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Todd Leutner and Vince
Ranhorn have a proven track record for creating original, provocative, and
award winning creations. Their creativity has afforded them many accolades
from both local and national publications. Their creativity began while
working together at a popular downtown eatery here in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 2001, the duo set off to begin their culinary adventure with the September
2001 opening of Fusion 440 Bistro in Olde Towne
Portsmouth. Eager and determined, the two silenced their critics who said a
restaurant of this caliber would never survive in Portsmouth. Many had come and gone through
the years. What made us so special? "Todd and I are often quoted as
saying it is easy opening a restaurant, try keeping it open for more than a
year-that's the real challenge!!!" Six months into the Fusion 440
project, we saw an opportunity-Velvet 25. March of 2002, Todd and Vince
bought the Velvet 25 spot. Similiar to the critcism of Fusion 440, the location seemed to give
people a hard time. Well, four years and numerous awards later, much like its
sister restaurant Fusion 440, Velvet 25 continues to bring over the top
culinary creations to the Ghent
area. Our fourth year together began with the acquisition of the Trilogy
location accross from the World
Trade Center
in the financial district of downtown Norfolk.
Uptown, swank, and very cosmopolitan, Trilogy continues to impress diners
from all over Hampton Roads. Todd and I are very proud of all of our
establishments. Each location has a history that is near and dear to us.
Chef Todd Leutner has a
proven track record for creating original, provocative, and award winning
creations. A graduate of Johnson and Wales Miami, Todd had the opportunity to
train under some of the top chefs in the country. His culinary journey has
landed him at landmark restaurants such as Norman's
in Coral Gables, Florida,
The Veranda Room at the Ritz Carlton-Naples, and Turnbury Isle-Naples, Florida. Locally, Todd was
the chef at the Cavalier Hotel in Virginia
Beach and the Blue Hippo in Downtown Norfolk.
The service team is led by owner Vincent
Ranhorn. Vince honed his skills at landmark restaurants like Piranha, Monroe's, Tandems Pine
Tree Inn, Ships Cabin, Uncle Louis, La Galleria, Blue Hippo.
W e admit we didn't know half as much about the
restaurant game as we thought we did as managers. It wasn't until we had to
put up the cash, time, and risk from owning and operating the following did
we learn the "restaurant business":
Velvet Lounge
Fusion 440 Bistro
Trilogy Bistro
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