{"id":17085,"date":"2025-10-26T09:53:18","date_gmt":"2025-10-26T09:53:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/17085\/"},"modified":"2025-10-26T09:53:18","modified_gmt":"2025-10-26T09:53:18","slug":"food-boss-frank-dimattina-tiktok-star-opening-new-staten-island-restaurant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/17085\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Food Boss\u2019 Frank DiMattina: TikTok star opening new Staten Island restaurant"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. \u2014 When the DiMattinas first stepped into the former H & E Tool Rental space, the scene was stark\u2014a single lally column rising from a cavernous floor like a lone sentinel. It begged for reinvention, ripe for transformation \u201cFood Boss\u201d style: bold flavors, family warmth, and a dash of DiMattina showmanship.<\/p>\n

Set to open around Nov. 1 at 6451 Amboy Road in Pleasant Plains, Ariana\u2019s Cucina is the latest venture from Frank DiMattina, a self-taught chef and social media star known as the \u201cFood Boss.\u201d With more than 3 million Instagram followers and solid TikTok fame, he has built a brand rooted in bold flavors, family values, and viral cooking content.<\/p>\n

In 2022, the family began reshaping the space, carving out cozy corners and giving form to its expansive layout. Today, that vision has come to life as Ariana\u2019s Cucina, a modern restaurant with a Main Street vibe, infused with design details inspired by their travels\u2014from Southampton and Florida to the Italian countryside.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sWith more than half a billion TikTok views, DiMattina is giving fans a chance to savor his signature dishes in an \u00e0 la carte setting featuring everything from Australian coffee beans to craft cocktails. Highlights include bags of house-made cookies, specialty coffee drinks, and menu favorites like eggplant rollatini, Bang Bang shrimp Caesar salad, and pasta filete di pomodoro.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe started on TikTok and went viral right away\u2014almost half a billion views so far,\u201d DiMattina said. \u201cIt\u2019s been amazing. We\u2019ve cooked for celebrities like the Yankees and Jelly Roll, and met so many incredible people. We just want folks to taste our food. When you walk in, you\u2019re family. That\u2019s what it\u2019s all about.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sFrom left to right Frank, Marie Elaina, Ariana, Alexandra DiMattina with cousin Dominique Tarantola.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The building, which housed H & E Tool Rentals since 1969, now features multiple dining concepts under one roof\u2014a project more than three years in the making. Located across from the new Trader Joe\u2019s, Ariana\u2019s Cucina will be open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. in early November. <\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sBang Bang shrimp is a specialty of Frank DiMattina.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)Rustic and modern design<\/p>\n

The renovated space blends modern and traditional elements, with exposed rafters, brick walls, and antique fixtures that create a \u201cfarmhouse feel\u201d reminiscent of East End Long Island eateries. Ariana DiMattina, the restaurant\u2019s namesake, and her mom, Marie Elaina, handpicked the antique chandeliers \u2014 a feat to secure three matching pieces \u2014 along with a caddy-cornered hutch and a visual break on one wall: a row of seasonal flowers.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sSome of the seasonal touches for now are fall-forward. Christmas and winter will bring the festive decorations for the chillier Staten Island weather. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

\u201cWe wanted rustic charm and an Old World aesthetic…but with a modern twist,\u201d DiMattina said. \u201cWe\u2019re trying to offer something fresh so people don\u2019t always feel like they have to go to Manhattan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sWhen the DiMattinas first stepped into the former H & E Tool Rental space, that scene was stark\u2014a single lally column rising from a cavernous floor like a lone sentinel. It begged for reinvention. And here is what the room looks like today.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Raised in Brooklyn and immersed in the restaurant industry from a young age, DiMattina learned to cook from his father and worked in family-run kitchens like Mark Frank\u2019s in lower Manhattan. He now operates Ariana\u2019s South, a catering venue also named after his daughter, where the family hosts private events and large-scale meals.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sTo the left of the pastry case is a family corner with portraits plus a lineup of saints to offer blessings on the new business. A prosciutto-slicer is to the right of the case. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Dining options at Ariana\u2019s Cucina will range from quick takeout to full sit-down meals. A standout feature is the coffee bar, which uses proprietary beans sourced from Australia.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe coffee bar is insane\u2014so many flavors,\u201d DiMattina said. \u201cIt\u2019ll rival Starbucks.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sThe DiMattina’s found roadside stops in Italy to be an inspiring experience for their new venture. The flatbreads might remind of those restaurant visuals.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Grab-and-go offerings include homemade sandwiches, pizza, focaccia, fresh mozzarella, and pastries. The dining room will serve Italian-American classics, and the full bar will offer specialty cocktails, including a variety of martinis.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sCocktails include a lychee sipper, limoncello spritz, a Negroni and an espresso martini made from the restaurant’s proprietary espresso beans. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

