Squadra

Robert Colombo, Founder and Principal

As founder and principal of Villa-O, Robert Colombo guides the creative vision and execution of the restaurant.

Over the past 30 years, Robert has earned an international reputation as one of America's leading restaurateurs. He is the founder of the world-famous Sfuzzi restaurant chain, and he has spearheaded the development of more than $400 million in hotel and restaurant initiatives across the United States.

Robert's most recent restaurant projects include Dallas's most-exciting new venues. Robert's re-imagining of upscale Mexican cuisine, Trece, was hailed as "Dallas's Best Mexican Restaurant" by the Dallas Observer just a year after its 2006 opening.

William Solomon, Partner

As partner, Billy Solomon provides thoughtful oversight and guidance to Villa-O's daily operations. His keen appreciation for detail and design influence virtually every decision, from menu and wine selections to interior furnishings, artwork and staff training.

Billy recently partnered with Robert and Vincenzo to launch The Club, an upscale bar and grill in the tradition of Manhattan's venerable supper clubs. He is also the founder of Vonova, a communications technology firm, and is a past president of Good Body Fitness.

H. Steven Elsea, VP of Operations

With degrees in both Culinary Arts and Food Marketing from Johnson & Wales, Elsea has been active in the hospitality and restaurant industry since 1987. Prior to joining La Reve, Elsea served as General Manager of the Texas region for Bice Ristorante. Before Bice, Elsea served as Senior Food and Beverage Manager for The Mansion on Turtle Creek, where the emphasis was on guest satisfaction and interaction. Prior to relocating to Dallas, Elsea spent several years in the Miami area, where he served as Director of Restaurants, Catering Sales Manager and Conventions Director for the Wyndham Miami-Biscayne Bay. In addition to his culinary experience, Elsea has worked directly with the U.S. Marshals, Secret Service and Scotland Yard.

Vincenzo Indelicato, Concept Chef

Italian native Vincenzo Indelicato serves as Villa-O's Concept Chef and is the imaginative force behind the restaurant's unique menu of Mediterranean-inspired organic pastas. He has overseen kitchens throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the States.

Chef Vincenzo started culinary school in Sciacca, Sicily when he was 14. After his first year there, he was apprenticed to "two guys from Bologna" who turned out to be a father and son running their family restaurant. Chef Vincenzo had been at the restaurant only a few months when the wife/mother of the pair became gravely ill. They tossed the keys to the restaurant to little Vinnie without a backward glance. At the tender age of 15, he was completely in charge of the kitchen and dining room.

The next several years found Chef Vincenzo on trains from Milan, pursuing work in prestigious kitchens from the Waldorf Vulpera near the Austrian Alps to the Hilton Hotels in both Zurich and Berlin. Chef positions in London, Caracas, Barbados, France, and with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line afforded him a global culinary perspective which helped him to distill his ancestral approach to cooking to hand-made, classic Italian cuisine.

Fran Curtin, Managing Director

As the Managing Director at Villa-O, Fran ensures his patrons are always welcomed with the friendliness and style of a classic neighborhood trattoria. A seasoned veteran of the Dallas restaurant business, Fran was instrumental in the development of Villa-O's Travis Walk neighbor and sister restaurant, Trece. Most recently, Fran's expertise led him to managing operations and development of the The Club Dining and Drinks during its launch in the fall of 2007, another La Reve Consultants portfolio restaurant located in Dallas.