Chef Tramonto currently is opening a new restaurant, Osteria Via Stato (Chicago), that he believes will keep him and his food on the “chef's edge.” Chef Tramonto tells us, “Osteria Via Stato is an Italian restaurant that will focus on fresh and flavorful cuisine, amazing Italian wines and an emphasis on hospitality…Pairing small plates with a killer wine program is the trend of the future. Chef Suzanne Goin is doing this in a truly exceptional way at her restaurant, A.O.C., in Los Angeles. Her pairings are amazing. What I am trying to accomplish with Osteria Via Stato will be similar--but brought to an even higher level.

“Growing up with my Italian grandmothers, we cooked all the traditional dishes. When first going into the restaurant industry, however, I gravitated toward fine dining while working in restaurants all over the world. This pattern culminated in the opening of my progressive French restaurant TRU in Chicago-- with Rich Melman and pastry chef Gale Gand. I never lost my passion, though, for the fresh and flavorful Italian cooking that always remained close to my heart. Osteria Via Stato will give me the opportunity now to come full circle with this passion, while still doing what we have successfully done at TRU for the last five years. It is the best of both worlds and I feel truly blessed.”