STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — One of New York City’s oldest restaurants emerges from winter hibernation this week. Now that snow has melted sufficiently from Basilio Inn’s pebbled driveway, Maurice Asperti declares the place open for a new season. As of Friday, March 1, the South Beach institution begins Year Number 103.
The bocce court at Basilio (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staten Island Advance
For 2024, Basilio Inn will operate from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Uuntil further notice, Asperti will stay closed on Mondays — although he might open for lunch in midsummer.
The field of play hasn't changed much over the decades. The restaurant was established in 1921. (Courtesy of Maurizio Asperti)Pamela Silvestri
The Basilio bocce court will be open for patron’s play.
This year Asperti will add a few novel, from-scratch pasta dishes to his core menu of rustic Italian fare. He really wants to blow out the property’s growing capacity, push the limits on the house-cultivated goodness — peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, assorted squash and their blossoms, cucumbers, figs and herbs. The bounty will enhance Basilio’s outdoor eating areas, including a grape arbor, keeping the kitchen well-stocked with locally harvested ingredients.
Basilio's bar scene in the 1950s. (Courtesy of Maurizio Asperti)Pamela Silvestri
“It’s going to be really great for the restaurant,” Asperti said.
The restaurant was a summer spot for Italian immigrants who rented rooms upstairs at the inn. Today the Galesville Court structure operates as a restaurant and bar. (Courtesy of Maurizio Asperti)Pamela Silvestri
His pet projects for spring also include making goat cheese and introducing Basilio’s own vinegar.
The historic eatery was born in 1921 as a restaurant in a former carriage house built in the 1850s. The structure remains a tribute to the borough’s seaside past as it once served as a destination for Italian immigrants who summered on Staten Island. The restaurant’s namesake hails from Basilio Giovannini, its founder and original innkeeper.
The restaurant keeps its archways and Old School look. (Courtesy of Maurizio Asperti)Pamela Silvestri
Basilio Inn is located at 6 Galesville Court, South Beach; 718-720-6835; BasilioInn.com.
Maurizio Asperti and his garden in early spring 2021. (Courtesy of Maurizio Asperti)Pamela Silvestri
The arbor in the snow (Courtesy of Maurizio Asperti)
Come late spring, tables are set up under the arbor. (Courtesy of Maurizio Asperti)
The familiar sign at the entrance to Basilio, just off Lily Pond Avenue. (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staten Island Advance
Basilio Inn owner Maurice Asperti picking produce from the restaurant's garden (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staten Island Advance
Fritti misti appetizer with deep-fried zucchini, carrots and assorted seafood. (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staff-Shot
Basilio Inn's view from a patio with potted plants and fruit trees (Staten Island Advance File Photo)Staff-Shot
Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com food editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
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