Carmine Smeraldo

Il Terrazzo Carmine

Born in Naples to a poor family, Carmine was pulled out of school in the third grade to go to work. At 9 he was delivering coffee door-to-door on bicycle. Over the years, he did many odd jobs. At 19 he felt there was no opportunity in Italy and moved "out west" to Canada where he had a sister in Niagara Falls. He started washing dishes in kitchens and moved up to chopping and peeling vegetables.

Heading to Vancouver for better opportunities, he eventually ended up at the Four Seasons as a captain/head waiter. His English really improved and he built many relationships. One of the people impressed with him was Chef Umberto Menghi (has restaurants in B.C., written cookbooks, had a cooking school in Tuscany, and a TV show in Canada). He asked Carmine to work for him and became a mentor. Carmine learned everything that made him successful from Umberto, while keeping his own style. When Umberto decided to open a restaurant in Seattle, he wanted Carmine to head it up (Umberto's in Pioneer Square). Carmine's style (intense Italian presence) brought in a good clientele who loved being cared for in style while at the restaurant.

Eventually Carmine found a group of nine investors who funded Il Terrazzo Carmine. Within 4-5 years, all the partners were paid off and Carmine had his own restaurant, never wanting to be beholden to anyone. He was 42 years old, confident and knowledgeable. He believed that the guest experience starts at the top and informs every staff member: everyone understands the mission and is clear on the dining experience.

Il Terrazzo opened in 1984. Carmine died of a massive stroke on January 11, 2012. His wife and sons have carried on his traditions at the restaurant and opened Intermezzo, a cicchetti (tapas), wine and cocktail bar on 1^st Avenue in front of Il Terrazzo. They are planning a Bellevue restaurant called Carmine's for 2016.

Maria Smeraldo

Maria opened Café Felipe in 1985 on Occidental Park in 1985. It was a Spanish restaurant that showcased Flamenco guitar and dancing on Saturday nights. She closed it in 1990 after meeting and marrying Carmine Smeraldo.

The couple decided not to have children, based on what restaurant life is like: long hours, nights, weekends, holidays. But they changed their minds and had two sons, CJ and Philip.

Maria worked on and off at Il Terrazzo over the years while raising CJ and Phil, giving them the stable life she and Carmine wanted for their children.

Her interests lie in the "feel" of a restaurant-décor, ambiance-what makes someone want to return? Her vision has made Il Terrazzo come alive with fresh flowers and other changes, and created a modern space at Intermezzo.

She would like to slowly hand over the reins of the business to her sons. "Her being the matriarch of the company will never go away," says her son CJ.

CJ Smeraldo

Carmine Joseph grew up spending summers working at Il Terrazzo, learning the front of the house, washing dishes, chopping and peeling vegetables and bussing tables.

He graduated from UCLA in business and economics/finance. His first job after college was a one-year stint at Canlis in Seattle.

He is now taking over the operational aspects of Il Terrazzo and Intermezzo and is at the restaurant full-time.

Philip Smeraldo

Phil grew up spending summers working at Il Terrazzo, washing dishes, chopping and peeling vegetables, bussing tables, and learning the line in the kitchen.

He is in his final year at the University of Washington at the Foster School of Business and will join his mother and brother in the business full-time.

www.ilterrazzocarmine.com
www.intermezzocarmine.com

January 2015