A separate speakeasy room, designed by Ariana herself, provides space for private events and has its own entrance.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sFrank here is showing the entrance to the private party room, a space accessed by a bookcase door. When not used for parties, the space will be used as a speakeasy-style dining area. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s perfect for bereavements, celebrations\u2014anything,\u201d DiMattina said. Reservations for the private space are already underway.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sThe private dining room has its own bar and separate entrance. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

The business is a true family affair, with DiMattina\u2019s wife, children including son TK, and niece Dominique Tarantola all involved.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a family-run, family-friendly place\u2014and pet-friendly too. Bring your pet!\u201d he encouraged.<\/p>\n

Just five minutes from Ariana\u2019s South, the new venue includes parking and plans for outdoor dining in warmer months.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sHouse-made coffee and tea flavor combinations will be fresh-pressed and blended daily. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Reflecting on his journey, DiMattina added, \u201cWe\u2019ve done a lot of collaborations and we\u2019re so grateful. I can\u2019t believe how far social media has taken us. We\u2019re hoping to get our products into Costco and ShopRite. It\u2019s been a great ride\u2014and thank God I have my family with me. We\u2019re hands-on. We do everything\u2014sweeping, mopping, cooking, cleaning, greeting guests. That\u2019s who we are.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sPanini are among the grab-and-go eats at the soon-coming restaurant. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

Ariana\u2019s Cucina will be open at 6451 Amboy Rd. in the heart of Pleasant Plains. Its sister venue, Ariana\u2019s South, offers catering services at 4864 Arthur Kill Road and both can be reached at 718-966-4522 or via arianascatering.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Ariana'sCome on a tour of the restaurant starting at its light-filled entrance. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sThis is the main dining room. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sOff to the side is the bookcase that opens into the private dining room. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sOnce in the private dining area, guests can receive service from their own dedicated bar. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sHand-torn romaine lettuce leaves and a lemon-kissed dressing make the base for a house Cesar salad. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sThe pizza oven will turn out thin-crust pies and focaccia. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sFrank DiMattina\u2019s rise as a social media sensation started on Mother\u2019s Day 2020, when his son posted a video that quickly landed on Barstool Sports\u2014and the momentum hasn\u2019t stopped since. Today, Frank Sr. counts Jelly Roll, the Yankees, and HelloFresh among his collaborators as his reputation for bold Italian cooking continues to grow.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sThe dishes themselves are interesting with bright colors and lemon themes, all products of Italy. (Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sTo showcase Ariana\u2019s Cucina\u2019s attention to detail, look for the Marilyn Monroe-inspired tissue box\u2014complete with a playful poof mimicking the actress\u2019s iconic skirt.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sAlso part of the attention to detail is the foyer leading to the bathroom area, featuring antique wallpaper and a quiet nook away from the future bustle of the dining room.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sThis is a cozy corner in the main dining room.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sAn underlit bar and small table lamps enhance the lighting, creating a warm, layered glow throughout the space.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sThese Australian coffee beans can be sold whole or ground, or brewed into a fresh cup of coffee or espresso.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)\"Ariana'sAnd here\u2019s Frank \u201cFood Boss\u201d DiMattina at the restaurant entrance, which features stonework and bench seating\u2014a complement to the sweet character of Pleasant Plains.(Advance\/SILive.com | Pamela Silvestri)<\/p>\n

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