In 1996, Drew Nicastro and Leigh-Anne Jones met as students at the Culinary Institute of America. When Drew graduated in 1996 he accepted the teaching fellowship in the prestigious Escofieer Room at the CIA, and Leigh-Anne finished her education, graduating in 1998.

After Drew's fellowship was complete he was the Executive Sous Chef at the Greenwich Country Club while Leigh-Anne began managing Lenehan Restaurant Corp. When traveling became too much, Drew was asked to take over an up and coming restaurant in Tivoli, NY called Stony Creek. After taking over as Chef the restaurant won high honors with Sante wine magazine for their food and wine pairings.

Married in the spring of 1999, Drew was offered the Executive Chef position at Main Street Café in Williamstown in Jan 2000. Leigh-Anne helped with running the front and realized that they were to become parents by Christmas.

Once Isabella was born, Drew and Leigh-Anne took a few months off and made some life changes. Leigh-Anne took a part time position with the Williams Inn managing the banquette staff and Drew took the position of Food Service Director at the Clark Art Institute. When Drew's company decided to have him travel after 4 years at the Clark, it was too much for the family.

With a lot of work and the help of a business partner, they were able to realize their dream and open a casual restaurant with over the top food and service. Knowing that 5 years earlier it was Isabella that changed their lives, and now it would be another life changing event, they named it after the one thing that is most precious to them...

ISABELLA