar

INSURANCE COMPANY

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FIVE

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Max’s Bistro & Bar

M.D. Manouel Insurance Agency Inc.

Parma Ristorante

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Sabor Cocina Latina & Bar

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LEGACY

Brent F. Freeman, Jr.

Beal Properties Inc.

The Garabedian Group

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Fresno Coin Gallery, The Showroom

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W CPA Group

Sam’s Italian Deli & Market

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559-838-0500 / 1642 E Herndon Ave #104, Fresno, CA 93720

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559.435.RSVP (7787) 7455 N. FRESNO STREET | 93720 @RSVPStyle @StemsFresno

LOV E W H ERE YO U LI V E embrace the warmth of community in your dream home Loving where you live starts with a flourishing community—and that’s what you’ll find at Bonadelle Neighborhoods’ newest community, Magnolia at Riverstone. Located in the Park District of the beautifully master-planned community of Riverstone, Magnolia is within walking distance of the award-winning Stone Creek Elementary School. With public parks and the community lodge nearby, Magnolia makes living the life you’ve imagined a reality with a vibrant community and resort-style amenities you won’t find anywhere else in the Central Valley.

hilltop series ho m es fe ature: • Large pool-sized lots • Single and two-story plans • Three and four bedroom plans with loft options • Advanced smart home technology • Luxurious standard features • Five Hilltop Series floor plans ranging from 1,483 to 2,436 sq. ft.

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NEW W ELCO M E C ENTER A N D M O D EL H O M E Join us on Sunday, September 24th for the unveiling of our new Welcome Center and Model Home with refreshments and guided tours of our new model. We hope to see you there!

B U I L D I N G VA L U E F O R G E N E R AT I O N S ®

riverstone A master-planned community located in the award-winning Golden Valley Unified School District

Located south of Avenue 12, directly east of Road 40 on the northeast corner of Road 40 & Root Creek Parkway in Madera.

L E A R N M O R E AT B O N A D E L L E . C O M

Thank You Central California!

In just 12 short months, you’ve made The Legend one of the most listened to radio stations in the Valley. It’s the music we grew up with that other radio stations left behind. Garth, Reba, George, Hank, Willie, Waylon, Tammy, Patsy – well, you get the idea. 55 minutes of music every hour of every day. We hope you like it.

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—48— SEP

the

ITALY ITALY to

Valley’s Door Editorial Director Lauren Barisic Photographer Ellie Koleen Wardrobe and styling provided by Patrick James

am’s Italian Deli & Market has been the Valley’s door to Italy for nearly half a century. Founded by Sam and Angela Marziliano, the family’s legacy of making authentic Italian products and cuisine readily available to Central Valley natives and travelers alike is now carried on by their son Nick. The collective efforts at preserving tradition through food help to keep more than culture and heritage alive. Even for non-Italians, Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is transcendent thanks to its commitment and ability to consistently maintain the exceptional quality and authenticity that the generation after the next has come to value, appreciate, and continue to seek out. Sam, a butcher by trade, and Angela individually immigrated from Italy to Toronto, Canada, where they met, married, and set up their first Italian market together in the late 1960s. It was located in and catered to a little Italian neighborhood and its surrounding community. The family would regularly come out west to visit Nick’s Aunt Stella, who lived in Fresno. “My dad had always wanted to get back to the climate and the agriculture from the province of Puglia, where he was from, so we moved here in 1979, and we opened up Sam’s Deli, right here, same location, in May of 1980,” recounts Nick of the First Street and Clinton Avenue spot. Nick has been part of Sam’s Italian Deli & Market since its inception. He was 12 years old when the move was made and the store opened, and has been helping with the family business ever since. “My Saturdays—not going to school—I was at work. Spring break and my Christmas breaks were spent here.” Nick upholds the same commitment to quality, authentic ingredients that his parents were so devoted to, all while expanding the offerings of the deli and market. His mother ran Sam’s kitchen like her own at home. His father was “Mr. Personality” behind the counter. “They we’re a great team together because my dad was more of the front of the house, my mom was more of the back of the house. … It was definitely a true partnership between the two of them.” And they nurtured that same passion and sense of excellence in their own children. “One of the things my dad always instilled in me, and my mom

