We’re in the business of taking care of people and ensuring that our guests have a great experience when they’re here.
Zelinda: What travels and experiences have helped influence your menu?
Cameron: I traveled through Italy after I graduated from college and have been back again since. My chef and I just got back from a trip to northern Italy on which I visited wineries in Franciacorta, Valtellina, Alto Adige, Friuli, the Veneto, and the Piemonte. Trips like these definitely influence our menu and wine list.
Zelinda: Are the wines you serve from Texas, California, or imported?
Cameron: About two-thirds of our wine list comprises of Italian wines with the rest representing the most popular varietals and regions from all over the world, including some wines from right here in Texas.
Zelinda: What advice can you give to those who would like to open a restaurant of their own someday? How can they get from Point A (thinking about an education) to Point B (being a restaurant owner)?
Cameron: Probably the same advice that was given to me by my mentors. Don’t do it! And, if you are [wanting to open a restuarant], make sure that you can read and understand a financial statement, negotiate a lease, and put together a budget in addition to having a passion for great food and great wine.
Zelinda: Is there anything else you can tell us about yourself, your career, or the profession that would be interesting or helpful to others aspiring to enter and succeed in the restaurant business?
Cameron: You have to thrive on feedback and constructive criticism in the restaurant industry. A healthy ego is important, but too much of a good thing is too much.
Zelinda: What’s your favorite restaurant dining memory?
Cameron: Sitting in a bistro in Paris near the Place des Vosges treating myself to a lovely prix fixe dinner after a day of classes studying at the Ecole Superieure du Commerce. A Brittish couple sitting at the table next to me, who had no clue I spoke English, went through the list of the Ten Commandments to compare how many each of them they had broken. The conversation got juicier as the list went on.
Zelinda: What do you like to do in your free time?
Cameron: I spend most of my free time hiking with my four-year-old golden doodle named Rafa.
Zelinda: Can we expect a second location opening soon?
Cameron: [I am] always accepting applications for our next group of investors!