The Grossi Group has announced Grossi Florentino, Grossi Grill, Cellar Bar, Ombra, and Arlechin will be handed over to a new custodian by the end of the year.
As part of the sale, Grossi Florentino will return to its original name, Florentino. Founded in 1928, Café Florentino on Melbourne’s Bourke St is one of Australia’s longest-standing dining institutions. The Grossi family has owned it since 1999 and last year the family celebrated 25 years at the helm of Grossi Florentino.
The group, which has not yet named the new custodian, has served as a training ground for a significant number of hospitality professionals who have gone on to shape the industry as chefs, sommeliers, and restaurateurs in Australia and abroad.
Chef and Co-Owner Guy Grossi says 26 years as custodian of Florentino is a significant period in any person’s life.
“Our purpose has always been to bring people together and make them feel good with every interaction,” says Grossi. “We feel privileged to have served in these extraordinary venues for so long and to share our family history with so many.”
He says looking to the future, this is not about their family stepping away, rather “embracing” a new chapter.
“We will continue to dedicate ourselves to the hospitality industry, Melbourne, the craft of cooking, and the traditions that have shaped us,” says Grossi. “For me, that means continuing to preserve and share the cultural heritage of Italian dining, while also ensuring the knowledge, values and passion we’ve built are passed on to the next generation.”
Co-Owner and Managing Director Liz Rodriguez says it’s not just a business, it’s a craft.
“It’s about bringing people together through Amore e Cultura [love and culture],” says Rodriguez. “I love this business, the people who come here, and giving our team a pathway in the industry they love. I’ve done this for 27 years; it’s not always easy, but when you’re passionate, you get excited.”
Rodriguez added she looks forward to continuing her creativity and contributing more broadly to the industry.
“I remain committed to supporting the next generation and making a meaningful contribution for years to come. Importantly, the Grossi restaurant family will continue through other initiatives in the industry.”
Grossi Group General Manager Carlo Grossi has also played a central role in shaping the guest experience across all venues.
Meanwhile, Chris Rodriguez has collaborated closely with Guy for several decades, serving as executive chef and a partner in overseeing the food operations of the business.
The group says Melissa Grossi has been instrumental in establishing the group from its beginning and assists with day-to-day operations, while also contributing to ongoing creative development. Loredana Grossi is responsible for overseeing branding, partnerships, and communications across all venues, ensuring a cohesive and distinctive identity for the group.
The Grossi family has overseen the preservation of Florentino’s historic features, including the restoration of Napier Waller’s 1935 murals in the Mural Room, and the reinvigoration of the Wynn Room, named after wine merchant Samuel Wynn.
While ownership now passes to new custodians, the Grossi family will continue to contribute to the hospitality industry through mentoring, initiatives and partnerships that support and inspire the next generation of hospitality professionals.
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Maia Hart
