About John

Palino came to New Zealand twelve years ago, following a New Zealand woman back here. While the relationship didn’t last, his love of New Zealand did and like fish to bouillabaisse he quickly set about establishing his own restaurants – so far he’s created four very successful businesses of his own; amongst them are Starks at The Civic Theatre and Sal Rose – a delightful ‘Country Italian’ themed restaurant in suburban Mt Albert utilising his mother Rose’s recipes.

In the past two decades John has also overseen the creation of more than a twenty restaurants, bars and nightclubs; some of these were his own, and others were run by people who needed help.

“Too many people go into the business without doing enough planning and research, without having the appropriate business skills and quite frankly, having no idea what they’re getting into.”