Chefs Rita & Jody
Rita Sodi and Jody Williams are self-taught, James Beard Award-winning chefs. Between their five places, all within steps of each other, Chefs Rita and Jody have created a celebrated culinary enclave in New York’s historic West Village.
In 2008, Chef Rita established I Sodi, a classic Tuscan restaurant inspired by the farm where she grew up, just north of Florence. I Sodi has garnered much acclaim for its devotion to Italian tradition and simple, time-honored recipes, in which the integrity of ingredients matters above all.
Chef Jody opened Buvette in 2011, imagining a warm and inviting place to enjoy good food and company any time of day. Buvette is beloved for its decadent brunch, intimate dinners, and old-world charm. Over the years, Jody has partnered with chefs across the world to bring Buvette to Paris, Tokyo, Mexico City, and Seoul.
Rita and Jody created Via Carota on Grove Street in the fall of 2014. Building on the success of their individual projects, Via Carota was the chefs’ first collaboration. The celebrated neighborhood osteria centers seasonal ingredients, generous Italian cooking, and warm hospitality. Via Carota earned Rita and Jody the James Beard Award for Best Chefs, New York City.
The Commerce Inn opened in late 2021 at the charming corner of Commerce and Barrow Streets. In a historic tavern space that has functioned as a restaurant for nearly 100 years, The Commerce Inn celebrates heritage American cooking and the magic of old New York.