A letter from Serafina and Cicchetti owner Susan Kaufman on the challenges and successes of 2010.
“We eat for many reasons other than hunger, but there is only one reason we gather at the table to eat. That is to be with one another. As we come to the close of the year, I am thinking about what 2010 held for me and for my restaurants. You could describe it as a year of extremes; extreme joy and extreme challenges. In 2010, I watched Cicchetti grow from a newborn to a one year old; I witnessed my amazing daughter Isabella have her bat mitzvah; I dealt with a breast cancer recurrence and all the emotions and physical challenges that came with the diagnosis; I proudly watched my ever talented, devoted management team become a cohesive group of brilliant thinkers and chefs; I experienced the cocktail program blossom and skyrocket under the watchful eye of master Chris Bollenbacher, with such innovative classes as The Iron Bartender (a complete hoot, and yes, we are taking it to Hollywood); I saw Maxine work her magic as the catering manager with Cicchetti’s unique and stunning private dining space (my favorite was a Microsoft team building party where the players made pizza with the chef ’s help); I savored winning the prestigious Nellie Cashman “woman entrepreneur of the year award” and what it felt like to have a huge room of people celebrate me and my accomplishments. The list goes on, but what I take away from this year is how adaptable we all are as human beings, and how difficult situations can offer the gift of gratitude for what we do have, and taking that moment to really, truly feel it.”
