In the Kuala Lumpur dining landscape, Cavaliere Modesto Marini is a redoubtable figure whose reputation precedes him. An Italian native, Modesto has been in the F&B scene for decades now, starting out as a chef in fine-dining establishments in the United Kingdom, Italy and Singapore before making his way to Malaysia in 1995, where he co-founded Modesto’s, a hugely successful string of Italian restaurants and nightlife establishments.
Since leaving the chain behind, Modesto has gone on to establish a firm footing in the luxury dining scene with The Marini’s Group, which owns and operates salubrious eateries like his flagship premium rooftop dining restaurant Marini’s on 57, premium steakhouse Marble 8 and Spanish-influenced Mesa on 51, to name a few.
Over 20 years ago, he also met and married his Malaysian wife Elizabeth Marini – incidentally, their first meeting was not a successful one, as Elizabeth was certain she was never going to date a man who owned a club. Yet fate had other plans in mind and the couple now has two children – Mira Rosa Marini, 21, and Maximiliano Marini, 15.
Modesto and Elizabeth run their restaurants together and make a formidable team – both at home and in business. Their children are also clearly their pride and joy and source of strength. Their daughter Mira is now studying agriculture in Melbourne while Max is still at school in KL.
The family shares a close bond that has been fostered pretty much since birth, with each parent playing an established role. In Modesto’s case, Elizabeth herself says that he took to fatherhood like a duck to water.
“I think he was always more calm with the babies than I was. When they were born, I didn’t even dare to pick up the babies and do skin-to-skin because they felt so slippery and I was so scared. So he took charge of all that and I think that was a very good thing for their bonding,” says Elizabeth.
To this, Modesto says, “When I held my kids for the first time, that feeling was inexplicable. I have enjoyed them – since the beginning. I enjoy spending time with them and when they were younger, I was always free in the mornings, so I made sure I took them for walks every single morning.”
When his restaurant business was taking off, Modesto moved his family closer to the city so that he could see them more often without the hassle of battling snarling traffic and long commutes.
“We were living in another part of the city. And once we opened more restaurants, we moved back to town, because then we could see each other more. So the kids could come and see me or they could come and eat at the restaurants or whatever. Work is work, but at least we could have lunch together a few times a week,” he says.
Food has also always been a huge part of the family’s dynamic and DNA. Aside from eating at their own restaurants, Elizabeth says they take Mira and Max to eat at top restaurants whenever they travel and both their children have consequently developed very discerning palates.
“Food is very, very important actually to them. I mean, we have been to certain restaurants overseas, and when we dine there, they’re not happy, and then we end up having room service after. So they have grown up knowing what good food is,” says Elizabeth.
A talented chef who grew up in a traditional Italian family, cooking classic Italian dishes has also been Modesto’s way of showing love to his children.
“When I was growing up, we had three meals a day at home. So at home, I enjoy making pasta and pizza for my kids,” he says.
While Mira shares his love of cooking, at the moment, Max enjoys the act of eating his father’s food.
“When I was pregnant with him, I could have eaten a cow. I just wanted food, food, food all the time. So when he came out, he just wanted food. Even now, he has to be fed – he loves his carbs,” jokes Elizabeth, laughing.
Although both his parents are gregarious and outgoing, Max is a sweet, soft-spoken young teen who still has an air of innocence to him. He laughs when his mother mentions his constant hunger and nods vigorously in acknowledgement.
When asked what his favourite foods are, he lists his father’s carpaccio and vitello tonnato as his must-haves.
Modesto smiles encouragingly at his son, his love for his offspring clear and palpable. Despite having spent the vast part of his career building restaurants, it is clear that in his own personal hierarchy, his children have always come first.
“Being a parent comes with a big package of responsibilities, so you must make sure that you provide for them, give them an education, give the best that you can and try to make them happy. It’s a long journey but a very fulfilling one,” he says.
