“Cooking is like making love, you do it well, or you do not do it at all.” A second generation restaurateur and chef, Vernon Cesta’s love of cooking and the pursuit to do it well has fueled his life long passion… making great food, and creating a comfortable and welcoming atmosphere in which to enjoy it in. Since 1995, Vernon’s Café has been a focal point for great food and wine, served with warmth, in a family friendly (and family affordable) atmosphere. Though it continues to be challenging work, as Vernon’s Café has undergone several expansions and renovations, running a restaurant is almost second nature to its’ owner, who grew up in the business. For over forty years, Vernon has been involved in restaurants in one way or another. His father, Vernon, Sr., cooked for many years at the famous Abruzzi’s Café 422 on the strip in Niles, where his picture still hangs on the wall. When Vernon, Sr. opened his own place in Warren called The Chateau, he looked to his family, in particular his son, to one-day take up the family trade. When the Cesta family opened Vernon’s Villa within Warren’s Executive Inn in the early ‘80s, Vernon, Sr. eventually handed the reins to his son, who got his first experience at running the day-to-day operations of a restaurant. From then on it would only be a matter of time before Vernon implemented what he had learned to create his own restaurant concept and signature dishes. From the very beginning, Vernon’s Café has always been a family affair, where his parents, sister and wife helped out in the dining room and kitchen, preparing homemade pastas, delicately filled dumplings, stuffed ravioli and other original Italian and American cuisine. Today Vernon’s Café is synonymous with great food and wine, even being recognized nationally with six Wine Spectator Awards. When Vernon’s not in the kitchen cooking, you’ll find him and wife, Janeen, sons Tre & Vernon III, and daughter’s Bianca and Marinna greeting patrons with warm smiles and friendly handshakes. |