Vittorio Assaf grew up in Milan where he was awarded a degree in Political Science before studying Law at the University of Urbino. Vittorio spent eight years on the floor of Milan’s Stock Exchange and then moved on to pursue an opportunity in fashion with the company that created the image for the brand Gianfranco Ferre. He was responsible for the marketing and public relations in the merchandising division of the group. He came to New York in 1985 with the seeds of ideas that have grown into a string of flourishing businesses. He works tirelessly and with undiminished enthusiasm for all his projects, always brewing up another even as he completes each venture.

Mr. Assaf opened his first restaurant, Café Condotti on 58th Street and Madison Avenue in 1985. With original paintings by Andy Warhol, and a regular stop for Warhol and his circle, Café Condotti was one of New York’s hot spots. The restaurant was located directly below the first Portofino Sun Center, which is one of Mr. Assaf’s other business ventures also established in 1985.

Mr. Assaf’s partnership with Fabio Granato happened by chance in 1994 when the two friends found themselves lost at sea on a small sail boat. Wearing only their bathing suits while suffering from bitterly cold weather and severe hunger pains, the two fantasized about pasta and real Italian pizza. Vittorio revealed that he knew how to make the best pizza in the world while Fabio said that he knew how to build the best Neapolitan authentic pizza oven in the world. Around 2am, as they were roughly tossed about the boat and drenched with bone chilling ocean spray, the two adventurers made a pact to open a restaurant to serve the best pizzas and pastas in the world—if they survived. Shortly thereafter, they were rescued by the Coast Guard and a few months later they fulfilled their promise by launching Serafina Fabulous Pizza on 79th and Madison. Following the success of Serafina Fabulous Pizza, the two partners have gone on to open Serafina Fabulous Grill, Serafina Osteria, Serafina at The Time Hotel and Serafina Broadway. Frequented by celebrities, businessmen, families and tourists, each location features the highest quality food set in an exciting atmosphere. For those who want to savor the taste of their incredible Italian food at home, Serafina’s Pasta Sauce comes in four varieties and is available in grocery stores throughout the U.S.

Expanding their culinary horizons beyond their Italian heritage, in 2003 they teamed up with one of Vittorio’s best friends, Le Bernardin’s Eric Ripert, to create Geisha, an immensely popular Japanese fusion destination on the Upper East Side.  In 2008, they opened Brasserie Cognac in the Theater District where Chef Florian Hugo, a great-great-great grandson of poet Victor Hugo, serves fine French cuisine.  Most recently, the two embarked on a Mexican adventure by creating Mañana with the help of Chef Omar Luna and Mama Enriqueta Mendez from Mexico City.

Mr. Assaf’s culture, sense of style, and passion for food is the heart of all menu creations for all the restaurants of the Serafina Restaurant Group.