Massimo Felici

Don Cheech is an Italian American Restaurant created by Executive Chef Massimo Felici. He got inspired by his old neighborhood, the old school NYC Little Italy (Mulberry Street) Cuisine where exceptionally well-prepared food was served in an elegant comfortable setting. The Food resembles that same history, Chef Massimo Felici takes his culinary expertise and apply it to this new venture taking cues from the great talents and techniques of the present and the future. Traditional dishes like Stuffed Long Hots, Seafood salad, Linguine Vongola, Chicken Parmigiana and Scarpariello and Steak Diane, elevated to a new level. Elegant Tablecloth settings, burgundy booths, Chandeliers and mirrors a large bar and a glass wine room gives Don Cheech that Old School-Elegant atmosphere.

Executive Chef and restaurateur Massimo Felici’s passion for food started as a young boy growing up in New York. He started his career in the restaurant business in Manhattan. Through the following years, he moved up the ladder in many fine Italian establishments in New York such as Cipriani's, Giambelli, Da Umberto, Canastels, and more.

At only 22 years old, Massimo traveled to Florence, Italy where he honed his skills in a few local trattorias. Soon after he opened his own restaurant in Florence, "Il Canapone," a very quaint and authentic trattoria with only 35 seats and located near the beautiful Palazzo Pitti and one of his most cherished restaurants. After 2 years, it was named one of the best trattorias in Florence where locals eat in the "A Tavola" magazine.

He then returned to New York to practice his art in fine restaurants. Massimo helmed the kitchen as executive chef and partner at "Da Vittorio" (which was owned by Da Umberto's Restaurant family). Soon after, he opened his own trattoria around the corner called Ribollita and received praises from NY Times, Eric Isimov, New York Magazine, Time Out Mag, and many more.

Later in the year 2000 he opened La Nonna, a Tuscan restaurant. He got reviewed by William Grimes with great accolades, but sadly had to close after 9/11 and was forced to sell Ribollita due to lease bought out by large development company.

In the past 10 years, Massimo has become one of the best New York City restaurant consultants helping dozens of restaurants create their own story. He worked with places such as Nino's Tuscany (2.5 stars from Crains magazine) and DeGrezia restaurant (3 stars from Crains magazine) where he led a successful culinary class program for the Italian cook enthusiasts of New York City.

Later on, he moved to Staten Island and fell in love with it because it reminded him of his old school Brooklyn Italian neighborhood.

Massimo is currently the Sole Owner and Executive Chef of Don Cheech, Vinum as well as Partner Owner and Executive Chef Belvedere Dining Club at Casa Belvedere. All four restaurants are located on the North Shore of Staten Island.

So, he proudly introduces you to Don Cheech where he is the Executive Chef and Owner.