Mangia & Laugh with Chef Mario Vitolo ft: Chris Distefano, Vinny Guadagnino, Tara Cannistraci, Eric D’Alessandro, James Mattern

DINNER AND A SHOW! Celebrated Chef Mario Vitolo, known from Emilio's Ballato, is bringing Little Italy uptown. For one night only, on Tue Oct 27, he's taking over our Upper West Side club for a special dinner-and-a-show pop-up event. Enjoy a feast of iconic Italian dishes curated and cooked by Chef Mario himself, followed by a MASSIVE lineup of New York's greatest Italian-American comedy killers.

The show features:
Vinny G
Tara Cannistraci
Eric D'Alessandro

Come hungry, leave laughing!

All tickets sold on this page come with the pre-fixed 4 course dinner (including dessert) and the show.

THE CHEF
Mario Vitolo is a second-generation chef and restaurateur who has spent most of his life at Ballato, one of New York City's most respected Italian restaurants. Mario began working at the restaurant at age 10 under the guidance of his parents. Over the years, he learned every aspect of the business, from preparing sauces and desserts to cooking seafood and baking the restaurant's signature focaccia. He also developed the hospitality style that has become a hallmark of the Ballato experience. Whether welcoming first-time guests or longtime regulars, Mario is known for creating an atmosphere that feels personal and genuine. Today, Mario continues to build on the traditions that have defined Ballato for decades while bringing his own approach to hospitality and Italian cuisine. His focus remains simple: serve great food, make guests feel at home, and create memorable dining experiences.

THE LINEUP

Chris Distefano is one of today's biggest and most beloved names in comedy, one of the best  Italian-American comcis working in New York City. Chris quickly rose to success after being named the funniest person on MTV for his show-stopping performances on the "Guy Code/Girl Code" series. From there, he went on to star in IFC’s "Benders", co-host the Netflix gameshow "Ultimate Beastmaster", and even have his own CBS sitcom. Outside of TV, Chris has become one of the most respected and flat-out funniest comedians in the stand-up world. Fresh off his appearances on "The Late Show with David Letterman" and "Late Night with Seth Meyers" in 2019, Chris released his first special, "Size 38 Waist", on Comedy Central, which perfectly encompassed both his Brooklyn-born edge and nice-guy charm. Chris’ second full-length special, "Speshy Weshy", premiered on Netflix in May of 2022 to wide acclaim.

Vinny Guadagnino is one of the most recognized lifestyle personalities and digital influencers. Vinny first rose to fame in 2009 on the MTV series “Jersey Shore,” which, over its six-season run, became the highest-rated series in the history of the network and a cultural phenomenon. During his time away from the shore, Vinny starred in series including “Vinny & Ma Eat America” on Food Network and “Joking Off” on MTV2. In April 2018, the franchise returned as “Jersey Shore: Family Vacation” and immediately recaptured the zeitgeist, breaking viewership records along the way.  Off-screen, Vinny is a 2x best-selling author. His most recent book, “The Keto Guido Cookbook: Delicious Recipes to Get Healthy and Look Great,” led to Vinny becoming one of the most known personalities in the keto/health and wellness and fitness communities.

Tara Cannistraci is a Bronx-born Italian-American comedian, actress, and writer—fans hailed her the “Bronx Barbie.” Tara is currently on her 2nd nationwide headlining tour, The Borough bred Tour, bringing her unapologetic, borough-raised comedy across the U.S. and Canada. She’s a featured comedian at Just For Laughs Festival 2026, including Gabriel Iglesias’ Gala. Tara is known for turning the phrases of her New York Italian upbringing into viral gold in her popular “Cawfee Tawk Italian Words” social series.

Eric D’Alessandro, a charismatic New Yorker with an unfiltered sense of humor, a camera, and a knack for storytelling, has etched his name into the hearts of comedy lovers across the nation. His unique comedic style, infused with his Italian-American heritage, spins raw, relatable narratives that resonate with the everyday American. Eric's onscreen charisma led him to star in the VH1 movie, "Fuhgeddabout Christmas." His versatility also shone through in the  drama/mystery film, "Nerve," alongside Emma Roberts and Dave Franco. Directors, intrigued by his viral videos, included him in the script, underscoring the impact of his online presence.