Today we’d like to introduce you to Sesto Ramadori.
Sesto was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1963 but grew up in Northern Italy. He graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree but still retained a strong passion for food. Following his passion, Sesto Ramadori decided to give up his engineering career to open up his first Italian restaurant, Pasta Casareccia, with his mamma Angela and dad Lorenzo. Sesto’s Mechanical Engineering degree proved useful in helping him start Techno-Pasta, which specialized in the sale and service of pasta manufacturing equipment. This would eventually lead him to service Florida Pasta Company in Clearwater, Florida, and in the end buying Florida Pasta and moving his family to St. Petersburg in 1997. For over ten years, Sesto managed Florida Pasta Company before deciding to open up his own restaurant, Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino in 2007. Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino opened its doors in January 2007. Starting out as a boutique size restaurant, chef Sesto has since grown his business and relocated the restaurant to the larger present location on 66th St N., in Pinellas Park, Florida. Our restaurant has been serving the most authentic regional Italian cuisine with fresh pasta for more than 12 years and has earned multiple awards, including the Certificate of Excellence – Hall of Fame by Tripadvisor for five years in a row since 2015. Our restaurant has also won the “Best of Tampa Bay” award for ten years running. Chef-owner Sesto prides himself in having created the most authentic Italian dining experience and continually strives to give his customers traditional “Le Marche Region” dishes as well as new and creative dishes. Sesto has also built an extensive wine collection and enjoys introducing his customers to great Italian wines, especially those from the “Marche Region” of Italy, where he is from. Sesto invites you to come to enjoy an authentic Italian experience. Salute! Cheers! Passion for food and people is key.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Moving from Canada in 1997 was a huge undertaking, but the move was a very exciting one for my family and me. Growing Florida Pasta through the events of 9-11 and the BP oil spill was difficult and worrisome and the main reason I decided to diversify and on Da Sesto Italiano Restaurant and Market. We had some success at the beginning, but when we relaunched the restaurant without the market in 2001, Da Sesto Italiano Ristorante e Vino was born and quickly became a Tampa Bay favorite. Of course, Covid 19 has been the biggest challenge, but with the assistance and support received from my staff, customers, and the local government, we have survived and now offer our customers one of the safest dining environment in Tampa Bay.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Out of an abundance of caution and to ensure the safety of our employees and customers, we have gone through the process of testing all our employees and only those proving a negative test result will be allowed to work the restaurant. All employees will be following the strictest CDC guidelines. We kindly request that anyone entering the restaurants wear a mask and remove it only when seated. No mask, no entry capisce! We have recently installed the NEW COMFORT UV AND OZONE GENERATOR with HEPA filters to continuously clean and sanitize the air in the restaurant. The entire restaurant will also be professionally cleaned and sanitized by Atomic Clean to ensure a safe food preparation environment to ensure your meal is served to you safe.
What’s next?
We continue to strive to improve the Da Sesto experience, which sets us apart from everyone else. Our Gourmet wine dinners are the talk of the town, and I plan to create chef table menus to heighten our customer’s culinary choices when they dine with us. There is always talk of a second location, but it isn’t a priority for the moment with the uncertain times.
Contact Info:
- Email: sesto@dasesto.com
- Website: dasesto.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dasestoitaliano/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dasestoitalianoristoranteevino
- Twitter: @dasesto
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNB43TEC9zeO-PuKHdCF88w
