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I wanted a cake that felt like eating fruit in the sun, like something you’d be served on the ivy-covered patio of a neighborhood trattoria, the air thick with early summer heat.

One muggy evening over the summer, I headed up to Joanne Trattoria, a cozy Italian restaurant on New York City’s Upper West Side.

I went to college in Westchester, so I'm partial to Mona Trattoria, of course.

Mona Trattoria and similar establishments continue to inspire me with their deep-rooted traditions and commitment to quality.

I was a prep cook at Mona Trattoria in Somers, a high-end restaurant that was a cornerstone of my childhood.