David Zecchini

David Zecchini grew up in Rome. At age 21, he moved all the way to California, where he began his career as a restauranteur at Sapori in Newport Beach. Later, working at a restaurant in nearby Corona del Mar, Carmelo’s, David met longtime friend and mentor, Carmelo Manto.

Manto taught Zecchini many valuable lessons about the restaurant industry. David was promoted to General Manager under his guidance. Shortly after Manto died, Zecchini opened his first restaurant– La Fontana in Huntington Beach. He later sold the restaurant and moved to Saratoga Springs, NY after a visit to the historic city.

Never shying away from a new challenge, David opened Chianti il Ristorante in downtown Saratoga Springs in 1998. He completely redesigned and renovated the former site of a chain restaurant into an elegant, intimate dining room that quickly became a favorite for fine dining in the area.

Zecchini’s success with Chianti marked the start of his regional restaurant collection. He opened his second venue, Luna Lounge, in 2002, which was then transformed into Mare Ristorante in 2005 and later sold in May of 2007.

In 2004, David opened Forno Bistro at the opposite end of Broadway from Chianti.