"Francesco Panella, along with his brothers Simone and Lorenzo, exported Roman cuisine from the Italian capital’s historic Antica Pesa restaurant to the Big Apple."

"Antica Pesa awarded as "Best Roman Cuisine in the World" in 2020. Rome, the capital of the world for hospitality and combining cultural traditions; it is this common thread that unites all the flavors and pleasures of Rome which Antica Pesa honors. "

"It’s the first stateside outpost of a 91-year-old hot spot of the same name, located in Rome’s Trastevere district. It’s been run by the Panella family for four generations, and it’s brought an incongruous bit of continental grandeur to an otherwise mellow block of Berry Street."

"The brothers Simone and Francesco Panella - the first a sensible chef, the second an extroverted head of the house - want Antica Pesa not to be only a restaurant for super celebrities (who are welcome, certainly) but one of the temples of Roman cuisine."

"Francesco Panella, is practically the Italian ambassador to Brooklyn. Mr. Panella and his brothers run Antica Pesa, the Williamsburg branch of the Rome establishment that has been in their family since 1922."

"Typical Roman dishes made from carefully selected ingredients grace the menu of this restaurant, which is housed in a grain storehouse that once belonged to the neighbouring Papal State. Large paintings by contemporary artists hang on the walls and there is a small lounge with a fireplace near the entrance."