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Vanesa Ewais
M.B.A. & Master of Architecture • Hospitality • Sustainability
Vanesa Ewais is a restaurant industry professional with a diverse background in hospitality and business. She served as Service Manager at Gage & Tollner from February 2020.23 Ewais has an MBA and a Master's in Architecture, and has worked in various roles in the restaurant industry.2
Currently, Ewais is the founder and owner of Othello, a new restaurant in Jacksonville, Florida, which opened in September 2024.1 Othello offers a menu inspired by Southern Spain, North Africa, and the Middle East, reflecting Ewais' family heritage.1
Before opening Othello, Ewais gained experience at notable establishments:
- Operations Manager at Union Square Hospitality Group2
- Worked at Gramercy Tavern for three years1
- Spent four years with Niche Food Group in St. Louis1
Ewais comes from a restaurant family background. Her parents owned and operated Zodiac Bar & Grill, a Mediterranean restaurant in downtown Jacksonville for 20 years.1 She partnered with her father, Jeriees "Jerry" Ewais, to open Othello, bringing her experience from top restaurants in New York and elsewhere to her hometown.1
