Russ Belleci
Russ (Rosario) Belleci was born in Pittsburg California, descended from immigrants from Isola delle Femmine, a small fishing village or "tonnara" near Palermo, Sicily.
His roots are unique in that after a wave for immigration from "Isola", his forbearers established a fishing community at the confluence of the Sacramento and San Joaquin rivers at Pittsburg that flourished from the late 1800's through the late 1950's.
Between 1896 and 1920, 60% of the citizens of Isola delle Femmine immigrated to Pittsburg and spread on to Martinez, Monterey and San Francisco building on the fish & restaurant business, eventually assimilating into all walks of American culture.
Always very close to his Sicilian roots Russ learned to love Italian food and culture and cook from his mother, father and uncles and aunts.
Russ has fond memories of fishing with his dad on the river and Monterey bay "throwing together" fresh fish meals on the water.
He was the long-time chef for the St. Isidore Annual School Barbeque and is well known in the valley for his Sicilian Style Crab marinade featured at the Danville Rotary Crab feed since 2001.
His mom's recipe for Striped Bass Chioppino is an occasional special at the restaurant.
After a career in retail and consumer goods marketing, Russ teamed up with Gabriele Davanzante to create a vision for The New Forli Ristorante: the atmosphere of a family owned trattoria in Puglia and Sicily, featuring great Italian food, fine California and Italian wines creating "A Taste of Italy in Alamo!"
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