Marc Zurlo
Marc Zurlo is a native Staten Islander who graduated from Monsignor Farrell High School and attended Elmira College. Marc began his career as a Building Developer in 1996, joining ZF Building Company working alongside his father, Founder Ralph Zurlo in a true family business - ZF meaning Zurlo Family!
Always a people person, as well as whiskey enthusiast, Marc began his career in hospitality in 2007. In February 2008 he married Irina. Marc went on to open Joe Broadway Billiards and Sports Club in Mariners Harbor along with partner Joe Polimeni in 2009. Sometime around 2014, the true foodie in Marc was born. After regular visits to The Stone House at Clove Lakes Chef's Loft and befriending Chef/Owner Peter Botros (who coincidentally had become friends with Marc's Mom Andrea while working together at US Mortgage) Marc, Peter Botros and Marc's friend Philip Farinacci Sr. began discussing opening a new restaurant concept together.
In November of 2017 Marc partnered with Peter Botros and Philip Farinacci Sr. to open Violette’s Cellar to honor their mothers Andrea Zurlo, Violette Botros and Sally Farinacci Curtis. From Marc’s birth to his adoption and through his adult life, Andrea, known affectionally to her family as Andy or AA, was always present with a compassionate heart and taught Marc the value of love, family and respect for all. From small family dinners with Marc’s father Ralph, AKA The Dragon of Bosnia, to holiday feasts with the entire family, Andrea always knew a good meal would bring the family together. Although she lost her brave fight with cancer in October 2019, her spirit lives on at Violette’s.
Violette’s Cellar is committed to supporting cancer research and treatment and is proud to have made one of the largest donation pledges to SIUH’s Florina Cancer Center. Violette’s is happy to have created SIUH Thursday’s - where SIUH employees and their guests receive a 20% discount on food and drinks and 20% of non –SIUH employee Cancer Fighters’ checks will be donated directly to The Florina Cancer Center.
Marc recently opened Whiskey Hideaway along with partners Chef Rob Nilsen, Joe Polimeni and Billy Manos. This spacious Mariners Harbor restaurant and lounge offers 10 refurbished Brunswick Gold Crown IV billiard tables along with a lively craft cocktail menu and will soon offer Staten Island's first "Whiskey Bible" with more than 350 whiskeys from around the world. Whiskey's Whiskey Club runs monthly whiskey tasting and educational programs to benefit HeartShare Human Services, whose mission is to nurture and empower children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Marc also runs Safety First Fire Protection Company, a company he started in 2014 with his best friend Nicholas Bruno, who recently passed away due to COVID. Nicholas is most beloved and missed.
Marc is a member of The Friends of James Beard Foundation and a former member of the Building Industry Association of NYC. He is an avid Ranger, Cowboys and Yankee fan and in his "spare time" loves to travel with his wife Irina.
