Father Leo Patalinghug was looking for a kitchen to do prep work for his popular food truck, Grace and Grub, when he met the owner of a building in Little Italy.

“We were talking about the kitchen when he told me I had access to the entire building,” Father Patalinghug said of his decision to open Gastro Social, a two-story restaurant with outdoor seating. “It would be foolish of me not to at least try.”

Father Patalinghug is an accomplished chef. His food and faith movement began when he won the cooking competition “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” on the Food Channel. With these winnings and recognition, Father Patalinghug was able to open his food truck and now the restaurant Gastro Social.

“It’s a mission, not just a restaurant,” said Father Patalinghug, who grew up at St. Rose of Lima in Brooklyn. “Churches use multipurpose spaces for many things. This is similar, but more fun and fluid. It’s not a church, but I’m a priest. This is an extension of my ministry.”

He believes that former prisoners, refugees and veterans should be given a second chance and a helping hand, and the staff at his restaurant will reflect that desire.

“Getting people who need support or who already have a criminal record to do good is one of the biggest challenges,” said Father Patalinghug.

Restaurant manager Sam Nadali, a refugee from Iran, first met Father Patalinghug in April when he was thinking about opening a food truck and a friend introduced him.

“He told me about his mission and what he had done and invited me to join his team,” Nadali said. “I talked to my wife and she met him. She said, ‘He’s a really good person,’ and I said, ‘I think so too.'”

Nadali admitted that following Father Patalinghug’s vision has been a challenge as many staff start training and then drop out.

“These kids were born here. It’s the best thing that can happen to you and they don’t appreciate it,” Nadali said. “I had no one. I didn’t speak English. I didn’t know the system. I was 19. I just kept working. Work hard and people see it and give you the chance to do more.”

However, Father Patalinghug is OK with this, Nadali said, and has the patience to teach, understand and appreciate those who reach their potential.

“It’s been an interesting experience, honestly. I’ve learned a little more about (Catholicism),” Nadali said. “It’s been a nice experience so far. Hopefully it will continue to be a nice experience for a long time.”

Gastro Social’s grand opening will take place on August 23 and 24 and is a ticketed event, and will focus on dishes from the restaurant’s menu, which Father Patalinghug says is inspired by his international travels, pilgrimages and culinary tours. The regular menu includes quesadillas, vermicelli, soups, wraps, desserts and more.

Currently the restaurant is open for lunch and dinner on Thursdays and Fridays and for dinner only on Saturdays.

“I want people to pray for us,” said Father Patalinghug. “Prayers and support, that’s what I’m hoping for.”

Nadali doesn’t know where Father Patalinghug gets his energy from. The priest jokes that it’s because he isn’t married, but Nadali suspects that it comes from Father Patalinghug’s heart.

“He absolutely loves his work,” Nadali said. “When you do things you enjoy, you get energy.”

Email Katie V. Jones at [email protected]

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