Veterans of the restaurant business in Rhode Island for nearly 40 years, Ralph and Elisa's journey originated simply, in North Kingstown. On Post Road their first  venture began at a roadside motel, in 1983. The Monte Vista Motel. Initially opened as a breakfast/lunch establishment, it quickly developed a large following for dinner under the name, Raphael's. 

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The following year they relocated the business to the Waite Thresher Building on Pine Street, Providence. Once a dingy basement boiler room, Ralph and Elisa transformed their business into a fine dining experience, simultaneously opening Raffi's Pizza out of the same building soon after.After much success they sold their Pine Street location to Johnson and Wales University in 1991. Located on South Water Street, on the East Side of Providence, Raphael Bar Bistro was born. Once again, Ralph and ​​​Elisa turned an unsuspecting location, an independent film retail store, into an electric bistro scene. 

Following their success, a second location was raised in the Benny's Market Plaza of East Greenwich, in 1995, and in 1997, the South Water St. location was sold in favor of something grander. At the height of the "Providence Renaissance," the Union Station location came to fruition in, well...an abandoned train station. In the underbelly of the city, their progressively Italian cuisine converged with he slick tunnel bar of nightlife.  converged with he slick tunnel bar of nightlife.In 2008 Ralph and Elisa sold Raphael Bar Risto to focus on quality of life and family.