Tony Vallone
(1945-2020)
BOARD MEMBER EMERITUS
President & CEO
Vallone Restaurant Group
Tony Vallone (1945-2020) was a legendary Houston restaurateur. Born in Houston in January 1945, he was raised by his grandmother, Maria Aiello Vallone. A second-generation Italian American, he developed a passion for all things Italian at an early age; his Neapolitan grandmother introduced him to the kitchen, and from there his love affair with cooking began.
From his early days at Tony鈥檚 Restaurant on Sage to the fine dining days on Post Oak, Vallone changed the dining landscape of Houston. In 2005, he moved his flagship restaurant to Greenway Plaza, trading opulent d茅cor for a fresher, more contemporary feel. For 55 years, Vallone wined and dined Houstonians, out-of-towners, movie stars such as Sophia Loren, musicians such as Luciano Pavarotti, dignitaries, and almost every U.S. president since Lyndon B. Johnson.
With his ability to source the highest quality ingredients, his attention to detail, and his 鈥渇ine dining but friendly鈥� motto, Vallone made Houstonians feel the world was at their feet. Today, Vallone鈥檚 restaurant and catering remain at the forefront of the Houston dining scene.
In addition to his flagship restaurant, Vallone owned and operated many other notable Houston restaurants, including Anthony鈥檚, Caff茅 Bello, Ciao Bello, Grotto, La Griglia, Vallone鈥檚, Los Tonyos, and Tony鈥檚 Ballroom. He was an active member of the Houston community, serving on the boards of Boys and Girls Country, the Memorial Hermann Foundation, the Houston Methodist Hospital Foundation, the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center Board of Visitors, and the Hilton College Dean鈥檚 Advisory Board, on which he served as a member emeritus.
Although Vallone the restaurateur was elegant and formal, in everyday life he was casual. He loved simple things and could often be found at home watering his plants in his favorite white T-shirt with Italian music playing and pasta cooking on the stove. He was a man of routine, from his daily work schedule to his Monday and Wednesday lunch bunches and his Saturday coffee with friends.
Vallone never met a stranger and loved to host friends and family in his home. His doors were open to everyone, and he welcomed guests with a big smile and an even bigger hug. Holidays at the Vallones鈥� were legendary, filled with hustle and bustle, joy, warmth, laughter, Italian music, and traditional Italian comfort food.
For Vallone, food may have been his passion, but family was his heart. It started with his devotion to his wife. In 1981, he met Donna; friends at first and quickly life partners, the pair married on Feb. 12, 1984, and were inseparable. Together they raised five children. He was their greatest mentor, devoted teacher, fiercest protector, and biggest fan.
Vallone died peacefully at his home on Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020, in Houston. He was survived by his wife, Donna; daughter Lauri Vallone Mazzini and her husband, Remo; son Joseph Charles Vallone; son John Frank Vallone and his wife, Carrie; daughter Lia Grace Vallone; and seven grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Jeffrey Lester Vallone.
One of Vallone鈥檚 favorite sayings was, 鈥淵ou are only as good as your last meal.鈥