Mauro and Esther Bregoli have sold the Old Manor House restaurant in Romsey, Hampshire, which they have run for the past 23 years.
The restaurant, which was sold through property agent Savills, is to become a Prezzo restaurant.
The sales price was undisclosed, but Savills was seeking offers around £650,000 to £700,000. The Old Manor House has closed and will be handed over on 2 December.
Esther said her Italian chef husband, who specialises in pork dishes and recently quipped: "My food is so fatty it will kill you", will semi-retire but will be involved in a couple of projects as a consultant in London.
Buyer Prezzo was set up two years ago under the original name of Greenstar Investments by Phillip Kaye, father of Ask Central's founders Adam and Sam Kaye, along with another family relative, Jonathan Kaye.
Prezzo operates 10 Jonathan's and Prezzo restaurants. Both serve pizzas and pasta, but Prezzo branches also offer r"tisserie chicken.