Tivona Group To Open Urban Italia and Saffron House this Fall at Victory Park in Dallas.
Interior dining rendering. Image by Urban Italia.
DALLAS, TX – Tivona Group, the hospitality team behind acclaimed Indian restaurant Sanjh, is opening two concepts this Fall/Winter: Urban Italia, a bold new interpretation of Italian-American cuisine from Chef Carla Pellegrino, and Saffron House, the revival of a Dallas favorite from the original owners. Both restaurants will debut in Victory Park at 3030 Nowitzki Way, Dallas, TX, with Urban Italia on the first floor and Saffron House on the second floor.
Urban Italia
Urban Italia is rooted in the story of Italian immigrants who came to America, mostly New York City, recreating the comforting and bold flavors from home, that is now referred to as Italian-American cuisine.
At the helm of Urban Italia is Chef Carla Pellegrino, whose celebrated 20+ year career spans New York, Las Vegas, and Miami. Known for blending heritage, technique, and bold personality into every dish she creates, Pellegrino will bring the heart of Italia-Merica to Dallas through housemade pastas, wood-fired pizzas, massive meatballs, refined red-sauce classics and indulgent desserts.
Chef Pellegrino was born in Brazil to Portuguese and Italian parents, and was formally trained at the French Culinary Institute in New York. Carla made her U.S. debut with the critically acclaimed Baldoria in NYC before taking the helm at Rao’s Las Vegas, where she brought the legendary East Harlem Italian institution to the Strip with resounding success. She went on to launch multiple beloved restaurants including Bratalian, Bacio, Touché, and Meatball Spot—each showcasing her signature elevated Italian cuisine and approachable hospitality.
Chef Pellegrino for Urban Italia
“At Urban Italia we are bringing history to life - blending Old-World technique with New-World swagger. We will be serving up iconic classics such as spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmesan, and steak pizzaiola using the highest quality ingredients and techniques. It will be like guests are eating in an Italian grandmother’s kitchen but with refined presentation in an elevated, modern atmosphere.”
“Italian-American cuisine is more than food—it’s culture, history, and family. When we met Chef Carla, it wasn’t just her talent that stood out, but her instinct for a style of cooking that felt both familiar and fresh,” said Sanjay Joshi, CEO and President of Tivona Group. “We knew there was an opportunity to celebrate the rich story of Italian-American cuisine in a way that hadn’t been done before, and Urban Italia was born from that shared vision.” The 5,500-square-foot-space can seat 250 guests inside and on the patio. Designed by Fusion AE, a local DFW design firm, it will have a bright, airy feel with natural wood, an indoor-outdor bar and a spacious patio. Urban Italia’s bar program will also be guided by Yangdup Lama, the internationally award-winning mixologist over all Tivona Group concepts. Both lunch and dinner will be served.
About Saffron House
Probodh Arora, COO of Tivona Group, first opened Saffron House in 2002 and was beloved for nearly two decades before closing in 2019. The restaurant is now making its return with a refreshed look and renewed energy. Guests will once again enjoy the modern Indian flavors that became part of Dallas dining history—now in a bright, open, and airy 2,000-square-foot space, also designed by Fusion AE, with seating for 60 guests.
Arora states, “Even today, guests at Sanjh share their fond memories of Saffron House. Some remember dining at our original Addison location, others recall our catering while celebrating weddings at Union Station or the Ritz-Carlton, and many St. Mark’s alumni grew up on our cuisine when we catered to their campus each week. That enduring love for Saffron House inspired me to bring back the concept—modernized yet true to its roots—so families in Dallas can enjoy it once again.”
The menu will highlight cherished classics from the original Saffron House, reintroduced alongside new dishes, with a vibrant cocktail program designed by renowned mixologist Yangdup Lama, Director of Beverage Program for Tivona Group. Both lunch and dinner service will be offered, with takeout and third-party delivery available.
Urban Italia and Saffron House will both open this Fall/Winter 2025 at Victory Park in Dallas.
