On any given evening, the dining room at Babbos Cucina is filled with a familiar rhythm. Friends gather over pasta, families celebrate birthdays, and regulars settle into favourite tables they’ve occupied for years. It feels effortless, the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that seems as though it has always been there. Yet behind that comfort is more than a decade of dedication from owner Angelo Perseo, whose journey from Ottawa’s Little Italy to one of Manotick’s most beloved dining destinations has been shaped by family, hard work, and a deep appreciation for hospitality.
Born and raised near Preston Street, Perseo’s introduction to the restaurant industry came early. Like many young people, he worked in restaurants growing up, but it was his time at Mamma Teresa that changed everything. Surrounded by passionate people who genuinely loved the business, he discovered an industry that combined creativity, community, and connection.
After spending five months in Italy, Perseo returned home with a simple dream: opening a small café serving sandwiches and espresso. Following the passing of his father, an old family friend offered to teach him how to cook. After a year of learning the craft, Perseo opened Babbos Cucina in Manotick in 2013 with a straightforward vision: create a restaurant built around classic Italian cooking, executed well. More than a decade later, that philosophy remains unchanged.
“I wanted to create a place with old-school cooking,” Perseo says. “The food people love and that never goes out of style. Food done simple and good.”
In an era where restaurants often compete for attention through trends and social media moments, Babbos has found success through consistency. Classic dishes like Carbonara and Spaghetti & Meatballs remain staples, while newer additions such as the Linguine Salmone have quickly become guest favourites.
Though the menu evolves, its foundation remains rooted in traditional Italian cooking.
For Perseo, however, the food is only part of the story.
Hospitality, he believes, is everything.
“If you don’t have hospitality, you don’t have a business.”
It’s a philosophy rooted in lessons passed down through generations. His father taught him to always take care of the customer first. Former Mamma Teresa owner Giuliano Boselli became an invaluable mentor, while chef Dominic Bevilacqua taught him the operational side of running a successful kitchen.
That mindset has transformed Babbos into a community fixture. Over the years, Perseo has welcomed generations of guests back through its doors while remaining actively involved in local events and sports teams throughout Manotick.
Those relationships proved especially important during the challenges of the pandemic. Like countless independent restaurants, Babbos faced uncertainty, but the loyalty of its guests helped carry it through. It reinforced something Perseo had long believed: restaurants succeed not only because of what they serve, but because of the connections they create.
Family continues to play a central role in that story. In the restaurant’s early years, Perseo’s mother worked alongside him in the kitchen, helping prepare sauces, meatballs, and lasagna. Even today, he credits her as a source of inspiration and motivation.
When he describes Christmas gatherings at home, the similarities to a Friday night at Babbos are impossible to miss.
“Thirty hungry people all with different tastes,” he says. “But in the end, we do it for love and the tradition of family.”
For the future, his ambitions remain refreshingly simple. After more than a decade in business, he isn’t chasing trends or reinventing the concept that made Babbos successful. Instead, he’s focused on continuing to grow, serving quality food, and creating memorable experiences for guests who choose to spend their evenings around his table.
While Perseo is often the face of the restaurant, he is quick to credit the people around him for its success. He points to the dedication of his staff and the unwavering support of his wife throughout the journey.
“You can’t do this alone,” Perseo says. “I’ve been fortunate to have an incredible team behind me and a very supportive wife. Without them, none of this would be possible.”
After all, some of the best things in life don’t need reinventing. They simply need to be done well, shared with the people you care about, and enjoyed around the table.
