Husband and wife team Massimo and Deborah Tenino began their dream of owning their own restaurant in 2003.   Mr. Tenino is an Italian-born professional chef. He has worked in the kitchens of critically acclaimed restaurants including Alto Palato in Los Angeles and Pane e Vino and Hawthorne Lane in San Francisco.   Ms. Tenino, an Arizona native, worked in San Francisco as professional fund raiser and event planner. After the birth of their first child, Gianluca, the Teninos decided to move to Tucson with plans to open Tavolino, their first independent restaurant venture.

Tavolino's opening in December of 2003 was a tremendous success.   Among its many successes was early recognition in the Zagat Guide and other gourmet publications, and a piece with Massimo on National Public Radio's The Bob Edwards Show.   The Arizona Daily Star in an early review noted the restaurant for its "unfussy fare that makes the taste buds dance."

Today Tavolino is busier than ever.   The Teninos have embraced their roles as "ristoratori:" thriving on the challenge of bringing new and exciting Italian foods to the Tucson community.   The restaurant has expanded to include additional seating on an outside patio. Their latest addition, Di Luca opened in the fall of 2006, bringing a traditional Italian deli to the southwest.