Tony May

Tony May (1937 – January 27, 2020) was an Italian-American restaurateur and author, best known for his advocacy and promotion of authentic Italian cuisine and wines in the United States. He owned several prominent New York City restaurants over the course of his career, including Palio and San Domenico NY. May was a respected figure in the culinary world, often lecturing and writing about Italian gastronomy. He was considered a pioneer in introducing refined and regional Italian dishes to American diners, moving beyond the perception of Italian food as simply pasta and pizza. His restaurants were known for their high standards of quality ingredients, traditional techniques, and impeccable service.