Many happy returns
JACOPO GIUSTINIANI • Felice Restaurants
WORK • Friday Routine
JACOPO GIUSTINIANI • managing partner • Felice Restaurants
Neighborhood you work in: Midtown East
Neighborhood you live in: Upper East Side
It’s Friday afternoon, how are you rolling into the weekend?
On Fridays, I’m usually still in the office, enjoying the calm as the week winds down. My office is on 57th Street, and we’re lucky to have a few great restaurants nearby. After work, I walk home to have dinner with my two kids before heading out for the evening with my wife and a few friends. We love visiting the Felice restaurants in our Upper East Side neighborhood; it’s become a Friday night tradition. My wife and I usually go for the daily specials and a glass of wine from Fattoria Sardi. We end the night by sharing a Buontalenti gelato.
Any restaurant plans?
Wine is always my go-to, and I often enjoy it at Bar Clemente or The Nines. I love Bar Clemente for its romantic ambiance and super-creative cocktails. The Nines is always a blast, with a lively vibe fueled by piano-bar music that carries you late into the night.
How about a little leisure or culture?
With two young kids, our weekends are usually packed with soccer games, water polo, birthday parties, and playdates. But when we do find a bit of downtime, my wife and I love spending it at museums. The Met is a favorite; we always find something new to explore, whether it’s a rotating exhibit or just revisiting our favorite sections. We also love the Frick, which is just around the corner. The setting is so intimate, and the collection always sparks conversation.
Any weekend getaways?
We’re big fans of Upstate, from the Hudson Valley to the Catskills. It’s the perfect escape for the kids to play outside and explore nature. When we head upstate, we usually stay with friends, which makes the trips even more special. In the summer, it’s all about the peaches, and in the fall, we love apple picking at Fishkill Farms. We always make time for pizza at Westwind Orchard and breakfast at Millbrook Diner. On the way back into the city, we usually stop for dinner at Felice in Port Chester.
What was your last great vacation?
We’ve been lucky to take many wonderful trips, but I always love going back to Italy. My parents and brother still live there, and it’s so special to bring my kids to visit their grandparents and cousins. Watching the new generation play together is such a joy, and of course, the food and wine are always unbeatable. We usually stay in Tuscany, mostly in Lucca, where my family owns a winery just a few miles outside the city. Our go-to spots are Tambellini for a relaxed lunch and Il Giglio for a more refined dinner. We also never miss a visit to Locanda di Sesto, home to one of the best steaks in town.