Josh Ziskin

Owner/Executive Chef

Josh Ziskin has earned a well-deserved reputation in Greater Boston for his authentic Northern Italian cuisine, which he’s served for over eleven years at Ristorante La Morra in Brookline. Josh, and his wife Jen, spent a year in the Piedmont region of Italy where Josh cooked at the highly regarded Ristorante Belvedere, and together they studied the food and wine of Northern Italy. When they returned to Boston in 2003, they opened Ristorante La Morra, naming it after the picturesque hilltop town where they had lived in Barolo country. It quickly became a local favorite, and a destination for lovers of authentic Italian cuisine.

Before branching out on his own, Josh worked as Chef de Cuisine at The Tuscan Grill in Waltham. Josh is a long-time resident of Brookline, where his family owned a frame store for more than 30 years just blocks away from La Morra’s present location. In the spring of 2015, the Ziskins expanded their reach and culinary repertoire, opening the Heritage of Sherborn where the focus is on farm fresh local ingredients and the rich, satisfying flavors of New England. The historic location boasts a casual gastro-pub, an elegant dining room, as well as a provisions shop.

Jen Ziskin

Owner/Wine Director
Jen hand-selects La Morra’s wine list with the assistance of her Wine & Beverage Director and is constantly revising it with wines from small producers throughout Italy. Jen was initiated into the restaurant business when she was fifteen years old and is familiar with all aspects of the industry from bussing tables, serving food, bartending, marketing, and managing the front of the house. She has worked at many of Boston’s fine restaurants such as Maison Robert, Chez Henri, Eight Holyoke and Aigo Bistro. Jen’s dreams became a reality with the creation of Heritage of Sherborn, La Morra’s sister restaurant. Taking everything she loves about the hospitality business and putting it all under one roof, Jen & Josh have designed the perfect space to host weddings, functions, and wine dinners. Jen is a Certified Sommelier with the Court of Master Sommeliers, received certification as an Italian Wine Specialist from the North American Sommelier Association, and is a current WSET Diploma candidate.

 Bernie Keaveney

Beverage & Wine Director
Bernie was raised on a farm in rural western Ireland. She has always possessed an affinity for wonderful food and believes in the farm-to-table approach. Bernie pursued other careers before realizing that the restaurant industry had the pulse she desired. La Morra was where Bernie eventually found her footing. Bernie recently received her ‘Italian Wine Specialist’ qualification from the North American Sommelier Association. Bernie and Jen carefully select wines from Italian producers who hold similar values and believe in meeting the wine makers and their families to really appreciate their passion.

NIck Angel

Nick is a service professional whose mission is to curate incredible and individualized guest experiences rooted in kindness and compassion. Originally from the Midwest, Nick spent four years studying acting and musical theatre before moving to New York City. It was there that he began working for NoHo Hospitality Group and celebrity chef Andrew Carmellini. Nick spent three years working at the supper club inside the Public Theater, where he brushed shoulders with some of the biggest stars of stage and screen. He then moved on to manage the food and beverage outlets at the William Vale; Brooklyn’s only Forbes-recommended, luxury, boutique hotel. There he launched Vale Rink, a skating rink on the 23rd floor rooftop, as well as the Brooklyn Beer Garden on their terrace. Nick loves music, crosswords and Cubs baseball.