Lessons, Love & Pasta: Café Cortina's Rina Tonon Reflects on 49 Years of Legacy and Hospitality

DETROIT - Rezul -- When Rina Tonon and her late husband Adriano opened Café Cortina in 1976, Farmington Hills wasn't known for fine dining. "No one thought we'd ever last on Ten Mile Road," she recalls with a smile. "Only about ten cars passed by each day." But what the young couple lacked in foot traffic, they made up for in heart—and a vision rooted in tradition, family, and an unwavering commitment to hospitality.

Nearly 50 years later, Café Cortina is one of Michigan's most iconic culinary institutions, a serene, garden-lined escape where proposals, weddings, and family milestones unfold beneath twinkling lights and vine-covered pergolas. Voted Detroit's "Most Iconic Restaurant" and "Restaurant of the Year," the restaurant remains a beacon of authenticity, romance, and unforgettable food.

This fall, Tonon's contributions will be nationally recognized as she is inducted into the Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRōNA) Hall of Fame, one of the industry's most prestigious honors. She will be celebrated at the DiRōNA in Napa event on September 10 in Napa, California surrounded by her sons, Adrian and Giancarlo, who play an integral role with Café Cortina.

"A trailblazer of farm-to-table dining and one of the Midwest's most respected restaurateurs, Rina Tonon has transformed Café Cortina into a nationally celebrated destination known for soulful Italian hospitality and a garden-to-plate philosophy," said Scott Breard, CEO of DiRōNA. "Her story is one of passion, perseverance, and heart—qualities that embody the spirit of the DiRōNA Hall of Fame."

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Tonon, a first-generation Italian American raised in Detroit, says her inspiration came from her parents, who once ran Rina's Pizzeria on Schaefer Highway. "It was named after me," she says. "I grew up watching my family cook, serve, and care for people. I knew from age 14 this was what I wanted to do."

That passion found its match when she met Adriano at a Windsor dance at 17. "There were over a hundred boys in the room, but I only saw him," she says. "We shared the same dream—to build something together." Today, that dream lives on through their sons Adrian and Giancarlo, and even their grandsons, who are all active in Café Cortina's day-to-day operations.

But behind the romance is a story of resilience. Tonon has weathered recessions, personal loss, and the COVID-19 pandemic—all while nurturing a restaurant that feels like home to generations of guests. Along the way, she's mentored countless young hospitality professionals, supported children's charities, and stayed deeply committed to her Italian roots.

"I've always said Café Cortina isn't just a restaurant—it's a reflection of our values, our traditions, and our love for people," said Tonon. "This recognition by DiRōNA is an incredible honor, not just for me, but for my entire family and the loyal guests who've made this journey possible."

To learn more about the DiRōNA Hall of Fame and its 92 members, visit www.dirona.com/hall-of-fame.

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For more on Café Cortina, visit www.cafecortina.com.

About:

Café Cortina is a beloved, family-owned Italian destination in Farmington Hills, Michigan, that's earned a reputation as one of Metro Detroit's most romantic and elevated dining experiences. Founded by the Tonon family in 1976 on the grounds of a former apple orchard, it features a vineyard-like setting with an on-site garden supplying fresh herbs, heirloom tomatoes, and seasonal produce for its daily scratch-made pastas and regional Italian dishes.

The menu showcases classic favorites like osso buco, spinach lasagna, ravioli, gnocchi and vegan or gluten free options—all made with ingredients handpicked or grown on site. The fireside dining rooms and al fresco patio create a cozy yet elegant setting perfect for special occasions or intimate dinners.

DiRōNA (Distinguished Restaurants of North America honors exceptional dining experiences across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean. Since 1990, its prestigious Achievement of Distinction in Dining Award has recognized restaurants for outstanding cuisine, service, beverage programs, and ambiance. A DiRōNA-awarded restaurant guarantees more than a meal—it promises a memorable, top-tier experience.