Middletown celebrated yet another milestone in its vibrant downtown revival with the grand opening of La FATA’s Eatery, the second business venture of renowned pastry chef and entrepreneur Rakesh Nayak. Just a year after the warmly-received debut of Mister Croissant, Nayak and his wife Suzy Nayak welcomed community members, local leaders, and customers—both longtime and new—to experience authentic Italian flavors at their latest culinary concept.
Located directly across the street from Mister Croissant on North Street, La FATA’s Eatery introduces an Italian deli-style experience featuring imported ingredients, traditional sandwiches, cold cuts, and wine selections straight from Italy. “We want people to feel this is a very calm, relaxing, and stress-free space,” said Mr. Nayak, who has traveled and trained across multiple continents before laying down roots in Middletown.
From India and France to Middletown: A global journey with local heart
With over 20 years of experience as a pastry chef, Nayak’s multicultural culinary influence reflects his own personal journey. Born in India and professionally trained in France, he expressed how practicing Falun Dafa since 2010 has deeply shaped his approach to food and business. “Living in the principle of truthfulness, compassion, and tolerance… I use that principle in everything I do in this business,” he said. “Food brings people together. There is no discrimination, no race. It’s all food.”
His dedication to the community is evident through the rapid local embrace of Mister Croissant, which he says became a “game-changer for North Street.”
“I have customers who said they hadn’t been downtown in 11 years until they came to Mister Croissant,” Mr. Nayak added.
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La FATA’s Eatery, named after the Nayaks’ daughter Faye—“fata” meaning fairy in Italian—is a personal and poetic tribute to family and heritage. “Faye means ‘gift of God’ in Greek. In Italy, ‘Fata’ translates to ‘fairy’. So we came up with the name La FATA’s Eatery.”
City leaders celebrate a new culinary destination
The ribbon-cutting event was attended by Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano, Assemblywoman Paula Elaine Kay, local officials, residents, and nearby business owners. Mayor DeStefano praised the Nayaks for bringing hundreds of people into downtown daily and helping make North Street “a destination for multicultural food and vibrant experiences.”
“You think you’re in Europe when you come in here,” the Mayor remarked, standing inside the stylishly renovated space. “We’ve become somewhat of a destination—different types of foods, baked goods, experiences. That’s good for downtown.”
Assemblywoman Kay echoed the mayor’s sentiments, emphasizing that small businesses like Nayak’s play a pivotal role in Middletown’s economic vitality, contributing to its recognition as the 11th Best Place to Live in New York State, according to U.S. News & World Report.
“This is more than a restaurant. It’s a community,” Kay said. “And with each new opening, Middletown becomes a place people want to visit, explore, and come back to.”
Neighbors and newcomers alike show support
Among the guests was Rocco Cicero, Sr., a second-generation Italian-American and neighbor of the Nayaks. “It’s very nice—as usual. I wish them lots of luck,” he said. Cicero, who has lived in Middletown for more than 25 years, believes La FATA’s Eatery will bring “more people back into the main part of town,” just like Mister Croissant did.
Many attendees agreed that La FATA’s Eatery offers something not easily found in the area: the kind of authentic, quality-driven Italian food usually only available in larger metropolitan areas. “We’ve had people drive two hours here,” Cicero shared, proud of the impact that businesses like these have on his city.
A vision for the future
With one thriving business and another poised for success, Nayak is already envisioning what comes next. Mister Croissant is currently scouting locations for expansion, with hopes to open a second bakery in 2026. Meanwhile, La FATA’s Eatery is being prepared for a franchise model, making it accessible to entrepreneurs regardless of prior experience.
“Community is my secret recipe,” Nayak said. “Without my customers, without my community, I cannot do what I’m able to do. I came to this country with $600 in my pocket. This country taught me: if you work hard, your dreams can be achieved.”
La FATA’s Eatery is now open at 19 North Street, Middletown, NY — bringing a new chapter of world-inspired, community-centered cuisine to the heart of the city.
