Johnny Costa’s Ristorante | Palm Springs

Johnny Costa’s – The Beginning

Johnny Costa was born in Naples, Italy and has been a chef and restaurant owner for more than 35 years in the Palm Springs area. His authentic Napolitano, family – inspired recipes are recreated fresh every day from pastas and marinara sauce to fresh fish and meats complemented by flavorful sauces.

Johnny worked in New York and Las Vegas before moving to California. Johnny arrived in Hollywood in the 60’s and that is when he met Patsy D’Amore who was the owner of the Villa Capri Restaurant Hollywood and Tony Riccio was the Maitre’d. Patsy was friends with Frank Sinatra and Villa Capri became a Hollywood celebrity hang out and the place to be in the 60’s. Johnny Costa was hired as Sous Chef and met Frank Sinatra where he learned the dish Frank Sinatra liked that was named Steak Sinatra. One of Franks other favorites was Linguini with Clams. Johnny became known by Frank as he liked the way Johnny cooked. Johnny later followed Tony Riccio to a restaurant he was a partner in called Martony’s in Hollywood. Tony Riccio hired Johnny as his Head Chef and Tony moved the Hollywood celebrity following to Martony’s.

Johnny later moved to the desert in the early 70’s and started working with Tony Riccio again who was the owner and Maitre’d at Club Trinidad. During that time Steve McQueen, Bob Hope, and the Rat Pack frequented Club Trinidad which became a Palm Springs celebrity hang out in the 70’s here in the desert. In the mid-70’s Frank hired Johnny to be his personal chef at his estate. Frank’s favorite drink was Jack on the Rocks and he smoked unfiltered Camel Cigarettes. After working for Frank Johnny opened Johnny Costa’s Ristorante in Desert Hot Springs and then moved his restaurant to Cathedral City before moving to their current location in Palm Springs. The legacy continues with Johnny and his family.

Visit Johnny Costa’s Ristorante where the atmosphere takes you back to a nostalgic era you only see on film — a romantic setting with soft lighting, dark woods, candlelit tables, cozy booths, and Frank Sinatra and Italian music playing in the background.