Seasoned restaurateur, chef, and TV personality Vic Rallo joined forces with his business-minded brother, Bobby Rallo, to create New Jersey and New York restaurant concepts Birravino, Undici Taverna Rustica, and Surf, each with their own Italian charm and bona fide cuisine. Trattoria-style Birravino is the ideal spot to experience the authentic flavors of Italy right in New Jersey. Surf is the perfect neighborhood dining destination to enjoy artisan beers and unique cocktails in a warm, rustic environment. Undici, with its ancient stone and rustic wood accents, resembles a welcoming Tuscan farmhouse and offers rustic, homemade Italian cuisine.
As successful and beloved as these restaurants are, they had minimal outdoor seating options before the pandemic. When Covid hit, owners Vic and Bobby realized they needed to be able to provide a comfortable year-round outdoor dining experience, so they expanded the space and built outdoor structures to support the addition of Infratech heaters. Adding this feature to their outdoor space transferred a lot of business outside, and provided Vic and Bobby’s restaurants with the opportunity to seat more tables per night, in a warm and inviting environment that encourages visitors to linger longer.
Hear from restaurant owner and operator, Vic Rallo.
What positive changes were brought about by expanding the outdoor seating options at each of your restaurants?
Having heated outdoor seating has been a huge plus during the colder months, particularly during the pandemic. It has given us the ability to capture revenue from outdoor seating that we otherwise wouldn’t be able to, by giving people an alternative to indoor dining where they can still feel comfortable.
Why did you choose Infratech?
I thoroughly researched Infratech when renovating the porch at my home and have found that they work great. I think Infratech is the go-to heater for outdoor spaces, and I would recommend them to anyone.