Michela Larson, Gary Sullivan, and Karen Haskell
With its beloved restaurants, including Noir at the Charles Hotel, Blu at the Sports Club/LA, and the newest venture, the South End’s Rocca Kitchen & Bar (and, previously, Rialto), the Sapphire Restaurant Group has discovered a foolproof recipe for success … and we’ve sniffed out the secret ingredients: partners Michela Larson, Karen Haskell, and Gary Sullivan. Larson is the creative force, the foodie — perhaps best known for her now-defunct restaurant, Michela’s — who envisions dreamy concepts and dining experiences, while Haskell serves as the group’s businesswoman, providing financial advice and skills in project management. Sullivan, who is a trained architect, takes care of operations and is also a wine expert. Who could ask for more?
PHOTO BY TIM GRAY