Fabio Viviani Splits from Cafe Firenze
Chef Fabio Viviani and his boyhood friend Jacopo Falleni have broken ranks with their partner in Cafe Firenze, Mike Takeda. Takeda put it this way, “We had a difference of opinion.” One of those differences involved whether or not to take over the operation of Barsac Brasserie in North Hollywood. Takeda felt it unwise to expand in this economy. Viviani and Falleni forged ahead with their new venture, partnering with longtime Barsac owner Lisa Long. Barsac closed for business today and will reopen as Firenze Osteria on Saturday, October 24th. Go to www.firenzeosteria.com for more info.
Meanwhile, Takeda is confident that Cafe Firenze in Moorpark will be able to keep customers as happy as they were before the split. After all, chef John Paolone has been running the kitchen since Fabio began filming Top Chef, Season 5, and he has no plans to go anywhere. Paolone, who worked with Viviani at Cafe Fiore in Ventura, will streamline Cafe Firenze’s menu in the coming months.
The split wasn’t a complete break; at least not yet. For now Takeda says, “We’re still trying to work out a way for Fabio to be part of Cafe Firenze on a limited basis. We still have his pictures up here.”
Cafe Firenze, 563 W. Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark, 805-532-0048