Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi & Jeff Zalaznick
When Jeff Zalaznick, Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi opened Carbone in 2013, they minted a temple for the glitterati. On this high-carb holy ground, celebrities flock like moths to a candlelit rigatoni. Derek Jeter’s entire family (because one Jeter isn’t enough), Selena Gomez, the Kardashians, Tony Bennett and even President Barack Obama have all graced their tables. Truffle tortellini is, apparently, the great unifier.
As the masterminds behind Major Food Group (MFG), this trio has turned dining into a global sport, where the scoreboard includes over 45 restaurants, a luxury residential tower, private clubs, a Michelin star and a staggering number of rave reviews. In January, Major Food Group bought the expansion rights to Marea, announcing plans to take the iconic Italian restaurant worldwide. In February, they announced a partnership with Hard Rock International to bring dining experiences to Hard Rock Hotel & Casino properties worldwide. In November, MFG announced a partnership with Mat Ishbia, owner of the Pheonix Suns and Pheonix Mercury, for a members-only private dining club in the sports teams’ arena—set to open later this year.
In December, MFG will open VINO, marking the group’s ninth restaurant in Miami, a city that “thrives on energy and vibrancy—two qualities that lie at the heart of what we do,” chef and co-founder Mario Carbone tells Observer. “Miami has embraced us, and it feels like the perfect place to keep growing.” As for making Observer’s list for the second year in a row? “It’s a testament to the dedication and creativity that shape every concept we develop. Our approach has always been about storytelling. We don’t chase accolades, but this recognition affirms that the work we’re passionate about is making a real impact in the industry,” Carbone says.
In 2025, MFG will further expand its global portfolio—which already includes France, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Korea and China. For Zalaznick, Carbone and Torrisi, the world is more than their oyster; it is their Michelin-starred, hand-rolled, impossibly chic clams casino.
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