About Us
After an unprecedented 10.5 year run at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs, the Valley's own International Recording Artist, Khani Cole has teamed up with stellar chef, Michael Lepore, re-branded, expaned and transformed Lepore's Leccabaffi Ristorante' into Voce' Ristorante' & Music Lounge.
  
kelly cappelli photography
Cole, who's recorded three releases and toured the world while simultaneously performing at the Pointe) decided that it was time to move on -- "everything changes, change really is a good thing and it was just time, they closed to remodel and that was the spark-plug " -- Cole states. "Mike's (Manager, Mike Florio) wanted to do this for a very long time...open a place with an amazing food component and offer great talent from everywhere. We believe that teaming with the Lepore's presents the total package" -- adds Cole.
Chef, Michael Lepore ( Italy/NYC), a former accountant for Price/Waterhouse and his wife, Patty took over Leccabaffi 5 years ago and will continue to serve his award wining Euro-Italian dishes such as Orecchietti con Rapini e Salsicia (Orcchietti pasta, homemade sausage, olive oil and chile pepper), Pappardelle sul Cinghiale (Pappardelle pasta w. Wild Boar) and LaClassica Cotoletta ala Milaneses con Ruchetta Pomodorini e Parmigiano (fresh, thin veal chop sauteed and breaded with baby arugula and tomatos).
"We took over an additional 1000 sq feet next door, moved the dining room over and built the lounge where the old dining room was. Mike (Florio) and I did all the work and we never closed" -- laughs Lepore. "But, on a serious tip, the coupling of the Leccabaffi menu, food and tradition with what Khani brings to the table, is a combination that can't be found anywhere" -- Lepore adds.
Voce' opened December 26th ('07) and currently maintains an entertainment schedule 5 nights a week. There are plans to bring in routing artists from Los Angeles and San Francesco as well. Florio (who also manages international jazz artists, Joey DeFrancesco and Ron Blake) states -- "the lounge is as big as most of the"famous" jazz rooms around the country; we can do multiple nights and turn the house if need be."
The current entertainment line-up (July 2008) includes:
Fridays & Saturdays with Khani Cole.
"We want to be known as a place to have a great time, incredible food and great live music...period." states Florio.
So far a who's who of music celebrities have stopped by Voce' including, Grammy nominated jazz artist, Joey DeFrancesco, legendary drummers, Steve Gadd (Eric Clapton, James Taylor) & Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty, George Duke), Brian "Head" Welch of Korn fame, Lincoln Center Orchestra member, Wycliff Gordon, Smooth jazzers, Bobby Lyle, Rohn Lawrence, Jay Rowe and Eric Darius, bass guitar icon, Brian Bromberg, Michael Ripoll and Ethan Farmer of Babyface's band, Jazz & Pop legend, George Benson and the original "Jersey Boy" himself, Frankie Valli who commented -- "this is the kinda' joint I'm most comfortable singing in, Khani Cole sounds amazing and Chef Michael's food's outta' sight."
The Venue:
Upon entering Voce' through her handmade, one of kind Mediterranean-styled front door, the foyer greets you with classic elegance and warmth. Make a quick right to discover the new dining room with a long and narrow east coast feel, warm orange/red walls and glowing retro sconces. Flowing velvet curtains separate the private dining-room and the unique Italian photography transports you to Southern Italy.
An immediate left off of the foyer finds the warmth flowing into the lounge which includes 65' of overstuffed, chocolate brown leather couches and sectionals, a black with copper-flecked granite bar-top, Copa style tables and flowing velvet stage curtains. Framed classic LP's decorate the wall just to remind you that this isn't just your average music lounge.
 
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