If you have been to the Keauhou shopping center, you probably have stopped at Bianellis. Whether you are a regular who enjoys live music and good food or have been enticed by the smell of baked dough and spices, the truth is that this local Italian place can not be missed. Delighting Kona residents since 1989, Bianellis signature has been serving pizza, calzones, and pasta. Yet, in 2022, Thomas and Candace Dews took over the mantle as the new owners, carrying the tradition of beloved recipes while bringing new flavors and fresh ideas to the restaurant.
Tommy – as he goes by – started his career in the food industry working for companies such as Macaroni Grill, Applebees, and Little Caesar’s, prior to a long corporate career at American Eagle in specialty retail. Tommy visited the islands monthly for 12 years as he operated the Hawai’i market within his greater territory. This wide range of experience in all facets of running a business prepared him to start his own. “Leadership honed my abilities the most to drive culture, create effective teams, and put in place new technology in the building such as online ordering while rebranding our logo to improve the marketing experience,” he shares.
Following a friend’s advice, The Dews ‘ohana moved to Kona to establish a brewery and envision Bianellis as the perfect legacy business to do such. “How special is that to be able to start your passion project in one of the most incredible cities on Earth?” Tommy says.
Running an Italian restaurant has many roles and responsibilities, but the one that Tommy treasures the most is making dough. As his dream is to own a brewery, he says the chemistry behind making dough is similar to the one making beer. You have to deal with yeast and temperature, finding the right balance for the best results. Also, as a highly extroverted person who smiles and shares everywhere he goes, Tommy enjoys bartending.
“Making drinks keeps me close to the local craft breweries. We offer Big Island Brewhaus, Ola Brew Company, Kona Brewing Company, and Maui Brewing Co. We do this very purposefully, making sure we are supporting independent Kona businesses. But also, as someone who wants to be a prep brewer, it’s good to be talking to people about different types of selections they can make and who the maker of the beer was,” Tommy shares.
When asked what is the secret ingredient to their splendid food and service, Tommy points out that a good team is key. If the waiters and waitresses laugh, they create a good working environment, which results in a better connection with the customers and food that feels as good as it tastes. “Multiple people have told me recently that they can tell the team is happy because the food tastes like it,” Tommy says.
The Dews think owners should be in the business, involved with their staff team, and getting to know local customers. They also believe businesses must adapt to what the people around them need in order to serve them well. As a result, Bianellis is now open for lunch, which is the first time since the restaurant was inaugurated.
“We know it’s hard to find great food and places open. Many restaurants don’t open on Mondays or are closed for lunch. We wanted to get open, so our local community could have good options. It also gives us the opportunity to meet new people who don’t go out later in the day, Kona residents or tourists wanting to try our food,” Tommy says.
Another way Bianellis seeks to serve customers is by making sure nobody is left out. If you have gone out with a friend just to see the sadness in their face after the realization that they can not have anything on the menu because of their special diet needs, you know what I mean. For this reason, Bianellis has made sure to include gluten-free cauliflower crust, dairy-free cheese, and vegan pizzas in their options.
So this Christmas season, if you get a craving for Italian food, now you know where to go. Pamper yourself, take a friend out, or bring your entire ‘ohana for lunch. There is something for everyone!
Find out more at Bianellis.com
The Dews ‘ohana owns and operates Bianellis. Their 'ohana consists of three as they have one son currently attending elementary in Kona and themselves, Tommy & Candace. Previous to Kona they were both born and raised in Michigan but spent 15 years in California, moving to Kona from the beach community of Olde Carlsbad.
“Our goal is to be a family-based establishment. We want you to feel your dog and your keiki are welcome. A place everyone can go to and find something. We’re excited to be here. We’re glad the community has embraced us, and we look forward to doing more with them. We welcome people to come and talk stories with us. Please don’t be shy.” – Tommy Dews, owner.