too, is it’s really easy to make good food out of great ingredients,” imparts Nick. “You don’t have to mask anything; you’re not trying to cover anything up. You use minimal but the best ingredients, and it’ll show up in the food.” Sam’s Italian Deli & Market is renowned for authenticity and “quality products that I would serve to my family, or my family would serve out to yours,” Nick emphasizes of excellence being key. That is in addition to the service offered at Sam’s. “We do a really good job of it,” Nick exults over their customer service. “I have a really great team that’s been with me, many of them, in the 15 to 20-year range. I’ve had many people retire from here.” You’ll often recognize familiar faces behind the counter, and it’s not uncommon for customers to come in requesting help from a specific Sam’s employee, of which there are about 40. “That means that they’ve developed a relationship and they have that connection,” which Nick is proud to see. Sam’s has plenty to offer. At the deli counter, guests can savor meats, cheeses, delicatessen items such as pastas, salads, olives, meatballs, or their famous sandwiches—you can even place an online sandwich order on Sam’s website. Many of their ready-made items also come pre-packaged and are displayed in the adjacent cold case to grab-and-go. Their dried and fresh pastas are inexhaustible. Specialty foods such as house-made sauces, cookies, and desserts are prolific, as are imported and domestic market items. “We make a lot of sandwiches, but it’s only a fraction of what we do here because the deli counter is our mainstay of the business,” Nick acknowledges, noting that Sam’s has many different departments. It’s a great catering option for those looking to pick-up or have food delivered for a crowd, “from charcuterie boards to pans of lasagna,” for which they are famous and make hundreds of monthly. “And the fresh sausage,” he goes on to list. “We make all our pastas here in-house. Meatballs are still rolled by hand. There’re a lot of things we do that draw people in and make them feel like they’re going to have the same meal their nonna made for them.”

t Sam’s Italian Deli & Market, you’ll find everything you need to cook like an Italian in your own home. Their popular brands include DeCecco, Cento, Anna, Mezzetta, Rummo, Boar’s Head, Alessi, and Rustichella d’Abruzzo, amongst many, many more. Angela’s Kitchen, named for Nick’s mother, and Sam’s Italian Deli & Market are their house labels. Locally, they carry Enzo and Valley Lahvosh, and Busseto is Sam’s house salami. “I will say that we are the Valley’s door to Italy, and it’s true,” Nick boasts proudly. So many local people, he elaborates, “when they visit Italy and they see and eat all the wonderful food, they come right to Sam’s,” where they’ll find everything from traditional to trending items. Nick, like his father before him, is keen to preserve not only his own but also other families’ food traditions. Italian immigrants are often devoted to specific brands because that’s what their family recipes particularly call for. “I want to make sure that I bring those items in still for those families to keep the tradition,” he attests. “That’s really important to me.” Even if that means having his team make 10 pounds of Mafalda pasta annually, for example, especially for the five families he knows use it for their Christmas Eve meal. “If I don’t have the Mafalda for them, they’re just going to lose that tradition and move on to something else.” Everything at Sam’s is good, but a handful of dishes stand apart for their popularity: “our Italian sausage, that we make fresh here,” begins Nick, as well as the ravioli. “The Sam’s Special Sandwich is still the number-one selling item from day one in the whole market.” Dine on-site at Sam’s. Eat your lunch in the room tucked behind Nick’s Wine Corner, where self-seating and tables are plentiful and employees are eager to make your meal feel more like a restaurant experience, complete with wine. “You can pick up a bottle off the shelf, sit down and have your sandwich, and we’ll open it for you, get you a glass. You can have it, and then if you don’t drink all of it, we’ll seal the bottle back up into a sealed bag and you can take it home with you.” “Our wine selection, that’s another part of our department,” Nick enthusiastically adds. “How can you have an Italian meal without wine?!” If you can stay a moment at Sam’s, plan to enjoy a glass either tableside or at the bar counter—Sam’s will open your bottle or pour a tasting for you right there. “We have our wine manager here that will complement each one of those wines with anything that we have,” he refers to the deli. “I try to have a staff that’s very well-trained and educated in helping people with their meals.” Just ask—Sam’s staff is eager to help customers come up with quick and easy spur-of-the-moment dinners, with wine, for a group of any size. “Nick’s Wine Corner came about probably in the late ‘90s,” he shares. “I just became much more passionate about wine. We started traveling, drinking a lot of different varieties, and wanted to kind of step up the game that we had here in the market for a wine selection and program.” Nick started introducing a lot more Italian wines from all different regions and types. “We became really well-known for our California selection.” The selection changes constantly. “You can pick up your $10 bottle of wine or you can pick up your $500 bottle of wine, and everything in between—the whole spectrum.” Wine club subscribers get an additional 5% discount and notices about special offers.

