MENANDS — Jessica Lamoreaux would rather serve people than prosecute them.
So, she and her fiancé Christian Lofaro, both former attorneys in Manhattan, moved to the Capital District to open a restaurant without knowing anyone. “We just fell in love with this place,” she said. “My favorite thing is getting to know the customers.”
Lamoreaux and Lofaro just celebrated their one year anniversary as the proud owners of Il Faro, the upscale authentic Italian restaurant on Broadway in Menands, each bringing two decades of experience to the table (literally)—Lamoreaux running restaurants in both California and NYC, and Lofaro cooking in his father’s restaurant in New Jersey. “It’s recipes that came with us from Manhattan and New Jersey,” Lamoreaux said of the menu, which now boasts fresh, home-made bread and pasta. “There are some pretty unique things that we do a little differently.”
Lamoreaux says that she’s grown to love her community—and wants to be an active part of it. She’s now hosting local artists every month, with an opening on the first Friday where patrons can meet the artist and sample Italian wines. This October, they feature their sixth artist, photographer Tony Graziano.
Looking forward to the coming year, Lamoreaux says she intends to become even more involved — collaborating with local breweries and planning events with the Mohawk Humane Society and local veteran organizations. She encourages new faces to stop by and enjoy some of the best things in life: good conversation, good food and good wine.