Meet the team

Jay Bisognano is the co-founder of Via Nonna, a hospitality concept that reflects his passion for food, design, and creating memorable guest experiences. His approach to hospitality blends creativity, authenticity, and a strong sense of community. Jay also serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Torrington, which he founded as a real estate investment firm focused on value-added investment, development, management, and lending. As CEO, he oversees the firm’s investment strategy, development platform, and all new business initiatives. In addition to Torrington, Jay founded Torrington Capital, which makes strategic early investments in hospitality, construction, and technology companies, and Torrington Capital Partners, a private credit platform specializing in real estate debt. Jay holds a B.S. in Entrepreneurship from Quinnipiac University.

Mario began his career as a dedicated and passionate pizzaiolo at a Connecticut pizzeria at the tender age of 15, and for 20 years has honed his craft at notable pizzerias around the world, including in Rome, New York, and Boston, as well as Campania, Italy—where his family originally hails from—under famed pizzaiolo Francesco San Pietro. During his time working with Tarry Lodge in New York state and Connecticut, Mario earned several accolades including GQ’s “Best American Pies” and the “Snail of Approval” by Slow Food USA—a designation given to restaurants contributing to the quality, authenticity, and sustainability of local food. During this time, Mario also placed tenth in the “World Pizza Championships” in Parma, Italy. In 2015, Mario opened Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca in Boston’s Seaport District as the executive chef to much fanfare. In 2020 he opened da LaPosta in Newtonville, MA to much acclaim, where it continues to be an Italian food stronghold in the greater Boston area.