et it’s not just the promos that keep Sam’s customers loyal. “We have been here for 43 years. That definitely says a lot about our staying power, and I think also the community,” believes Nick. “We have been really involved in the community. We try to help out anywhere we can, and I think that pays back. The community definitely understands that, and they like to support businesses that do that.” Proceeds from the sale of the Dogs Dig ‘Em Peanut Butter & Honey Dog Biscuits at Sam’s benefit the St. Francis Homeless Project, and the Animal Compassion Team was honored to confer a special recognition on Sam’s as their partner in rescue. And then there’s the national recognition for Sam’s. Yelp’s Top-100 Restaurants list for 2023 ranked Sam’s Italian Deli & Market at number 68 nationwide. The list, which has now been around for 10 years, features 28 Californian restaurants, more than any other State, and Sam’s is the only Central Valley establishment that made the cut. “At first, I thought it was a local recognition number and thought, ‘That’s nice, we love all the recognition that we can get.’” It wasn’t until Nick started getting texts, emails, and saw it on the news that he realized what a big deal this was. “It actually took a while for it to sink in. The recognition to us means that our Sam’s formula must be working. I only wished my dad could have been around to appreciate it.” Sam’s ability, and willingness, to adapt over the years surely contributes to their success. They’ve been a trailblazer in the Central Valley for over four decades now. “I think we stay at pioneer because we try to stay

ahead of all the trends, and we’re bringing new products in all the time,” professes Nick. “Even our menus will change.” Vodka sauce wasn’t really a thing until about 10 years ago, and burrata is a relatively new trend. Now, both are available at Sam’s. “I think you have to change with the times like that.” Nick would love to make their own mozzarella in-house. “But implementing a new item takes a lot longer than it did before,” now that Sam’s is, blessedly, so busy. With Nick at Sam’s helm, the deli and market seems destined to remain a Central Valley landmark for years to come. “When my dad opened the place up, there probably were a dozen Italian delis around, so he was in a little bit of a competitive market,” reflects Nick. “But I think what made us different from the rest was we were willing to bring in some of the specialty items that were not available in the Central Valley. And then, we also emphasize, again, the quality of the product that we brought in.” Nick and his wife Kathryn have three children. “We’ll see what the next generation brings,” he wonders. “I think I’ve got some that could do a great job. I think they’ve got the palette and the drive to do it.” But it’s more than that. “You gotta have it. You gotta love it,” Nick says with conviction. “If you work at it, and you love what you’re doing, you’re gonna make a living from it. And you know, you can pass it on to your children, and it can be a family operation without problem. But you got to have it. You got to be passionate about it.” Without a shadow of a doubt, Nick Marziliano has it in Sam’s Italian Deli & Market.

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family —55— SEP

DINNER Editorial Director Lauren Barisic Photographer Don Dizon

hat does home taste like? It’s different for everyone, yet the memories meals carry can last a lifetime. Hence, family dinner is sacred. The act of coming together to eat is as symbolic as it is nourishing, both literally and figuratively. Then there are families who have made making dinner for your family their family’s business. They not only feed but facilitate tradition through food. These family-owned restaurants have been part of the Central Valley’s culinary fabric for generations and will hopefully continue to do so for years to come.

