Remembering Tony May, King of NYC Italian Cuisine

On Sunday April 3, 2022,  the “King of NYC Italian Cuisine”, Tony May passed peacefully in his New York City home. Mr. May was responsible through the span of his 84 years for bringing seven award winning Italian restaurants to NYC that attracted the likes of famous actors and politicians around the world. One of his more famous establishments, San Domenico, sits perched overlooking central park as a reminder of the impact Tony May had on Italian culture in NYC.

Born as the first of eight children on December 6th 1937, Tony May grew up in the greater area of Naples. Leaving at a young age, Tony came to America in search of a greater fortune. Starting out as a waiter at the Rainbow Room in 1964, Tony worked his way through the ranks and eventually became the Maitre di Sala of the establishment. By 1968, he was running day-today operations at the Rainbow Room with plans to expand. In the next ten years, Tony May would see the Rainbow Room to great success and a transformation into a luxurious 65th floor skyscraper jazz club taking in famous artists from around the nation. This would mark the first success of Tony May’s career and the start to a legacy that will never be forgotten. 

By 1997, Tony May had seven restaurants in the NYC area and managed them with the help of his daughter Marisa May. In 2001 after the attacks, two of Tony’s restaurants were destroyed. This did not stop Tony from preparing meals for first responders and helping in any way that he could. Tony continued on with great success, even earning the title Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana from President Oscar Luigi Scalfaro. Passing at the age of 84, Tony May’s lifework will continue to live on through his daughter and seven restaurants. 

– Frank Pastula