Chef's Dream Brings Italy To Riverhead: 'Home Away From Home'

RIVERHEAD, NY — Days from opening, Master Chef Marco Barrila welcomes a guest into his new Italian eatery, Insatiable Eats Pastaria, already filled with the tempting aromas and tastes of Sicily.

Tables are filled with heaping platters of tantalizing pastas, salads, pizzas in the cozy space, exuding warmth as conversation and laughter hum.

Barrila proudly displays the fresh pasta machine, the coffees, the pannettone, an Italian sweet bread imported straight from Sicily, the brightly colored pottery for sale that speaks to the place that for him, symbolizes home.

Home is a place he homes to create right in the heart of Riverhead, a place where people can come, share a meal, and immerse themselves in the cultures and recipes of Sicily. He wants to teach his patrons how to replicate the tastes that have shaped his culinary journey. "Whatever people eat here, they can bring back and make at home," he said.

On Monday, Dec. 13, the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce, Supervisor Yvette Aguiar and town board officials will host a ribbon cutting ceremony and grand opening at noon.

For Barrila, known for his niche international cuisine catering company on the South Fork, Insatiable Eats Pastaria and restaurant is a dream realized, where he will feature a variety of fresh pastas and Sicilian style sauces, pizza alla pala, and a bar gastronomica.

"We want to create an atmosphere where people enjoy working. This will be a great place to bring your family, kids, have a glass of wine, a bite to eat… a little something for everyone. There’s a lot of offerings in Riverhead but where we differ is that we are all-in-one. We are not coming in to compete but more to add to the quality of culinary offerings that are already here. We plan on spending a lot of time here because we really do love Riverhead," he said.

The restaurant/caterer occupies the space that was formerly Michelangelo's of Riverhead and will also feature a coffee bar featuring imported beans and a gourmet marketplace. Throughout the winter weekly cooking classes and cultural events will be offered making it a destination for community gatherings and get-togethers.

Insatiable Eats will be open everyday for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a full service restaurant from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., brunch every Sunday and take-out from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Co-owner and Marco's wife Sheila Barrila added: "Everyone is starting to catch on that Riverhead is the place to go. We felt it was a good opportunity to learn the area and be involved in this part of the community. Since the first day we came to this location we’ve received a very warm welcome from our neighbors and it already feels like our home away from home."

For years, Barrila has been giving back and helping to feed the needy: Earlier this year, he competed to win a "Favorite Chef" competition, which benefits Feeding America.

Barrila and his wife Sheila Minkel have long been donating holiday meals to those in need through Citizens 4 Humanity, a grass-roots non-profit organization founded by Minkel's sister, April Minkel, meant to raise social consciousness and funds for charitable events.

Citizens 4 Humanity provides meals to local families, with a focus on single moms and parents, and to seniors in need.