Ana Ruiz Brings Brooklyn Roots to Caffè di Notte’s New Summer Seafood Menu

• Caffè di Notte is located at 248 Bleecker Street.
• Ana Ruiz previously worked at Mar y Tierra in Williamsburg.
• The new menu debuted June 14, 2024.

Caffè di Notte, the Italian restaurant on Bleecker Street, hired Ana Ruiz as executive chef earlier this month. Ruiz built her reputation at Mar y Tierra, a seafood restaurant in Williamsburg, where she worked from 2021 to 2024. Management at Caffè di Notte cited Ruiz’s background in coastal cuisine as a reason for her appointment.

Ruiz’s new summer menu centers on seafood dishes influenced by Mediterranean and Latin American cooking. New items include grilled branzino with fennel, octopus salad with citrus, and shrimp risotto with Calabrian chile. The restaurant continues to offer its regular Italian pastas and meat dishes alongside the seasonal additions.

Caffè di Notte’s owners said the new menu will run through September. Ruiz and her team plan to source shellfish and fish from local purveyors, including Gotham Seafood. Reservations for the first two weeks of the summer menu are nearly booked, according to management.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Ana Ruiz?

Ana Ruiz is a chef originally from Brooklyn. She previously worked at Mar y Tierra in Williamsburg, focusing on seafood and Latin American flavors. Ruiz became executive chef at Caffè di Notte in June 2024, where she launched a new summer seafood menu.

What is new on the Caffè di Notte menu?

The summer menu adds seafood dishes, including grilled branzino, octopus salad with citrus, and shrimp risotto with Calabrian chile. These offerings reflect Mediterranean and Latin American influences. Regular Italian menu items remain available.

How long will the summer seafood menu be offered?

Caffè di Notte’s summer seafood menu, designed by Ana Ruiz, is scheduled to run from June 14 through September 2024. After that, the restaurant will review guest feedback before deciding whether to extend or rotate the menu.