Michele Belotti Chef de Cuisine

Welcome our new Chef de Cuisine, Michele Belotti. Hailing directly from Bergamo, Italy, Belotti joins Ristobar with years of experience and a passion for elegant Italian cuisine, having worked at some of Italy’s best Michelin star restaurants.

Upon completing his culinary studies, Belotti began his career as a rising star chef. Belotti’s many years of experience and an undeniable, natural talent for culinary artistry has gained him international recognition. As Chef de Partie of Michelin rated Restaurant Frosio in Bergamo, Belotti worked  under celebrated chef/owner, Paulo Frosio for several years while mastering his signature style. He was most recently a sous chef at Michelin rated restaurant, Da Guido in Piemonte prior to his San Francisco move.

As new Chef de Cuisine, Belotti brings us his signature dish, a delectable housemade agnolotti, a Piemontese style pasta stuffed with beef and grana padano that is not to be missed. Belotti is excited to share his knowledge of classic Italian cuisine while expanding on Ristobar’s already shining menu.

Gary Rulli Owner, Master Pastry Chef

Gary Rulli has earned national attention as one of America’s finest pastry chefs, turning out a remarkable array of classic Northern Italian creations at his famed Emporio Rulli in Larkspur. Since its opening in 1988, Gary’s pasticceria (pastry shop) – known to regulars simply as “Rulli” – has garnered a loyal and ever-growing audience, a devoted mail-order clientele, and universal critical acclaim.

At the age of 19, Rulli apprenticed under master pastry chefs in Milan and Torino to learn the time-honored traditions of Northern Italian pastry making. Rulli returned from Italy to his home base in Marin and opened his downtown Larkspur pasticceria, with his wife, Jeannie. Greeted with overwhelming success, the Rullis expanded their pastry shop into two neighboring store fronts in the 90′s and reintroduced themselves as Emporio Rulli, Inc. – Caffeteria, Pasticceria, Torrefazione, Enoteca (wine bar) and Emporio.

Rulli remains extremely active in community service. A member of the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce and Larkspur Community Association, Rulli has been honored as “Larkspur Citizen of the Year” for his contributions to the community. Other beneficiaries of Rulli’s philanthropic zeal include the Marin Association for Retarded Citizens, Hospice of Marin, San Francisco’s St. Anthony’s Dining Room, Taste of the Nation and local schools, including Redwood High School, Marin Catholic High School, and St. Patrick’s School.

Rulli is equally devoted to the Italian community at large. He is a member of the National Italian American Foundation and the Amici Dell’Italia Foundation, in addition to supporting the Museo ItaloAmericano at Fort Mason. As the designated baker for special events, he has had his creations appreciatively devoured by the likes of Olympic Gold Medalist Alberta Tomba, President Jimmy Carter, actor Ralph Fiennes, and Saul Zaentz, producer of the Academy Award winning film, “The English Patient.”