PARAGARY RESTAURANT GROUP — 3 PARTNERS, 1 VISION
“A haven of sustenance, libation, and hospitality”
PRG was established in 1993 by visionary businessman Randy Paragary, his unflagging wife Stacy, and chef partner Kurt Spataro. While Randy had opened half a dozen restaurants prior to 1993, he cemented his foundation as a restauranteur when this partnership began. Together, over the course of 25 years, this threesome opened over 20 restaurants in the Sacramento region. Their mission was always to fill a void in the local restaurant and nightlife scene.
“We are very proud of the diversity of our locations. We have invested abundant thought, time, energy, and resources to create unique locations that enhance the urban landscape and represent the highest quality. We sincerely thank our customers, neighbors, celebrants, businesspeople, tourists, and those out just searching for a great experience, for supporting not just our venues, but also our vision of what is Sacramento.”
If you have not visited one of our locations yet—come on in. Get to know us. Then come back often, so we can get to know each other.
RANDY PARAGARY
Sadly, Randy passed too soon from a short battle with pancreatic cancer in August 2021. A pioneer of the Sacramento restaurant and nightlife scene, he wore many hats. Saloonkeeper. Attorney. Restaurateur. Entrepreneur. Hotelier. Real Estate Developer. Husband. Father. Community Board Member. Mentor.
Randy’s reputation was founded on forging into tough neighborhoods and improving their collective dining and nightlife offerings. He worked with the city to redevelop neighborhoods such as the Convention Center/Community Center area, the R Street corridor, and the Sutter district.
He was his own boss in a very tough business, but he was not a one-man band.
“People are very passionate about their dining and nightlife experiences,” said Randy, “and it takes the combined individual strengths of not just me and my partners, but all of our employees to satisfy that passion. We understand the excellence in product it takes to establish and maintain a customer base. Just as important, we understand that it takes a small army of people—everybody from the host, server, bartender, cook, to dishwasher—to not only get food and drink in front of the guest, but also surpass their expectations. And we strive to provide this small army the proper training and environment in which they can succeed, and enjoy themselves at the same time.”
Randy is missed, but not forgotten by all those who knew him. And Sacramento is a better city because of him. Thank you Randy.
STACY PARAGARY
Stacy and Randy worked side by side in business beginning in 1993, the year they were married. Stacy’s first venture was opening the original Cafe Bernardo on Capitol Avenue, which is now home to a new Cafe Bernardo and Four Palms Bar in the Fort Sutter Hotel. Their union of creativity, tenacity, hard work, and high ideals proved to be a successful partnership for 28 years.
Stacy brought to the team a passion for design and architecture-driven spaces that did not exist in the 1990’s local restaurant scene. These spaces truly ‘raised the bar’ in what was then still considered a “Cow Town.”
“I believe that you need more than great food, drinks, and service to create a memorable dining experience,” says Stacy. “beyond taste and smell, there is a need for a vibe that feeds more senses. A visually pleasing restaurant is a feast for the eyes. If done well, good restaurant design is not perceptible to most people. It makes you feel like you want to come back again and again.”
Since Randy’s passing, Stacy now presides as President of Paragary Restaurant Group. She manages the operations of six Paragary Group restaurants, and is the owner and managing partner of the Fort Sutter Hotel and Ink Restaurant. Additionally, she oversees the Esquire Grill at the Sacramento airport with partner Host International, and three restaurant partnerships in the Golden One Center. She currently sits on the Midtown Association Board of Directors, R Street Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce Host Committee, and the Hilton Tapestry Collection Owners Advisory Council. Stacy balances her personal and professional lives with humility, gratitude, and perseverance.
KURT SPATARO
Kurt Spataro is a self-taught cook always searching for new things. He believes that his approach to both classic and modern cooking has many influences, Julia Child (The French Chef) and Graham Kerr (The Galloping Gourmet) among them. And Kurt’s experience with the food and culture of countries such as Italy, France, Mexico, Japan, Hong Kong, Indonesia, and Thailand is invaluable to the diversity and regional focus of Paragary Restaurant Group food concepts.
“I’ve always been interested in the origin of food, how it is raised, and where it is raised,” says Kurt, “and it seems like the public is now becoming more aware of that school of thought. This adds an exciting element to the dining experience.”
“As chefs, we search for new sources of food and inspiration,” says Kurt, “but we primarily celebrate our local products. Sacramento Valley may not pop into mind as one of the culinary hotbeds in California or the world, but in terms of agriculture, it really is. We grow some of the best produce on the planet and our menu development is inspired by and takes full advantage of native seasonal ingredients.”
Native also applies to Kurt himself. Born and raised in Sacramento, he is a graduate of CSUS. A lifelong musician, Kurt played piano and guitar in numerous local bands and continues to play music today. He is an avid snow skier and surfs along the Northern California coast.
“As Executive Chef,” says Kurt, “I supervise, teach, coach, and develop concepts with my chefs. We focus on the customer experience and how to communicate the uniqueness of our dining concepts to them. And I hope they leave with a positive feeling, and anticipating to come back.”
Kurt is a member of culinary advisory boards for American River College and the Elk Grove School District. In addition, he is a member of the American River College faculty. Kurt remains actively involved in several philanthropic foundations. Kurt and wife Kitty O’Neal live in Sacramento with their four cats, Rudy, Daisy, Sammy and Giorgio.