Francesco Realmuto of Ficuzza in the West Village

Woman Around Town had the wonderful experience of dining at Ficuzza, the recently opened, Sicilian inspired restaurant in the heart of the West Village. Ficuzza is inspired by the charming village by the same name in Palermo, Italy.  The restaurant’s menu reflects the natural beauty of the Sicilian region and its enticing cuisine.   We also had the pleasure of meeting Ficuzza’s charming owner, Francesco Realmuto of the Realmuto Restaurant Group. The group’s other acclaimed eateries include L’Arte del Gelato and Realmuto Alta Pasticceria.  Francesco’s background and career are fascinating and we know our readers will enjoy reading about it.

Francesco was born in a small Sicilian town named Baucina, not far from Palermo. The few hundred inhabitants seem to have traveled in time from an ancient world, as they maintain that welcoming and simple lifestyle for which Italy is still renowned for worldwide. After schooling and military service, it was clear that Francesco’s little town offered few job opportunities. Fueled by the same American dream that over the years had enticed countless Sicilian families, he set off for the United States.

Ficuzza’s Interior

Francesco soon found a job as a diamond cutter and toiled away at that trade for 12 years until he realized that it was completely unfulfilling. Happy memories of his childhood in Sicily made him think that his discontent may have had something to do with his Italian heritage, and he sensed a desire to relive it and share it with others. What better way to recall traditions and culture than with food? Francesco made a decision to change his life and to take up a career that was dear to him, the good, wholesome, traditional Italian food.

Francesco gave us great insights into his position as a successful restaurateur. 

Why do you find your career as a restaurateur so rewarding?

It’s a way of life, a passion you either have or don’t have. The life of a restaurateur is not easy; it’s very demanding, so you can’t do it just as a job. It satisfies me to see my clients happy when they come to eat at our restaurant

Can you tell us about the people you work with in the Realmuto Restaurant Group?

The people I choose to work in my team are individuals I select with great care, both as people and as professionals. 

Pasta alla Norma

What are some of the challenges of owning and operating restaurants in NYC?  

There are myriad challenges today in owning and operating a restaurant.  Occupancy costs (leases), cost of sales, and payroll are all more expensive than ever; some product(s) are more difficult to source, finding employees is difficult, scheduling is an ongoing problem, etc.  Operators must understand their businesses better than ever and be continually diligent in their sales and marketing efforts, as well as understanding their operational key ratios (KPI’s). 

Sicily has a tradition for wonderful food.  Why do you think their cuisine is so outstanding?  

Recently, Sicilian cuisine has become very popular. Dishes that were once considered humble are now greatly appreciated all over the world. The dishes of Sicilian cuisine are full of intense flavors and represent the Mediterranean.

Bucatini with Sardines

You share delicious Italian food with your customers.  What are some of your very favorite dishes?

All the dishes you find on our menu are my favorites; it’s no coincidence that I was the one who decided what to offer. However, if I really had to choose, being an eggplant lover, I would pick pasta alla Norma and bucatini with sardines. These are two classics in our Sicilian cuisine.

What would you like your guests to know about visiting your restaurants?

Our clients will find, first of all, excellent hospitality, a very welcoming atmosphere, and of course, excellent cuisine.”

What plans do you have for the future of Realmuto Restaurant Group?

Considering the positive response to our new Ficuzza concept, we are definitely planning new openings around the city and also in other parts of the state.

Ficuzza is located at 121 7th Avenue South, New York, NY  10014.  For menus, hours of operation and more information, please visit Cucina Siciliana & Pizza in New York – Ficuzza.