—57— SEP

Bobby Salazar’s

MEXICAN FOODS

f you’ve got to have salsa—or Mexican food, for that matter—it’s got to be Bobby’s. Established in 1990, Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods, which consists of restaurants, retail, and food services, is one of a handful of branches that carry on the Salazar family’s legacy and recipes, both of which are many generations old. “Bobby Salazar comes from a long family history of putting smiles on the faces of people with its quality, authentic Mexican food, its friendly employees, and, of course, the loyal customers who have made it all possible,” Bobby Salazar, president and namesake of Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods, speaks about its legacy. The name is highly recognized for its affiliation with serving Mexican food to the San Joaquin Valley and beyond, for decades. The restaurant business is in the Salazar’s blood. “The Bobby Salazar restaurants are all my brand,” explains Bobby. “My youngest brother has his own brand. The restaurant in Selma is still going strong, and it is run by my other brother and sister. My sister is very active in the California Restaurant Association. We all operate independently, but we are all inspired by what we learned growing up.” This restaurant-based Mexican food company has roots that go back to the 1940s with Bobby’s father and grandparents, who used to make lunch for local farm workers. “My dad and grandparents built a restaurant next door to their home in Selma, California in 1942,” recalls Bobby. “I was raised in the kitchen of that restaurant. At the age of eight, and as the oldest of four children, I began working in the kitchen as a dishwasher. I learned everything about the business, and at the age of 27, I branched off on my own and opened Bobby Salazar’s restaurants.” The location once at Blackstone and Shields Avenues in Fresno was the first. At its peak, Bobby operated eight restaurants and numerous deli franchises in mini marts. “Then, in 1998, my salsa was available in local supermarkets. The salsa was available in different flavors and degrees

of heat to please everyone’s palate,” Bobby explains about his original recipe. Bobby Salazar’s retail salsa is sold in major chain grocery stores across California and Reno, along with smaller independent markets from Oregon to San Diego, with new stores added daily. “I get emails from people throughout California, Hawaii, Texas, Arizona, and other places where we sell the salsa in grocery stores…people with no connection to Fresno, mind you, who just can’t get enough of it. That’s the biggest compliment ever.” Initially, Bobby Salazar’s gained fame for their Mexican food and beloved salsas. “Then we became known for our famous party trays that I developed, which include burritos, quesadillas, and taquitos,” he shares. “Our customers love our frozen and hand-shaken margaritas.” The Tower District location, which houses 16 TVs, is one of the best places for sports fans to watch their favorite teams playing. As far as nightlife is concerned, it’s the place to be for good music, dancing, and having a good time. “People associate the Bobby’s brand with good times, and I love that,” cherishes Bobby. “That’s exactly what I’ve been aiming for since the beginning, and it’s what I learned from my parents. You don’t just make the customer happy—you make their day better.” “There are currently five Bobby Salazar’s restaurants in Fresno and Clovis, but I personally own and operate two,” he says, referring to the Tower District and Shaw and Valentine locations in Fresno. “The other three are owned by trusted franchisees who are also dedicated to the same family traditions that inspired me. My food is also available in mini-marts in Fresno, Clovis, Visalia, Bakersfield, and Tehachapi.” Bobby is dedicated to sharing and maintaining the authenticity he grew up with. “I am humbled when someone tells me that my food reminds them of their mother’s or grandmother’s dishes,” he says. With restaurant dining, party trays, bulk foods, and salsas, Bobby Salazar’s Mexican Foods will continue to make any day a fiesta.

www.bobbysalazar.com | 725 East Olive Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728 | 559.497.9920

COSMOPOLITAN

Tavern & Italian Grill

osmopolitan is undeniably Downtown Fresno’s original Italian-American watering hole and eatery and it has been that way since the turn of the 20th century. The establishment’s signage says that Cosmopolitan Tavern & Italian Grill was established in 1933, but its story, and the Lanfranco family, put down roots in the Central Valley much earlier than that. “It’s been a very, very rewarding family business,” says Joe Lanfranco, Executive Chef and third-generation owner of the Cosmo as it’s known today. The Cosmo may no longer stand on the same ground, but even now, after moving to its current location in 2016 due to the high-speed rail, this restaurant continues to foster a deeply engrained sense of community through both food and place. “My family came from Italy in the early 1900s,” recounts Joe. “They settled in Kerman, California, and purchased a two-story boarding house and bar/restaurant, which was our old location on the corner of Fresno and G Street. … Basically, we catered to Italian immigrants.” The family would provide their newly arrived fellow countrymen with some money, clothes, and shoes in addition to a roof over their heads, repaid for via field or manufacturing jobs, in an effort to help them integrate into the Central Valley community. “We can trace our family back to that location with invoices, property tax, and stuff like that, since 1904.” Today, the Cosmo stands at the western corner of Ventura Avenue and O Street and remains one of Downtown Fresno’s most bustling dining and bar establishments. “My grandfather started the business in the ‘30s,” Joe speaks of Edward Lanfranco. “And then my father, Gary, started working in the business when he was 21,” in the late ‘60s—he is now semi-retired. Joe joined the business in 1998, just out of high school while going to college, and graduated from culinary school in 2005, which is when the Cosmo started serving dinners again for the first time since the 1960s. “Lunch is still our number-one operation,” attests Joe.

