Antonio and Patrick Corsi and Tanis Tsisserev

Born in the small town of Maenza, outside of Rome, Antonio Corsi found his calling early, apprenticing in kitchens in Italy and Germany before moving to Canada where he joined his brother, Mario, at the Park Royal Hotel in Vancouver.

The entrepreneurial brothers decided to create an authentic Italian trattoria on the North Shore. In 1980, Trattoria Corsi opened its doors and North Shore residents opened their hearts to the Corsis' warm, rustic restaurant. Trattoria Corsi specialized in making 100 percent of its own pasta, using only semolina and eggs.  Encouraged by the success the trattoria, the Corsis created another successful restaurant concept, Charley Potatoes Oyster Bar and Grill, located on Esplanade Avenue in North Vancouver. In 1984 they reinvented the restaurant as Café Roma, a more upscale companion to the popular Trattoria Corsi. Truly a family business, Antonio and his wife Edith practically raised their children at their restaurants.

Given this start, it is not surprising that Antonio's son, Patrick, grew up to be a restaurateur. After graduating from high school, Patrick began working at his father's restaurants. When Antonio moved to Edmonton to open Il Portico, Patrick took on the management of Café Roma.

By 1994, Patrick had developed a concept for a contemporary Italian restaurant. He called his father in Edmonton, and proposed his idea. Antonio flew to Vancouver immediately and within 72 hours the ink was dry on the lease of 2611 West Fourth Avenue. Quattro opened its doors that summer. 

Shortyl, Patrick became one of Vancouver's youngest and most respected restaurateurs; Business in Vancouver magazine included Patrick on its list of top business achievers under the age of 40 in 2003.

Currently, Patrick and Antonio own and operate three successful restaurants: Quattro on Fourth, Quattro at Whistler and Gusto di Quattro, all three known for their elegant take on Italian comfort food and their joyous family atmosphere.

Tanis Tsisserev is the principal of T2 Communications, a sought-after PR firm based in Vancouver, and has worked with Quattro and the Corsi family for nearly a decade. Tanis has been featured in Flare, Canadian Family, and the Globe and Mail. She is also a regular shopping and food contributor to Shaw Television.