New York, NY – July 15, 2025 – Acclaimed Italian chef Salvo Lo Castro, who has cooked for the Pope and celebrities around the globe, is set to expand his mark on the New York City dining scene with the grand opening of CASASALVO Restaurant, his first U.S. restaurant, on Sunday, July 20 at 195 Spring Street in SoHo.
CASASALVO breathes new life into the former Bandone space, bringing Chef Salvo’s deeply personal take on avant-garde Italian cuisine, influenced by his Sicilian roots and decades of international culinary experience. The restaurant represents a bold evolution of the chef’s growing New York presence, which already includes three CASASALVO Café locations throughout Manhattan.
Chef Salvo Lo Castro is no ordinary chef — he has served as one of the personal chefs for Pope Benedict XVI and Pope John Paul II, and has been a trusted culinary presence for luxury clientele including Rolex, Dolce & Gabbana, Tom Cruise, and more. With over 1.1 million Instagram followers and a fiercely loyal fanbase across Europe and the U.S., Chef Salvo blends prestige with approachability in everything he does.
Born in Catania, Sicily, Chef Salvo’s love for cooking was sparked in his youth, shaped by his family’s hazelnut farm and his grandmother’s bustling rotisserie. He formalized his training at the Giovanni Falcone Institute in Giarre, where he studied Enogastronomy, Hotel Catering, and Hospitality, before going on to cook in some of the most luxurious grand hotels of Taormina, including San Domenico Palace and Mazzarò Sea Palace.
A Bold Culinary Concept Arrives in SoHo
At CASASALVO, guests will experience a modern and ingredient-driven fusion of Mediterranean, Italian, and broader European flavors, including influences from North Africa, Greece, Malta, and Spain. The menu blends generational family recipes with elevated techniques and seasonal sourcing to create a bold yet unpretentious dining experience.
“This restaurant is a dream years in the making,” says Chef Salvo. “New York is a city of flavor and spirit, and I am honored to bring the heart of Sicily — and all of Europe — to this community.”
The venue is elegantly designed with warm, modern European interiors that balance rustic Italian charm with contemporary sophistication. Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion and enjoy a culinary experience where every dish tells a story — from handcrafted pastas to Mediterranean crudos and wood-fired specialties.
CASASALVO Restaurant – Grand Opening Details:
📍 Location: 195 Spring Street, New York, NY
📅 Opening Date: Sunday, July 20, 2025
📞 Reservations: Walk-ins welcome, limited reservations via casasalvonyc.com
📱 Instagram: @casasalvorestaurant
👨🍳 Chef Salvo: @realchefsalvolocastro
Born and raised amidst the hustle and bustle of the Big Apple, I’ve witnessed the city’s many exciting phases. When I’m not exploring the city or penning down my thoughts, you can find me sipping on a cup of coffee at my favorite local café, playing chess or planning my next trip. For the last twelve years, I’ve been living in South Williamsburg with my partner Berenike.