Famed Coney Island pizzeria Totonno's has had trouble getting back on its feet since getting slammed by Hurricane Sandy, so a few San Francisco chefs are banding together to help out.
Daniel Patterson, who heads upscale San Francisco eatery Coi, hosted a fundraiser back in December for DUMBO restaurant Governor, drumming up about $5,000. Sadly, Governor's owners announced last week that the waterfront space could not be saved, so Patterson will be allocating the raised cash towards Totonno's recovery instead. "We’re all happy to help,” Patterson wrote in an e-mail. “Relying on fine-dining restaurants to fill in the gaps left by the government in times of crisis is kind of a joke, but we did our best. I know that the next time San Francisco gets leveled by an earthquake our friends in New York City will do the same for us.”
Patterson isn't the only restauranteur to help back Totonno's. Eleven Madison Park, which also held a fundraiser for Governor, said they'll be asking those who participated to direct their donations to the 65-year-old pizzeria. Totonno's co-owner, Antoinette Balzano, says they've received a number of individual donations as well, and they expect to be able to reopen soon.
