RICHARD SPERA, YOUR HOST

In 1996 I left New York City in search of adventure, big skies and bigger perspectives.  I discovered Taos. In the sixteen years I have been here, I have as well discovered the artist in me. Casa Gallina is the fruit of this discovery.  

The seeds for Casa Gallina were planted years ago in my mother’s Italian kitchen. After graduating from Cornell University’s Hotel and Restaurant School, I landed a dream job in the restaurant business creating and managing a group of successful Italian restaurants in Manhattan.  The hospitality business was like a fine suit waiting for me to put on and pour my heart and soul into.

The twelve years that I worked under a master restaurateur as his "right hand man", opening and running five truly beautiful restaurants, showed me that I had a gift to give and that there was more waiting for me to discover.

This inkling led me to Taos and, to my surprise, Massage School where I learned a whole new and more intimate version of the hospitality business.   Nurturing the body.  Caring for the soul.  The practice of bodywork. 

I practiced massage here in Taos for fourteen years and have recently stopped my practice to make more space in my life for caring for my guests, my gardens, my animals and myself. I recently have discovered a new passion in my life: The Argentine Tango. This beautiful dance has become my new passion and practice. I have learned more about my body in the two years that I've been dancing than I have in all the other body-oriented practices I've ever done. And it's such incredible fun!

My two constant canine companions, Hey Girl and Canella have endlessly been by my side. 

Everyday I open the doors to Casa Gallina in my continuing dedication to serving, nurturing, and beauty.