History
The Secchi family history begins on the sea and is enriched by detail that reads as intricately as a treasure map. Francesco is from the Italian island of Sardinia and his wife Jane is from Great Britain.
At the young age of 23, Francesco decided to take a job with the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line in one of the ship’s restaurants. His goal was to see the world and learn about various cultures and foods from the ship’s port cities. His plans changed when he met his soon-to-be wife Jane, who was an on-board beautician. The two were married not long after and worked together on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines for the next eight years. When Francesco and Jane made the decision to make a life on dry land, they chose Dallas, TX because while vacationing in Dallas they were both struck by the city’s charm, affability and the climate reminded Francesco of Sardinia.
Francesco and Jane opened the first Ferrari’s Italian Villa, on October 26, 1983 in the West End, Dallas and introduced the Dallas/Fort Worth area to authentic Italian cuisine comprised of recipes that have been in Secchi family for over 100 years. Much has changed since the inaugural date, but the family’s commitment to serving traditional Italian food has remained the same. Francesco and Jane’s three sons, Stefano, Gavin and Gianni, all offer their own unique addition and flare to the restaurants. The eldest, Stefano, was a 2001 graduate of New York’s Culinary Institute of America and is Ferrari’s featured chef.
Another prevailing theme that has also stood the test of time is the attitude with which the Secchi’s greeted their first customer on that first fateful day. More than two decades later Jane and Francesco are still at the front door of one of their restaurants every single day, greeting most of their customers on a first name basis. “Buona sera, good evening and how are you?”
The food prepared is representative of everything the Secchi’s hold sacred: family, tradition and pride. The service is brought forth from a collective group and it continues to underscore quality and excellence. They have watched the dining population of Dallas/Fort Worth explode and they bring such classic dishes to the table such as Gnocchi Della Mamma, Lasagna Pasticiatta, Carpaccio and Ravioli Stefano.
The Secchi family recognizes that they have carved out an Italian culinary alcove in a busy cosmopolitan arena, but they hope their guests will embrace an establishment that is on a first name basis with all who grace it.