www.cosmodowntown.com | 625 O Street, Fresno, CA 93721 | 559.266.8662

“The Cosmo is known for being the oldest bar in Fresno,” Joe proudly shares. “We have the oldest liquor license in the same family,” in addition to “being probably the busiest downtown lunchtime operation.” Lunch is their bread and butter, and the tri-tip cheesesteaks and sandwiches are definitely their greatest sellers, which is unsurprising given that “We were one of the first to really do tri-tip in Fresno.” Also popular are the pan-roasted halibut with cherry tomato caper sauce, pan-roasted salmon with chardonnay pesto cream sauce, and the Rigatoni Bolognese with burrata, all of which will leave anyone drooling tableside. For a little something to wet your beak, the Brady Manhattan and Milano Margarita never disappoint. Cosmo’s bar, built in 1937 when prohibition was repealed, is an integral part of its history. When the restaurant was forced to move in 2016, the stained-glass-adorned bar went with it. “We insisted on bringing that with us,” Joe reminisces. “It was very hard to find a craftsman that was able to take it apart and refinish it, and then store it and bring it here,” he speaks of Fresno Woodworking, which happened to be located within walking distance. Refinishing took two-and-a-half months. “When they brought it here, they were worried about putting it on a truck because of the vibrations, so they put it on hydraulic dollies and rolled it down Ventura to this location.” As for the part where you sit, a good portion of the original bar front is now upstairs at the Fresno County Historical Museum, along with an old sign from the building. In many ways, Cosmopolitan Tavern & Italian Grill is returning home, albeit now down the street. “We’ve kind of returned to our beginnings, because originally we served Italian dinners,” Joe refers to its boarding-house origins. With the new location comes a vastly diverse clientele beyond locals and downtown businesspeople—many come from nearby hotels, convention center events, and ballpark happenings, even farmers and those making a trip to the Valley’s largest city. Yet the Cosmo’s ability to transcend is one of the things that has contributed to its centennial endurance. “Everybody in our family has left it a little better than they found it. So it’s a lot of stress,” admits Joe of what’s to come, “just to keep the legacy going—when I’m done with it, to have it in a better place than it was when I found it.”

DiCicco’s

Italian Restaurant

iCicco’s is synonymous with homemade Italian food in the greater Fresno area. Familia is at the foundation of this family-owned and operated establishment, which opened its first location on April 12th, 1956, at Blackstone and Belmont Avenues. Today, there are 13 DiCicco’s Italian Restaurants. “Each is owned and operated by different family members: Enrico DiCicco, Vitorrio DiCicco, Carlo DiCicco, Joanna Vitucci, Greg Vitucci, Marco Santeufemia, Domenico Santeufemia, and Franco Santeufemia,” recounts Enrico DiCicco, a second-generation DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant owner. Now, the third generation of DiCiccos is maintaining the traditions of their Italian forefathers with a modern twist. “The Four Sons of Italy” started it all. “DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant was born from the collective efforts of four brothers from Italy—Nick DiCicco, Al DiCicco, Frank Vitucci, and Bob Vitucci—alongside their parents, Pasquale and Maria DiCicco.” The brothers practically provided dining entertainment. “They brought more than just delicious food to their restaurant—their vibrant energy and tradition of singing with customers added an authentic, old-world charm to the dining experience,” Enrico elaborates. New DiCicco’s are still popping up. Enrico and his cousin Carlo DiCicco, together with Enrico’s three kids, recently opened the newest location at Shields and Armstrong Avenues. “My own children Dante, Rocco, and Arianna DiCicco are the first third-generation owners of a DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant,” he shares. All of them worked at DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant in their younger years. “Their participation in the family business demonstrates that the passion and drive that created DiCicco’s in 1956 remains alive. They want to carry on the DiCicco’s legacy and honor what their grandparents created when they immigrated to this country.”

