Expat Success Story: An American Family's Incredible Journey into the Heart of Italy's Culinary Scene!

They had always harbored a dream of owning a residence in Italy, however, venturing into the restaurant industry there was never on their agenda. Yet, Dalip and Amber Tibb, residents of North Carolina, have unexpectedly found themselves pursuing both aspirations in recent years.

The Tibbs, who have been married for 18 years, have expressed that their love affair with Italy started nearly two decades ago with a trip to Venice in 2006. Nonetheless, it took them quite some time before they could genuinely contemplate the idea of purchasing a property in the country.

"It unfolded over the course of several years," shares Amber, a travel organizer specializing in group trips to Italy, in an interview with CNN Travel. "During this time, we also started a family, while Dal, a physician, managed a bustling medical practice in California."

Together, they invested in a sizable, dilapidated Italian castle and successfully converted it into an exquisite and opulent sanctuary for relaxation and indulgence.

Italian dream

The couple purchased an apartment in the town of Giove, located in the region of Umbria, unseen during the pandemic.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

The Tibbs traveled to Italy multiple times over the years, exploring various regions in search of the perfect place that would align with their Italian dream.

Amber explains that they ultimately chose Umbria, as it is conveniently located near the Rome airport, which is their most frequently used transportation hub.

The couple started their search for a suitable place in 2019 and stumbled upon a listing for a fully furnished penthouse apartment with three bedrooms in Giove during the spring of 2020. However, due to the widespread impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, they were unable to physically visit Italy to see the apartment before making a decision.

Although they were not familiar with Giove before, the Tibbs were acquainted with the surrounding region and had confidence that it would be a suitable choice for them. Despite the sale taking longer than anticipated, they obtained assistance from a real estate attorney who specializes in aiding English-speaking individuals, thereby facilitating the process to some extent.

The couple proceeded to buy the apartment without viewing it beforehand, spending approximately 55,000 euros (equivalent to $60,500). Dalip, who hails from the UK but has resided in the US for nearly three decades, managed to acquire Italian residency (prior to Brexit's completion) enabling the family to enjoy prolonged stays in Italy.

The Tibbs were finally able to visit their property in June 2021 after the travel restrictions were lifted. They were pleasantly surprised to find that it exceeded their expectations, especially with its breathtaking views.

"When we first arrived, I immediately wanted to see the view from the back," Dalip recalls. "And I was blown away by the magnificent sight of the Tiber Valley through the windows."

The town was abuzz with excitement during their initial visit, largely because of the ongoing extensive renovations happening at the Castle of Giove. It dawned on them that there might be a potential interest among their family and friends in buying a property in the vicinity too.

The couple enlisted the help of a realtor to explore additional properties in the vicinity. Their exploration led them to a rundown apartment, which would eventually transform into their restaurant.

"They unlocked these bolted doors, revealing a staircase that led to a rather compact office suite," Dalip recounts, underscoring its evident lack of recent use.

"We looked through the windows and it literally looked right across [at] the main doors of the castle."

This US couple bought and renovated a 14th-century Italian home

Restaurant renovation

The couple went to view a neglected apartment in the town after purchasing their place and decided it would be perfect for a restaurant.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

Dalip recognized the presence of business activity in the vicinity and believed that this specific location held great potential for a new venture.

"In my subconscious, I had envisioned a restaurant, although I hesitated to disclose this idea to others," he confesses.

He felt inspired and decided to consult a local architect who agreed that the location would be perfect for a restaurant. The architect also emphasized the urgent need for a downtown eatery.

Several months later, they discovered the presence of a neighboring wine cave that could be seamlessly connected to their property, and the owner was open to selling it. "Having collaborated on previous construction and renovation projects," Dalip explains, "we concluded that this would be a feasible endeavor for us."

They proceeded to buy the apartment for 38,000 euros (approximately $41,000) and acquired the wine cave for an additional 17,000 euros ($18,700). Their intention was to transform these properties into a restaurant and wine bar.

Amber expressed, "We had little concern about the renovation expenses since the cost of materials is relatively affordable compared to the United States. Therefore, we were aware that it wouldn't pose a significant financial risk."

Amber explained that they discovered the building's probable origins in the 1600s but observed that numerous distinguishing features had become obscured. Nevertheless, they diligently removed multiple layers and successfully refurbished certain original ceilings and wooden structures.

"In the 80s, there was a significant effort to conceal a great deal of the Renaissance architecture."

