Our Culinary Experts
Paolo
Sacco — Founding Partner
Paolo
Sacco, co-owner of Ristorante Tosca, brings 20 years of restaurant
experience to his newest venture in downtown Washington, D.C.,
with co-owner Cesare Lanfranconi.
Sacco has established himself as a dynamic leader in the restaurant and hospitality industry from his experiences throughout Italy, London, New York and Washington, D.C.
Sacco’s career in Washington, D.C., began when he became the maitre d’ at the very trendy Bice Restaurant from 1993-1995. Sacco was responsible for the operation of the dining room, as well as creating unique menus with the chef.
Sacco’s previous restaurant experience also included serving as headwaiter at Paper Moon Milano Restaurant in New York City; assistant maitre d’ at Mario Franco Restaurants in London, England; chef de partie at Playtime Ristorante in Milan, Italy.
Sacco’s hard work and dedication have made him a true leader in the industry. His mission to provide the highest quality of service plus his vested interest in his clients is the winning formula for success at Ristorante Tosca.
Massimo
Fabbri — Executive Chef
Executive Chef Massimo Fabbri grew up in Monsummano Terme, 30 miles
Northwest of Florence, Italy. As a boy, he aspired to become a
chef; so much so that at age 14 he enrolled in hotel school at
the Alberghiera F. Martini (famously located in the nearby town
of Montecatini Terme). Within a year, Massimo landed his first
job in a high-end kitchen, working at the 4-star Parma & Oriente
hotel.
After graduation, Massimo moved to London, accepting a position at the Tuscan restaurant L’Ombrello. There, he discovered his passion for sharing his culture and cuisine with people from around the world.
In 2001, Massimo fulfilled another dream when he moved to America. Upon his arrival, he immediately joined Tosca’s current managing partner, Paolo Sacco, at Terrazza, then located in Friendship Heights. When Sacco opened Tosca late that year, Massimo joined him, and spent a year working alongside Chef Cesare Lanfranconi. Under Lanfranconi’s direction, Massimo gained a keen appreciation for simple, yet elegant, dishes crafted from locally grown products.
While his time at Tosca afforded Massimo new perspectives on food, he decided to return to his native Italy in 2002. For almost two years, he delighted patrons in several upscale hotels in Montecatini Terme and villas in Florence with his Tuscan specialties. Fortunately for Tosca, Massimo returned to Washington in 2004. Enthused by his time in Italy, he re-dedicated himself to Tosca’s kitchen and clientele, enhancing Tosca’s reputation as one of the most prestigious restaurants in our nation’s capital. As Executive Chef, Massimo enjoys opening his kitchen to customers, and takes exceptional pride presenting his unique, multi-course meals to those lucky few who reserve the restaurant’s kitchen table.
Massimo, married to Alexis, currently lives in Washington, D.C.
