Photo: David Goldman for The New York TimesBistro de la Gare is a partnership between chefs Maryann Terillo and Elisa Sarno.The co-owners first met when Elisa went to work for Maryann in 1987 at the West Village restaurant Café de laGare. When the café closed in 1991 Maryann was a private chef, teacher, and caterer (Two Divas) until she became the chef/partner at Jarnac from 1999-2009. She designed and implemented the menus for both Café de la Gare and Jarnac. Both restaurants were very well received with high scores in Zagat and included in many guides including Michelin. After getting her start with Maryann, Elisa went on to work as the chef of the Cleaver Company (catering and take out shop) from 1988-1998 and at Babbo restaurant from 1998-2009. She was involved in the opening of Babbo, where she created dishes and designed menus for special dinners. During the years Elisa and Maryann continued to collaborate on freelance catering assignments, charity dinners, and on occasional special assignments overseas in Europe and even Japan. Most of all, the two enjoyed going to Italy many summers to teach cooking classes in Tuscany and Venice. In 2010 Maryann and Elisa have reunited in a new venture Bistro de la Gare, named in honor of the small West Village restaurant where they first worked together.
