Meet Michael and Sam Billelo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael and Sam Billelo.

Hi Michael and Sam, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story started before we were even born, the family goes back three generations of restauranteurs. It started in Brooklyn, NY with our great uncle Sal and our Father growing up learning how to make pizza. Fast forward to 1986 & 1991, where Sam and I (Michael) were born in Waco, Texas. We grew up in our father’s Pizzerias, our favorite playground and our home away from home. We used to play soccer in the walk-in fridge with a mini soccer ball when we were kids until we were too cold, that’s how far back we go into being submerged in not only food but an American-Italian restaurateur lifestyle.

As we grew up in Dallas and would go visit our father’s Restaurant, “Bella Luna” in Arizona, we learned how to make pizzas, and fresh pasta, and the business. Both Sam and I worked hard in different Hospitality groups through college, taking on separate experiences to help create own concept. We came together two years ago to embark on opening our first spot, Fiori Italian Restaurant and Bar in Flower Mound. A common goal of sharing our own passion for the culinary world. Now being open for almost two years, we have continued to live our dream of owning our own restaurant together. We named Fiori after our grandmother Daisy, as a tribute to learning from her cooking and in life.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The biggest challenge had a brand new business open, then shortly being hit by Covid-19. Being suddenly shut down was a huge unpredictability on what would happen to the dining out scene and what our future as restaurant owners looked like. The community of Flower Mound answered that question for us. We have had the most tremendous support and loyalty any restaurant owners could ask for. We had to adjust to this new normal quickly, and we just can’t thank our employees and town enough for sticking with us and the continued support.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Fiori, we are a family and focus on our passion for pasta. Making classic everyday dishes with fresh pasta is one of the hardest things we have tried to do. Currently, we are making Fettucine, Spaghetti, Cavatelli, Agnolotti, and Pappardelle all by hand, every day. Although making fresh pasta daily is not the easiest route, we truly believe it’s essential when serving fresh Italian food. The passion we have for making fresh pasta would have to be what sets us aside from others. Growing up eating our father’s pizza, we wanted to incorporate wood fired pizza into our restaurant from the beginning knowing it would set us apart. We have created an old school Brooklyn style crispy crust that is truly unmatched. If you had asked me two years ago what set us aside, my answer would have been our veal, known as “A cutlet above”. Our culinary passions are constantly evolving, we love to change up our menu, keeping it seasonal and fresh, that alone makes us pretty special.

What’s next?
Our future is to create a new concept, to explore new untouched boundaries of our own. We want to grow in business but also in skill and to put our touch on other culinary scenes.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.fioriflowermound.com
• Instagram: @fioriflowermound
• Facebook: Fiori Italian Restaurant & Bar