Meet the Culinary Entrepreneurs: Robert Guarino

Robert studied hotel administration at Cornell before launching his New York City restaurant career with Restaurant Associates at Rockefeller Center. He went on to work with restaurateur Dr. Joe Santo at Arizona 206 and Bolivar, where he met his now-partner, Chef Andy D’Amico. Robert opened Marseille in 2001 with Simon Oren, where Chef Andy later joined. The the three partners went on to open Nice Matin in 2003 and Nizza in 2007.

In 2008, they introduced 5 Napkin Burger, which by 2013, was voted Zagat’s 12th most popular restaurant in NYC and one of the 50 Break Out Brands in Nation’s Restaurant News. Robert’s expertise in casual fine dining concepts extends to Playa Betty’s and Schmackary’s, where he is the managing partner. He’ll share insights about his approach to restaurant food, beverage, design, service and team management.