Dining in a Digital Garden

Lifelong resident of Chatham, Steven C. Fleisch, is the exclusive artist of a new eatery in Millburn called La Pergola.

The vivid colors of Fleisch’s art create a lively atmosphere at a restaurant that promises simple, good food in a comfortable yet sophisticated setting.

“I love Steve’s art. It is colorful and reminds me of being outside in Italy,” La Pergola owner Driola Kaloshi said.

Driola and her husband Agron derive inspiration for their restaurant from a rich family tradition of good quality food. Hailing from Albania, much of the couple’s family now lives in Sienna, where they often enjoy meals together outdoors under a pergola.

“When we visit Italy, I work on recipes with my grandmother and we eat outside together. Dining outdoors makes people feel good,” she said.

It is fitting that Fleisch’s work was chosen for a restaurant that seeks to recreate the alfresco experience. “All of my digital manipulations start life as a photo that I have taken, mostly of flowers, because of their unending color palate from which to work,” Fleisch said.

Fleisch’s passion for art began at an early age; his father was an avid art collector and Fleisch later received a Bachelor of Science in Administration, Management and Design from La Roche College in Pittsburgh, PA.

Following stints in the advertising world as a creative director and account manager, Fleisch has been building a career in fine art, and has been recognized with awards in paint, sculpture and digital manipulation imaging.

In 2010 Fleisch’s photographic print “Fuchsia 1” was accepted into the 16th annual American Society of Media Photographers NJ Juried Photo Competition and Exhibition.  He also won the coveted Best in Show award at the Visual Arts Center of NJ in Summit and at the Rupert Ravens Gallery in Newark for his digitally manipulated prints.

Fleisch has curated for several large group shows, and recently has been involved with Atlantic Health in producing a number of inspirational shows dealing with cancer, including the 10th anniversary show at the Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, Morristown Hospital, Morristown, N.J.

“I could not be more pleased to have my work on the walls at La Pergola,” Fleisch said. One of the featured prints, originally a white and green flower, has been dubbed “Drinking Espresso in Heaven” by Driola Kaloshi.  

Fleisch admits, “I do not name all of my work, but I love when a person sees something familiar in an image.” His print “Mother and Child," created from an orchid, was transformed by Fleisch into a graceful statue that appears to be a featureless madonna and child.

The Kaloshis hope that the combination of old world food and rustic feel, combined with Fleisch’s vibrant art,  will be reminiscent of European dining. “Our menu will feature homemade pastas, fresh fish and organic vegetables. The sauces will be light and very fresh.  Menu items will be fairly priced. Our philosophy of business is to bring the farm to the table and the flavors of Tuscany to Millburn,” owner Agron Kaloshi said.

La Pergola is located at 120 Essex Street in Millburn and opens to the public Saturday. Fleisch’s work will also be available for purchase.