Business: VAI’s Italian Inspired Kitchen + Bar
Address: 916 S. Route 59, Naperville
Phone/website: 630-453-5200; www.VaisNaperville.com
Owners: Anthony Vai, Michael Vai, Nicolas Vai, Scott Wegener, Sandy Georganas and Pete Georganas. This group also own the Entourage restaurants in Naperville and Downers Grove.
Years in business: 8
What does your business do? “We’re a full-service, Italian-inspired restaurant,” Anthony Vai, 40, of St. Charles, said.
Italian inspired? “We never wanted to be locked into the old school mentality of it all. We like to have a little bit more flexibility. We thought ‘Italian-inspired’ provided that for us, gives us an out to get a little more creative and do a little bit more ‘out there’ stuff that’s not so traditional. … We have bigeye tuna, one of the better tunas available. Creole seasoning in some dishes. Southern American influence. Fantastic steaks.”
What’s hot? “Twin filet medallions is one of our most popular dishes. We’ve had it on the menu since we opened.”
What’s your job? “I oversee operations. … Everything from service, servers, the beverage program, front desk. A lot of administrative (duties) when it comes to HR and compliance stuff, legal stuff, payroll. A lot behind the scenes.”
What’s the background? “My grandfather was in the hospitality world. My dad grew up in it. I grew up in it. I didn’t want to do it. … But at some point in life, you go through enough ups and downs. … To work with my family, I thought that would be the coolest thing. I did fall in love with it.
“We moved to Plainfield in 1998 from South Florida. We met Scott and Sandy. Scotty and my father, Michael, worked together at the Clubhouse restaurant in Oak Brook. That’s where we all became great friends. … We opened Fire and Wine in 2012 in Glen Ellyn…. We sold our shares off because we focus here, on Entourage (in Naperville) and Entourage in Downers Grove.”
Is VAI’s in competition with Entourage? “No. We wanted Entourage to have a different feel, to offer things we didn’t offer at VAI’s and vice versa. … The food at Entourage is more modern American. VAI’s is Italian inspired.”
If crowded at one, do you send diners to the other? “Absolutely. ‘Hey, if you don’t like waiting, we have another restaurant down the street.’”
Do you share costs, employees? “They are separate entities. Each responsible for their own costs. … We do cross utilize when needed, our chefs possibly.”
Do you worry about the new Block 59 opening nearby with big names like Cheesecake Factory and Ruth’s Chris Steak House? “There are 100,000-plus people in Naperville. Hundreds of thousands of people in the surrounding area. Plenty of business to go around. … We have to focus on ourselves without worrying about the other guys and gals.”
What are the roles of your brother and father? “My brother (Nicolas) is an investor with us. He had a great opportunity he chose to pursue but he’s involved from a distance, an idea guy. … My dad (Michael) is still involved from afar. … A lot of the high-level stuff with direction of the company. He has the final say if he doesn’t want to see something but, for the most part, we have his blessings.”
Did you consider downtown? “We looked at several locations. Some, we didn’t like the layout. Rent downtown compared to Route 59 is night and day.”
What’s your favorite dish? “If I need a fix, I get our Bolognese and I’m traditionally not a red sauce guy. It hits the spot.”
What should people know? “We make our pastas, our pizza dough, our sauces, our dressings, our gelato in house. We make almost everything here. … (It’s about) quality control.”
Who decides the menu? “It mostly falls on Scott’s shoulders.”
What about your customers? “Super loyal. I enjoy sharing my life, their life. It’s so special.”
What have you learned? “I went into this knowing my father is the best I’ve ever seen of anyone in doing restaurants. So, I knew I’d learn from the best. Scotty is the best at what he does. … (This business) will consume you if you allow it. It will become your life.”
When are you busy? “Every night. I say that humbly.”
Are you related to rock guitarist Steve Vai? “He’s my uncle, Michael’s little brother. He played a fundraiser for Little Friends here in 2019. The whole band. We netted over $100,000 in proceeds.”
What’s your advice for someone starting a business? “Find out what it is that you do better than everyone else. … People are looking for service and product. You have to remember that. … And commit to being great.”
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun. If you know of a business you’d like to see profiled in Down to Business, contact him at metschmsfl@yahoo.com.