Franco Harris, the son of an Italian Mother whose hometown in Tuscany is very near Rico’s original hometown in Italy. The friendship between David (Rico’s son), Rico and Franco lasted for decades after Franco retired from football, and continued during many visits to Rico’s.

During the 2020 holiday season Governor Tom Wolf outlined guidelines for the shutdown of several local businesses. Our own Rico and David Lorenzini were featured in this newscast.

Rico Lorenzini has spent almost 70 years in the restaurant business. More than half of that has been at Rico’s Restaurant in Ross Township.The Township recognized Lorenzini on Wednesday as the restaurant he opened marks its 40th anniversary. Rico’s story, though, could be a metaphor for the American dream. Lorenzini began working in restaurants at the age of 12 while growing up in the Tuscany Region of Italy.

On Tuesday, December 18, Rico’s will celebrate an Italian-American tradition by hosting our annual Dinner of the Seven Fishes. Chefs Rico Lorenzini and Dennis DeLuca will prepare a seven course meal. Dinner will begin promptly at 6:30pm. A reservation is required and the cost per person is $65, not including drinks, 20% gratuity, and 7% sales tax. Please call 412.931.1989 in order to reserve your spot with your credit card in hand.

In a recent survey conducted by the Pittsburgh Business Times, readers were asked to name their favorite restaurant in the Pittsburgh area. Among the 240 mentioned, Rico’s was among the top 50 most popular dining venues in the Pittsburgh Business Times Readers’ Poll.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2015, Rico’s will be celebrating an Italian-American tradition by hosting our seventh annual Dinner of the Seven Fishes. Chef Dennis DeLuca will prepare a seven course meal, each plate featuring different seafood or fish. A reservation to attend is required; please call 412.931.1989 to reserve your seat.

winedinnerRico’s has organized a wine tasting and seminar with the Tenuta Torciano Winery for Monday, November 15. This winery, founded in 1720 in San Gimignano, remarkably produces wines from the five major growing regions in Tuscany: Chianti, Brunello di Montalcino, Super Tuscan, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, and San Gimignano. Our host Ida Isufa, owner and thirteenth generation family member, will discuss the wines and her family’s winemaking process. Please call Rico’s in order to reserve your spot.

Why did you become a chef? I was studying commercial art at Community College of Allegheny College on the North Side and worked at DeLuca’s, our family’s restaurant. I worked for my father, Vincent, and his brothers Henry and Larry–who did prep.

David Lorenzini comes from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: his father Rico, immigrated to the US from Montecatini in the late 1950s, now runs a popular Italian restaurant.

The wine cabinet that is the centerpiece of Rico’s Restaurant dining room, in the North Hills, was actually built to house a priceless collection of Courvoisier. Eight bottles were designed by Art Deco artist Erté, and it’s rare to see the collection in its entirety.