We recently connected with Simone Baccari and have shared our conversation below.

Simone, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

I tell you the story of a risk I am gonna take!!!

I am Simone Baccari, I am Italian, from Rome.

I came here in LA, 17 years ago chasing the American Dream.

I am a happy husband and a proud father of two incredible boys.

Former actor, and let’s be honest, a pretty cool guy 😉

Today I am a restaurateur…well I am currently running a restaurant, and I really wanna have my own one….so I am running that restaurant like it is mine…so I am a restaurateur!!!

I really have a passion for food and wine (I am also a Certified Sommelier)…so I have to have my own restaurant!

I’ve been dreaming, planning, seeking investors, and had a few close calls that didn’t quite pan out. But I don’t say “no”; I say “not yet.” I’m persistent, and I’m confident I’ll make it happen soon.

Sure, It is not easy, when you have a comfortable job that you love…I know exactly how much I make, I know exactly how much I spend…it is a comfort zone…so why risk my family peace of mind?

it is really peace of mind? what do you want? why you came in America? why you left your beautiful country?

where is your American dream?

I came here to make money, lots of it, to return to Italy one day, rich. And there’s only one way to achieve that—do what you love, be happy with your family, and take that risk.

I think I can do that…I gotta take that risk!

Simone, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

After studying Business Economics in Rome, I came to the States to study Marketing at the UCLA.

To cover the expensive tuition fees, I ventured into the restaurant industry, starting as a busser/dishwasher in West Hollywood. From there, I wore multiple hats—host in Beverly Hills, waiter across Los Angeles.

It was during my time at Via Veneto in Santa Monica (where I still work) that everything clicked. I felt in love with restaurant—the food, the wine, the overall hospitality experience. I had a vision: why not merge my passion for hospitality with my business and marketing background? I could be the ultimate restaurateur.

The ambiance of Via Veneto spoke to me, and I wanted to learn its secrets. So, I delved into the world of wines, taking on various responsibilities—from scheduling to ordering wines, creating menus, organizing private parties, events, catering, to becoming friend with celebrities.

Today, I am the GM at Via Veneto!

Tomorrow I will be a restaurant owner…I am so ready for that!

Any advice for managing a team?

I’ve come to realize that navigating the intricacies of team management is the most demanding aspect of a restaurateur and a entrepreneur in general.

Night after night, I’m right there on the floor with them, often putting in more hours than anyone else. I make it a point to visibly demonstrate my passion and dedication in every task.

My team knows how deeply I care—about them, about the guests who choose our restaurant.

I make a significant distinction between being a boss and being a leader.

I choose to be a leader!

I’m the first to inject humor, creating a positive atmosphere, and equally the first to dive into serious work when needed. In essence, I lead by example, and that, I believe, makes all the difference.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I am very empathic.

When a couple walks into the restaurant, I always think about the effort they’ve put in.

After a likely hectic day, they took the time to make a reservation, went home, take a shower, dressed up, and made the journey to us. They come with expectations, and they deserve our wholehearted commitment.

Acknowledging these steps is crucial. It’s not just about serving a meal; it’s about understanding and appreciating the effort our guests put into their visit. A simple thank you when they leave goes a long way.

I believe people can sense this genuine care and attention. It’s about recognizing the value of their time and the effort they’ve invested in choosing us. It creates an atmosphere that goes beyond mere service—it’s an experience crafted with thoughtfulness and appreciation.

Contact Info:

• Website: viaveneto.us
• Instagram: simoneinamerica
• Linkedin: Simone Baccari