Adriana Giramonti

1929 - 2016

Adriana Giramonti

Marin celebrity chef and restauranteur died peacefully of advanced age June 6th, 2016 in San Rafael, CA with her two sons and the full love of her family present.
Adriana was a highly regarded local chef. She began at Little Joe's on Columbus Avenue in the 1960s, working there until the mid-1970s. She and her husband Nino then moved to Marin County and opened their first restaurant, Giramonti, in Mill Valley. Success there led to the opening of Adriana's in San Rafael in 1985.
In 1983, Adriana was recognized for her skill and honored as the anchor chef on the PBS television series The Great Chefs of San Francisco. She was, in addition, a regularly featured chef on ABC 7's AM San Francisco. She was a pioneer of cooking entertainment long before there was a Food Channel.
Adriana was born in Presenzano, Italy May 24th, 1929. She grew up in Italy during World War II, nearly starving to death when German troops during the Allied liberation at Monte Cassino absconded or destroyed all remaining food as they fled. It was an experience that shaped the rest of her life: her desire and passion to feed and nourish the people she loved.
She moved to Rome after the war, living and working there for a dozen years, before courageously setting off for the United States in 1956. She settled in North Beach, met and eventually married Francesco "Nino" Giramonti, and had two sons, Piero and Roberto.
Adriana adored her treasured grandchildren, Luca and Eva. The first question when they visited was always whether they wanted something to eat. She made sure to teach them her secret gnocchi rolling technique, thus guaranteeing light, fluffy pasta to future generations of Giramontis. Her concern, of course, was that they never starve.
She was a passionate painter. She painted for the pure pleasure of creating something beautiful, not to show. A favorite story of hers was receiving a kiss on the cheek from Mussolini when she was a child for winning an art prize. Her house was filled with her beautiful paintings, as well as those created by her talented brothers.
Adriana is remembered for her broad smile, her full-bodied laugh, her unstoppable will, and her bigger-than-life character. Her love and passion for life was her greatest gift to those she loved.
Adriana is survived by her adoring family: Piero Giramonti, his wife Lisa Borgnes Giramonti, and their son Luca of Los Angeles, and Roberto Giramonti of San Francisco and his daughter Eva. She is survived by her siblings Fausto Silvestri, Aldo Silvestri, and Laura Richichi, and thirteen nieces and nephews. Her deceased parents are Umberto Silvestri and Clotilde (Pascale) Silvestri. Her brother, Angelo Silvestri, passed away in 2007.
Adriana's life will be celebrated with a memorial mass at Keaton's Mortuary in San Rafael at 11am, June 18th, followed by a reception at the Golden Gate Yacht Club in San Francisco at 2pm. The family invites those with fond memories of this special lady to attend.