The space has had a colorful past, first as Donnybrook Lodge, which became a speakeasy in the Roaring ’20s, and later as the Piedmont Inn during the Swinging ’60s and ’70s.
Today, after a full renovation, its new owners are bringing their heritage and their appreciation of quality wine and food to the establishment.
“When I walked in, the first thing I saw was ‘Massaria,’” said Francesco Coli, owner of Massa’ Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar. “Massaria” means farmhouse in Italian. But it also had some Aspen-like qualities to it, so we took apart two barns in Vermont. This is all 100-year-old reclaimed wood. We added brand-new stone fireplaces, new floors. We gutted everything.”
Coli’s entry into the restaurant business was purely intentional.
“Being immigrants from Italy, the number one thing was education, education, education,” Coli said of his father Pasquale, whom patrons can find manning the kitchen at Massa’. “The American dream was brought to us because my father was an executive chef at many restaurants in the city. But he wanted different things for my brother and I.”
That’s when Coli eyed law school, but decided – for better or for worse – to pursue restaurants.
Coli ran Ocean Grill in New York City before he and his father set their sights in 2000 on Larchmont, where they opened La Valetta. It’s now under new ownership.
Their newest endeavor is somewhat of a nod to their southeastern Italian roots.
“Every single place and spot in this restaurant books a coziness to it,” Coli said. “It’s warm, whereas before it was very cold. No matter where you sit, you’re comfortable. In front of the fireplace is the most requested during the winter.”
Massa’ is multilevel, with an upstairs bar, open cucina, several party rooms and a wine room with some 20,000 bottles.
“The beauty about it is because we’re a restaurant and wine bar, we offer 50 wines by the glass, which is unique and very hard to find,” Coli said. “We offer your $8 glass on up to $50 glasses of wine. We also offer premium selections. Anything on our list (300 labels) we will offer and go by the glass.”
Due to popular demand, Massa’ will also be instituting a bar menu with burgers and individual pizzas.
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