Restaurateur in court over punching ‘pest’ rival businessman in the face

A well-known restaurateur from North Sydney has been fined after punching another restaurant founder in the face during an ugly incident in a carpark at Artarmon.

Michel Rossetti was sentenced in court on Wednesday over the assault.

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A well-known restaurateur from North Sydney has been fined after punching another restaurant founder in the face during an ugly incident in a carpark at Artarmon.

Michel Peter Rossetti, 41, who owns Cala Luna Restaurant and Pizza Pasta Bene in North Sydney and Pizza Pesce Bene in Mosman, was sentenced at Hornsby Local Court on Wednesday and fined $850 and convicted over the assault.

The assault took place in an underground carpark at a food wholesaler in Artarmon on the morning of July 5, 2018.

Michel Rossetti is a well-known restaurateur and chef in North Sydney. Picture: John Appleyard

Police facts stated Mr Rossetti approached Robert Gugliotta while he was inside his Mercedes and about to leave the carpark.

He tapped on the car window and got Mr Gugliotta to wind down his window.

“The accused asked ‘are you Robert from Bravo?’ The victim said ‘yes’,” the facts stated.

“The accused clenched his right hand making a fist and punched Gugliotta through his open car window.”

Mr Rossetti, who is also a mixed martial arts fighter, then told the victim to get out of his car and called him “a pest”.

Michel and Emma Rossetti leaving court on Wednesday.

The victim refused and asked Mr Rossetti who he was.

Following a short exchange, Mr Rossetti left the area.

Mr Rossetti’s wife, Emma Kathryn Rossetti, 41, was also sentenced in court alongside her husband for not co-operating with police during their investigation into the assault.

The vehicle Mr Rossetti was driving on the morning of the assault was traced back to Mrs Rossetti’s business, but she failed to disclose to police who was using the vehicle during the morning of the assault.

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She was fined $600 for owner not disclose identity of driver.

Mr Rossetti’s defence lawyer said he was diagnosed with bleeding on the brain just a couple of weeks after the incident, which may have played a part in his actions.

Magistrate Bruce Williams said while that was hard to determine, it appeared Mr Rossetti was able to carry out his duties at work in the days previous to and after the assault, which would suggest he was functioning normally at the time of the assault.

The victim, Mr Gugliotta, founded Bravo Trattoria restaurant in Crows Nest.