Hello and welcome! We are Paul & Sam Mincarelli, husband and wife co-owners of Cafe Campli. Together, we travelled to Abruzzo for the first time in the fall of 2019 on an ancestral pilgrimage, specifically to the town of Campli in the Teramo province, the small town from which Paul's family emigrated. In short order, we fell in love with this amazing region - it's people, food, culture, pastoral landscapes, mountains, and the bountiful Adriatic Sea - all untouched by major tourism. Good food and cooking being one of our major bonds, we decided to take a chance and create the dining experience we most enjoy, in the hopes that you will too.
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We invite you to join us. At Cafe Campli, our food is lovingly inspired by Abruzzo, Italy, and the mid-Atlantic region. See our current menus.
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The testing-ground for many of our recipes, as well as some personal insights into our travels, can be found on our food blog: Our Sunday Gravy. Be sure to also check out Paul's new Substack: Blogino del Colle. Our first step on this journey began with a blog. We encourage anyone passionate about food and cooking to take those first steps, no matter how small, and stay hungry and curious. The path may not be linear, but it'll be delicious, and who knows where it may lead.
Ciao! I’m Ryan Scalfari and I’m the Executive Chef here at Café Campli. I was formerly the Chef and Kitchen Manager at Baba’s Mediterranean Kitchen in Locust Point/Riverside for 14 years, where we won various Best of Awards for our Mediterranean food as well as for being recognized as a neighborhood staple. When I joined the team, I also brought with me two colleagues, Karris and Candice, who have been an integral part of what Campli is today!
Working alongside Paul and Sam is an invaluable experience. One of my favorite qualities of Café Campli is the family atmosphere we have amongst the staff. We support each other in all facets of the restaurant to make sure we provide the best service!
When I’m not cooking at work or trying new things in the kitchen at home, I cherish moments with my wife, Katie, whether we’re exploring new dining spots, enjoying the tranquility of our yard in Hamilton with our dog, or embarking on a new house project. My passion for gardening blossoms with the seasons, where the simple act of planting seeds culminates in a bountiful harvest of vegetables, mirroring the joy and fulfillment I find in cooking.
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I have been fortunate enough to visit Italy twice and enjoyed the many breathtaking wonders from the beautiful landscape to the bountiful culinary offerings. My culinary passion is a tribute to my upbringing in an Italian family, where food was the centerpiece of every gathering, and my grandmother’s kitchen was a trove of comfort and inspiration. At Café Campli, I strive to bring a slice of Italy to Baltimore, weaving the essence of Italian tradition with the vibrancy of Mid-Atlantic flavors to create a dining experience that’s not just about food, but about family, culture and the stories behind us.