About

About Manninos Italian Bistro

The father / son Chef team of John Rosario & John Matthew Mannino (father and son, respectively) partnered with Daris Gavin to open “Olde World” Italian Bistros. The goal was – and is – to give patrons great Italian food at a reasonable price point with wine choices to match. The Mannino’s Italian Bistro Family works with great passion and attention to detail to try and ensure that our guests develop a sense of home and comfort while enjoying their dining experience.

John M Mannino started his culinary career at Virginia Beach’s very own Big Sam’s at the Inlet. He also spent some time at La Bella Italia and the once-renowned Blue Hippo. John M then went to Velvet 25 to become the Sous Chef. It was there that John M and Daris Gavin met, developing a work relationship as well as a friendship that has culminated into their business partnerships. John M then decided to go to The Culinary Institute of America in New York. He graduated with honors, and gained valuable experience while cooking in New York City and Florida. He returned to become the Executive Chef of Bodega in Norfolk, and would eventually become the Executive Chef at 4.5.6 Fish at the same time.

Daris Gavin began bartending in 1988 in Portsmouth at the one time best kept secret in Tidewater, The Scale o’ d’Whale. He has been in the restaurant business ever since. He worked and trained with the one of Hampton Roads premiere Sommeliers, Marc Sauter, twice; once at La Galleria in the mid 1990’s and at the renowned Todd Jurich’s Bistro in 2004-2005. He also obtained his level one Sommelier certification at that time. He went on to become the General Manager of Fusion 440 in Portsmouth and of The Vintage Tavern in Suffolk, VA.

The trio opened the first Mannino’s Italian Bistro in 2008, and all three locations offer the same fresh, house-made recipes (from the mozzarella, pasta sauces, and award-winning crab soup, to the tiramisu and chocolate truffles) and an excellent customer service experience.

Proudly Serving Two Locations!

A Virginia Beach Icon & A New Moyock Favorite

The trio opened the first Mannino’s Italian Bistro in 2008, both locations offer the same fresh, house-made recipes (from the mozzarella, pasta sauces, and award-winning crab soup, to the tiramisu and chocolate truffles) and an excellent customer service experience.