We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Greco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It was just time. I wanted to control the narrative. I wanted to provide the ultimate guest experience, and not have to explain myself to anyone. It was time to embrace that after 30 some odd years in this industry at both the highest and lowest levels, that I do know better. That, plus I genuinely couldn’t accept one more paycheck, no matter how big it was, if I didn’t believe in what I was doing.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My restaurant Fia is named for St. Fiacre, the Patron Saint of Gardeners. I love this as we have a beautiful outdoor garden in Santa Monica, which is such a luxury during these extraordinary times in which we are living. I feel that he is out there every day, tending to the garden, keeping us safe. My partner, Chef Brendan Collins and I, came up with that name together, by accident, because the original names that I wanted were already taken.

What sets us apart is that we’ve been in the trenches, and we care. About every guest, every dish and every experience. We won’t always be perfect, but we’ll always strive for perfection. And if we do mess up, we’ll always do our best to make it right. We serve great consistent food in a sexy environment with moody lighting and groovy music and by knowledgable servers who want to do their best for you, because I won’t accept anything less as our guests deserve just that. When you come to Fia, I want you to feel a sense of occasion.

Getting to where we are, was hard. And it still is. You have to get better every day. Or you’re getting worse.

As to the lessons that I’ve learned, you have to pay attention, and you can never take it for granted. You must be present, and you must have someone that you trust. If you ask ten people their opinion, you’re going to find the opinion that you are looking for. When it comes to Fia, I know who I trust when I ask the hard questions.

As to the brand and the story, we’re still writing it. All I can tell you is that Chef and I are currently in Spain working on a new concept, and we’re excited. And it’s going to be named after a Saint. We seem to keep stumbling on those names. I don’t think that’s an accident.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When my best friends want to visit, I make them meet me in other cities because I’m inclined to go to work every day, so naturally I take them to Fia.

Other than that, Capo is always on my list for dinner. I like the corn ravioli and the art. Citrin is also one of my go-to’s for their dirty chicken, and their somm Kaitlyn, is one of my favorite industry professionals in the city.

For quiet drinks with a sunset view, I like Casa Del Mar. Other than that, you’re most likely to find me in a backyard BBQ, hanging with my buddy Picker who designed Fia Steak, that’s coming soon. He makes the best ribs, and his own BBQ sauce, and you feel like you’re in Bali, so that’s always an escape.

As is the backyard of my friends Van and Francine. They’re the ultimate hosts, pouring the best wines, and playing the best music. And they dish out my hospitality there. Truth is I spend so much time in my own restaurant, that when I’m not there, I’d rather be home, or in someone else’s home. That’s the only time I stop paying attention to service, and get to relax.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Wow. I’ve had so many mentors that I’ve learned from. My first work mentor was Abraham Merchant, who has a hospitality company in NYC, and probably doesn’t even remember me. He gave me my first bar managing job and was the first man to fire me. At the time (and in my mind), it was a simple misunderstanding, but looking back, I totally get it. I’ll never forget what he taught me that day. He said, “The higher up the ladder you go, the higher your level of scrutiny.” Additionally, the first life mentor, outside of my parents, was probably my cousin Paul Provenza, who interrupted me mid-boast about winning a P’alme d’Or, at the Cannes Film Festival to remind me that I hadn’t even written a script yet, and told me that in life, you have to take care of the process first, and that the goals will take care of themselves. In other words, don’t worry about the award. Write the script. And because I can’t answer that question without shouting out the late great visionary Harry Morton, who gave me my start in Las Vegas, and also my dear friend, the dearly departed transcendent DJ AM, whom I spent hours with after working in the biggest nightclubs in the world, sitting in diners and talking about life. These are amongst the people who have shaped me.

Website: https://www.fiarestaurant.com/

Instagram: @fiarestaurant and @Thelifeofgreco

Image Credits
Fia photo: Wonho Frank Lee

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