“The heart of DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant lies in its recipes, originally from Pasquale and Maria DiCicco, which are rooted in the peasant food culture of their native Abruzzo,” shares Enrico. “This infusion of traditional Abruzzese cuisine gave DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant its distinctive flavor and contributed to its enduring success.” Each location is similar yet unique. “We all do our own thing. The Cedar and Nees location and this location have pretty much identical recipes,” asserts Carlo. “As for the other locations and relatives, they all have their own recipes. We all have our own little core, regular customers. And that’s kind of how that goes.” Although the menu, which only offered about 10 items when DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant first opened, has come a long way in nearly 70 years, Scarface Pasta remains the top-selling pasta dish. Especially known for its pizza, pasta, and red sauce, DiCicco’s Italian Restaurant today has expanded its menu to include creative new dishes using the same core ingredients, demonstrating innovation within tradition. Even the Shields and Armstrong cocktail menu includes thoughtfully crafted concoctions, such as “The 1956” signature drink. This and the original location are the only ones with a full bar. The décor of this new location pays homage to the family’s roots with contemporary touches. One of the customers at the original location was so taken with the founding brothers that they painted “The Four Sons of Italy” as a gift for them. A replica of that painting hangs by the front door. A panoramic image of the DiCicco’s hometown of Pacentro, Italy papers one wall, while a blown-up canvas photo of a Fiat in that town, taken by Arianna on a recent trip, can be seen near the bar. Quintessential checkered tablecloths adorn the tables. DiCicco’s ability and willingness to move with the times contribute to their stay-power. “We’re more of a new-age DiCicco’s,” says Carlo. “The other ones still have pretty old-school setup—it’s darker with lower ceilings.” The most common comments they get from DiCicco’s customers are “Wow, this doesn’t look like a DiCicco’s!” “This is the 2022 version of the DiCicco’s that started in 1956,” Enrico reiterates. However, if you’re from this corner of California, chances are you’re biased to a particular DiCicco’s location. “The hope is that DiCicco’s will continue to be a place where families gather to enjoy good food, each other’s company, and authentic Italian charm for generations to come,” professes Enrico.

www.diciccos.com | 6407 East Shields Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727 | 559.292.0544

Richard’s

PRIME RIB & SEAFOOD For surf and turf in the Central Valley, you simply cannot beat Richard’s Prime Rib & Seafood. Opened on July 1st, 1969 by Richard Stockle, it remains on Belmont Avenue to this day and is now run by his grandson Ben. “I think we are the oldest restaurant in the same location and one of the top three or four oldest restaurants in town,” Ben says proudly of the Fresno establishment. This summer, Richard’s celebrated 54 years in business, and this Fresno-famous steakhouse continues to remain as relevant, and delicious, as ever. With over five decades of service, and now in the third generation’s hands, Richard’s is the epitome of a family-run restaurant. “I’m third generation, but technically the second generation in the restaurant business, as my dad worked and lived here for a little while,” clarifies Ben. He now serves as the restaurant’s Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, while his wife Valdosta “Val” is the General Manager and bakes all of Richard’s homemade desserts. Every day, Ben still carrys on his grandfather’s tradition of treating customers like family.

www.richardsprimerib.com | 1609 East Belmont Avenue, Fresno, CA 93701 | 559.266.4077

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ichard’s, as it’s known today, isn’t the Richard’s it set out to be. The original plans called for a beer bar and pool tables; it was going to offer some gaming on the side. When preparatory expenses became too much, its namesake “decided to scratch the original plans and turn the establishment into a restaurant.” Richard’s became a local hotspot for steaks and seafood, but back then, the restaurant only occupied what’s now the bar side, which seats 40 people. Five years later, he bought the other side of the building (formerly a bank), upping capacity to 115. Thirty-six years after opening, Richard decided to sell the restaurant, only to regain it a few years later due to the new owners defaulting on payments. The place required extensive repair. The Stockle family fully remodeled Richard’s, making it better than when it was bought in the 1960s. In the remodeled restaurant, the bar was moved from the west side to the east side. The soft lighting and tasteful nude artwork in the building—which has no windows—gives a sultry, speakeasy vibe to Richard’s. From the décor to the menu, Richard’s is fashioned to emulate an old-school, 70s-era San Francisco steakhouse. “There aren’t too many of us around anymore,” Ben admits of this style of dining. Every meal, since the beginning, comes with an individual shrimp cocktail appetizer. Each slice of succulent prime rib is dunked in jus before plating in a simple manner. Huge steaks and equally large lobster tails come with a signature

