{"id":76759,"date":"2025-12-20T21:42:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-20T21:42:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/76759\/"},"modified":"2025-12-20T21:42:08","modified_gmt":"2025-12-20T21:42:08","slug":"new-pleasant-plains-restaurant-brings-santa-grinch-to-staten-island-families","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/76759\/","title":{"rendered":"New Pleasant Plains restaurant brings Santa, Grinch to Staten Island families"},"content":{"rendered":"

STATEN ISLAND, NY — Santa Claus and The Grinch came early this year, making a stop at Ariana\u2019s Cucina in Pleasant Plains before Christmas Day. <\/p>\n

Local families gathered at the new restaurant, which opened in November, for hot chocolate, croissants and a picture with the two iconic holiday characters on Saturday. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe love the community. We want it to be like a local place where it\u2019s a friendly and family atmosphere,\u201d shared Frank DiMattina, one of the establishment\u2019s owners. \u201cI believe it\u2019s good karma. It helps the community out and it makes people come together.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"SantaAriana’s Cucina, owned by social media chef Frank DiMattina, recently welcomed Santa and The Grinch as part of community-building efforts.(Advance\/SILive.com) | Nicolette Cavallaro<\/p>\n

Located at 6451 Amboy Road, Ariana\u2019s Cucina is the latest venture from DiMattina,<\/a> a 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

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 Manhattan. He also operates Ariana\u2019s South, a catering venue also named after his daughter, where the family hosts private events and large-scale meals.<\/p>\n

\"SantaAriana’s Cucina, owned by social media chef Frank DiMattina, recently welcomed Santa and The Grinch as part of community-building efforts.(Advance\/SILive.com) | Nicolette Cavallaro<\/p>\n

In addition to a social media empire, DiMattina has built a great relationship with Staten Island families, with the goal of providing a place that always feels like home. <\/p>\n

\u201cWe want our family to meet the community and the community to meet us. Just making everybody happy and get together and come in no stress, just take your shoes off and make yourself at home,\u201d he shared after the character event, which came from a partnership with Costume Pals.<\/p>\n

According to DiMattina, the local party business donated the character visits as an investment for the community. <\/p>\n

\"SantaLocal families enjoyed hot chocolate and photos with the iconic characters at the Pleasant Plains restaurant owned by social media star Frank DiMattina.Advance\/SILive | Nicolette Cavallaro<\/p>\n

\u201cThey like to give a little back to the kids. It\u2019s a good feeling to watch the kids run in and see them,\u201d shared Marie-Elaina DiMattina, a co-owner. <\/p>\n

As the eatery \u2014 which blends modern and traditional elements with exposed rafters, brick walls and antique fixtures \u2014 continues to grow, the couple hopes to maintain their focus on celebrating the feeling of home with their guests. <\/p>\n

On top of having more holiday events and fundraisers, they even plan to host a Christmas Eve dinner, featuring their own family and a home-cooked meal. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we were younger, there had to be over 50 people in the house. And then people pass away, and who moves away, and dynamics change. So it just becomes less and less,\u201d she said. \u201cSo this year, we said, \u2018You know what? We\u2019re gonna be together anyway. Let\u2019s do here.\u2019 Now we have all these families joining us.\u201d <\/p>\n

Those interested in joining the DiMattina family for their homey and cozy Christmas Eve Dinner Party can call the restaurant at 718-966-4522 or visit their Instagram page at @arianascucinacafe<\/a>. <\/p>\n