Our Story
A wonderful group of enthusiasts, with an urban soul, completes the restaurant pizzeria and microfamily team. Here are some of them!
Michael Coletti (Head Chef / Owner)
Chef Michael Colletti grew up learning his family’s Sicilian recipes, starting with bagel-making alongside his father and later working at his cousins' pizzeria. After attending the Culinary Education Center in NJ, he worked with top chefs at Le Cirque and Mai House, earning two stars from The New York Times. Chef Colletti later joined Chef Spike Mendelsohn in D.C., helping launch Good Stuff Eatery and We, The Pizza, earning national recognition and competing on Iron Chef America.
Giuseppe "Big Joe" Russo (Dining Room GM / Owner)
Giuseppe (Joe) Russo is the General Manager of VB3, overseeing daily operations and special events. An experienced entrepreneur, he grew up in the restaurant industry at his family’s pizzeria, Villa Borghese, while earning his degree at Rutgers. After five years there, he co-founded Villa Borghese II in Helmetta, New Jersey. In 2012, he joined his cousins to create VB3. Joe, raised in Elizabeth, NJ, comes from a Sicilian family and now lives in Millstone, NJ, with his family.
Giuseppe "Little Joe" Russo (Pizzeria GM / Owner)
The General Manager of VB3 Pizzeria, managing daily operations and finances. He began his restaurant career at 15 in his family’s pizzeria. After earning a Finance degree from Rutgers and a brief stint at Merrill Lynch, Joe managed Villa Borghese in Fords for six years. In 2006, he and his cousin opened Villa Borghese II in Helmetta. In 2012, he joined cousins Mike Colletti and Giuseppe ‘Big Joe’ Russo to create VB3. Originally from Elizabeth, NJ, he now lives in Millstone.
Gary Leff (Partner)
The Founder and President of G. Leff Security Systems, started at 18 after a brief time in the security field. Since 1980, his company has provided alarm and monitoring services from Virginia to Boston, expanding into luxury apartment services in 2005. Based in Cliffwood, NJ, the business employs 22 people. Recently, Gary ventured into the restaurant industry, opening VB3 Restaurant and Bar & VB3 Pizzeria in Jersey City, where he led the design and construction. He lives in Long Branch, NJ.