A native of Napoli in Southern Italy, Chef Francesco Martini's interest in
culinary arts was formed at a very early age. Inspired by the colors and
flavors of the numerous local markets and farms, he began his culinary
training in a variety of fine dining venues in the Neapolitan area, including
Zi Teresa and La Cantinella.
culinary arts was formed at a very early age. Inspired by the colors and
flavors of the numerous local markets and farms, he began his culinary
training in a variety of fine dining venues in the Neapolitan area, including
Zi Teresa and La Cantinella.
Martini's path took a bit of a detour as he completed law school in Italy, but soon after graduation
he decided to follow his culinary dream and moved to Barcelona, Spain, which was emerging ad a
mecca for the culinary arts. While in Barcelona, Martini worked as an intern for two chefs, Santi
Santamaria from Can Faves and Chef Fermin Puig at the Majestic Hotel. He also studied at a
Catalan school for chefs and orchestrated the opening of an Italian school for pizza makers.
Martini and his wife Marianna then opened a restaurant of their own, Il Colosseo, with a menu of
Italian cuisine and gourmet pizzeria. In 2005 they sold the restaurant and moved to the United
States, where Martini enrolled in the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and joined the team at
Mare in the North End as Sous Chef.
Having been at Mare since its inception, Martini was named the Executive Chef in September of
2008. He drew crowds and rave reviews with the seafood-laden, all-natural menu.
In December of 2009, Martini and his wife opened Buona Vita in Arlington. Designed to recreate
an authentic European bistro like you might find down one of the narrow streets of Barcelona,
Paris or Rome, the intimate Italian restaurant emphasizes high quality and low prices with a menu
that's full of simple, traditional and tasty dishes.
he decided to follow his culinary dream and moved to Barcelona, Spain, which was emerging ad a
mecca for the culinary arts. While in Barcelona, Martini worked as an intern for two chefs, Santi
Santamaria from Can Faves and Chef Fermin Puig at the Majestic Hotel. He also studied at a
Catalan school for chefs and orchestrated the opening of an Italian school for pizza makers.
Martini and his wife Marianna then opened a restaurant of their own, Il Colosseo, with a menu of
Italian cuisine and gourmet pizzeria. In 2005 they sold the restaurant and moved to the United
States, where Martini enrolled in the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and joined the team at
Mare in the North End as Sous Chef.
Having been at Mare since its inception, Martini was named the Executive Chef in September of
2008. He drew crowds and rave reviews with the seafood-laden, all-natural menu.
In December of 2009, Martini and his wife opened Buona Vita in Arlington. Designed to recreate
an authentic European bistro like you might find down one of the narrow streets of Barcelona,
Paris or Rome, the intimate Italian restaurant emphasizes high quality and low prices with a menu
that's full of simple, traditional and tasty dishes.
Francesco Martini
Chef at Buona Vita
Chef at Buona Vita