We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Inga Davidian a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Inga, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Moving from Seattle, WA to Las Vegas to open an Italian restaurant was not just a change of scenery—it was a leap of faith. Las Vegas is known for its world-class dining scene and its fierce competition, especially when it comes to Italian cuisine. Every corner has an established name, every street boasts another culinary story. Entering that landscape meant accepting the risk that our vision might get lost in the crowd.

But with risk comes reward. Within one year, we not only opened our first restaurant in Las Vegas but dared to launch a second location. This was more than expansion—it was a statement. It proved that authenticity, consistency, and passion for hospitality could carve out space even in a market overflowing with choices.

Opening a restaurant is never easy, especially in a city that never sleeps and never stops reinventing itself. But sometimes, you have to take the risk to stand out. For us, it wasn’t just about opening doors; it was about bringing a taste of Italy with warmth, tradition, and family-style hospitality that speaks for itself.

Las Vegas may be a place where competition is high, but it’s also a place where dreams have room to grow. And ours is just getting started.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I began my career as a dental assistant, later returning to school to pursue my master’s degree in dental hygiene. At the same time, I was navigating a difficult divorce—a season in life that tested my strength and resilience. It was during that time that I met my husband, a man with a dream he shared with his mother: to open an Italian restaurant.

In 2010, my husband and his mom brought their vision to life by launching their first restaurant. Despite their passion, the road wasn’t easy—there were many challenges in management and operations. With my stronger English skills and a deep determination to help, I made the decision to step away from my dental career and dedicate myself to building the restaurant alongside them.

Together, we didn’t just survive—we grew. Since that first restaurant in Washington State, we went on to open two more locations, each one strengthening our belief in hospitality and community.

In the summer of 2018, my husband and I took a short getaway to Las Vegas. We instantly fell in love with the city’s energy and saw it as the perfect home for our next chapter. Soon after, we made the bold decision to open a restaurant in Las Vegas. But timing wasn’t on our side—we launched just before the pandemic hit. The years that followed were some of the hardest we had ever faced, balancing the challenges of the business while going back and forth between Washington and Nevada.

After five long years, we made the choice to fully plant our roots in Las Vegas. We sold all of our Washington restaurants and poured our hearts into creating Brunello Restaurant—a place that reflects both my husband’s heritage and our shared vision for authentic Italian dining. With his mother now retired, Brunello became our passion project and a true reflection of us.

The following year, opportunity knocked again. We found another location that instantly felt right, and we knew it was meant to become Brunello’s sister restaurant. We named it Cantinetta, which means “cellar”—a tribute to our love for Italian wines and the rich traditions they represent.

Today, my husband and I are proud to carry forward our family’s dream. We hope that, just as Washington embraced us, Nevada will welcome us with the same warmth and success as we share our love for food, wine, and community through Brunello and Cantinetta.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

Life has a way of surprising us when we least expect it. At the time, I was working as a dental assistant, focused on going back to school to complete my master’s degree in dental hygiene. Personally, I was going through a difficult divorce and a period of transition in my life.

It was during this time that I met the man who would become both my husband and my business partner. He and his mother shared a dream: to open an Italian restaurant that reflected their heritage and passion for food. When they launched their first restaurant in 2010, I watched their determination and vision come to life.

But dreams don’t come easy. The restaurant faced many struggles in management and operations. I realized that my English skills, professional background, and strong organizational side could make a difference. So, I took a leap of faith—leaving behind my dental career to step into a completely new world: the restaurant business.

What started as a partnership to help run his family restaurant grew into something deeper. Together, we not only worked side by side but built a shared dream—one that has taken us from Washington to Las Vegas, where we now run Brunello and Cantinetta, our vision of authentic Italian dining brought to life.

Today, I can say that I didn’t just meet my husband. I met my partner in business, my teammate, and the person with whom I continue to build both a family and a future.

Can you open up about a time when you had a really close call with the business?

Being a mom of four while running restaurants is no small task. My days are often a whirlwind—juggling social media, managing reservations, answering calls, and at times even stepping into the kitchen to lend a hand. As much as I love what I do, there are moments when it feels overwhelming.

In the early days, I sometimes got so caught up in the daily hustle that I would forget important things—like payroll. I’ll never forget the times my staff gently reminded me that it was due. I felt embarrassed, but deep down, I knew one thing: my team could always count on being paid, no matter what.

Now, with the help of Toast payroll, I’ve found a system that works for me. Toast sends reminders and helps me stay on top of everything, so I never miss a payroll again. It gives me peace of mind and lets me focus on what matters most—our guests, our food, and the people who make our restaurants run every day.

Running a business, raising a family, and keeping up with everything in between isn’t easy. But with the right support systems, a strong team, and a lot of passion, it’s possible to keep moving forward—even on the busiest days.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cantinettalv.com
• Instagram: Cantinellalv
• Facebook: Cantinettallv
• Yelp: CANTINEtta Pizza and Pasta