The Chef's Table

Prepare to Be Wowed During This One-Of-A-Kind Dining Experience in Manassas, VA

Step beyond our dining room for an evening of unparalleled culinary discovery at Semifreddo Italian Cuisine. Our Chef's Table is more than a meal; it's an intimate, multi-course journey through the vibrant regions of Italy, personally curated and hosted by Chef Franklin Hernandez.

Seated at an exclusive table with a front-row view of the action, you will witness the passion and artistry that define our cucina. The menu is a surprise, crafted just for you based on the freshest seasonal ingredients and the chef's creative inspiration. Engage with the chef, and savor a truly unique, off-menu experience with 4 or 5 courses.

Perfect for milestone celebrations, romantic evenings, business meetings, or for the truly adventurous foodie — with good friends, good food, and great wine.

• Reservations must be made by phone at (571) 615-0631 at least 72 hours in advance.
• Dietary Needs: We are happy to accommodate any dietary restrictions or allergies. Please inform us at the time of booking so the chef can thoughtfully design your menu.

We do not allow corkage at the Chef’s Table.

Our Chef

Franklin Hernandez: The Artisan Behind Semifreddo Italian Cuisine

Chef Franklin Hernandez discovered his calling as a teenager when he took his first job as a pizza maker at Ecco Café Pizzeria in Old Town Alexandria in 1988. Over the years, the owner opened other Italian restaurants in Arlington and Shirlington, where Franklin cooked and served as an assistant manager.

In 1994, he began working at Primi Piatti in Washington, DC, under the tutelage of three renowned Italian chefs: Savino Recine, Roberto Donna, and Luigi Diotaiuti. Franklin and Luigi worked together for 20 years, including opening Al Tiramisu in Dupont Circle. They often hosted wine dinners, taught cooking classes, met and cooked with other Italian chefs (including a two-month stay in Italy), and even provided meals for the Italian National Team at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah.

In 2017, Chef Franklin went to Manassas Park to help another chef open Tortino Mare, where he ran the kitchen for two and a half years, quickly building a loyal clientele. When the owner of Canterbury Village Shopping Center on Sudley Rd. in Manassas heard about the outstanding food at Tortino Mare, he invited Chef Franklin to prepare a chef’s table dinner for a party of eight to celebrate his wife’s birthday. Franklin rose to the occasion, and the gentleman was so impressed that he invited him to explore a vacant location in the shopping center, asking if he would consider opening a restaurant there. Franklin accepted and spent almost a year completing renovations. The name, “Semifreddo,” was chosen by his wife, who suggested it in honor of her favorite traditional Italian dessert—a semi-frozen mousse with crunchy amaretto cookies and caramelized walnuts.

Just when Chef Franklin was ready to open Semifreddo’s doors in March 2020, the pandemic hit. On the verge of backing away completely, he was encouraged by a flurry of phone calls from Tortino Mare customers promising their support. He first crafted a carryout menu, which was met with great enthusiasm, and then opened to onsite diners in late June at 25% capacity, following CDC guidelines. As restrictions lifted, the restaurant grew busier, with tables fully booked Thursday through Sunday.

By mid-2021, Chef Franklin began expanding the restaurant to include an adjacent vacant lot, completing the project in December. This expansion allowed for additional tables and a private room for special events, which can host up to 30 guests.

What can you expect from dining at Semifreddo?  In a word, excellence. The ambiance is peaceful, the service is impeccable, and the freshly prepared, artistically plated food is simply outstanding.