Dine and Discover Queens: Cristiano Rossi - Terrone
It’s “Dine and Discover Queens” time! “Dine and Discover Queens” is a monthly spotlight on some of the best food and drink options from around the borough! This month, we are featuring Cristiano Rossi, owner of Terrone, located at 5203 Center Boulevard in Long Island City. To learn more, go to https://terrone.nyc/.
What inspired the creation of your restaurant, and how did you get your start?
The inspiration for my restaurant comes directly from my personal journey. I originally worked in cinema, collaborating with some of the most famous American directors. During the filming of a movie in New York, I met my wife, and after marrying, I decided to move here, precisely in LIC, but something was missing: I realized there was no place offering true Italian dining.
That’s when I created Terrone: a restaurant that brings authentic Southern Italian cuisine to New York, using exclusively products from Italian farms—an Italian farm-to-American-table philosophy. It’s my way of bringing my heritage, my family’s recipes, and my culture to life in the city I now call home. I chose the name Terrone very intentionally. In Italy, “Terrone” is often used as a slang word for people from the South—sometimes even in a negative way. By naming my restaurant Terrone, I wanted to reclaim that identity with pride and turn it into something positive. It’s a tribute to my Southern Italian roots, to the land (terra), and to the traditions that shaped me. The name reflects authenticity, humility, and strength—the values I bring into the kitchen every day.
Can you share any memorable moments or experiences you've had as a restaurant owner in Queens?
One of my favorite stories is about a couple who first came to Terrone for a pizza class. They had just moved to the neighborhood and didn’t know anyone. That night, they not only learned how to make pizza, but also made friends at the table. Months later, they told me that the group had become their “LIC family,” and now they meet at Terrone regularly for dinner. Moments like this show me that our restaurant is more than food—it’s a place where community is built.
Are there dishes or drinks that have become beloved by the Queens community, or anything on your menu you would like to highlight?
One of our signature dishes is Paccheri alla Genovese, a beautiful classic from Campania made with the original recipe passed down from my grandparents. They added a secret ingredient that I still use today—and after countless “challenges” from guests trying to guess it, no one has ever discovered it. It’s a dish that carries both tradition and mystery. And of course, our Neapolitan pizza is at the heart of Terrone, made with the highest-quality Italian ingredients and baked to perfection, it has become one of the most loved pizzas in New York.
