worth the drive
WRITTEN BY DAVID MCCREARY PHOTOGRAPHED JONATHAN FREDIN
IT’S USUALLY A GOOD SIGN that a restaurant is worth visiting when all the tables are filled with patrons. Since opening in mid-2020, business at Vieni Ristobar Italian eatery in downtown Holly Springs has been bustling. So, why is Vieni so popular? For starters, virtually everything is made from scratch daily, including the pasta. What’s more, friendly, efficient service is executed by well-trained staff. But make no mistake when it comes to what sets this restaurant apart from many others: It’s the presence of vivacious proprietor Randi Cinelli, a woman who makes every customer feel welcome and appreciated.
“The main reason we are here is to create a memorable experience for each guest,” said Cinelli, whose family is well-regarded in the Triangle’s Italian restaurant scene. “We want you to order something that we have created and know that it was made fresh to order.” Vieni, which means “come eat with me” in Italian, has quickly become a popular spot for locals to frequent time and again. “We want to be the restaurant in town people visit often and consider their go-to place,” Cinelli said. “We love Holly Springs and want to be a big part of the community for years to come.” The moment you step inside the din-
ing room, you can’t help but notice the striking 20-seat bar. “This is an informal restaurant built around a bar,” Cinelli explained. Witty, framed signs like “Feed Me Pizza and Tell Me I’m Pretty” and “Joey Doesn’t Share Food” (a nod to the TV sitcom “Friends”) hang on a long wall, further adding to the eatery’s unpretentious vibe. Whether you go for the pizza, the entrees or even the appetizers, there’s plenty to like about Vieni’s mouthwatering menu. Start your meal with a plate of longstemmed artichokes involving mascarpone, mozzarella and goat cheese. Or consider continued on page 99
Owner Randi Cinelli says Vieni Ristobar is "an informal restaurant built around a bar." 96
OCTOBER 2021
