Formoli’s Bistro closes after 11 years in East Sacramento

By Benjy Egel

Updated April 13, 2018 5:18 PM

Chef Aimal Formoli, center, talks with a customer in 2016 at Formoli’s Bistro in East Sacramento. Paul Kitagaki Jr. Sacramento Bee file photo

Formoli’s Bistro is no longer in business, according to employees cleaning up Friday morning after a raucous going-away party.

Husband-and-wife ownership duo and Sacramento natives Aimal Formoli and Suzanne Ricci opened the 10-table restaurant near 32nd and J streets in 2007, then moved it to 3839 J St. in 2011.

The Mediterranean-inspired New American bistro developed a reputation for close ties to its customers as well as moderately upscale food like the juicy whiskey burger. Several social media users penned farewell to Formoli’s after Thursday’s party.

We spent the night saying a very special goodbye to our favorite bistro. I gave my speech and cried with Olivia by my side. She has been going there since she was in my stomach and we have spent almost every birthday there. A great loss to the Sacramento food scene. Our children have grown together and will have many more happy times together. We love you @formolisbistro @aimalformoli @suzyitali

A post shared by Liz Miller (@lizzyrelentless) on Apr 12, 2018 at 10:38pm PDT

11 years ago, I walked into a tiny, new East Sac restaurant where the chef and his wife were busting their asses to survive in a neighborhood that at first gave it the side eye. I spent years at Formoli’s almost weekly following that first visit, becoming good friends with Aimal and Suzanne thanks to their big hearts and generous pours. A piece of my heart is breaking a bit tonight as we say goodbye to a restaurant that saw me through some major life decisions, epic birthdays, and bad dates. I love you, Formoli’s. Thank you for taking a chance and killing it.

A post shared by Faith (@faith6780) on Apr 12, 2018 at 9:26pm PDT

Last night at Formoli’s with my bro Jared, Aimal Formoli & his wife Suzanne, & all the staff!! Also some drinks with my friend James for his birthday!! #DrinksWithFriends #FormolisBistro #I’llMissYou #YouWereLikeMyCheers

A post shared by Jay Perez (@jayperezmusic) on Apr 13, 2018 at 10:33am PDT

Aimal Formoli was previously introduced as the head chef at Solomon's Delicatessen, a Jewish deli scheduled to open in an old Tower Records on K Street this summer. Formoli had initially planned to keep his own restaurant running as well, but appears to have changed his mind.

Benjy Egel: (916) 321-1052, @BenjyEgel

This story was originally published April 13, 2018 at 2:06 PM with the headline "Formoli’s Bistro closes after 11 years in East Sacramento."

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