Italian Village Restaurants—Chicago’s original Italian destination celebrating 90 years in 2017—announced the appointment of Ozzy Amelotti as executive chef of its contemporary Italian concept, Vivere.
Chef Amelotti joins the Italian Village family with over 20 years of culinary experience. Ever since starting as a kitchen staffer at the age of eight in Córboda, Argentina (getting paid in ice cream), Chef Amelotti dreamed of cooking for others. After moving to Florida, and continuing to cook meals for his mother, Chef Amelotti went on to make his culinary aspirations a reality. He studied Culinary Art at the Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MCTC), and gleaned fundamental experience working at various dining establishments such as Chef de Partie at Hilton and the Radisson Blu hotel.
As executive chef of Vivere, Chef Amelotti oversees all culinary endeavors at the contemporary Italian restaurant, from menu development and kitchen management, to preparation and cooking. With a creative approach to Italian cuisine combining his French and Argentinian influences, Amelotti aims to redefine Vivere’s menu, making it one of Chicago’s premier Italian dining destinations.
Under Amelotti’s direction, new menu highlights include:
Polpo alla Carbone
Mesquite charcoal grilled baby octopus, roasted beets, mixed fresh herbs, shredded fried potato and balsamic glaze
Insalata Di Cavolo
Tuscan Kale, red cabbage, toasted almonds, micro plane horseradish, sliced apples and creamy apple vinaigrette
Tonno Di Bistecca alla Griglia
Grilled Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, caper berries, Mediterranean olives, heirloom tomato, frisée and mixed fresh herbs
Bistecca Mama Mia
Mesquite charcoal grilled 20oz USDA Prime Dry aged 30-day bone in Ribeye steak, rosemary roasted potatoes and local farm seasoned vegetables
Chef Amelotti is enthusiastic about his new home at Vivere, particularly because of its rich family history and welcoming environment. In addition to exciting new culinary creations at Vivere, he will collaborate with Italian Village Restaurants’ Wine Director, Jared Gelband, offering newly inspired experiences for guests with special wine pairings and dinners.
Located on the main floor of Italian Village Restaurants, Vivere allows guests to experience regional contemporary Italian cuisine in a setting that is both luxurious and whimsical. Vivere specializes in creating dishes that not only follow the latest trends in Italian cuisine, but also pay homage to its rich culinary tradition. Known for more than authentic Italian cuisine, the Italian restaurant houses an award-winning wine cellar with over 1,100 selections totaling over 20,000 bottles. With talented culinary additions, new summer menu specials, a recently launched Coravin program, and the 90th anniversary approaching this fall, there is much to celebrate at the third-generation family restaurant.
