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The building Venezia Restaurant is in was originally a plant and landscape nursery called Los Patios. Built in 1959 it later became Los Patios the restaurant and by the late 1970’s a French restaurant called Lionel Doury and The Bistro. In 1984, the building opened as the Italian restaurant Bella Roma. The staff of Bella Roma including Venezia’s owner Carmine Scarcelli were waiters or chefs from Rome, Italy.
One of seven children Carmine was born in Petilia Poliocastro, Italy and moved to Rome in the 70’s. Carmine worked at the famed four star Sans Souci Restaurant off the Via Veneto in Rome. In 1985, the restaurant would change ownership and its name to Claudio’s. Carmine continued to work there as the manager. By May of 1988, Carmine and his wife Karen opened Venezia Restaurant; named for the beautiful city of Venice, Italy.
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Carmine's vision and talents have brought many changes to Venezia in twenty-one years. One the first major renovations was the building of an Italian style fireplace. About this time 3 antique apothecary cabinets were purchased in Mason, Texas. All the other antique furniture in the restaurant has been purchased locally through the years. The fountain in the atrium, high ceilings and large windows was a perfect opportunity to construct the look of an outdoor piazza, with red tile roofs, wood balconies and mirrored windows.
In 1993, Carmine's brother, Mario came from Italy and built a wood burning pizza oven and rotisserie. They also paneled walls in ash, as well as tiling the bar. Later additions have included antique French doors originally from France which came out of a hotel in the Hill Country.
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Carmine’s carpentry talents have extended to building railings and a banister. But recently he has built three large wine cabinets of oak and poplar wood to decorate all three dining rooms. Two of the cabinets have murals by a local artist. Carmine’s vision for the restaurant has included the construction of thirteen oak dining tables in the red dining room and in the last month paneling the entire ceiling of the green dining room in cedar wood.
Future plans include renovating another bar area used on occasion for private dining, building a wine cabinet and new large oak table to seat 10-12.
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Included in the changes to restaurant the two patios have dramatically changed and welcome guests to a lush green tree shaded patio with permanent polapas, umbrella tables, fountains, statues and murals of Tuscany. The two red roof tiled canopied areas invite the feeling of outdoor countryside Italian dining. The patio and dining rooms have a feeling of family and fine dining whether entertaining, romantic or casual, business or pleasure. Carmine and Karen welcome guests to their " Italian home".
Open Sunday for private dining functions only.
Authentic Italian thin crust pizza available at lunch Thursdays & Fridays.
Largest wine list in West Texas. |
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