Chef of Shaw’s Hit Tuscan Restaurant Charged With Possessing 191 Grams of Cocaine

Police in Lewes, Delaware, arrested San Lorenzo chef-owner Massimo Fabbri, whose year-old Italian restaurant in Shaw has attracted favorable reviews and a recent visit from former President Barack Obama, late last month after allegedly finding nearly half a pound of cocaine on him and a companion.

According to a police report reviewed by ABC affiliate WMDT and the Washington Post, police in the Eastern Shore beach town stopped Fabbri’s BMW X5 around 7:30 a.m. on May 30 while responding to a call reporting a domestic incident between a man and a woman in a car matching that description. Police reported seeing scratches on Fabbri’s face. State troopers called in to assist picked up a woman nearby, identified as Christina Lombardi, who allegedly showed visible injuries.

After searching the pair, police reported finding 191 grams of cocaine with a street value of $19,100. There was also allegedly $3,201 in cash.

Fabbri and Lombardi were reportedly charged with felony possession in a “tier 5” quantity, the most severe category in the state. The arrest was made in a school zone, which added an aggravating factor to charges of possession with the intent to distribute. The pair also drew charges for drug paraphernalia and conspiracy. Fabbri was also charged with offensive touching.

A representative for San Lorenzo told the Post that the chef says he wasn’t in possession of the drugs, and his lawyer expects the case to be dropped. Eater reached out to a representative for the restaurant but did not immediately receive a response.

Fabbri opened San Lorenzo, a casual Tuscan restaurant serving rabbit ragu and freshly sliced prosciutto, near the end of June 2018. According to a two-star review from Post critic Tom Sietsema, Fabbri spent 17 years at Tosca, where he gained a loyal following among politicians and lobbyists. He was also a partner at now-closed Posto on 14th Street NW. Eater D.C. named Fabbri a finalist for its annual Chef of the Year award last year.

Obama reportedly visited San Lorenzo weeks before Fabbri’s arrest to enjoy a four-hour tasting menu.

• Lewes Police arrest two on drug charges [WMDT]
• Longtime D.C. chef faces felony cocaine charges after arrest in Delaware beach town [WaPo]
• Barack Obama and pals dine at San Lorenzo in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood [WaPo]
• San Lorenzo brings Tuscan flair to Shaw [EDC]
• Shaw’s New Laid-Back Tuscan Restaurant Is Here [EDC]