Damian Mandola

Damian has loved to cook Italian-style, as well as explore local flavors and cuisines, since he was a child. He started his first restaurant 32 years ago in 1975 as a college senior: "Damian's Fine Italian Food." Once established, he became an integral part of the Houston restaurant scene, first with D'Amico's, then Damian's Cucina Italiana, then to the national scene with Carrabba's, a restaurant he founded with nephew Johnny Carrabba. Damian and Johnny have hosted a popular PBS cooking series and written three best-selling Italian cookbooks. Most recently, Damian has started three new ventures around the Austin area. He divides his time between the popular, bustling Mandola's Italian Market, Mandola Estate Winery, and now, Trattoria Lisina.