R.I.P. Paul Torre
On June 8, Paul Torre, The Italian Chef who was the inspiration for this website and, more importantly, my father, passed away after a two year struggle with multiple diseases. I knew I wanted to write about this here because he was such a big part of this site, but it took me some time to be able to write what I wanted to say.
I started this website back in 1999, with the purpose of keeping my father’s recipes alive after he retired from the restaurant business. Born to Italian immigrants in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, his family moved back to Italy to escape the great depression shortly after his birth. When he was 18 he came back to America, settling in the New York metropolitan area, and began a 40+ year career as an accomplished chef. The last 19 years of that career were spent as chef/owner of his own Italian restaurant, La Villetta in Larchmont, NY.
When I started this website I was not much of a cook. Although, I had worked in the restaurant since I was a teenager, it was always in the front of the house as a waiter. The early process of trying to get recipes from a chef who did everything by feel was not easy. When I would ask him for amounts of ingredients I would get answers like “You know” and “Better too little than too much.” Eventually, we settled into a routine of cooking together with me taking the handfuls and pinches of ingredients from him, and measuring them. Those were great times that I will always cherish. As I became more comfortable with cooking over the years, and getting together to cook became more difficult, I would discuss a dish with him then go off on my own to work out measurements. When I was happy with my results I would then show him the recipe for approval and final tweaking. Cooking together and discussing food forged a bond between us that greatly added to an already special father-son relationship.
Sadly, he is gone now, so I no longer will have his direct input or advice on this website or life in general for that matter. He was not only a great chef, but a great father and I will miss him dearly. However, his spirit will always be by my side in the kitchen, and I will always apply the sensibility about and principles of Italian cooking that he instilled in me. Being a chef was not just a job for my father, he truly had a passion for cooking and hospitality. That passion is a gift that he gave to me, and I will continue the journey I started here with my dad.
I love you and miss you Dad.
I’ve visited your blog before and love the recipes. So sorry for your loss. I’m adding you to my links on my site. Lost my father many years ago and while not nearly as close as you were to your father, it’s just a tough thing to go through regardless. Best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you for the kind words Ken.
I am so sorry for your loss.
I have always found your recipes to be outstanding with results reminding me of my grandmothers cooking. You do your father justice. He must be so proud. God Bless.
So sorry for your loss. Mi dispiace molto per la perdita di tuo padre. The only bond I was able to establish with my mother, when we were not arguying, was in the kitchen. She is still alive, but the only time we can talk is about recipes, since we disagree on everything else. I am sure he will be by your side in the kitchen, looking over your shoulder, perhaps yelling at you “Hey, ma che fai, e’ troppo sale!”
Phil,
We are very sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your Dad. Your website is a wonderful way to keep his memory and recipes alive.
I’m very sorry for your loss. This post and this site are lovely tributes to your father and will keep a part of him with you and all of us readers.
Sorry to hear your Dad has passed. I began at La Villetta when it was just opened as a busboy when I was 16. By 17 or 18 was a waiter- worked on & off for 4-5 years.
Your Dad was like a surrogate father for me. He must have fired & re-hired me a dozen times. I remember the 3 brothers Sal, Tom & Phil [the little one] Nino doing most of the cooking & prep work, Tino at the dishes [I heard he passed], some of the old waiters Joe, can’t remember the others names.
How is your Mom doing?
Was lots of hours, hard work, we made nice tips & your Dad was always fair with me. His meat sauce was always my favorite.
I am a builder and have lived in Palm Beach Florida for the last 18 yrs. Married with 4 kids. Life is good. Lost my Dad [Dr Berkoff- the Chiropractor] in 1999- know how u feel.
Say hi to all,
Jeff
Jeff,
Thank you for the kind words about my Dad. I remember well the relationship that he had with you and your Family (who were very good customers and fantastic people). Sorry to hear about the loss of your Dad.
Great to hear from you brings back a lot of great memories of the fun times we had working together. My Mom is hanging in there. My brothers and our families all live nearby and will always be there for her. I just called her and read to her what you wrote – she was vey touched.
I still live in Westchester and am married with 2 Children. I am working in Finance for a large Pharmaceutical Company. I also still enjoy cooking and sharing the many great recipes that my Father taught me with family and friends.
Tom
Thank you everybody for the condolences and nice comments.
Jeff, it was great to hear from somebody who worked at the restaurant back in the old days. As Tom said, it means a lot to my whole family to hear that my Dad made such an impression on somebody who worked with him.
Phil,
It was sad to hear about your dad. My dad and family always enjoyed eating at your restaurant and the hospitality offered by your dad and your family. I hope you are doing well. Best wishes, Julio Salazar, Iona Prep ’83
Hi Phil,
I am so sorry to hear about your loss.
My Grandmother, who passed away last year, absolutely adored La Villetta. She lived in Mamaroneck and whenever I would visit she would insist on taking me to dinner there. Seeing this post is making me thing of her and cry 🙁
On a happier note- I still tell people that’s where to find the best Veal in NY State!
Once again, my sincere condolences.
-Bekka
Phil,
My sincerest condolences. I have a very close relationship with my father and reading your post made me choke up a little.
Brandon
Sorry for your father.
Great recipes.
16aeb35116Thanks for any other wonderful post. The place else could annyoe get that kind of info in such a perfect manner of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am at the search for such information. 18b
I am so sorry to read about your dad. Keep those wonderful memories alive through your recipes and your blog. He will always be alive in your heart. It is always so difficult to lose a cherished member of the family. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Phil or Tom. Please contact me if you can. I recently started a YouTube channel called iloveitalian
Do mostly restaurant reviews, cooking & wine pairing, and traveling through Italy
If you recall your Dad’s amazing Veal Chop Imperiale recipe- would love to recreate it on my channel and honor your Dad. Ciao. Jeff