LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Las Vegas {couples} streamed in for his or her Valentine’s Day dinner at an Italian restaurant with a controversial previous, however the brand new proprietor desires the possibility to clarify why clients shouldn’t have any reservations—about making a reservation.
On Oct. 26, 2015, Bella Vita opened its first location within the Inexperienced Valley neighborhood in Henderson. The restaurant obtained acclaim, evaluate awards, and the important thing to town throughout its over a decade of serving the neighborhood.
Nonetheless, following an 8 Information Now investigation into threats towards staff by Sergio Montegrande, Bella Vita’s founder, the restaurant closed all three of his places and have become the goal of over one million {dollars} in claims by unpaid staff, distributors and landlords.
Following a two-and-a-half-hour interview with Montegrande final 12 months, 8 Information Now obtained a press release from a spokesperson for the previous restaurant proprietor.
“As we all navigate through the challenges and successes of our lives, I want to take this moment to offer an apology to anyone I have disappointed or hurt in any way,” Montegrande wrote, “I acknowledge and accept full responsibility for my actions and decisions that have fallen short of the mark, causing frustration and confusion.”
On Oct. 2024, Bella Vita’s Blue Diamond location reopened and former staff and clients reached out to eight Information Now to seek out out extra.
Is Montegrande concerned?
Flavio Garrido, Bella Vita’s head chef and new proprietor, stated he needed the possibility to clarify what occurred on the beloved restaurant, which he reopened 4 months in the past underneath the identical identify.
“What we went through [was] difficult, putting the team back,” he stated. “But I’m focused, and I’m glad that we did reopen, because a lot of people are asking, ‘What happened to Bella Vita?’”
Flavio Garrido, Bella Vita’s head chef and new proprietor, stated he needed the possibility to clarify what occurred on the beloved restaurant, which he reopened 4 months in the past underneath the identical identify. (KLAS)
Common clients from the restaurant’s previous have began to return and supplied help throughout the reopening, in accordance with Garrido.
“This was and is and will be a community restaurant,” he stated. “That’s what we want… where they can feel like they’re part of the family.”
Garrido took over the possession of Bella Vita’s Blue Diamond location in Apr. 2024, in accordance with state paperwork.
“Because a lot of people are asking, ‘What happened to Bella Vita?”
Montegrande isn’t named within the lively enterprise license for Bella Vita Blue Diamond’s location. Nonetheless, he’s named in paperwork related to the identify, in accordance with the Nevada Secretary of State’s data.
Nationwide Sturdy LLC, which is owned by Montegrande, owns the branding “Bella Vita.” Montegrande is simply related to using the identify in menus, signage, social media and commercials. The renewal date for the service mark is Aug. 2025.
8 Information Now requested Garrido if he intends to vary over the identify of the restaurant from Montegrande’s possession. Garrido referred the query to Bella Vita’s advertising and marketing supervisor, Betsey Bell.
“That’s in the process,” she stated. “As all things take time. We’re all in the process of everything kind of evolving.”
Bell stated she doesn’t imagine the identify registration or recognition has something to do with Bella Vita at Blue Diamond, which Garrido owns.
“There’s a brand-new owner, and there’s a brand-new restaurant,” Bell stated. “Basically, we just maintain the ambiance, the feel, the entertainment and the family feeling that you get with the restaurant.”
Garrido stated if Montegrande known as him on the cellphone, he would decide up, nevertheless it doesn’t imply the previous proprietor continues to be concerned in day-to-day operations.
“No, no, no, we worked together for 10 years,” he stated. “We went up to the third location… we split ways, and I wish the best for him.”
What did Flavio know?
Former staff responded to eight Information Now concerning the brand new possession, and claimed Garrido was conscious of Montegrande’s actions, together with an absence of paying staff. Garrido stated he was simply the top chef and by no means in command of payroll.
“I was the guy, you know, putting orders, making schedules for the kitchen,” Garrido stated. “Besides that, I don’t know what to say. It was not my department.”
Garrido referred his reply again to Bell who added extra context to Garrido’s former place underneath the previous proprietor.
“He doesn’t have anything to do with the former owner only because he was an employee, just as the other employees were employees of the restaurant. He was as well,” Bell stated.
“I don’t know what to say. It was not my department.”
Bell added Garrido’s duties had been that of the unique chef which included creating menus, meals, and the environment for the restaurant.
“It is completely new except for the fact that we maintain the brand, we maintain the menu,” she stated. “And we want to create that Bella Vita feel for all of our customers, new and old.”
“Yes, I’m being paid”
8 Information Now spoke to a number of staff in a wide range of positions across the restaurant and requested in the event that they had been being paid, and if their paychecks had cleared. All stated sure. The query spurs from issues and Labor Board findings underneath the earlier proprietor.
“Piccolo” Iclodean, a Bella Vita sommelier and sever, stated he labored underneath the previous proprietor and needed to return as a result of Garrido was in cost.
“I actually came back to support because I love this place—I love him,” Iclodean stated. “I love the atmosphere everything that happening. I like our guests, so we have great ambiance here.”
Iclodean stated he has seen the client base develop little by little as phrase has unfold that Bella Vita was reopening, and added he has appreciated an opportunity to return again to work.
“I’m very, very happy that I chose to come back here,” he stated.
Iclodean added he’s being paid by Bella Vita underneath the brand new proprietor.
Montegrande responds
Montegrande responded to a spokesperson who was reached out to by 8 Information Now in Oct. 2024 concerning the Bella Vita Blue Diamond reopening.
“Nothing absolutely nothing to do with me, I told the gentlemen who has it to change the name,” Montegrande wrote in a textual content. “NEVER AGAIN FOOD AND BEVERAGES EVER !!!”
4 of the 5 district court docket instances towards Montegrande have closed from former landlords and meals distributors, leading to round $695,000 in financial judgments. A number of former staff allege they nonetheless haven’t been paid.
