The Story of Cucina Paradiso
When you arrive at Cucina Paradiso, you're greeted with the same graciousness you would if you were visiting the home of friends. Chef and owner Dennis Hernandez and his wife, Malena, love welcoming guests to their restaurant and serving them wonderful Italian food. Their pleasure comes from giving personal attention to their guests and every detail of their restaurant, from the fresh roses on every table to a hand-picked selection of Italian and Sonoma County wines.
Although Dennis learned the basics of cooking when he came to California at age 21, it was when he was hired as a line cook at Ristorante Bacco in San Francisco (one of the City's top ten restaurants according to the San Francisco Chronicle) that Dennis grew from a cook to a chef. The head chef and owner, Vincenzo Cucco, immediately recognized Dennis's talent and drive and "taught him everything from a to z about how to prepare authentic Italian food."
Because Chef Cucco received his training at the prestigious Istituto Alberghiero Di Stato in Cefalú, Italy, his standards are extremely high. "He's a perfectionist," explains Dennis, "so I was taught the best methods of Italian cooking."
It was during this time, that Dennis and Malena met and were married. She and Dennis are a team, with Malena making sure that every aspect of the restaurant (except the kitchen - that's Dennis' venue) meets her high standards.
After eight years at Ristorante Bacco, Dennis and Malena had two young sons and were looking for a location to open their own restaurant and raise their family when Vincenzo's brother Angelo (who at the time was chef at Ca'Bianca in Santa Rosa) told them about the space in the Golden Eagle Shopping Center in Petaluma. After a thorough refurbishing, Cucina Paradiso opened on August 10th, 1998, and in the five years since it opened, has consistently received rave reviews.
Why Everything Tastes So Good
Every day, Dennis selects the freshest local produce, seafood, and meat, incorporates the finest imported ingredients, skillfully makes all the pastas, sauces, and desserts, and then presents it with the sensitivity of an artist. It's no wonder that the meals at Cucina Paradiso are small masterpieces!
Living, Working, and Giving Back to the Community
Dennis and Malena didn't choose Petaluma for the location of their restaurant just because of the great weather. They felt Petaluma had the solid family values that make it an excellent place to raise their three young sons. And that has proven to be true. They are so appreciative of the success they have achieved because of their local clientele that they seek opportunities to give back to the community. They provide ongoing support to the Petaluma Peoples Services, Petaluma Educational Foundation, and numerous other local nonprofits.
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