Everyone loves Italian food, and when you've eaten the real deal, it's pretty close to heaven.

Lake Highlands residents, Jeanne-Marie and Salvatore Gisellu, provide that kind of heavenly food for people to enjoy every day at their restaurant, Urban Crust, in downtown Plano.

Salvatore was born and raised on the small island of Sardinia, Italy. He's the youngest of four children and was raised in a very traditional Italian family.

That included milking the cows every morning and helping make bread and homemade pasta every day. His family still makes their own wine, oil, and cheese and eats only what's in season.

Following culinary school in Italy, Salvatore graduated at the top of his class and was recruited to work all over the world.

He came to Dallas only knowing a certain show by the same name, with his friends in Sardinia lovingly referring to him as J.R.

Wife and business partner, Jeanne-Marie, was born in New Jersey and also into a very traditional Italian family.

The two met when Jeanne-Marie was on a date at Arcodoro & Pomodoro, where Salvatore was executive chef at the time. Her date actually introduced them, obviously unaware it would be his last dinner outing with Jeanne-Marie.

Here's where Urban Crust enters the story.

The Gisellus owned Daddy Jack's Wood Grill when they met Bonnie and Nathan Shea through mutual friends. Bonnie and Nathan owned an historic building in downtown Plano and were looking for someone to team up with and open an Italian restaurant.

With the help of Cal Young, the amazing architect who transformed the space, the ideas started flowing and the concept of Urban Crust became a reality.

The Plano community immediately embraced Urban Crust, and it's easy to understand why.

The physical space and beauty of a 100+ year-old building transformation, the welcoming and professional attitude of the staff, and of course the amazing food you can only get from a true master chef who was born, raised, and trained in Italy to cook Italian food.

Plus, they have a really cool ice bar!

Although from two very different backgrounds, the Gisellus share their Italian heritage and proudly pass it down to their sons, Matteo (9) and Luca (11) who attend Merriman Park Elementary in Lake Highlands.

Matteo loves the sausage pizza (Jimmy's sausage) and pasta al forno with sausage, Tuscan fries, root beer and gelato.

Luca is a little more adventurous and enjoys everything from steak to fish specials and chopped salad.

When the Gisellus aren't working at the restaurant, they're volunteering in the community.

Salvatore raises money for the Master Chef Society with fundraising events and regularly gives back by hosting dinners for charities.

His team, including family members, always prepares and serves meals on Thanksgiving Day to the US troops being deployed out of DFW.

The family is also very involved at Merriman Park Elementary and supports their church, St. Thomas Aquinas.

Put Urban Crust on your list of "must visit" spots, and when you get there be sure to give them a Lake Highlands howdy!

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Urban Crust is located at 1006 E. 15th Street in downtown Plano.

The restaurant is open seven days a week, including a weekly Sunday brunch from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Visit the Urban Crust website for details, where you can sign up for their email newsletter that details fun events and new menu items.