Power Couples Behind Today's Hottest Restaurants

Published by Forbes Travel Guide , contributor for Forbes.com

June 1, 2012

They say behind every great man is a great woman. But we’ve found that behind some great restaurants is a great man and agreat woman. Some of the year’s buzziest eateries come to us courtesy of coupledom—husband-and-wife teams run the kitchens together. Check out Forbes Travel Guide’slist of five must-visit and new-to-the-scene restaurants and meet the power couples behind them. For more restaurant news, check out our blog on Startle.com.

Fiola, Washington, D.C.

The couple: Chef/owner Fabio Trabocchi and Maria Trabocchi, director of special events

Maria and Fabio met nearly 17 years ago in the space that now houses Fiola—Maria was a young college student out to dinner and it was Fabio’sfirst day as chef. After moving to Maria’s native Spain to open a BiCE restaurant, they returned to the United States. “We fell in love, and two children, two dogs and a few countries later, we came back to D.C. to open Fiola in the same spot where we met,” Maria says. Fiola debuted in April 2011—Fabio mans the kitchen, menu and back of the house, while Maria oversees the front of the house, private events and reservations.

The food: This upscale Italian hotspot serves seasonal dishes from a menu that changes daily. Buttery housemade rolls and burrata start most meals, which also include decadent pastas and meats, along with granitasand doughnuts to finish things off. Don’t miss the craft cocktails and Italian-focused wine list.

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