After re-opening for in-house dining on Friday, Sept. 25, Amilinda, the Downtown restaurant specializing in Spanish and Portuguese inspired fare at 315 E. Wisconsin Ave., has announced some key personnel changes.
Effective immediately, Chef Gregory Leon has assumed full control and responsibility for the restaurant, including both front and back of house operations.
In turn, his former partner Orry Leon, who co-founded the restaurant with him in 2015, has stepped away from his operations role at the restaurant. He will remain connected to the restaurant as a silent partner for the time being.
In his stead, Chef Leon has appointed Ian Rupp, an industry veteran and friend for over 20 years, to the role of general manager.
Leon has also promoted John Chandler, a long time cook at the restaurant, to sous chef.
Guests can get a taste of one of Chandler’s most recent creations by ordering the Alubiias de Tolosa, a cool weather Basque stew featuring pork belly, pork ribs, chorizo and morcilla sausage simmered in flavorful stock with kidney beans and served with cabbage and Padron peppers.
It’s a dish Chef Leon says it's a well-researched dish that's perfect for the fall. “It’s a pork extravaganza,” he adds.
Amilinda is open Wednesday through Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. Reservations are required for in-house dining. Carry-out is also available.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