"The renovation lasted approximately eighteen months, and the majority of workers, including skilled craftsmen and stonemasons, were local residents."

"It turned out to be more labor-intensive than I had expected," Dalip remarks. A particularly challenging task was converting the wine cave into a functional area, requiring the installation of old terracotta tiles on the dirt floor and cement plaster on the exposed walls.

During the renovation process, they stumbled upon vintage wine bottles hidden within aged wooden beams originating from the 1960s.

In order to restore the movie star's estate in France, he acquired it and invested $300,000 towards pool repairs.

Key ingredient

La Chiave dei Sapori, which translates to "The Key to Flavors," opened in May 2023.

Courtesy Dalip Tibb

Upon sharing their discovery with the townsfolk, the couple unearthed the intriguing fact that the wine storage area had in fact served as the local wine bar for the town years ago.

"Interestingly, the architect's father frequented this very place in his youth," Dalip reveals, speculating that its operations likely ceased in the mid-1970s.

Initially intending to lease the restaurant once it was prepared, the duo had a change of heart upon discovering that their longtime friend, chef Antonio Leo, was in search of a new endeavor.

"Dalip explains, "He possesses exceptional culinary skills. He has extensive experience as a restaurant owner and manager. Moreover, being Italian, it seemed like the perfect fit for him to be a part of it."

Eager to seize this favorable moment, they reached a consensus that would establish Leo as a partner.

"I had no intention of getting involved in the restaurant industry," Dalip remarks. "So, you know, that entire situation just unfolded naturally."

The challenge was to achieve a modern ambiance while preserving the building's historical essence, which took some time to accomplish, according to Amber.

La Chiave dei Sapori, the successor to Leo's former restaurant in Tuscany, finally opened its doors in May 2023 after months of dedicated work and eager anticipation.

The extensive renovations, encompassing furniture and the bar, amounted to a total cost of 170,000 euros (approximately $186,900).

Dal expressed their exhilaration at the successful opening and completion of the project, along with obtaining all the necessary permits. He also mentioned that the restaurant has received exceptional feedback on its appearance, indicating overall satisfaction from the customers.

The Castle of Giove, previously closed for an extended period, has now reopened for tours and events, adding to the area's revitalization.

The Tibbs, known for documenting their journey on their YouTube channel Our Little Jupiter, have recently relocated their family from California to the East Coast, aiming to be nearer to their Italian home and restaurant.

Although their long-term plan is to permanently move to Italy once their son, 12, and daughter, nine, are older, the couple has decided to spend their holidays in Italy for now. In the meantime, Dalip will continue to travel back and forth between the US and Italy to oversee their restaurant. The couple, originally from the US, recently purchased a 48-room chateau in France.

Language barrier

The Tibbs are thrilled with the reception the restaurant has received, and say the support from locals has meant a lot.

Niccolo Poppi

"Whenever we have to leave the apartment and return home," Amber shares, "I feel a deep sense of sadness. The locals in our community have welcomed us so warmly that it's hard to say goodbye."

Although the couple feels at ease in Giove, they admit that the language barrier has proved to be a significant challenge for them, particularly in certain parts of the region where English is not widely spoken.

Amber mentions that the locals are incredibly patient with us. However, some of the younger residents can occasionally become frustrated and make comments such as, "Hey, you need to learn the language faster. Hurry up."

This is because they are eager to communicate with us and extend invitations to their grandmothers' homes for dinner. They genuinely want us to embrace their culture.

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While it may take a while for both of them to reach fluency, they mention that with each visit, they are able to grasp a bit more of the Italian language.

Amber explains, "Dalip has a good understanding, but his speaking abilities are still limited." She adds that they are already discussing arrangements for their children to start learning the language.

Since its inception, La Chiave dei Sapori has successfully catered to a diverse clientele consisting of Tuscany and Umbria locals, alongside a mix of expatriates and tourists in the vicinity.

The Tibbs express their excitement about the positive reception they are receiving and acknowledge the significant support they have received from the local community.

"We greatly appreciate the kindness and enthusiasm of the locals who are delighted to have a restaurant," Amber states.

A woman, with tears in her eyes, gratefully embraced me and expressed her gratitude. She believed that our town had finally earned a deserving restaurant.

"We hope it thrives and becomes a lasting success. We are thrilled about it and have eagerly awaited a dining spot of our own. Therefore, we consider ourselves victorious, no matter the outcome."