River Oaks District is getting a new star and it's not of the retail kind. Taverna, the Italian restaurant known for its hand-made pasta and indulgent risotto dishes, is welcoming Francesco Schintu as its new executive chef, according to the Lombardi Family Concepts. The Dallas-based restaurant company whose restaurant brands also include Toulouse Café and Bar (also a signature restaurant at River Oaks District) said that Schintu's love of Italian fare and culinary traditions make him a perfect choice to lead Taverna.