Story by Jeanette Wages
Photography by Jonathan Thorpe
With a name that is synonymous with fine Italian dining in Alexandria, it is hard to believe that Noe Landini originally had no interest in following in his father’s footsteps into the restaurant business. As most kids with family owned businesses, he began working in the restaurant laying tile then worked his way into the kitchen, but it never felt like a family business to him. At 22 he left the restaurant industry behind. By 24 he began his own company, working in frozen food imports in the Middle East. On a trip home he learned that his uncle was about to sell the restaurant. After looking into some buyers, he decided to partner with his father and bought his uncle’s half of the business. Noe has since expanded to owning multiple restaurants in the area and occasionally throwing on his Chef whites and getting back into the kitchen.
Favorite Hobby: Noe loves riding cafe racers up the coast of Italy
Though he has many business accomplishments, Noe still likes to explore the world and have fun. Born in Alexandria and raised with his time split between here and Maremma, a seaside region of Tuscany along the Tyrrhenian Sea, built strong roots in his Italian heritage, an appreciation for culture and travel, and developed his love of being on the water and most of what he knows about boating. “Being on the water is one of my favorite things. I’ve traveled the Intracoastal Waterway several times. I fish and actually catch things, and dive. I wish I could do more of that.” The love of all things outdoors also extends on land where he spends time on a ranch he owns with friends hunting and riding dirt bikes.
Whether he’s in Alexandria managing his restaurants, traveling with family, or seeking adventure, there is one thing that is always true of Noe: His heart is always in Italy.
Next Interesting Man of Alexandria 2020 → C.J. Cross