What high-end steakhouse in the Dominican Republic gushed about Ray Liotta's visit just
two days before his death?
And what other restaurants did the beloved actor hold in high regard?
Keep watching to find out.
Movie fans were shocked and saddened by the recent death of Ray Liotta, an acclaimed actor
who starred in films such as "Goodfellas" and "Field of Dreams," and recently in "The
Many Saints of Newark".
According to Page Six, Liotta died at age 67 in his sleep in the Dominican Republic's
capital of Santo Domingo, where he was filming the new movie "Dangerous Waters."
His fiancee, Jacy Nittolo, who is 47, was there with him.
No cause of death has been released as of the making of this video.
Fans will probably always remember Liotta's iconic scenes involving Italian food in "Goodfellas,"
such as the part in which Liotta's character, Henry Hill, and other members of their gang
are permitted to cook up elaborate Italian meals, complete with special pasta sauce,
in prison.
"He used a razor, and he used to slice it so thin that it would liquefy in the pan with
just a little oil."
In real life, Liotta, a New Jersey native, was something of a foodie, too.
He tweeted once about his love for Rao's restaurant in New York City, calling it "NYC's best Italian
food."
Liotta and Nittolo availed themselves of the best of Santo Domingo.
They were believed to be staying at the exclusive Casas del XVI resort, according to the Daily
Mail, and one of the actor's last meals took place at Naca'n, an elegant steakhouse less
than half a mile from the luxury resort.
Both the resort and the restaurant are located in the Zona Colonial, which U.S. News and
World Report calls the city's picturesque historic district.
According to Page Six, the meal happened two days before Liotta's tragic death.
On Instagram, Naca'n shared a photo of Liotta in the restaurant's bar with an unknown woman
writing,
"We were fortunate to host Ray for dinner on Tuesday night.
He was a special person and talented actor that will be missed – your friends at Naca'n
will remember you fondly."
Two days earlier, Naca'n posted a photo of Liotta and Nittolo from the same evening along
with the caption,
"Mr Ray Liotta joined us for dinner with friends.
We had a nice chat about the history of our building and our business.
Very friendly and generous gentleman."
One can only wonder if the "generous gentleman" enjoyed his time at the restaurant as much
as Naca'n seemed to enjoy him, but the steakhouse has a pretty sterling reputation.
Naca'n describes itself as "the intersection of high culture, art, and cuisine."
Photos show an elegant and stately exterior and interior.
The menu features dishes including soups, fresh ceviche, prime steaks, seabass, and
salmon.
Desserts include a brioche bread pudding and a variety of soufflés.
As for Liotta's favorite Italian eatery in the states, Rao's has an impressive history
stretching back to 1896, when the restaurant first opened.
According to the restaurant's website, part of what makes it so legendary is what it calls
its "authentic, southern Neapolitan Italian cooking and its home-style family ambiance."
Rao's claims that it maintains a close connection to the traditions practiced by the restaurant's
original founders, Vincent Rao and Anne Pellegrino.
What also makes Rao's restaurant so legendary is the celebrity clientele that dined there,
including Billy Crystal, Rob Reiner, Danny Aiello, and, of course, Ray Liotta.
So what can you get there?
It's kind of a mystery.
There are no menus at Rao's, at least in New York City.
According to the New York Post, the waiter will come over to your table, suggest some
dishes, such as meat or seafood, and you can choose from that list.
The restaurant claims this system is about creating a "personal connection" where you
can feel comfortable requesting a meal just as you would at a family member's house.
"There's only 10 tables."
"And no menu, right?"
"No menu.
No menu."
Another restaurant that Liotta had a close connection to was Pizza House, also known
as Pizza Chef, in Cranford, New Jersey.
At first glance, it looks like your average, everyday pizzeria.
You could probably drive right by it if you're passing through and not even give it a second
thought.
But this place is known for a rather notable former employee: a young Ray Liotta.
According to the official Cranford website, Liotta was friends with the son of the owners,
so he worked at the pizzeria as a teenager.
Inside the restaurant, you can find an autographed photo of a young Liotta hanging on the wall,
in which the actor claims he "misses the best pizza on the East Coast!"
It would seem that Pizza House/Pizza Chef is also loved by the citizens of Cranford,
Patch reports.
Several people had fond memories of working there or hanging out with friends after school.
Maybe working there helped Liotta inform the movie magic of the sauce making in "Goodfellas."
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