When Lanfranco Pescante was looking for a celebrity chef to join his new Italian restaurant in downtown Tampa, he thought immediately of Fabio Viviani.
He knew for certain he wanted a chef of Viviani's caliber on board — Pescante, who was born in Italy, says the best Italian food he's ever had stateside was at Viviani's Siena Tavern in Chicago.
What Pescante didn't know is that he and Viviani were already acquainted, having met years ago through mutual friends in Italy in the early aughts.…
