DELIzioso Cinque Will Remain Open With Extended Hours, Expanded Menu
By SARAH SHMERLING | Editor-in-Chief
While Cinque Terre West will be closing its Monument Street restaurant and wine bar effective June 23, Palisadians do not have to search far to enjoy Chef Gianbattista “Gianba” Vinzoni’s food, as DELIzioso Cinque will remain open.
“After much consideration, we have made the difficult decision not to renew our lease and will therefore be closing the doors of Cinque Terre West on June 23,” Gianba and Marlo Vinzoni wrote in an email to restaurant patrons sent May 31.
Gianba explained to the Palisadian-Post that they were given the option to extend their five-year lease, but elected not to, citing increases in prices of items he needs to craft the food the restaurant serves, including everything from eggs to flour and beyond.
“At the beginning, when we started, we were fairly priced,” Gianba explained. “After the pandemic, everything went to a level that is not sustainable anymore … it’s become impossible to sell stuff for an affordable price.”
He shared a couple of examples, like extra virgin olive oil which he said rose from $60 per case to $180, and butter, which went from $2.50 per pound to $7.
“It’s impossible to sell a pizza for $17,” Gianba said. “Now I have to sell it for $25 and I’m not making any money … It’s a daily battle to try to keep the numbers in line and give a good product.”
Gianba said that “people thought [prices] would stabilize or go back to normal,” but the “new normal” is living in a “very expensive state.” While the landlord has had to raise prices, Gianba does not blame them: “No one [is] to blame other than the economically difficult moments we are living.”
Cinque Terre West, known for its “regional Ligurian dishes … reminiscent of the small Mediterranean coastal villages of the Cinque Terre region Chef Gianba grew up in,” opened in May 2019. The wine bar—Enoteca Cinque by Cinque Terre West—followed in August 2021.
“We’re very thankful and blessed to have been doing this five years here,” Gianba said to the Post. “We got to meet a lot of great people.”
While Cinque Terre West and Enoteca Cinque’s “chapter[s] may be coming to a close,” DELIzioso Cinque—also located on Monument Street, in the space previously occupied by Sweet Rose Creamery—will remain open and provide an expanded menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
The deli originally opened in January 2023. Gianba said its rent is smaller, so its margins are different.
“We are deeply grateful for the memories we have shared with you at Cinque Terre West and we look forward to creating many more memorable moments with you at DELIzioso Cinque,” the email read. “We invite you to continue enjoying Chef Gianba’s delicious cuisine, where you can indulge in some of your favorite dishes and discover new culinary offerings.”
When the Post spoke to Gianba, the hours and menu were still being finalized, but he confirmed diners would continue to find the restaurant’s beloved cornetti (croissants) and sandwiches, in addition to perhaps expanded grab and go options and pasta dishes.
Marlo and Gianba have lived in the Lower Las Casas neighborhood for over 20 years.
“We want to take this opportunity to express our deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for your loyal patronage and unwavering support over the years,” the Vinzonis wrote. “It has been an incredible journey, and we are truly grateful to have had the privilege of cooking for and getting to know all of you, our wonderful customers.”
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