Meet Roberto Flores | Chef & Manager

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

Hi Roberto, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Our family is the most important factor behind our success in our restaurant. We would not be where we are without our families. We are a family-run Italian restaurant that is just family working here. We help create a sense of family atmosphere when people dine here.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
We are a Latino-owned Italian Restaurant. What makes us the most proud is that we have been able to run this restaurant for so long as a family. It has not been easy to run a restaurant. There are a lot of ups and downs in this line of business. When times became tough, for example, during COVID-19, we had to work twice as hard doing multiple jobs in the restaurant to keep us afloat. We’ve had to take pay cuts for some weeks or not get paid to make sure that we can keep the restaurant open. We would not have been able to do this without family.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Some of my favorite places to eat are as follows. If it was Mexican food, There are a couple of amazing hidden gems. My go-to would be this little restaurant called Frank’s Restaurant Mexican Food located near The Grove in LA. There is also a taco truck on La Brea and Olympic called El Chatos taco truck that is great. Some of my other places to eat are Shabuya in Los Angeles. There is also Dino’s Chicken & Burgers. Don abel’s Churros are also amazing.

If it is their first time here in LA I would take them to the top of the Hollywood sign as it has one of the best views in the city. If they enjoy watching movies one of my favorite places to go watch movies is Rooftop Cinema Club as they have some amazing places where they show movies. There is also Funko Hollywood as they have an incredible-looking store. Here at the restaurant we also do wine tastings and cooking classes so that would be something I would bring a friend to.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to recognize our family, for we wouldn’t be where we are right now without them. We are going towards 28 years strong. I would also like to recognize our Business Partner and great family friend Fredric Greenblatt.

Website: https://www.gioencino.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/giocucina/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GiosinEncino/

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/gio-cucina-napoletana-encino?osq=gio+cucina+napoletana