Not all guests at Il Palio Ristorante have the opportunity to become personally acquainted with Executive Chef and owner, Margherita Aloi. Most days, there is little time to
socialize, since she is perpetually found in the restaurant's kitchen creating new recipes, making dough for the daily homemade pastas, and ensuring that each dish placed into servers' hands are as aesthetically-appealing as they are flavorful.
Though Ms. Aloi may not be able to meet each and every visitor, through the unveiling of a new dining room painting, which features art representing key aspects of her past and present, she aspires to connect more intimately with Il Palio's customers.
Stratford master artist and craftsman Thomas Masaryk expertly weaves Ms. Aloi's biographical narrative—including iconic images from the small town of Tucci, in the Piedmont region of Italy where she grew up— into an
eye-catching, contemporary mural. Using acrylic paints and glazes, Mr. Masaryk's palette is filled with colors which complement the vibrant hues of Il Palio's signature dishes.
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More than 150 personal photographs provided the inspiration for Mr. Masaryk's innovative design. Images of Ms. Aloi's beloved homeland—an old vineyard, a tiny church—are blended alongside significant people in her present-day life. Some of Ms. Aloi's favorite proverbs for living, mantras that she grew up hearing her parents recite, are woven into the thematic patterns. Sayings such as “L'abito non fa il monaco” (“The robe doesn't make the monk”) and “L'erba voglio cresce solo nel giardino del Re” (“The grass 'I want' grows only in the King's garden.”) remind Ms. Aloi of where she has come from and the Italian cultural experience she intends Il Palio's customers to experience.
“Margherita remains very connected to her Italian roots,” Mr. Masaryk said. “My vision was to bring all of the different parts of her story together.”
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During her childhood, Ms. Aloi was influenced by her father, Aloi Luigi Giovanni, a winemaker and huntsman, and Agostina Pessiva, a talented cook. Ms. Aloi recalls
learning authentic, regional Italian cuisine by her mother's side as they prepared large quantities of food for members of her father's hunt club.
“We entertained a lot at our house,” Ms. Aloi recalled. “I loved being with people back then and I still do today. Building relationships is important to me and one of the
reasons I chose to work in this profession.”
After studying as a teenager at the prestigious Culinary Institute of Barolo, Ms. Aloi was recruited by noted restaurateur Pino Luongo, owner of Le Madri Restaurant. When she arrived in New York City at the age of eighteen, Ms. Aloi spoke little English. By her mid-twenties, though, Ms. Aloi was named executive chef, and eventual owner, of Arezzo Ristorante in New York. At this time, she was also recognized by Crain's New York Business for its prestigious “40 Under 40” list of top metropolitan professionals.
Before coming to Il Palio in 2010, Ms. Aloi owned and operated Aloi Restaurant in New Canaan.
Il Palio Ristorante, located at 5 Corporate Drive, Shelton, CT, is open for lunch, Monday to Friday, 11:45 pm to 2:15 pm, and dinner, Monday to Saturday, 5:30 pm to 9:15 pm. For more information, contact Il Palio at 203-944-0770. Il Palio can also be found online at www.ilpalioct.com, and on Facebook and Twitter.