baked potato and clarified butter. Richard’s is known for fabulous baked oysters, and their cheesecake is arguably the best in town. Moreover, its bar menu never disappoints. Ben started bussing tables for his grandfather as a teenager. Now, his son Valentino, who just graduated high school, does the same, while his two younger kids, Richard and Audrey, fold napkins when they’re down at the restaurant. “My wife is my right hand,” Ben says of Val. Besides making all of Richard’s divine desserts inhouse, “She does everything from scheduling to coming up with the new feature drinks.” Richard’s employees are also like family—one of the waitresses has been at the restaurant for 33 years, while its Executive Chef Gonzalo Padilla started out as a dishwasher there at 16 or 17 years old and worked his way up. Since Ben came to the helm of Richard’s 13 years ago, little has changed. “My grandfather had a hell of a well-oiled machine here,” reminisces Ben. “If it’s not broken, it doesn’t need to be fixed, and nothing here needs to be fixed.” Ben intends “to keep grandpa’s legacy alive” by following his example and always maintaining a personal touch. “I personally go by every table, like what my grandfather did, to make sure every customer is happy.” As for Richard’s future, “Hopefully it’s still here and one of my three kids will be running this place one day.” For great food, a wonderful atmosphere, and a welcoming staff, come to Richard’s Prime Rib & Seafood.

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LUX lifestyle Horoscopes

COSTARS Astrologer Shari Schopp @shari_starlight www.eyeonastrology.com

Virgo

August 23rd to September 22nd

When the sun moves into the sign of the virgin priestess, efficiency, precision, perfection, and work ethics are at the forefront. Projects that were in the works may stall due to Mercury, the ruler of this sign, which is in retrograde for most of this month. Review current strategies and tactfully share them with colleagues. A few wellness tips for this mutable earth sign are to eat locally grown foods, have an herbal wrap, volunteer at the local animal shelter, and get outside to enjoy nature’s harvest.

Libra

Taurus

April 20th to May 20th

September 23rd to October 23rd

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Mars progresses into the sign of the scales, enhancing collaboration and dynamic energy. Being playful, feisty, and full of witty banter with friends pushes their limits. Stay centered when things get off-kilter.

Scorpio

October 24th to November 21st

Use your intuitive abilities to perceive how people feel. This deeply seeded awareness can be beneficially resourceful when used for good rather than aggravating others’ soft spots and driving them away.

Sagittarius

November 22nd to December 21st

Finding healthy communities will reduce the burden of responsibilities. Navigate between business and pleasure to alleviate pressure. You will still have loads of energy to do what you love.

Capricorn

December 22nd to January 19th

Challenging situations may feel overwhelming at times. Draw on the available support and reach out to those you trust who have your back. Strategize your next steps to help you continue your journey.

Aquarius

January 20th to February 18th

Creative and innovative ideas are being downloaded for later. You love being inspired, but this doesn’t always convert into action despite hard work and discipline. Wait until more energy is available to act.

Pisces

February 19th to March 20th

Compartmentalizing all aspects of yourself doesn’t translate and take into account the larger picture. Accept the parts you dislike and embrace the imperfections that make you extraordinary.

Aries

March 21st to April 19th

It’s time to see what was accomplished upon completion of a finished product. Innovative ideas lead the way with the formation of teams built from collaborators. This skillset benefits future efficiency.

Jupiter retrogrades toward idealism where goals and plans are concerned. If current actions go astray, regroup and rectify alternative perspectives. This accelerates the opening of new and unexpected pathways.

Gemini

May 21st to June 21st

With Mercury retrograde, create time for editing and detailed analysis of existing projects. This will help you mentally focus when it’s time to start something fresh in your next creative endeavor.

Cancer

June 22nd to July 22nd

Things from the past come to the forefront. These issues need clarification and clear communication. The opportunity to stand up for yourself gives you confidence and a new way to navigate feelings.

Leo July 23rd to August 22nd

Embrace compassion for radiant self-love and be kind to yourself. These irreplaceable gifts are often forgotten. This training helps develop a strong will and dissolution of personal dissatisfaction.

Sam Namdarian D.M.D.

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