150 years of the Art Students League; a Toki Highball Week taking over the country; and a conversation with Renato Poliafito of Ciao, Gloria and Pasta Night.

A postcard from

Renato Poliafito is a James Beard-nominated pastry chef, restaurateur, cookbook author, designer and entrepreneur based in Brooklyn, NY. He owns and operates Ciao, Gloria, Prospect Heights’ beloved daytime café and neighborhood bakery, and Pasta Night, the fine-casual pasta concept located right across the street. He is also the author of Dolci!: American Baking with an Italian Accent, his first solo cookbook featuring Italian and “Italian American-ish” cakes, cookies, pies and pastries for any occasion.

@renatoinbrooklyn @pastanightbk

Q+A

Tell us about yourself!

I am a restaurateur who lives and works in Brooklyn, NY. I am the founder of Baked Bakery, and left the company to open Ciao, Gloria, a café bakery in 2019. In 2024, I opened Pasta Night, an Italian-American pasta bar and alimentari, directly across the street from Ciao. I've also published five cookbooks, my most recent being Dolci! American Baking with an Italian Accent.

What inspires you to uncover more?

The constant yen for travel, growth, peace and of course, eating.

Where is your go-to spot when in NYC?

I have many, I've lived here a really long time. When it's not my own business, I do like to have dinner at Miss Ada's in Fort Greene.

Is there a secret, local-only spot you can share?

El Minutito: Mexico City

Where is your bucket-list destination? What makes you excited about visiting?

The Dolomites. It's the one part of Italy I have yet to visit.