Rising Stars: Meet Sima Verzino

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started? 
Marcellino and I first met when I was living in Rome, Italy. I was a recording artist and performer, and he ran his own bar/bistro, Erasmus of Rotterdam, right around the corner from the famous Piazza Navona. We met on New Year’s Eve 1993/94 when I was invited by mutual friends to attend a closed dinner at his club for close friends. He was to open that eve for the festivities after the dinner.

We happened to be seated next to each other, and as the clock struck midnight, instead of the Italian kiss on the cheek, our mouths met. It was instant combustion! He began to court me, and very quickly, we both realized we were in love.

Two years later, our personal culinary collaboration began together after moving from Rome, Italy, to NYC in 1996. Marcellino is a self-made Chef, learning originally from his mamma and nonna (grandmother) the secrets of their regional cooking. He progressed very quickly, expanding and innovating recipes to include dishes from all regions in Italy. It was that point, that he began to create his own personalized cuisine and soon after opened many restaurants throughout Italy.

It was after moving to NYC, where we lived for 7 years, that our personal, culinary business journey together began. What I saw was a man who was unstoppable in every aspect of his creative life. I knew he needed to lose the outside partners and have a restaurant of his own.  I offered to create one with him and Marcellino Ristorante was born.

We moved to Phoenix, AZ, after visiting good friends from NYC who had recently moved there. Our story begins in 2003 when we opened Marcellino Ristorante in Central Phoenix. We had outgrown that location after 7 years and then relocated to the hub of Old Town Scottsdale, where we have thrived for 14+. We are presently in the 21st year of our award-winning creation: Marcellino Ristorante.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Blessedly, not many struggles! When we opened our restaurant in central Phoenix from NYC in 2003, no one had the remotest idea of who we were. We hired a local, well-known PR firm that sent press releases to important local publications and the major food critics at that time. Interest sparked, and articles began to appear touting our arrival and Chef Marcellino’s prowess and international background.

Seven short weeks after opening our doors, we received our first of many, coveted 5 star awards: the first from the renown AZ Republic food critic, Howard Seftel. TV, magazines, and all many local publications began to knock at our door to highlight what we had created. It has continued throughout the years to include national publications and last year the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence for our exceptional Italian wines.  It’s been the best times of our lives throughout our 21-year journey of Marcellino Ristorante.

As with everyone, COVID-19 caused challenges in 2020, but following all regulations, we made creative changes in our Take-Out service, supported our staff, and took the time to redesign our Private Dining Room. Again, our clientele were incredibly supportive. And while living the best times of our lives for the last 21 years, both working in the same business, with long and demanding hours, I would say our greatest struggle is finding time for each other and to relax.

During our high season, from October through May, it is most difficult, so in the summer, our slower season, we take time to visit family in Italy and spend the lovely month of July with each other in Greece, enjoying our favorite pass time on the sea in our boat. This is our lifeline: rediscovering and continuing to cherish the love we have for each other that began 28+ years ago.

We know how difficult and demanding it is working together in a business that never stops, but we unrelentingly continue to give of ourselves to all those who embrace what we do and live in gratitude for all the glories and happiness that is returned to us. “Believe in all you do and never stop reaching for the stars.”

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Both Chef Marcellino and myself have been gifted with many different talents; which have all enabled us to achieve our goals. I have a degree in marketing and journalism, which I was able to fall back on once we created our restaurant. My major career had been that of a performer/vocalist. I developed our Live Music program, highlighting great artists twice weekly, to create a “supper club” ambiance while dining on Marcellino’s award-winning, exclusively handcrafted cuisine.

Music and food spark deep emotions and creates excitement. Combining his award winning cuisine with the wonders of music, fills the soul with joy. Marcellino has been blessed with diverse gifts of “creation” in all facets. Besides presenting his innovative Italian cuisine, he designed and built much of our décor, which is warm and inviting with an upbeat feel. One is embraced as if entering our home.

We specialize in Marcellino’s personalized, innovative, and exclusively handcrafted Italian cuisine. Growing up on a large farm in Italy, he learned to respect and understand all that was grown and raised there: from vegetables, fruits, olives, and wheat to all the animals, large and small.

In his teens, he began to cook for the family after his mother passed. His innovative recipes are his own, yet he has kept the respect of our centuries-old Italian culture which is easily recognized in all he does. This is his ultimate gift, and all of the above sets us apart from others in the gastronomic world of great cuisine.

How can people work with you, collaborate with you, or support you?
We enjoy working with critics, journalists, and TV personalities, and gratefully, they have embraced our Italian dining. We welcome individual and business partnerships to create win/win experiences of all types, from business meetings, family gatherings, and celebrations to wedding receptions! And we appreciate the concierge of our beautiful hotels and resorts and their trust in us to refer their guests.

Our greatest support is from our dining guests referring their friends, family, and business associates. Support and referrals from thousands of faithful clients have enabled our beloved restaurant to flourish and continue to grow. We are honored and filled with gratitude to all.