Where Traditions of Rome Meet the Heart of Texas

A journey that begins in Rome and finds its home in Fredericksburg.

Tutte le strade portano a Roma.

Bottega Salaria takes its name from the ancient Via Salaria, the Roman road that once carried salt and connected people through stories, flavors, and traditions that shaped Roman cuisine.
For Valerio, this road is more than history; it is a place woven into his life and memories.

The Road That Shape Roman Hospitality

The Via Salaria is the road Valerio traveled every day to hospitality school, the path that led him into Rome’s finest hotels and Michelin-starred kitchens, and even the place where he met Gina, his better half.
When he discovered Fredericksburg, he felt that same warmth and sense of community that define Italy. It felt like finding a second home, a place where the traditions of Rome could meet the heart of Texas.

Where Passion Becomes experience

Today, that connection lives in every detail of Bottega Salaria: handmade pasta prepared daily, artisanal cheeses, cured meats, and seasonal ingredients from local Hill Country producers.
More than a restaurant, it’s a destination, a space where passion, heritage, and hospitality come together at the table.

Meet Valerio Lombardozzi

Roots in Family and Tradition

Valerio Lombardozzi grew up watching his grandparents run their restaurant in Italy, where food was never just food. It was family, celebration, and the heart of everyday life.

Shaped by Europe’s Finest Restaurants

After graduating from hotelier school, Valerio refined his craft alongside Michelin-starred chefs across France, England, Spain, and Italy, working with culinary icons such as Alain Ducasse and Giorgio Locatelli. He also trained in some of Europe’s most prestigious hotels, including the Four Seasons and the Waldorf Astoria, where he developed a deep appreciation for fine dining and genuine hospitality.

A Career Built on Excellence

Upon moving to the United States, Valerio built a long and successful career as Maître D’ and General Manager with The Bastion Collection, the group behind several Michelin-starred restaurants in the U.S. and Europe. He helped open L’Atelier de Joël Robuchon and Le Jardinier, gaining invaluable experience in world-class service and restaurant operations.

His Dream arrived to Fredericksburg

Valerio eventually chose to leave his prestigious role to pursue his lifelong dream of sharing authentic Italian culture in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Drawn by the charm of Fredericksburg and its vibrant community, which reminded him of his hometown, Valerio and his wife Gina relocated to the Texas Hill Country to bring that dream to life.

The Heart of Bottega Salaria

We exist to create a place where authenticity, community, and craft come together. A home where every meal carries a story, and every guest feels part of it.