Well respected, ultra talented and a bit of a visionary, Chef Marco Nico has been very successful in the restaurant industry. It is perhaps because of his uncanny ability to understand the market in terms of what will work and what won’t that sees him move seamlessly from one project to the next.

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Chef Marco first came to Durban from Johannesburg in the late 80’s. He opened his first restaurant, La Buca di Bacco, in Umhlanga in 1989. Two years later he moved on to create the “El” group with Martin Lombaard which included El Cubano, El Turko and El Guappo. It was whilst opening El Guappo that he met his wife, Kerryne.

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After a stint at Singita Game Reserve, as Group Executive Chef he moved on to create Ciao Itallia in Westville and Havana Grill at the Suncoast Casino. Chef Marco has worked as a consultant to various restaurants in KZN and is highly regarded in the industry.  He started the very successful Marco Paulo in Mt. Edgecombe before heading off to the Mother City to make Charcuterie (sausages and cured meats)

 

It wasn’t long before chef was back in sunny Durban and this is where La Storia begins. ​

Chef Marco uses the best produce he can get and makes everything from scratch, for Chef Marco- There are NO shortcuts.His Italian roots are evident in his cooking style but South African culture also heavily influences his dishes. Food, Wine Tradition – Excellent Food, Exquisite Wines and the Proud Tradition that permeates the walls of this fine establishment are the cornerstones that take La Storia from a being good restaurant to a great one!