Fabio Casella
San Matteo
Born in Salerno, Italy, and raised in a family of chefs, Fabio Casella was destined for the culinary world. After moving to New York City in 1999, Fabio honed his skills at celebrated spots like Dean & DeLuca and Mike’s Deli located in the Arthur Avenue Marketplace before forging his own culinary path.
In 2010,... READ MORE
Born in Salerno, Italy, and raised in a family of chefs, Fabio Casella was destined for the culinary world. After moving to New York City in 1999, Fabio honed his skills at celebrated spots like Dean & DeLuca and Mike’s Deli located in the Arthur Avenue Marketplace before forging his own culinary path.
In 2010, he opened San Matteo Pizza & Espresso Bar on 90th and Second Avenue with a mission to introduce New Yorkers to the authentic flavors of Campania. As one of the first to serve truly authentic Neapolitan pizza in NYC, the restaurant earned rave reviews from The New York Times and quickly gained a loyal following.
Fabio then opened Salumaio (a salumeria on the Upper East Side) and PQR (Pizza Quadrata Romana), which was spotlighted by Pete Wells in The New York Times and named one of the best pizzerias on the Upper East Side. In 2015, he opened San Matteo Pizzeria e Cucina on 80th and Second Avenue, followed by another location on 89th and Second. In 2023, he brought the San Matteo name to Florida with a location near Naples, and will debut Via Roma Gelateria in Estero, Florida, in Spring 2025—with plans for continued expansion in the region.
In addition to his brick-and-mortar success, San Matteo is also one of the official food vendors at the US Open, bringing its signature wood-fired pizza to one of the biggest sporting events in the country.
A passionate burger and steak enthusiast, Fabio won the New York Wine & Food Festival Burger Bash in both 2019 and 2022, and was awarded Best Sandwich in the World at the Las Vegas Pizza Expo in 2024. Inspired by his friendship with Pat LaFrieda, his range continues to expand beyond pizza.
A lover of music and culture, Fabio has brought the San Matteo pizza truck to major festivals including Governors Ball, Ultra Music Festival, and Sound on Sound. His restaurants have been featured in Esquire’s Best Restaurants and continue to shape the landscape of Italian cuisine in America. San Matteo has been named one of the Top 50 Pizzerias in the world and is recognized by the Michelin Guide.
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