A little bit about us..... the culmination of culinary refinement and restaurant entrepreneurship . . .

Like most success stories, MONTE Restaurant Development Group begins in a very humble place, the outdoor dining table in the heart of Southern Italy. It is here that Executive Restaurateurs & Developers Gennaro DiMeo, Lino DiMeo, and Gennaro DiBenedetto, fuse their extended research and boyhood nostalgia to bring venerated recipes of old into captivating, all-embracing, accessible environments. Both owners Gennaro DiMeo and Lino DiMeo are "true Italians" coming directly to the restaurant industry from years of family owned Italian restaurants in Italy. Each of MONTE's diverse restaurants carries a delectable theme where you can dine several times a week and still find something new and memorable to walk away with.

The common thread uniting all MONTE establishments is an emphasis on excellent food, superior service, and genuine value throughout the dining experience. Wonderful food at a wonderfully fair price. We believe that each meal serves us with the opportunity to take our guests to a new level. A place of relaxation, comfort and unsurpassed taste.

In 1997 Lino, and Gennaro opened their first restaurant Café Mezzanotte in Severna Park, MD. This fine dining concept was the first successful concept within their restaurant group. In 1998 the group's first fast-casual brand was born; Squisito® NY Pizza and Pasta restaurant. Over the course of the next 12 years, nine locations opened and continue to be a favorite among Marylanders of all ages! Four Seasons Grille in Gambrills, MD then made its debut in 2006; a fusion of Mediterranean and American cuisine. The next restaurant to open in this fleet of successful dining was Carmine's in Sterling, VA. This concept was the group's first family Italian Kitchen, modeled after the Squisito® fast casual idea. Next to open was Carpaccio Tuscan Kitchen and Wine Bar. It made its Debut in Spring of 2008 in Downtown Annapolis. Today it is still one of Annapolis' favorite hot spots, not only for the best authentic Tuscan Italian cuisine, but also for the most exquisite outdoor dining and wine menu in all of downtown. "Comfortable yet Sophisticated!" 4 Seasons Bistro in Chester, MD opens next; Mediterranean meets American, comes to the Island, Kent Island that is. Next to open January 2012 DiMeo's Pizzeria will make its entrance into the Annapolis City neighborhood. Opening Spring 2012 Squisito Burtonsville will join the family. Through years of research, learning's and continued success of owning and operating locations from casual dining to fine dining Gennaro and Lino perfected and defined their fleet of restaurants which exist today.

If you were to ask these two young men what their spark was for such growth and success, they would respond with a smile and nod, "making-da-people-happy". It is this "hospitality-infused" culture and philosophy that is deeply respected and practiced in every each of our establishments. It is this mantra which radiates a genuine comfort and professionalism that guests, vendors and the community at large can feel and appreciate.

At each of the MONTE Restaurants we strive to exceed the guest's expectations on every plate, at every table, with each meal and to do it time after time.

The philosophy to achieve the goal is simple. To fill every position with people who have a passion for the restaurant industry, to provide each and every one of them with an enjoyable work environment, and to teach them core values to guide their interactions with each guest and each other. By making this philosophy the foundation of our everyday culture, we believe we will experience continued success.