Ciao, and welcome to Plus39 Studio.

The name comes from two places: +39, the international calling code for Italy, and the number that became a personal symbol of connection with my grandfather Lorenzo. On his 80th birthday he wore a pin marked “39” as a joke, and in 2019 I began my journey of applying for Italian citizenship through him. Four years later, after countless mornings spent checking my inbox, I received the approval—just days after dreaming of my grandfather, who had passed in 2020. Since then, “39” has shown up everywhere from him: on license plates, receipts, ticket stubs and more. This year, as I turned 39 and finally moved from New York to Puglia, my family’s region, it felt only right to honor those signs by launching Plus39 Studio.

Growing up in The Bronx as a second-generation Italian American, food has always been at the heart of my family—and to this day, my main concern is still what my next meal will be. My earliest memories of hospitality go back to dining at my cousin’s restaurant, Roberto’s, in the real Little Italy of New York-Arthur Avenue. What began as a hosting job there during college quickly grew into management and operations across my cousin’s restaurant group.

That foundation led me to a career with some of New York’s top restaurants and hospitality groups—managing Michael White’s Osteria Morini, working guest relations at Eleven Madison Park’s pop-ups in the Hamptons and Aspen, and managing at The NoMad in NYC. After 15 years in restaurants, I pivoted into luxury spirits, where I worked on brand packaging, international label compliance, and produced global events with leading talent in the industry.

I love food and know what makes a meal memorable. I love restaurants and know the difference between good and exceptional service. And I love sharing where to find those special places.

Whether I’m designing travel experiences across Italy or scouting the perfect location in Puglia for a brand activation or private event-I bring the same passion and detail to my work as I did when I first fell in love with the magic of restaurants.