Review of Trattoria (2013) by Robert B — 07 Jan 2014

TRATTORIA is an enjoyable father/son story set in the culinary world of San Francisco. Though the theme is well worn, writer/director Jason Wolos, does a nice job setting the tale in the highly competitive San Francisco food scene.

Inter-spliced footage of local celebrity chefs (Traci Des Jardins, Elizabeth Falkner, etc.) talking directly into the camera effectively give testimony to the all consuming nature of the restaurant business and credence to the distance and animosity between the father, Chef Sal Sartini (Tony Denison) and his estranged son, Vince (John Patrick Amedori).

Equally validated is Chef Sal's reluctance to teach Vince his trade as to succeed, one must dedicate their life to the kitchen and little else. Where cooking has been the only vehicle for Chef Sal to express his emotions, the ending feels overly emotional and effusive.

However, TRATTORIA will surely please fans of competitive cooking shows (TOP CHEF, CHOPPED, etc.), and is ultimately like a home cooked meal - warm and inviting.