Cristiana Folchitto didn't come to Senoia by accident. She came by choice — leaving behind an established career and a familiar life in Italy to build something new in America. Before she ever plated a dish, she spent years in aviation, where she developed the discipline, precision, and commitment to service that would later define everything about the way she runs a restaurant. When she founded Borgo Italia in 2010, she wasn't just opening a business. She was planting a piece of Italy in the heart of Georgia.
The inspiration came from the small villages of her homeland — the kind of places where a meal is never just a meal. It's family, culture, warmth, and time spent well. That's what Borgo Italia was built to be. Today it's recognized as home to one of the largest portfolios of fine Italian wines in Georgia, with a curated selection that reflects the full richness of Italian winemaking tradition.
But Cristiana's reach in this community extends well beyond the dining room. She co-organizes the annual Italian Heritage Festival with the city. She founded a free Italian language club — Imparo l'Italiano — open to anyone who wants to connect with the culture. Borgo Italia maintains a neighborhood account dedicated to ensuring families in need can share a meal at no cost. And she does all of it alongside her brother Alessandro, a retired special forces officer who left Italy to join her in building this life.
Come for the food. Stay for everything else.