PIED A TERRE

It was when food legend Lidia Bastianich took a chance on Richard, hiring him as Wine Director at her famed New York namesake Felidia Ristorante, that Richard's knowledge and passion for wine truly took to the stars. Under the watchful and encouraging eyes of Bastianich and Chef Fortunato Nicotra, Richard recalls: "[They] taught me an immeasurable sum about Italian food and wine, which remain my strongest passion today. I developed an appreciation for the art of food and wine pairing." Felidia won Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" every year that Richard helmed its program... Richard went on to head service at Jonathan Waxman's Washington Park as its General Manager and Wine Director. Its cellar, valued at seven million dollars, garnered Wine Spectator's "Best of Award of Excellence" in the restaurant's first year before achieving the illustrious "Grand Award" the subsequent year. He went on to serve as Wine Director for The Bowery Group's Cookshop and its three sister restaurants.....