In the early '90's Giraldi threw his hat into the New York restaurant ring, opening "Jo-Jo" with his then film partner, Phil Suarez, and a rising star chef, Jean-Georges Vongerichten. Soon Giraldi became part of the team that created the foundation for a food dynasty that is unparalleled, even to this day. After Jo-Jo, the partners created eateries such as "Jean Georges," the NY Times 4-Star restaurant in Trump Towers-- the Asian fusion sensation, "Vong," a forerunner of modern Tha cuisine in NYC, with its London and Hong Kong outposts-- "Mercer Kitchen" in SoHo-- and "Prime," the venerable steakhouse at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas. Giraldi was also involved in the creation of "Patria;" in the early 90's, led by chef Douglas Rodriquez— considered the first significant and legitimate nuevo Latino cuisine in NYC. Patria received the NY Times 3-Stars,
"Gigino Trattoria" opened its doors in August of 1994. Along with executive chef Luigi Celentano, discovered in Positano on the Amalfi coast of Italy, it has kept an amazing resilience as a consistent Italian eatery flourishing in the demanding Tribeca neighborhood. Then "Gigino at Wagner Park" with Celentano, once again as Executive Chef, was created. The popular inside/outside café was located at the southern tip of Manhattan, with the most spectacular views of the New York Harbor and the Statue of Liberty. It has recently closed.
In 1995, Giraldi and Executive Producer, Patti Greaney, created the original website "StarChefs.com," featuring celebrity chefs and cookbook authors. StarChefs.com continues today to be the foremost website used by professionals and food aficionados.
In 2002, Bob joined forces with restaurateur Luigi Comandatore, to open the Tuscan eatery, "BREADTribeca," which earned 2-Stars from The NY Times. Another establishment, "Diablo Royale," was a popular taqueria in the West Village for years.
And finally, 2020 was the year Giraldi and his long-time partner, Patti Greaney, opened an Asian Cafe in Montauk, NY; "Tiny Harbor."
Tiny Harbor Cafe
“Dinner Rush” (2000 Feature Film)
StarChefs Website
Gigino Trattoria
Gigino Wagner Park