BRUNCH 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 brunch-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:
James Mattern
Mike Figs
Ricky Velez
Ashley Austin Morris
Gianmarco Soresi
Come hungry, leave laughing!
All tickets sold on this page come with the pre-fixed 4 course meal (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 LINEUPGianmarco Soresi is a New York based stand-up comedian, actor, and creator known for his sharp societal observation and spry, energetic stage presence. Gianmarco effortlessly commands a room with his animated style, blending upbeat candor with dark comedic beats — which has garnered him critical acclaim from NPR, Esquire, The Atlantic, Buzzfeed, ABC News, and many more. He’s performed stand-up on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Comedy Central, Don’t Tell, The Real Housewives of New York, and was selected as a JFL New Face in 2022. Gianmarco has also acted in Billy Crystal's Here Today, Netflix’s Bonding, Hustlers, The Last OG, and is the host of the popular podcast “The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi.”
Ricky Velez is a New-York based actor and stand-up comedian who was named one of Variety's "Ten Comics to Watch." He currently appears as a correspondent on Comedy Central's THE NIGHTLY SHOW with Larry Wilmore and appeared on the Netflix series, MASTER OF NONE. Ricky was trained at the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts where he received the Special Recognition Diploma in Drama presented to him by Kevin Spacey. As a comic, Ricky was named "New York's Funniest Comedian" by Caroline's Comedy Club and was featured in Comedy Central's and The New York Comedy Festival's Fifth annual "Comics to Watch."
Mike Figs is a young stand-up hailing from the boogie-down Bronx. Known for his endless appearances on Aaron Berg and Geno Bisconte’s podcast “In Hot Water” and can be seen all over the New York City comedy circuit. He hosts his own show at The Bronx Beer Hall on Arthur Ave called “Figs in The Hall” in the middle of “Little Italy." He’s half Italian, half Puerto Rican, and full crazy. Buckle up.
Ashley Austin Morris is an actor, comedian, and writer. Recent (but not all) credits include portraying 'Tammy' on "Elsbeth," 'Roxanne Hertz' opposite Jesse Eisenberg and Claire Danes in FX’s "Fleishman Is In Trouble," 'Nicole’ in the hit Shonda Rhimes series "Inventing Anna," 'Melanie' in "Life & Beth" with Amy Schumer, and "FBI: Most Wanted." Other credits include "The Other Two" (HBO), "THE BITE," "The Iliza Shlesinger Sketch Show" (Netflix), "Tommy" (CBS), "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel" (Amazon), and "Prodigal Son" (FOX). Ashley had a recurring role on A&E’s digital series "Think Tank," and has been featured as a guest star on "Murphy Brown" (CBS 2018) opposite Candace Bergen, "The Big Bang Theory" (CBS), "The Good Wife" (CBS), "Desperate Housewives" (ABC), "Ugly Betty" (ABC), and many more. She has also appeared on "Divorce" (HBO) opposite Sarah Jessica Parker and Molly Shannon, and "The Deuce" (HBO) opposite Maggie Gyllenhaal. Ashley’s film roles include a feature in Clint Eastwood’s "Sully" and Columbia Pictures among others. Her theatre credits include "Die Mommie Die" (New World Stages), "Love Loss and What I Wore" (West Side Theatre, Touring Company) (more upon request), "Romance Novels for Dummies"(Williamstown Theatre Festival), "The Other Place" (The Alley), and Theresa Rebeck's "The Way Of The World" (Folgers Shakespeare Theatre.) Ashley’s comedy album "Slightly Off" debuted at number one on the iTunes Charts and continues to perform well. She can be seen regularly at the Comedy Cellar, New York Comedy Club, Gotham Comedy Club, and many more clubs and theaters across the country. Her stand-up has been featured on AXS TV’s "Gotham Comedy Live." Her writing credits include "Libido Limbo" (Young Playwright’s Festival finalist) and being a contributing writer for "Stuffed," which ran off-Broadway at the West Side Theatre, as well as a solo show which had developmental workshops at Williamstown, The Alley and The Lark.
James Mattern is a nationally headlining comic and media personality, who has quickly become one of the most beloved emcees in New York. James has released two albums, "No Segues" in 2019 and "The Check Spot" in 2021, the latter of which debuted at #1 on iTunes Comedy Charts and was voted Interrobang’s “Album of the Year” in 2021. The development of "The Check Spot" album was recorded from its conception and later released as a documentary film by the same name on YouTube on June 3, 2021.
James has warmed up audiences on a number of TV shows in both New York and Los Angeles, including Netflix’s "Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj," ABC’s "The View," NBC’s "Bring the Funny," Netflix’s "The Break with Michelle Wolf," and ABC’s "The Chew." He has also appeared on PlutoTV’s "Kevin Hart Presents Comedy in Color," MSG Network’s "The Bracket," Manhattan Neighborhood Network’s "Chris Gethard Presents," Fox Sports "One's Garbage Time with Katie Nolan," WWE Network's "The List," and MSG Network’s "People Talking Sports," to name a few.
Currently, James can be heard as a co-hosts "The SDR (Sex, Drugs, and Rock & Roll) Show" on G.A.S. Digital.
