Palmer Trinity School

Palmer Trinity School is proud to feature three alumni who are prominent in the local Miami hospitality and restaurant industry. Randy Alonso '02, Constantino Grillas '98 and Javier Uribe '10. Randy Alonso '02 owns and operates Lost Boy Dry Goods, Tropezon, Fox's Lounge, Mayfair Grill, Sipsip, and Joliet. Constantino Grillas '98 owns and operates Calista, Loretta and the Butcher, Johnny Papagallo. Javier Uribe owns and operates Strada in the Grove and Farinelli 1937 (Commodore Hospitality Group). These restaurateurs answer four questions about their journey, including their inspirations from Palmer Trinity School. CONS TANTINO GRILL A S ' 9 7 C A L IS TA , L OR E T TA A ND T HE B U T CHER , JOHNN Y PA PAG A L L O Beginning in the Industry Costa graduated from Palmer Trinity School in 1997 and went on to attend two years of college in Montreal and then finished his last two years back in Miami at FIU. Costa was always involved in the restaurant and hospitality industry because his father owned hotels and restaurants in Montreal and later Miami. During his two years at FIU Costa would work shifts at his father's restaurant, making little to no profit for himself. He then worked in finance at Morgan Stanley, where he realized the hospitality industry was his true passion. Costa really enjoyed working in the hospitality and restaurant industry but felt he would learn better if he was working separately from his family business. Costa then started to work at Villagio and later Carpaccio. He started from the bottom as a waiter and worked his way up to general manager. Working for these big corporations gave him the necessary skill set and attitude to own multiple restaurants and split his time well. Costa also ventured into the commercial real estate world. He currently has many places he rents out to other local restaurants in Miami. He says he is good at commercial real estate because of his time working in a restaurant and the knowledge he gained. Inspirations Costa remarks that "working at Villagio and Carpaccio was a huge inspiration because [he] was able to experience all the positions in a restaurant. I started from the bottom as a waiter and worked my way up to general manager." He is also inspired by his family's history working in the industry. Costa's family has been involved in the hospitality industry in Montreal [his] whole life. [He] moved back to Miami when [he] was 20 and attended school full time while also working at [his] father's hotel on Ponce." Costa explains that he has always been a disciplined person, "responsibly, athletically, and work ethic wise." He fondly remembers Elena C. De Villiers. Costa explains that her "zero ALUMNI WHO OWN RESTAUR ANTS 52 PALMERTRINITY.ORG A L U M N I N E W S

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