Michael Cecchi-Azzolina

Michael Cecchi-Azzolina, a Brooklyn native, has carved out a career that captures the essence of New York’s dining culture. His nearly forty years in the industry have taught him that exceptional service lies at the heart of a memorable dining experience.

Educated in English Literature and Education at the University of Florida, Michael went on to study Dramaturgy at New York University before diving into an MFA program at Harvard University/ART. But it was a serendipitous detour that led him to hospitality: while working for Playwright’s Horizons on Theatre Row, he took a waitstaff job at La Rousse to make ends meet. That first step into a restaurant unwittingly launched a lifelong career in hospitality.

From his early start at La Rousse, Michael rose to become a fixture at some of the city’s most iconic restaurants, including The Water Club, The River Café, Raoul’s, and Le Coucou. Running the front-of-house, he refined his belief that outstanding service often outweighs the food itself. Influenced by his mentor, Buzzy O’Keefe, owner of The River Café, Michael emphasizes commitment to perfection and treating staff with kindness and respect, knowing that a happy team delivers the best guest experience.

In 2022, Michael published “Your Table Is Ready: Tales of a New York City Maître D’”, a memoir that pulls back the curtain on Manhattan’s high-energy restaurant scene. Through candid, humorous, and shocking stories, he reveals the raw reality of working hospitality—a world of resilience, charisma, and an enduring love for creating unforgettable dining moments.

Cecchi’s, Michael’s latest venture, represents his vision of the quintessential New York restaurant—a lively, welcoming bar and grill where guests can enjoy classic, unpretentious fare. For him, it’s a “love letter to New York,” capturing the city’s vibrancy with a warm, inviting atmosphere where commitment to hospitality and service remain front and center. “Cecchi’s is a restaurant where guests can meet not only other diners but also a dedicated team committed to their experience,” he says. With Cecchi’s, Michael creates a sanctuary from the hustle of New York life—a place where everyone feels like family.