Today we’d like to introduce you to Rina Tonon.
Hi Rina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Cafe Cortina has recently and proudly celebrated 50 years
Was inspired living in Italy with my late husband, who came from the Cortina D’Ampezzo region.
The belief of the restaurant was always, ‘Inspired in Italy, but made in Michigan.’
I had grown up in the hospitality world with immigrant Italian parents that started their restaurant. Both parents were incredible cooks and taught me authentic cooking and techniques along with the art of hospitability.
I knew in my teens, this is what I wanted for my life, Only I had to find the right partner. who felt the same.
Blessed to have met ‘Adriano’ at 17 and he was 20. One year later, married, and started our ambitious goals together.
I spent a year in Italy bonding with his humble parents where I learned northern cooking. and farming. Adriano’s parents had acres of vineyards and vegetable gardens. I learned so much from the years’ experience.
Coming back to America, we worked, saved and set our aspirations to be able to one day buy our own property, have a garden and develop a ‘farm to table’ restaurant. We were one of the first in Michigan in 1976.
Still in our 20’s we purchased 5 acres of an apple orchard, on an ‘off beaten path road’ “10mile’ Farmington Hills,
At the time, we were extremely discouraged by bankers that we would fail as a restaurant. I do believe being young and stubborn, we believed in our work ethics and especially knowledge of cooking we forged ahead with our dream and built a small restaurant with a kitchen garden. Then we began our life together in the restaurant industry. This is what we both wanted. be ‘together and work together.’
In 1976, we had a 4year old son (Adrian) to raise while building our restaurant’s farm to table reputation. against the odds bankers had warned.
Adriano and I felt unconventional wisdom.
The coming months, Cafe Cortina became known, as the ‘destination restaurant’ a ‘hidden jewel restaurant’
We delivered genuine Italian cooking experiences and welcoming hospitality. The press finally discovered our location.
(we had no extra dollars for press) We only knew if we provided tasty quality food and service
patrons would return. Over the years, we accomplished those goals while raising a family,
Adrriano and I were blessed after 21 years of marriage with another son. We were on ‘cloud 9’ with our beautiful family. and the restaurant we dreamed of having together. My mother would say, ‘ Rina don’t always be so happy, things do happen in life’ and they did I lost Adriano when he turned 51, Broken hearted, I took several months away from my business with the help of our devoted employees to carry on.
Then I returned, rolling up my sleeves and carried on as I knew he would encourage me to do so.
I decided to make some changes, and recreate the front of our restaurant property into a secret romantic garden patio. This is where couples could escape from the city and feel the vibe of an Italian ambience.
I added a large stone fireplace as a background for onsite ceremonies. Today we host over 100 weddings per year.
I have been blessed with 2 sons Adrian & Giancarlo both (business and hospitality degrees) and 3 grandsons that will carry on their father and mother’s legacy. They have all been brought up with solid work ethics.
My oldest son Adrian apprenticed in Venice at the Cipriani Hotel. to further hone his cooking skills. One grandson, Andrew has earned his sommelier degree. Apples don’t fall far from their tree.
Even after working many decades, I love the couples that approach Cafe Cortina and want their intimate weddings held on our on our storied grounds.
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Blessed with the greatest team a restaurant could ever hope for. From a talented, passionate Chef and an Event Coordinator and Office Mgr and dining room seasoned waiters, they all carry on Cafe Cortina’s legacy proudly because we all believe in quality food, special dining experiences and warm hospitality.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Yes,
This restaurant industry has a fatality rate of 4 out of 10 do not succeed.
Today It would be impossible to establish a destination restaurant.
The location has to be high profile locations.
Staffing after Covid was impossible, we had loyal staff that stayed the course.
1993 was difficult with Adriano’s passing while, still raising a family, fortunate to have had family, friends support.
in 2008 economy was challenging. I also wore many hats, was not easy.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I was educated in private schools by Catholic nuns. Languages were always my best subjects.
They taught me to being giving and kind to older people.
Every Saturday was spent at the Little Sisters of the Poor. helping out.
Every year in the summer my parents closed their restaurant ‘1 month’, and we traveled to Italy by ocean liners.
My parents had a family home.
We lived in Italy 1 month, traveling around and learning about history, culture and the art of cooking and shopping for fresh produce.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
My sons have started to develop products. Ther goal is national presence.
They have been successfully building our sauces and pastas.
Continuance of quality food and service and creating the restaurants happy memories for generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cafecortina.com
